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Survivorman Steve Survives Stressful Seven-Day Survival Sojourn first-person account by Steve Blakeley Director of University Printing Services (photos by Steve Blakeley and John Bridges) "'Impact' is when they teach you to deal with having nothing but what you are carrying and this shocks most folks into an understanding of what they got themselves into." – Steve Blakeley

On July 24, John Bridges, Portales fire chief, and I made the 15-hour drive to Boulder, Utah, to attend BOSS (Boulder Outdoor Survival School). This is a seven-day adventure that teaches not only how to survive without food and little water, but also primitive skills such as how to make fire from a rock, a 5-foot piece of cord, and a couple of sticks. It is called a fire kit. Everyone in the group is expected to make fire in this fashion before passing the course.

"Fire Chief" John Bridges

"Fire Man" Steve Blakeley

The course was attended by nine individuals from across the United States and guided by three BOSS instructors. We spent the week learning how to navigate by compass, find water, create shelter, make rope from the local vegetation, studied editable and medicinal plants, and how to depend on each other. Our group, known as I-75, encountered altitude sickness, blisters, cuts, bruises, dehydration and lots of fatigue. The average age was 28 years, so John and I were both quite a bit older than the others. In fact, I was 16 years older than the oldest instructor.

Survival: Utah

This was my second time to attend this course; I went through it 12 years ago and it gave me a distinct advantage. I was in much better shape this time, I knew what to expect, and I only lost seven pounds. No matter how many times you attend the course, BOSS always puts kinks into the process to stress you or make you think.

The first night on the trail the instructors were guiding everyone along and at dark stopped them and said, “Good night,” and walked off into the dark – leaving everyone standing there looking at each other. We had nothing but the clothes on our back and what we had in our pockets. This included: a knife, one water bottle, a first aid kit, and little else – no food. This is to simulate an actual survival situation.

You have to remember some of these folks have never been in the mountains at night, much less with no tent or sleeping bag. The average nightly temperature was 50 degrees and was quite cold without a sleeping bag or blanket. You learn to deal with it. This was the start of “impact.” Impact is when they teach you to deal with having nothing but what you are carrying and this shocks most folks into an understanding of what they got themselves into. This usually takes a couple of days.

	Flossing with string is harder than I thought
The long and the short of it

At the end of our “Impact“ days we were given our rations for the rest of the week. This included:; a cup of lentil soup, a cup of flour, two carrots, a potato, an onion and a cup of oats for breakfast. The carrots, the potato and the onion were shared by a group of four for diner stew – if we were able to make fire. The average person’s caloric intake for the week was about 2,000 calories. We also received our blanket packs, which included a second water bottle, a can to cook in, a cup, a rain poncho, and a change of socks. At orientation the group was trained in how to create a pack from our blanket to carry gear.

The week was filled with challenges; our average day of hiking included 15 to 20 miles of very rugged terrain. By the third day the instructors felt it was time for solo. This is when the instructors lead you to a location and you spend the next day and night alone without any support. To some this is a great time to reflect; to others it can be a frightful experience. I enjoyed the time of rest; no hiking.

These boots are made for walking

After we re-grouped, the instructors lead our expedition into the desert and turned the guiding over to the group. Our group was expected to organize and travel as one. The instructors gave us a point on the map and we were expected to be there for camp that night.  If we got lost we could walk all night to find it.

It helped that John and I were experienced in using a compass and map, because one of the young leaders got us off course. We made the adjustment and made camp just as the sun went down this first night on our own.

With this type of teaching you soon find out if you were listening to what they were teaching. The group either works well together or falls apart. We had a great group; everyone worked well together and helped each other through the blood, sweat and tears. If anyone breaks down, the group is expected to deal with it. You soon find out that it is much easier to survive as a group than an individual. Everyone has a bad day from time to time and the group works it out. The BOSS instructors teach the rule of "4’s" as a priority for survival. In four seconds you can die from poor decision making, in four minutes you will die from a lack of oxygen, in four hours from a lack of shelter, in four days from a lack of water, in four weeks from a lack of food, and in four months from a lack of companionship. This teaches you what is important and when.

Hamburger Dreams

After six days of torment it was time for our final challenge. It is always different. This time we were forced to rise at 2 a.m., pack our stuff in the dark and move our gear about a quarter of a mile down the trail. Tough when you consider we have never been in this area, had not flashlights, and it was pitch dark, no moon. As soon as that was done we dropped our gear and had to make our way to the highway, only a few hundred feet away.

Once on the highway we had to make the best possible time to another checkpoint down the road. Some walked, some jogged, and the ones in better shape ran. We no longer had to work as a group; this was a personal challenge. We had no idea how far we had to travel. It ended up being about eight miles and most of it was uphill. I would say John and I did well for a couple of old guys. We come in third and fourth on times.  Remember, this was all in the dark. The last group arrived at the end point about 6:30 a.m., a good hour after John and me – not bad for a couple of old guys.

The BOSS slogan is: "No watch, No flashlight, No GPS, No food, No water, No sleeping bag, No tent, No sunglasses, NO PROBLEM."

This course helps me put everything into prospective; what is truly important in this high-tech world. I plan to take the 14-day course before I get too old.  I may even talk my wife, Jane, into joining me.

Not so much as a candy wrapper was left behind – maybe because they had no candy?

More New Folks interviews by Wendel Sloan; photo of Celeste by Robin Haislett Communication Services
	Celeste Tobin Job title? Admissions Recruiter Brief description of job responsibilities? I recruit high school students and help them through the admissions process.   What were you doing before you got your present job? Working as a manager at Hollister Co. What degrees do you have and where are they from? I have a Bachelor degree in Marketing and Management from New Mexico State University.     Where were you born and where did you grow up? I was born and raised in Socorro, N.M.  What are your hobbies? Golfing, swimming, playing tennis, hanging out with friends and family, and shopping. Other Thoughts? I’ve been working here for eight months and really enjoy the work environment and guiding students through the enrollment process.
Laurel Petty Job title?  Assistant Prof of Theatre and Film Brief description of job responsibilities?  Teaching for the Theatre Department and for the Digital Cinema Arts program.  What were you doing before you got your present job?  Freelance video editor and educator What degrees do you have and where are they from?  BA in Drama from University of Dallas and MFA in Radio, Television, and Film from University of North Texas. Where were you born and where did you grow up?  Dallas, Texas, and grew up some in Littleton, Colorado What are your hobbies?   Law Other Thoughts?  I appreciate the great hospitality here at ENMU and Portales.
Pease let the Monday Memo know of other new employees.

Back-to-School Breakfast: Food with Talk (photos by Wendel Sloan)

Video Alert

Dawg Days Ice Cream Social – [video]

Scenes from Dawg Days Ice Cream Social (photos by Robin Haislett)

Video Alert

Dawg Days BBQ and Pep Rally – [video]

Other Scenes from Dawg Days (photos by Robin Haislett)

No Refreshments: But SPAN Training Not as Boring as Expected

In fact, it was so exciting, some people even brought their twins. (photo by Wendel Sloan)

Slackers Meet in Ground Zero

For Afternoon Snacks – The Secretaries' Luncheon Agenda Committee – Bonnie Sink, Candace Baros, Angela Ayers and Betsy Chavez – met Wednesday afternoon in Ground Zero to supposedly plan future agendas for Secretaries' Luncheons. Calling themselves "Slackers," as the photographer left he noticed that they were living up to their nickname by pulling out kindergarten mats for an afternoon siesta. (photo by Wendel Sloan)

Grandma Betsy

Weighing in at 7 Pounds – Betsy Chavez has become a first-time gradma with the birth of Julian Joe Gallegos, son of Santana and Jonathan. Grandpa Steve is known as "Grandpa Cheese."

New Signage for Blackwater Draw Site

Graphic artist Casey Gregerson designed this nifty piece of work. Had she signed it, we would have anticipated its value going up by mammoth proportions in coming eras.

How Paulks are Spending Their Summer Vacation first-person account by Kayla Paulk

I'll be here at the Sherrill Milnes opera workshop in Florida two more weeks.  Tuesday, on our day off, Jason and I chartered a fishing guide for a 1/2 day in Tampa Bay.  Attached are two pictures of our redfish catches.  Jason's largest was 33" and mine was 31".  We caught about 60 redfish, several catfish, a bonnet shark, and several mangrove snapper that day. Tonight, we attended the touring show of the Broadway show, "Forever Plaid."  During the show, to our surprise, they asked for a volunteer to come up and play "Heart and Soul" with the show's pianist.  They asked who knew the piece and I, (Kayla), of course, raised my hand.  Surprisingly, they chose me, not knowing I am a pianist.  I went up and played with the pianist, was a surprise hit, and then stage fright set in.  They continued by including me in a dance number.  I'm very comfortable behind the keyboard, but was shaking like a leaf as I participated in dance numbers with the cast.  It was loads of fun, though.

ENMU-Ruidoso Could Get New Campus by Terry Fitzwater Ruidoso News
	In what is being hailed as a historic and unique public-private partnership, the Spencer Theater, Eastern New Mexico University-Ruidoso and the state of New Mexico reached an agreement in principle on Saturday for the state to assume responsibility for the Spencer Theater's facilities while still allowing theater management to operate and promote the facility.
In addition, the memorandum of understanding signed by New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs Secretary Stuart Ashman and representatives from the Jacqueline Spencer Morgan Spencer Theater Trust will allow the trust to donate a nearby residence and 139 acres of land to the Department of Cultural Affairs, which the state hopes to turn into the new campus of Eastern New Mexico University-Ruidoso. [continued]