On Wednesday October 18th the West Salem high school Outdoor Education class went rappelling and hiking. First the class went to Upper Hixon Forest for a two and a half mile hike. After the hike, the class broke into two groups. The first group went to the ropes course, where they did the rope swing. Students wore a harness that would clip into a rope. Then the class had to pull the rope till the student was at the top. Once at the top, the student would pull a cord so they would fall and swing. Then there is the pamper pole. Once students were harnessed up they would start the climb up the pole. When they were at the top they would stand and try to jump to grab a rope in front of them. Then the students at the bottom would pull the rope so they would not fall too fast. The second group went to UW-La Crosse to rappel off Cowley hall. The building is a five story building. The first thing the class had to do was put on a harness, helmet, and gloves. Then the instructor, TJ, would hook the student up to the ropes. Senior Grace Peterson says “I enjoyed rappelling because it was something new and exciting I got to experience.” After backing up the student would have to put their foot onto a two by eight while leaning back. “Having to lean back was the scariest part, but after that it was very fun,” says Emily Sanwick. Then they would just have to walk down the wall. Some students chose to jump off the wall.

The next trip will be December 15 to the school forest and they will be camping outside.