Snow Hiking Honor - advanced

Recreational Activities

Requirements

  1. Have the Snow Hiking Honor.

    Answer: You must present to the instructor the duly signed card for the Snow Hiking (basic) Honor as a prerequisite for starting Advanced Snow Hiking, proving that basic concepts (use of snowshoes, cold-weather clothing, safety, hydration) have already been studied and practiced previously, as required by the currently in-force official Adventist Pathfinder program. — The basic Honor forms the foundation of snow hiking — without it, the advanced one (types of flakes, specific snowshoes, different terrains) becomes difficult. The card is the official Pathfinder program document that proves prior completion. In Brazil, snow is rare (only in Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul during harsh winters), so most Brazilian Pathfinders do not complete this Honor — it is more common in the North American and European divisions.

  2. Explain the different types of snowflakes and what influence they have on snowshoes.

    Answer: You must present to the instructor that there are different types of snow: 1) Dry snow/powder — light, dry flakes, low humidity — requires larger snowshoes to distribute weight and avoid sinking; 2) Wet snow — heavy flakes with more water — can stick to the snowshoes, reducing efficiency. — A classic snowflake has 6 points, a hexagonal shape due to the crystalline structure of water. Each flake is unique — formed by successive growth around a particle in the air. In very cold climates (-30°C) they form light powder; around 0°C they become wet and dense. Tubbs and MSR snowshoes have models for each terrain. Snowshoes that are too small sink in powder; too large they weigh you down on packed snow — the wrong choice is tiring.

  3. Using one of the following resources, create a lecture on the use of snowshoes. Include their use among native peoples. Cite all the sources researched.
    • Electronic presentation
    • Verbal report
    • Written report (minimum of 1 page)
    • Poster (display it at the club headquarters)

    Answer: You must present to the instructor a talk about snowshoes in one of these formats: electronic presentation (PowerPoint), verbal report, written report (minimum 1 page), or a poster displayed at the club headquarters. — The native peoples of North America were the masters of the snowshoe — called 'snowshoe' by the English. The Algonquin made oval snowshoes; the Ojibwe made pointed ones for speed; the Inuit adapted them for Arctic snow. The tradition was passed on to European settlers and today has become a winter sport. Citing sources (Wikipedia + Britannica + anthropology books) is basic academic practice in research.

  4. Review the safety concepts described in the basic Honor.

    Answer: You must present to the instructor a review of the safety concepts learned in the basic Snow Hiking Honor: 1) Proper layered clothing (thermal base layer, insulation, waterproof outer layer); 2) Constant hydration (water with salts, avoid alcohol); 3) Recognizing hypothermia (shivering, mental confusion) and frostbite (numb extremities). — Snow hiking is a serious activity — hypothermia kills within hours at temperatures below -10°C. The layering system (rule of 3) is an international standard: a base layer that wicks moisture away, an intermediate layer that warms, and an outer layer that protects from wind and snow. Avalanches are rare but lethal: 90% of victims die within 30 minutes. Supervision by an experienced adult is mandatory in Brazil for Pathfinder groups.

  5. Do one of the following:
    • Make a pair of survival snowshoes, using native and first-aid materials that may possibly be available to you out in nature.
    • Make a set of snowshoes using natural or synthetic materials.

    Answer: You must present to the instructor one of the options: 1) Survival snowshoes made with flexible branches (willow, wicker), ropes/cords/fabric strips for lashing, in an oval shape or classic snowshoe shape; OR 2) Snow shoes made with natural materials (leather, wood, fibers) or synthetic materials (plastic, aluminum, nylon), with a foot fastening system, suitable shape, and a practical demonstration of their use. — Survival snowshoes are a classic bushcraft technique — green branches (more flexible) interwoven with ropes form the structure. The Inuit made them with bone and seal leather. Today, synthetic snow shoes (Tubbs, MSR) use aluminum and nylon. For the Pathfinder, it is an improvisation exercise — it develops the ability to survive with whatever is available in nature in emergency situations.

  6. Successfully complete two 3 km hikes using snowshoes. Write a report describing details of the hike, such as the depth of the steps, snow condition, plants and animals, and average travel speed.

    Answer: Travel speed on snow with snowshoes is about half that of normal walking — energy expenditure is 2-3x greater. In deep powder snow, a snowshoe sinks less than a bare foot (from 60 cm down to 15 cm). Plants and animals are bioindicators of the biome. Hiking in a group with an adult guide is mandatory for safety. In Brazil, possible locations: Serra Catarinense (SC) or Bom Jardim da Serra (SC) during harsh winters.

  7. After one of your hikes, write at least one paragraph exploring the spiritual dimension of snow. Cite at least 3 biblical references where snow is mentioned.

    Answer: Snow, by its whiteness, symbolizes in the Bible the purity and forgiveness that only God grants; its silence invites contemplation, and its ability to transform and renew the entire landscape illustrates the spiritual renewal that God works in the heart. Three (or more) biblical references in which snow is mentioned: 1) Psalm 51:7 — 'Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow'; 2) Isaiah 1:18 — 'Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow'; 3) Matthew 28:3 — the angel's garments at the resurrection were 'white as snow'. (Others: Job 38:22; Daniel 7:9; Mark 9:3; Revelation 1:14.) — Snow appears in more than 20 biblical verses, always with positive symbolism of purity, divine forgiveness, and heavenly majesty. Psalm 51 is David's prayer for forgiveness. Isaiah 1:18 is an invitation to reconciliation. Revelation 1:14 describes the glory of Christ. For the Christian, contemplating snow is a spiritual experience — seeing it as a reminder of the grace that completely purifies our sins in all circumstances.