Chapter 11 Workshop: Mist Ridge It is approximately 9 a.m. on August 23, and you and not taken. On the other hand, the exertions of walking four friends are about to set off on an all day hike in the and climbing will probably cause you to sweat. Dehy- mountains of Southwestern Alberta. Having driven south dration can increase your chance of sunstroke and hypo- west from Calgary, Alberta, you have arrived at Kanan thermia. In terms of animals, you may encounter a bear askis Provincial Park, located on the boundary between looking for berries. While bear attacks on humans are not British Columbia and Alberta. Just off Highway 40, you common, they are not unusual either. It is also possible turn into the Mist Creek day use arca and have just parked that elk or moose may be encountered. These large plant the car. You can see a sign indicating the beginning of caters are not usually dangerous to humans, but should the Mist Ridge trail, which you have selected for your be avoided during the mating season. There are also some hike, but you know that from there on the trail proceeds insects to be considered. Ticks can carry Rocky Mountain along unmarked paths and logging roads. You can also Sported Fever, which can be fatal if left untreated. Bees see another sign that allows campfires only in designated can also be dangerous if the person stung has a strong rest areas. allergic reaction. Since it is mid-week, few others should be on the You are all currently dressed in warm clothes Mist Ridge trail. You and your friends are looking for including wool socks and sturdy hiking boots, and each ward to an enjoyable day walking the long grass and person has a day pack in which to carry those items that rock ridge as it is usually dry and sunny at this time you deem necessary. of the year, when a mere few kilometres away across the valley Mist Mountain can be covered in rain clouds. Part 1: Individual Decision Hiking from the parking lot to the ridge, then along the There are 15 items listed below. Before you set out on whole top of the ridge to Rickert's Pass, then returning at your hike your task is to rank these items according to ground level alongside the Mist Creek is, at minimum, an their general importance for a hiker, not for you specifi- eight hour trip. In guidebooks it is classified as a long day cally. Rank the items from 1, the most important, to 15. bike covering a distance of 23 kilometres with a height the least important. No ties are allowed. You might want gain of 808 metres and a maximum elevation of 2515 to consider "If a hiker was allowed to take only one item, metres. what would it be? That item would be ranked number The weather at the moment is cool but not cold, 1. Then, "If a hiker was allowed only one more item, and the sun is beaming down, beginning to heat the air. what would it be? That item would rank number 2. In general, the climate of Southwestern Alberta is cold Write your rankings in the column below titled "Your continental, having long cold winters and cool summers, Ranking. It is important to remember that the decisions though summers do have brief hot spells. Annual pre that you are making are for your group as a whole and cipitation peaks the summer and thunderstorms occur should not be influenced by factors affecting you as an regularly. Hikers at this time of year must be prepared individual. for rain or cold weather. Snow has been known to fall by the middle of August in this area, with accumulations on Part I: Group Decision the ground of up to 20 centimetres. Also, the weather can Now form into groups. Take a few minutes to examine be somewhat changeable and unpredictable. What starts and discuss your individual assumptions before you out as a warm, sunny morning could easily change into begin to discuss how to rank specific items. Use con- a cold, snowy afternoon. Therefore, experienced hikers structive controversy decision rules to guide your deci- will make sure that they have adequate reserve clothing sion method and rank the 15 items again. To refresh for the rain or snow that could develop. It is also known (your) memory, they are: (1) be critical of ideas, not that temperatures are expected to be cooler at the top of people; (2) focus on making the best possible decision, the ridge, as temperatures decrease, in general, 2 degrees not on winning: (3) encourage everyone to participate in Celsius for every 300 metres of altitude, the discussion; (4) listen to everyone's ideas, even if you There are a few dangers to watch out for during your do not agree; (5) restate what someone has said if their hike. If you get soaked crossing a river, loss of body heat point is not clear to you; (6) bring out the ideas and facts may result in hypothermia, even when temperatures are supporting both sides of the argument and then try to above freezing. Death from hypothermia is quite possible integrate them; (7) try to understand both sides of the within a few hours of the first symptoms if proper care is issue under discussion; and (8) change your mind if the Items Your Ranking Group Ranking Expert Ranking Your Score Group Score Canteen with water Matches Compass Hat Repair kit (includes short length of cord, string, duct tape, and shoelaces) First aid kit (includes blister protection and aspirin) Five sleeping bags Sunglasses Flashlight Topographic map and Kananaskis Country Trail guide book Food 5-person tent with waterproof fly Sunscreen Rain gear Insect repellent evidence clearly indicates that you should do so (from Your group's total score Johnson, D.W. & R.T. Johnson (1992) Cooperation and Number of individuals in our group having a lower score Competition: Intellectual Challenge in the Classroom, than your group's total score Edina, MN: Interaction Book.) Write your group's answers in the "Group Ranking column. Part III: Scoring Your instructor will inform you of how experts have "Richard H.G. Field, Human Behaviour in Organisation A ranked these 15 items. Write these rankings into the Canadie Perspective, Fine Canadian Edition (Prentice Hall column titled "Expert Ranking." To calculate your per Canada 1995), pp. 443-446. Copyright 1992 by Richard sonal score, calculate for each of the 15 items the absolute Field and Nicola Sutton. Used with permission of the authors difference between your ranking and the expert's ranking. All rights rerved. Based on information in Joseph Graham then sum these 15 absolute value differences. Determine Ambrosi, Hiking Alberta' Southwest (Vancouver, BC Douglas your group's score in the same manner. Write these scores & Mcletyre, 1984, Gillan Datiers, kannski Country: A and summary statistics into the spaces below. Guide to Hiking Skiing Equestrian Bike Trail, 2nd edition Calgary, AN: Rocky Mountain Books, 1985) and Patricia E Your total score Kariel Hiking Alberta's David Thompson Country (Edmonton, Average of the individual scores in your group AB: Lone Pine Publishing, 1987)