IOC students at Bridgeport MWTC

I accompanied the Lieutenants up here to Bridgeport, Ca., for the last few days of their training. The USMC Mountain Warfare Training Center is probably the most beautiful place I have ever been. Soaring, snow-capped peaks punctuate the rich landscapes.

The spring thaw is still going strong here in the mountains outside Yosemite National Park. This meant that the cool air, about 60, and the high water made for a memorable river crossing class. As the lieutenants stripped down to PT shorts and sneakers to learn safe methods to cross a racing river, I figured I’d give it a shot. I filmed the first two groups, then stripped down and made the last two crossings with the guys in that 35 degree water.

Once across, the only way to keep warm was to lay down, prone, on the rocks. The rocks were warm from the sun, and getting down got me out of the biting wind. I had to try to stay warm because, like everyone else, our clothes were on the other side of the river. The first time was awful, but the time second was worse, because you already knew how cold the water would be.

It was fun, though, and I figure it’s rare that I’d get a chance to jump in a freezing river with a medic and a rescue swimmer standing by!