The Extreme Physiology January travel course was a great educational and recreational experience.  The class was unique in that we not only studied the effects of extreme climates on the human body; we also were our own tests subjects.  Through guest lecturers, we learned about body composition, oxygen consumption, aerobic and anaerobic metabolism, responses to high altitude, renal function, responses to exercise, and pulmonary functions.  Each lecturer was very approachable and excited to be there, making the learning process much more enjoyable.

The second component of the course was an exercise regimen that allowed us to track our progress throughout the course.  This was the best part of the trip because the majority of the exercise took place at beautiful scenic locations throughout Arizona.  In Tucson, we road-biked through the

city, mountain-biked beginner trails, hiked Sabino Canyon and Mt. Lemon (the tallest mountain in the Tucson area), and swam.  The seventy-degree weather allowed for shorts and a nice escape from the Scranton winter.  Our second stop, where we remained for the third week of the course, was Flagstaff, Arizona. With the change in elevation from Tucson’s 2000 feet to Flagstaff’s 7,000 feet, the ecology changed from desert to pine forest.  Here we hiked the Grand Canyon, ran, and skied at Snowbowl.  We also spent two days among the red rocks of Sedona, where we hiked and mountain-biked.

My favorite part of the trip was the Grand Canyon, which is the most beautiful place I have ever been.  It is amazing how one river could erode the land into a formation of such magnitude.  Hiking the canyon was exciting due to icy paths, the rocks to climb, the frequent occurrence of mules, and a view that seemed to get better with every step.

The first run of Extreme Physiology, in my eyes, was a huge success.  Not only did everyone learn a great deal, but we got to experience the many sights and attractions of Arizona.  The course showed how you do not need to leave the country to see beautiful places, since they are right in our backyard.  Whether you prefer warm deserts full of saguaro, snow covered pine forests, or vast plateaus where you can see for miles in every direction, Arizona has it all within driving distance of each other.  I would recommend anyone that who is interested go on the Extreme Physiology trip, it may be the best adventure of your life.

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