Outward Bound’s Intercept Expeditions for Struggling Teens

A Colorado ski instructor, Terry McEnany, MD, focuses on community volunteer activities during the off-season. Among his charitable endeavors, Terry McEnany, MD, previously served as a safety committee member with the Voyageur Outward Bound School.

Located in Ely, Minnesota, the nonprofit school strives to provide young men and women with challenging outdoor experiences that enable them to build leadership qualities and independence. Among the core Outward Bound offerings are Intercept Expeditions designed for struggling teenagers and their families.

Focused on strengthening the sense of family connection through shared decision making and respect for boundaries, Intercept Expeditions are led by compassionate, experienced instructors. Popular courses range from a Lake Superior semester to a Rio Grande backpacking expedition. The Boundary Waters cross country skiing and dog sledding expedition lasts nearly a month, and involves extensive travel across lakes that are frozen and covered with snow. Incorporated within the course are community service days spent assisting local food pantries and charities such as Goodwill.

What to Expect from and How to Handle Black Diamond Slopes

 

Terry McEnany, MD, dedicated more than two decades to the medical field, serving as a cardiovascular surgeon. After retiring, Dr. Terry McEnany pursued his passion for skiing by becoming an instructor in Aspen, Colorado.

All ski resorts in North America use a rating system to identify the difficulty level of a slope. There is no standardization in the system, so ratings vary by resort. However, a sign bearing a black diamond will always signify a more challenging terrain, which requires advanced skills. Up to three black diamonds may appear on a sign. Each additional diamond informs you that a trail needs more expertise to descend.

Steep and narrow are common characteristics of a black diamond slope. Additionally, they often contain more hazards, such as rocks, trees, and cliffs and tend to be less groomed. Travel down these trails with caution and use hairpin turns to have full control of your journey. Hairpin turns help with regulating speed because it involves positioning skis parallel to one another and perpendicular to the slope direction, also known as the main fall line of a hill. This slows speed by creating more resistance and allows you time to execute your descent the way you intend.