DIG CHALLENGE #6 –
Known for his risky mountain climbing and embrace of wild natural experiences – often made completely alone - one of Muir’s most incredible challenges was spending a night in what dangerous location during a storm? button
Welcome to We DIG John Muir!! This month is John Muir’s birthday. He was born on April 21st, 1838 in Scotland and came to the United States in 1849 with his family. Let’s learn more about this remarkable man and his life long passion for the wild out of doors – and his scientific discoveries, important books, and environmental campaigns.
Backcountry Explorers: . . . . Tue, Apr 8, 9:44AM PST (-0800 GMT)
DIG CHALLENGE #1- What terrible injury in John Muir’s life lead him to change his life work? He had been an inventor of machinery for a factory when this happened, and afterwards decided to start walking and exploring the natural world. Click on this and then select BIOGRAPHY from the left column to find the answer - button
Backcountry Explorers: . . . . Tue, Apr 8, 9:44AM PST (-0800 GMT)
DIG CHALLENGE #2 – In 1868-69, Muir visited what Mountain Range that became one of the most important places in his life? And what did he say the range could more aptly have been called? Click on this and then select BIOGRAPHY from the left column to find the answer - button
Backcountry Explorers: . . . . Tue, Apr 8, 9:44AM PST (-0800 GMT)
DIG CHALLENGE #3 - Read this passage from one of John Muir’s books about his first year in his favorite magical mountain range and select a passage you think is the most interesting to come back and post here in the chat room to share with your fellow explorers. button
Backcountry Explorers: . . . . Tue, Apr 8, 9:44AM PST (-0800 GMT)
DIG CHALLENGE #4 – In addition to hiking and exploring the beauties of the Mountains, Muir also made an important geologic discovery in 1871 that caused a big stir in the science community. At first, no one believed his theory, but eventually he was proved absolutely correct! What was is he discovered ? Click on this and then select BIOGRAPHY from the left column to find the answer - button
Backcountry Explorers: . . . . Tue, Apr 8, 9:44AM PST (-0800 GMT)
DIG CHALLENGE #5 – Muir not only climbed mountains and lived in Yosemite Valley, he also married and had a family. What family business did he enter into and was successful at in Martinez, California ? Click on this and then select BIOGRAPHY from the left column to find the answer - button and click on NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE to see a picture of his home.
Backcountry Explorers: . . . . Tue, Apr 8, 9:44AM PST (-0800 GMT)
DIG CHALLENGE #6 –
Known for his risky mountain climbing and embrace of wild natural experiences – often made completely alone - one of Muir’s most incredible challenges was spending a night in what dangerous location during a storm? button
Backcountry Explorers: . . . . Tue, Apr 8, 9:44AM PST (-0800 GMT)
DIG CHALLENGE #7 – Another risky adventure was a trip to an ancient volcanic mountain where he was trapped wit ha fellow hiker in a snow storm and had to hide out in the hot springs to survive the snowy night. What mountain was it this adventure took place on? button
Backcountry Explorers: . . . . Tue, Apr 8, 9:45AM PST (-0800 GMT)
DIG CHALLENGE #8 – In addition to the United States, what other countries did John Muir travel to and explore in his lifetime of wanderings? Click on this and then select BIOGRAPHY from the left column to find the answer - button
Backcountry Explorers: . . . . Tue, Apr 8, 9:45AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Backcountry Explorers: . . . . Tue, Apr 8, 9:45AM PST (-0800 GMT)
DIG CHALLENGE #9 – John Muir was visited in Yosemite by many famous people from around the world – writers, scientists and politicians to name a few. One of his most important trips in life was not made alone. Who did Muir Camp with who helped save Yosemite by making it a National Park?
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Backcountry Explorers: . . . . Tue, Apr 8, 9:45AM PST (-0800 GMT)
DIG CHALLENGE #10 – Yosemite was very dear to Muir’s heart, and when a portion of its was threatened wit the building of a dam that would flood one of its spectacular valleys, Muir worked to fight the dam. Where was this dam planned to be built? button
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Backcountry Explorers: . . . . Tue, Apr 8, 9:45AM PST (-0800 GMT)
DIG CHALLENGE #11 – Muir did not win the battle to save Hetch Hetchy and was greatly saddened by the loss of this special part of a national park hw had thought was protected forever. He did have great success though in two ways he may never have fully imagined – First, his books are now sold all over the world over a hundred years after first being published, and, he was one of the founders of the Sierra Club, a non-profit organization that has been working to protect wilderness areas since the 1890s. You can visit their web site here button and their main John Muir Exhibit web site at button . the Sierra Club has been one of the most influential wilderness education and protection organizations in the world.
Backcountry Explorers: . . . . Tue, Apr 8, 9:46AM PST (-0800 GMT)
DIG CHALLENGE #12 – John Muir Day is now a state and nationally recognized day of observance – a time to think about this man’s great contribution to the world. What day is John Muir Day? Can you think of a way you or your class can celebrate John Muir Day ? Click on this and then select JOHN MUIR DAY from the left column to find the first answer - button
Backcountry Explorers: . . . . Tue, Apr 8, 9:46AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Follow Up – enjoy reading a John Muir Story and draw an illustration. These three works were done by 5th grade students after reading about John Muir’s Wild Ride. We will be glad to help get them added to the student gallery if you can send us scans of your art work!