La Ronge's Samantha Plunz completed the training last month. (submitted photo/Samantha Plunz)

By Derek Cornet

training success

Ranger completes wilderness survival course in British Columbia

Jun 15, 2019 | 12:00 PM

Samantha Plunz, with the La Ronge Canadian Ranger Patrol, recently returned from an Enhanced Wilderness Survival Training course in Tofino, B.C.

The training began May 9 and went until May 18, and included several segments with a final three-day, two-night stay alone in the wilderness along the Pacific Coast. Plunz, who was able to complete all the objectives of the course, stated once she was left in the wilderness, she had to build a shelter, a signal fire, a raised bed, ladder, and a saw, as well as desalinate ocean water for consumption. In the days leading up to the challenge, she was only given military rations to eat, but that was taken away when it began and she was dropped off with only one liter of water.

“They did come out and do a check once per day on us to see how we were doing,” Plunz said. “Being out there alone wasn’t a big deal for me because I grew up five hours north of La Ronge. I thought the whole part of not eating the entire time would have been harder on me. The spot I was in I didn’t have much access to seafood or anything to eat.”

Plunz was fortunate, however; as the area where she was left contained a freshwater stream so she didn’t have to rely on desalinating water to quench her thirst. She was alone in the wilderness from the afternoon of May 15 to just before noon on May 18.

Overall, Plunz noted she really enjoyed herself and completed the course feeling stronger mentally. She added the course was originally created for those joining the Canadian Armed Forces and she believes she’s the only ranger from Saskatchewan to have completed it. Plunz did the training so well, she also received instructor certification.

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The course involved learning a number of survival techniques. (submitted photo/Samantha Plunz)

“I learned a lot and met a lot of really interesting rangers from all over,” she said. “It was a very good course. It was good for me.”

The La Ronge Canadian Ranger Patrol was formed in October 2010 and consist of a group of residents who are ready to respond to emergencies at a moment’s notice.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno