Medicine International

Medicine International (MI) hosted its first wilderness medical course in Baja, Mexico in 1996. Dr. Mark Stinson led a group of 15 health professionals on an adventurous expedition. The purpose of this trip was to experience adventure outdoor recreation with leadership training in how to organize and conduct and expedition under austere conditions.

The trip was developed as an expedition. All participants had to participate in the outfitting of this trip, which included building trailer and racks for transport of kayaks, wind surfers, Zodiac boat, outboard motor, scuba equipment, and bicycles. Participants traveled to remote areas of Baja participating in various modules. Logistics of getting to and from Baja safely as well as several small subgroup activities were shared and leadership roles were rotated. Keeping track of materials, people, food preparation, all the while camping and moving a breakneck speed from challenge to challenge was essential to developing leadership skill and confidence necessary in organizing an expedition in a third world country.