Am I responsible if my student is eaten by a mountain lion??

A year ago I had this grand idea that I should take a group of teenagers to Yellowstone, in the middle of winter, to participate in scientific research on mountain lions.  Shall we dissect this idea for a moment – there are a few keys points that should be made:
 

1. Teenagers?!  Ten of them for a week, 24 hours a day?!
2. Winter time at 10,000’ – we live in Florida below sea level with an average temp of 83 degrees.
3. Scientific research – kids don’t even like doing research in a temperature controlled lab.
4. Mountain lions run faster than I can snowshoe.

​Obviously I changed my mind and came to my senses – or the trip was already booked and paid for before I realized I must be insane.  So yup, I’m heading to Bozeman, MT in about a week with ten students to prowl the terrain of Yellowstone for mountain lions.  Everything is going to be great – nothing could go wrong.

Although we will mostly be device-free during this expedition, I am hoping to do a bit of blogging to share some of our adventures - so check back here between March 8-16 to find out if I survive.
 
I’m geared up according to the packing list provided by the experts at Ecology Project.  Three layers plus outer gear to prevent hypothermia.  I thought it was important that I verify I could in fact put all of these layers on, so the other night I pulled on my base layer of Redhead Hunting tights and shirt.  Covered those with Columbia active pants for winter sports with a final overlay of fleece pants (also Columbia – thank you winter clearance sale).  Repeated exercise on top half of body.  Next, I coated my feet with merino wool socks and LL Bean Carabasett Boots.  Then my snowpants and Eastern Mountain Sports (I have to mention all of these brands because they are entirely novel to people who live in a tropical climate) winter parka.  Oh yes, and my turtle buff and Baxter down gloves.  In a walk similar to the abomidable snowman I swished my way into the kitchen to show off for my husband.  Did I mention it’s 80 degrees here in Florida?  In less than 5 minutes I almost died from heat stroke.  I literally layed down on the floor and begged my husband to pull my boots off before I combusted, but not before I practiced my snowshoeing moves.

In the meantime, preparations for Senegal are underway – I’ve read every blog on how to survive long haul flights.  It has become evident to me there is no way to survive long haul flights.  I’m considering my prescription options at this point – except I’m too cheap frugal to pay for a doctor’s visit, so Dramamine or Benadryl will have to do!
 
I have learned that I need to pack facial spray, also known as water in a bottle, because the plane will dry out my skin.  I appreciate the irony here since I’m heading to a place where I need a LifeStraw to drink the water but apparently I should spray french mineral water on my face at regular intervals.   The sheer volume of travel tips out there is overwhelming – thank goodness for Pinterest where I can pin them all and never look at them again.

What are your best travel tips?  Share in the comments any recommendations for packing, airplane travel, etc.