HomeNewsArticle Display

Tinker trainer finds escape in outdoor classroom

  • Published
  • By John Stuart
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  For many outdoor enthusiasts, leaving civilization behind is just as important as embracing the wilderness they're going into. The simple act of societal retreat is half the draw.

At least it is for Robbie Rauch, who finds the most contentment with hiking boots strapped to his feet and a backpack squarely on his shoulders.

"I'm happiest doing a hiking trip on my own somewhere, just me and my dog," Rauch says. "I'm not thinking about work I'm not thinking about daily grind stuff. It's a great getaway to come back refreshed."

That's pretty much it for Rauch. He doesn't have a lot of reasons why he goes to the outdoors. His rationale represents an Ockam's Razor; he likes being outside, therefore he goes. Simple.

While he dabbles in most things outdoors, the E-3 mission crew trainer is most comfortable with a fly rod in his hand. Fly fishing is a particular draw for Rauch, who likes its emphasis on natural baits and what it affords in scenery.

"I'd rather do it as natural as possible," Rauch says. "It's very peaceful and you can see lots of animals. I'll pack a fly rod with me on hikes. I'll hike all day and then fish in the river and catch a trout for dinner."

The Tampa, Fla., native got his start with high adventure sports while in college at Clemson University in South Carolina. A fisherman from early on, he first took to fly fishing in the mountain streams of the Carolinas.

Now, the Tinker Air Force captain puts his knowledge to use training future outdoors enthusiasts. A teacher at heart, Rauch leads several classes per year about fly fishing and orienteering, through Tinker's Outdoor Recreation department.

It's not enough to just want to be in the outdoors, says Rauch, who believes every enthusiast should know how to read a map and use a compass. The over reliance on GPS can be a real danger in the wilderness. Many people aren't prepared to guide themselves if their GPS devices fail, he says.

His two-day orienteering course focuses on teaching the basics, equipping students to successfully navigate in the wilderness using only a map and compass. Rauch recently took a trip with an orienteering class to the Wichita Mountains of southwestern Oklahoma to offer hands on training. It's a go-to location for his class and a great way for people to learn the basics.

"For people who do outdoor stuff it's very important to have good navigational skills," Rauch says. "We rely too much on GPS. People who are outdoorsmen, if they drop their GPS in the woods or it stops working, they need basic navigation skills so they can get out."

While he helps with Outdoor Rec classes, Rauch has his own adventure goals. He's been to the highest point of elevation in 15 states so far and wants to make it to the highest places in all 50 states. He's also visited about 40 National Parks.

For Rauch, his best trips are ones where he can teach others about the outdoors. Since 2002 he's been accomplishing this passion at Tinker with Outdoor Rec. As sure as his interest in the great outdoors, it's safe to say he'll continue teaching others about the things he loves, as long as he can get away from civilization in the process.