A quick update from instructor Rachel: Happy belated Fourth of July from the backcountry of the Olympic Peninsula! For four days we embarked on a coastal excursion in the Olympic National Park, hiking through the coastal fog, navigating the rocky coastline, watching bald eagles soar overhead, and exploring the tide pools that line the beaches. Over the backpacking trip along the northwest coast of Washington, students worked on their map reading skills to orient themselves, honed their group leadership as they took turns becoming “leader of the day”. They practiced backpacking skills like campsite selection and setup and most importantly had fun with new friends by the ocean, falling asleep each night to the sounds of the waves crashing on the shore! The student community has come a long way and it is so rewarding to see the new friendships the students have made to one another.
A quick update from student Mark: Hi! The Olympic National Park backpacking trip was incredible. We got to strengthen our friendship with each other all while enjoying some of the best views in the world. One day, we woke up at 3 in the morning to start an early hike. Everything was more beautiful at that time than I could of imagined. We enjoyed seeing the wildlife in the park, such as bald eagles, golden eagles, sea otters, and deer. The hike was fun and challenging in every way. This was an experience I will never forget.