Taking Class to New Heights
On March 15th, 10 students and two Health and Exercise Studies Outdoor Leadership faculty left bright and early for the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
The students were partaking in an intense 10-day Mountaineering expedition trip.
The trip is part of the curriculum for the Outdoor Leadership Minor. HESO 283 Mountaineering teaches students how to camp, travel, and climb in winter alpine environments. Upon arriving at the beautiful and rugged White Mountains, students carry their 50-60lb packs up to the base of Mt. Washington’s Tuckerman’s Ravine.
While snow climbing they learn how to thermo-regulate, how to travel in avalanche terrain, and how to use crampons and ice axes. The next phase of the expedition includes teaching students how to climb technical ice at some of the best ice flows on the east coast. Lastly, the course culminates with a three-day expedition to climb one of the major presidential peaks.
“While this is arguably the most challenging outdoor leadership course we offer, the amount of growth and learning is profound.”
This allows students the opportunity to use all the skills they have learned in one final test. With a lot of effort, hardship, and positive attitudes, all of the students made it to the top of Mt. Eisenhower (4,780′) even with 40-50 mph winds! While this is arguably the most challenging outdoor leadership course we offer, the amount of growth and learning is profound.
For more information about the Outdoor Leadership Minor: https://hes.dasa.ncsu.edu/minor-programs/outdoor-leadership/
