By Joseph Langley and Autumn Pecarovich
Huffing and puffing, lugging all of their equipment, the Minarets Glissaders club triumphantly reached Eagle Lake on Friday, Oct. 4. The Glissaders conquered a 2,500-foot ascent in 3.6 miles, through a winding trail full of switchbacks, ending in a final rocky scramble. They stayed at the campsite for two nights, leaving the full day on Saturday for relaxation and a day hike to nearby mountain peaks. The club descended on Oct. 6, refreshed and ready to finish off the first quarter.
Senior Mackenzie Camacho spoke about the day hike, calling it her favorite part. "It felt like an above and beyond achievement. We got lost, but that was part of the fun, we had the 'I don't know where I'm going, do you know? No? Okay, let's climb a third mountain' mindset, and it was really fun." It was a brutal challenge, but everyone agreed by the end that the great sights and experiences were well worth it. In closing, Mackenzie gave advice to those who might be interested, by simply saying, "don't pack jeans."
On Saturday, the Glissaders set out on their day hike. They scrambled up a slope of granite boulders, having to improvise a pathway over a steep ridge. With a little bit of bouldering, some quick thinking, and a lot of determination, they reached the top of the peak, and were able to see several lakes and the beautiful landscape for miles. On their way back down, the Glissaders lived up to their name and glissaded down a patch of icy snow back to camp in the late afternoon.
Teacher and Glissader’s Club Co-Director Michael Vaughan says “We want everyone to experience the outdoors; no one is excluded. That being said, if you’re interested, know what you are getting into and be physically and mentally prepared before deciding to go.” He went on to talk about future plans for the club, “future destinations could include Joshua Tree, Kings Canyon, Big Sur, and we would love to get a group to climb Half Dome.” Vaughan continued, “the club will attempt to take another trip in the spring. If we are unable to, the next trip will occur next school year.”
Everyone on the trip agreed that it was a fantastic time, with many new great memories made. Look out for future trips in the springtime! Adventure is out there!
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