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Welcome to the Expo Blog!
Watch this space for the exact time that sophomores will return to Douglas Hall. on campus It will likely be within an hour of 1:00pm.
Coleaders and instructors will return to school late in the afternoon.
In which I describe the last full day of the Expedition, some considerations for reentry into civiliazation, and the logistics for tomorrow.
Story telling is a wonderful way to cement the learning that takes place on the Expedition.
In which I describe a typical night and include many pictures of flies, highlighting their flexibility for different weather conditions.
In which I describe a typical day on the Expedition. Note that the days are about the same whether it is raining or not. The only difference might be that if it is raining they might set up a shelter to eat under at lunch time.
Several years ago I was lucky when a coleader was unlucky. She injured her ankle just before the Expedition, and so was available to help me during the trip. One of the fruits of her injury is her description of Solo, from a student's perspective.
Inclement weather can affect the hikers plans, but generally not their spirits! Crews are scheduled to enter Solo tonight, a special part of the trip in which students fast from the company and, optionally, from food for 36 hours.
In which I describe where to find information about the instructors, reveal the concept of the illusion of risk, and share how the hikers purify water.
In which I share with you where they are and what they are cooking and eating.
In this post I share some tidbits on what the hikers are learning, my thoughts on "bad" weather during Expo (I love it!), and what sorts of communication I receive from the hikers.
This morning the sophomores gathered and met the coleaders and instructors, and were soon divided into the crews they will spend the next eleven days with.
Finish packing, eat well, and get a good night's sleep!
Today the sophomores brought all of their gear to school for the final gear inspection. Any missing items were noted, and the sophomores went home with clear lists of what to bring back to complete their collections. Our coleaders and instructors used the final gear inspection as an opportunity to give the sophomores packing tips, and to talk to them about their hopes and fears for the Expedition. I've included a few pictures.
About Liz O'Hara
Liz learned her love for the outdoors at the hands of her father during many canoeing and kayaking trips on the rivers of Missouri. She was hooked as soon as she heard about Stevenson's fledgling outdoors program and took NOLS courses in leadership and rock climbing to broaden her skill set. Liz has been involved in the Sophomore Wilderness Expedition since 1995, leading four sophomore crews and four trail crews and spending the other years as the communications coordinator. She has also been involved in Stevenson's rock climbing and kayaking programs. Liz can be reached here.