The sights of Mt. Moosilauke, the sounds of the Salty Dog Rag and the smells of bags of spices mixing with the crisp outdoor air were relived by many this past weekend, as over a hundred members of the Class of 2002 set off on Dartmouth Outing Club sophomore trips.
About 110 trip leaders and participants ventured into the New England wilderness on 16 DOC trips in groups ranging from four to 12 people. Among the trips offered were hiking, climbing, canoeing, mountain biking, road biking, kayaking, organic farming and trail working.
Nine other crew members served multiple support roles, acting as Hanover and Lodge crew, van drivers and safety phone operators.
According to DOC President Eli Diament '02, about half of the participants were non-DOC members, and an additional 10 people had not gone on a DOC trip their freshman year.
"That's pretty great considering 93 percent had gone on freshman trips," Diament said.
Molly Redmond '02, sophomore trips committee chair, said almost 200 people showed interest in signing up for the trips, but that 40 people dropped in the three days prior to the start because of scheduling conflicts. These cancellations created a last-minute headache for organizers who had to rebalance the trip groups.
"We anticipated it, but not to that degree," Diament said, noting he expected only about 20 people to renege on their commitment.
"There was nothing we could really do," Redmond added. "We knew it was going to happen, but we couldn't guarantee it, so we had to prepare extra food."
Diament added he also had to prepay the Moosilauke ravine lodge dinner and transportation costs.
The DOC provided cabins, climbing gear and boats free of charge, but half of the sophomore trips were funded by outside sources, such as the Programming Board, the Dean's Office, the President's Office, the Class of 2002 Council, Ledyard Canoe Club, Outdoor Programs and Bigger, Better, Later.
Other than the many last-minute cancellations, Diament said all the trips were conducted smoothly, and that sophomore trips will continue again next summer.
This weekend's DOC trips mark the fruition of a plan a while in the making.
"The idea was passed on to us, and we thought it was a good one and we wanted to run with it," Redmond explained.
Last year only one sophomore trip set out, and it was during the Commencement and Reunion period. Redmond said the group consisted of 15 participants, including leaders and organizers.
Among the popular reactions Diament and Redmond received from this year's more extensive trips were that participants enjoyed being in a random groups and being raided at night, just like their freshman trips.
"It was freshman trips all over again with a different attitude -- a cool, relaxed attitude rather than a leader attitude," Diament said. "The leaders didn't have to lead, they just to be a part of the group."
Deanna Kasperski '02 led a moderate hiking trip, which she said was her first, but hopefully not last experience as a trip leader.
"I was certified to be a leader last fall, and this was something I wanted to do for a while. This was my first time leading a trip, and I definitely want to do it again," she said.
Jon Sussman '02 decided to spend a weekend hiking for two reasons: "I wanted to get outdoors for the weekend, and I also wanted to do something with the DOC, which I haven't done since my freshman trips."
For many, the trips were reminiscent of those they went on just before the start of their freshman year.
"The people who put it together did amazing job of making it similar to our freshman trips," Sussman said. "You were with people you probably didn't know so well, and when we got to the lodge we did the Salty Dog Rag and everyone was out playing Frisbee."
Kasperski said she became acquainted with her group of four hikers whom she had previously not known, but whom she can call her new group of tripees.
Sussman said the view from Mt. Moosilauke, crossing paths with other trips and the meal at the lodge at the base of Mt. Moosilauke were the highlights of his trip.
The DOC advertised the program via BlitzMail messages.
