Between their busy schedules of barbecues, class visits and dances, prospective students will have an opportunity to witness a more unusual aspect of the Dartmouth experience: this weekend Hanover plays host to the pole climbing, log rolling and wood chopping of the 55th annual Woodsmen's Weekend.
For many current Dartmouth students, this will be the only chance to observe the festivities. The event comes to the College once every three years, taking place in such locales as Nova Scotia and western New York in alternate years.
Competition will commence tomorrow at Oak Hill with such events as the scoot load and packboard relay, before moving to the Hanover Green on Saturday.
The College will be fielding three teams of six students each in the women's, men's and coed divisions.
"Most people that aren't in Cabin and Trail when they start [forestry team] eventually get involved," meet director Morgan Heater '01 said of the team's composition, noting that many students involved in the event also participate in trail maintenance activities.
Coach Put Blodgett '53 explained student interest in the traditional events, saying, "They like the competition and feeling of camaraderie, and they like to learn the skills."
"One woman told me that she wanted to be stronger than the boys," he added.
On Dartmouth's chances of winning, Blodgett said the women should be strong contenders for first place. The men's and coed teams have fewer experienced members and are still honing their skills.
Blodgett competed at Woodsmen's Weekend in 1951 -- only five years after the event's inception.
"I liked the competition and the outdoors, so it was natural," Blodgett said of his decision to join the team, noting that he had previously been heavily involved with rock climbing and the Dartmouth Outing Club.
Blodgett cited the addition of women to the competition in the mid 1970s, the comings and goings of certain events and improved equipment as primary ways in which the weekend has changed over the years.
He noted that the historical context of Woodsmen's Weekend's events provides meaning for many participants, as the logging events utilize skills made obsolete by technology years ago.
Dartmouth is hosting 11 schools for the competition, including such varied entrants as Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Colby College, Penn State and Gould Head High School.
Opening ceremonies will kick off Saturday's events at 8 a.m. on the green.
