Reflections of Nature

SensingtheScenery

GuardingtheGreen

FacingtheFrost

SensingtheScenery

“CruisingTheTides”Photocredit-AlbertBlackburn

TheGreatWoodsman AlbertBlackburn

TheGreatWoodsmanintheskylooksdownuponuswithintenteyesaswescurrythroughour1 lives.Hedoesnotwishusbadtidings,nordoesHetakepleasureinseeingusgothroughtroublesome times.EvenwhenweturnourbacksonHim,Hishandneverceasestoholdusintimesofjoyorstrife. GrowingupinVirginia,IwassurroundedbyHiscreations:therollinghills,thetalloaktrees,the driedupcornstalksreadytobeharvested,andthedenselypackedvegetationintheforest Asachild,I spentmanyhoursinnature'spresence.TheadventuresIcouldtakepartinandthestoriesIwould fabricatewerefarmoreintriguingthananyshowormovieontelevision.Lifewassimplebackthen. Therewerenoworriesaboutwheremynextmealwouldcomefrom.Ididnothavetomakeany life-changingdecisions,nordidIhavetoworryaboutproviding formyfamily.IsimplyfeltlikeIcouldimagineordoanythingI wantedinthetwelveacrelotofwoodsbehindmyhouse Icould fightdragons,IcouldactlikeIwasmakingpotionsoutof sedimentandsmallmushrooms,andIcouldcreateaworldofmy ownwithouttheworriesthatlifecansometimesbring. SomeofthebiggestdecisionsIhaveevermadeinmylife havebeenmadeonalargecedartreestump,theremainsofa treethatmydadcutdowntobuildfurnitureforourhome That stumpwasmysafeplace Everybadcircumstancethatoccurred tomeinmylifewassoakedupbythisrottenpieceofwood.On theoutside,thisstumpseemedinsignificant.Buttome,the stumpinthemiddleofthewoodsmeantsomuchmore. Iwasaseniorinhighschoolwithabright-eyedand bushytailedattitudeasIpreparedforthenextchapterofmy life college Thethoughtofmovingoutofmyhousetoliveon myownforfouryearswasextremelyenticing,butthefactthatI wouldbethrownintoanunknownenvironmentterrifiedme.I thoughttomyself,"WillImakefriends?""WillIdookaywithcollegeacademics?"IneverthoughtIwas smartorcapableoftheloftystandardssomecollegesanduniversitiesrequired.Theonlyaspectofmy lifewhereIexcelledwassoccer.Irememberfeelingthewindinmysweatyhaircoolingmeoff,andthe hardgroundbeneathmyfeetasIglideddownthepitch.IfeltathomewheneverIhadaballatmyfeet. Allofthatchangedwhenadirtyplayerslidetackledmefrombehind NeverwouldIhavethoughtthat allmycollegeofferswouldberescinded,nordidIthinkthatsixdifferentdoctorswouldallsaythatI couldneverplaysocceragain.

Thiswasaverydarktimeinmylife.Ihadplacedallmyworthandvalidationinthisonething, andIneverthoughtthatIwouldloseitsoabruptly.Depressionseepedintomyheadlikepaintrunning downablankcanvas.Ihadadecisiontomake:"WherewouldIgotoschool?"Mywholelifehadbeen aboutpreparingtoplaysocceratthecollegiatelevel Mycollegeapplicationsstronglyreflectedthat I waslost,andIdidnotknowwhoorwhattoturnto

Whilemydepressionplaguedme,Isatdownwithmyfatherandexplainedtohimmythoughts andworries.Hetoldme,"ThebiggestdecisionsIhaveevermadeinmylife,Ihavemadeinthewoods." HeexplainedthatbeinginnaturenotonlybroughthimpeacebutalsobroughthimclosertoGod.My fatherthenwentontosay,"BeinginGod’screationwhiletalkingtoHimfeelsasifHeisrightbehind mewithhishandonmyshoulder."Forsomereason,thisdumbfoundedme.Ithoughtthatthis statementwasprofound,anditchangedmywholeoutlookonnature Asachild,allIdidwasplay,andI

“Feels Like Home” Photo credit Albert Blackburn `

paidnoattentiontohownaturemademefeel.IthoughtofnatureonlyasaplacewhereIwenton adventures.Icouldnothavebeenmorewrong.

Itookhisadvice,andIwalkeddownthesamedirtpathasIdidwhenIwasachild.Thecrows2 werechewing,andthecardinalsweresingingtheirsongasawoodpeckermadehishomeinthe distance Thetoweringcedartreeswereformingagateasthepathended Inthedistance,Isawtheold cedarstumpwhereIusedtoplayasakid.Inearedthestump;faintsmellsofcedaranddecomposing woodfilledmynostrils.Isatdownonthestump,andIwept.Iwaslostandconfused.Ididnotknow whatmylifewouldbelikewithouttheonethingIlovedmost. Mymindwasscatteredduringthistime.Icannot rememberallthattranspired Idonotknowhow,butI wasabletoclearmymindandsitquietlyonthatstump withmyheadinbetweenmylegs Myfather’swords appearedbeforeme.Iprayedforguidanceandwisdom andanythingthatwouldtakethepainaway.Aftermy prayer,Ithoughttomyself,"Godiswithme;Hewillhelp mewheneverIaminneed."Forsomereason,Ihavenever feltclosertoGodthanatthatverymoment Thatsame day,Idecidedtosignmyletterofacceptanceto HampdenSydneyCollege,adecisionIhavenever regretted.

Asaseniorincollege,Iamabletoreflectonmy viewofnatureaftermytimesittingontheoldcedar stump.Naturewasnotjustaplacetoplay;itwasalsoa placetoreflectonorpondertheintricaciesofmylife Afterthattimeonthestump,Ifoundmyselfdeeply rootedinmyfaithandChristianity.Beinginnaturefelt likeIwaswithGod.SurroundedbyHiscreation,IknewHe waswithmeandthatIcouldtalkorthinkaboutanything thattroubledme.Thiswasaspiritualawakeningforme. IfIwasinnature,IwasclosetoGod Therefore,Istrived tonotonlybeinnaturebuttobeonewithnature

Duringthisdarktimeinmylife,natureservedasanoutletforgreaterandclearerthinking. Naturedidnotprovidemewithananswertomyburningquestions,nordiditprovidesomesortof epiphanyIwassearchingfor.IdidnotfeellikeIwasinnature,butthatnaturewasinme.Iwasnature;I haveforgottenGod’screationbecauseofhowstressedIwasaboutworldlydesires.Ihadfailedto recognizemyselfishnessandturnedmybackonGod.Sittingonthatstump,Ibegantothinkabouthow thesameGodthatcreatedeverythingalsocreatedme

TheGreatWoodsmanintheskyhascreatedanenvironmentformetobeonewithnature I cannothelpbutfeelguiltyandashamedformylackofcareandlackofacknowledgementofHim. Thankfully,Hetakescareofhispeopleandcontinuestokeepawatchfuleyeoverallhiscreations.

“Hampden-Sydney College” Photo credit Albert Blackburn

FishingDay

VictorOvalleMares

Ihaveneverhadtroubleenjoyingcertainthings;however,there issomethingthatIwillneverenjoy:fishing.Inmy19yearsof existence,therehasbeennothingworsethanmyexperienceon June10,2022.Thefactthatpeoplelovefishingdazzlesme. Howcanonegainexcitementfromsomethingthatseemsso tediousanduninteresting?Despitebeingbiasedandsubjective, Irefusetobeoptimistic IgrewupinAtlanta,wherefishingwas common,butconsideringallaspects,therewassomuchmore todothanfish.Allittookwasafishingnetandacoupleof friendstorealizethatmyhatredforfishinghadreachedan alltimehigh.3

Myfriendsenjoyfishing.IwassurprisedbecauseIhadnoidea theywentfishingregularly.Someofthesefriendssharedmany qualitiesandsimilaritieswithme,butfindingoutabouttheir secretfondnessforfishingshockedme Itwasoneofthe differencesthatsetmeandmyfriendsapart.Itwasthesesame friendswhoinvitedmetofishwiththem,allfiveofthem.My friendgrouphasalwaysbeenverycloseandtight,despiteme beingtheoutsiderofthegroup.Ididnotgotoschoolwithany ofthem,whichIwasverygladaboutonceIknewthatthey enjoyedfishing AlthoughIwasatadifferenthighschool,myfriendsalwaysfoundawaytoincludeme ThistimeitresultedinmetakingashorttripwithmyfriendstoalocalparktodosomethingthatI neveranticipateddoing.

Thishappenedduringthespringbreakofmysenioryear.Mostofmyclassmateshadthe opportunitytotraveltotheDominicanRepublicastheirseniorgift,butIdidnot.AlthoughIalways knewIwasnotgoingtogoonthetrip,itwasabitdespairing.Someofmyclassmateslivedinthe biggesthousesinthecityandwererichandwelloff.Iwasnotbotheredbynotattendingthetrip;more so,Iwasbotheredbynotsharingthebreakwithmyfriends Unfortunately,Icouldn’taskmyfriendsto hangoutordoanythingofthesortbecauseIwastheonlyonewithoutclassesthatweek Iwaitedall weekforthemtodosomething.IregretteditsomuchthatIwould’vepreferredstayingathomeand doingabsolutelynothing.

Astheweekwascomingtoanend,thesamefriendsofmineinvitedmetofishwiththem.My firstintuitionwastosayno,butIdidn’thaveanythingelsegoingon.Ispentsometimeoutsideduring theweek,butnotreally Ionlywentoutfortworeasons:towalkaroundtheblockortotakeoutthe trash Accordingtomymother,thatwasnotproductive Mymotherwouldemphasize,"Gooutside; you’vebeeninsideallday."Itookitbothliterallyandmetaphorically;thistimeIinsistedongoingtothe parkwithmyfriends.

MyfriendsandIwenttoBrookRunPark.Theparkwasgigantic.Onecoulddoanythingthere: run,walk,skateboard,playvolleyball,shoothoops,andfish.Assoonasyouenteredthepark,youcould seekidsrunningaround,parentswalking,anddogsonthegrass.Icouldseethelakefromadistance. Thewaterhadanicebluetone Itwascoveredbybeautifulgrassandbig,puffytreesfrommyview,and afewpinetreesaswell Icouldhearnothing,evenfromtheinsideofthecarItwasasquietasme carefullytryingtoputsomethinginthemicrowaveattwointhemorning.Iwassurprised,tosaythe least.Itwassixintheevening,andthesunwasjustrevealingitself.Theonlybadthingwasthatthere

3 “Lake Chalgrove” Photo Credit Victor Ovalle Mares

wasnoparkingnearthelake.Therefore,wehadtoparkneartheentranceandmakeourwaytothe back.Wedecidedtogetoutofthecarandfollowthesignsthatledustothelake.4

Itwasbeautifuloutside.Icouldn’tcomplainabouttheweather.Icouldfeelabitofthebreeze combsomeofmyhairup Iwaswarm Itwastheperfectweathertodoanything Itfeltevenbetter sincenoonewasaround Icouldn’thearthenoiseofkidsrunningaroundorthesoundofdogsbarking ateachother,whichwouldusuallybesomethingIwouldhearinatypicalpark.AllIcouldhearwasthe soundofmusiccomingfromthespeakermyfriendAxelhadinhand.AsIwaswalkingalongtheedgeof thesidewalk,Icouldseeacoupleofsquirrelssprintingacrossmyface,chasingeachotheraround.It wasthefunniestthing.Asweweregettingcloser,Icouldseeducksinthelakehavingthetimeoftheir lives TheywerejustfloatinginthewaterTheirgreenheadsandyellownoseswerewhatstoodout MyfriendsandIkeptonwalking Wewerealmostthere Theyhadfishingpolesintheirhands, whereasminewereempty Iwascuriousastohowitwasgoingtogo Ihadmixedfeelingsofoptimism andpessimismatthesametime.Assoonaswegottothelake,oneofmyfriends,Franklin,gavemea fishingpoleandtoldmethatIneededit.Oncehegavemethefishingpole,hetoldmehowtoholdit anduseit.Forsomereason,itfeltlikeIwasholdingastickinmyhand.Hetoldmethecorrectwayto useit,andaftersomeminutes,hegavemehispermissiontotryitonmyown.Istoodthereasalostkid, realizingthathisparentsleftwithouthimafterafewminutes Itriedcallingmyfriendsforhelp,but theyweretoobusydoingtheirownthing Ididn’tbother,soIflickedmyrodintothewater,putmy fingeronthetrigger,anddesperatelywaitedthereforsomethingtoattachtomyrod.Nothing happenedsoonerratherthanlater.Theweatherwas gettingcooler.Thesunwascomingdownabit.The skywasslowlyturninggray.Iwasthereforalmostan hour anhourofpurehumiliation.

Frustrationjustgrewinmybody Iwalked overtomyboysandtoldthem,"Whatthehellis this?"andtheyreplied,"Doyounotknowhowto fish?"andstartedlaughing.ItoldthemthatIwas donewithtryingtocatchsomefish.Itwasthe hardestthingIhaveeverdoneinmyentirelife.I askedthem,"Howthehellisfishingfuntoyouguys?" Theyinsisteditwasfun Myfriendskeptencouraging metokeepgoing,soIdidforabouttenmore minutes,tenminutesduringwhichIfeltbeyond miserable.Rightacrossme,Icouldseemyother friendscatchseveralfishwithoutmakinganeffort. Ontheotherhand,Iwasactinglikemylifedepended onit,butnothingseemedtoclickforme Itwasjust oneofthosedays

Asaresult,thatwasthelasttimeIever touchedafishingpole.Fishingisboringenough already.ThesamefeelingIgetfromreadingabookistheexactfeelingIgetwhenIfish.Itmakesme sleepy.Itisunbearabletodealwith.Despitenotanticipatingasuccessfuloutcome,itallowedmeto reflectonmyhatredforfishingasawhole Fishingisdesignedforspecificpeople,anditiscertainlynot meantforme Unfortunately,Ifallintothecategoryof"notveryfun"inthissociety

“The One That Got Away” Photo credit Albert Blackburn

ANewPerspective

ChaseUrbine

Hunting,fornumerousreasons,hasalwaysbeenoneofmyfavoritehobbies.Butduringarecent huntingtrip,Iwasabletoseethingsthroughadifferentperspective.WhenIwasyounger,Iusedmy timeinthewoodsasagetaway.Iwasabletogetawayfrommyparents,myhomework,andawayfrom mychores ThoughallIdidwassitinthewoodsasquietlyaspossibleandlookatmyphone,Istillfelt likeIwasfree AsIgotolder,Istartedtonoticethebeautyinhunting:thebeautifulsunrisesand sunsets,thesongsofthebirds,theleaveschangingcolors,etc.ButIneverpurposelysatbackand lookedatthebeautythatwasaroundme;Ijustnoticedthesethingsbyaccident.ThehuntingtripI wentoninlateOctober,completelychangedthewaythatIviewandthinkabouthunting.5 Itwas2:15pmonaFridayandIhadjustgottenback homefromcollegefortheweekend.IknewIwasrunninglate, sinceIamnormallyinmytreestandby1:00pm,soIquickly gatheredmythingsandheadedoffintothewoods Anormal triptomytreestandtakesmetenminutesbutthistimeittook mefifteenminutessinceIhadtomovethroughthewoodsvery slowly,doingmybesttoavoidthedeadleavesthathadcovered thegroundaroundmesoIwouldn’tmaketoomuchnoise.After whatfeltlikeanhourofwalking,Ifinallyarrivedatthebaseof mytreestand.Islowlymademywayuptheladderandintomy seat,thenIdoublecheckedmybowtomakesureitwasready beforeIsettledin Afteranhourofsitting,Inoticedthat somethingwasoutoftheordinary;Ihadn’tseenanything,not evenabug.

NormallyIwould’veseenatleastasquirrelbynow,sothe situationwasbecomingquitesuspicious.Aboutfiveminutes afternoticingIhadn’tseenanything,Iheardanearpiercing screech Ihadheardthisscreechbefore,andIknewthatthe screechhadcomefromahawksomewherebehindme Islowly turnedaroundtoseeifIcouldseehim,butunfortunatelythe sunwassobrightthatitblindedme.Suddenly,ashadow appearedanditwascomingstraightforme.Startled,Iclosedmyeyesandslammedmybackagainst thetree.Whentheunknownobjectflewbyme,itwassoclosethatIcouldfeelthebreezethatit created Withmybackstillgluedtothetree,Islowlyopenedmyeyestofindthehawksittinginatree, threefeettomyleft Fortwentyminutes,thehawkandIhadoneofthemostintensestaring competitionsthatIhaveeverhad.Finally,Idecidedtodowhatanynormalhumanwoulddo;Ireached formyphone,sothatIcouldtakeapicture.AsIpickedmyphoneup,thehawkscreechagainandflew backintothesunlight.

AfewminuteshadpassedsinceIsawthehawkanditwasnow3:15pm.Iheardthedistinctsound ofleavescrunchingunderweight,Iknewitwasananimal.Suddenly,threesquirrelsappearedfromthe woodsedgeandmadetheirwayoutintothefield Theychasedeachotheraround,actinglikechildren onaplayground Forawhile,Ienjoyedtheshowthatthesquirrelsputon;Buteventuallythesoundof thesquirrelsrunningaroundgotannoying,sinceitmadeitdifficulttoheariftherewasanythingelse movingaroundinthewoods.Afterthirtyminutesofplayingaroundinthefield,thesquirrelsmade theirwayovertothebottomofanoaktreewheretheyscrambledaroundpickingupacorns.Eachof thesquirrelsquicklyfilledtheirmouthupwithacorns,theirgumssofullitseemedasiftheyweregoing topop Aftergettingasmanyacornsastheycould,theytookoffintothewoods Iwashappytheywere gone,sothatIcouldfinallyhearagain Ipickedmyphoneuptocheckthetimeandtomysurpriseitwas

5 “Through The Gates” Photo credit Albert Blackburn

5:15pm.Igotexcited,becauseeversinceIwasakidthewoodshadalwayscometolifeat5:30andit wasalwaysthebesttimetoseedeer.

At5:20pm,thewoodsbegantocometolife.Thesilenceofthewoodsquicklywentawayandthe soundofbirdschirpingtookoverThewoodshadgonefromsoundinglikealibrarytosoundinglikean amusementpark Birdswereflyingallovertheplace;theywereflyingsofastthatIjustknewtheywere goingtocollide.Thechirpingofthebirdswassoloud,thatitwascoveringupthesoundofthetraffic onthehighwaythatwasrightthroughthewoods.Fascinatedwiththeiragility,Iwatchedthebirdsfly arounduntilIheardthecrunchofsomeleaves.IwaitedamomenttomakesureIwasn’thearingthings andIheardthenoiseagain.Islowlyturnedtomyleft,tofindtwogroundhogsthatweremakingtheir waytothefield Thefirstgroundhogwasobviouslybiggerthanthesecondoneandthesecondonewas sosmallthatitalmostlookedlikeanoversizedsquirrel Onceinthefield,thebiggergroundhogsatup onitshindlegs,lookingaroundasthesmallergroundhogatefromapatchofclovers Thebigger groundhogremainedinthispositionforacoupleminutesbeforebeingstartledbythecrackofalimb breakinginthedistance.Thebiggergroundhogquicklyranovertothepatchofcloverandgrabbeda mouthfulofthem,thenchasedthesmallergroundhogbackintothewoods.Sincethegroundhogswere gone,Iturnedmyattentiontothesoundofmorelimbsbreaking.Icouldtellthatitwasalargeanimal bytheamountofnoiseitwasmakingasitmaneuvereditswaythroughthewoods Atthispoint,itwas 5:45pmandthesunlightwasquicklyfadingfromthesky,butmyhopesremainedhighasthesoundof crackinglimbsandcrunchingleavescametowardme.Soon,Icouldseeasetofhornscomingthrough thewoods.Iquicklygotmyselftogetherandgrabbedmybow,doublecheckingittomakesureitwas readytomaketheshot.Istoodupandgotreadyforthebucktomakeitsdebut.Threedidappearfrom thewoods’edge,theymadetheirwayouttothemiddleandstartedtoeat.Finally,thebuckstepped outintothefield.Immediately,Ibegantogigglebecauseitwasonlyasmallfourpointbuckandhewas notsomethingthatIwouldwanttokill Iremainedstanding foracoupleminuteswaitingtoseeiftherewasanything elsecoming,unfortunatelynothingevercame.Atthispoint thesunlighthadmainlyfadedawayanditwasnowtoodark toshoot;soIsatbackdownandwaitedforthedeertofinish eatingandleave,sothatIcouldleavewithoutscaringthem.6

AsIsat,waitingforthemtoleave,Irealizedsomething thatIhadneverthoughtabout Irealizedthatanimalsand humanshaveatonofthingsincommon.Ithoughtbackto thefirstanimalsthatIsaw:thehawkandthesquirrels.The hawkisapredatortomostoftheanimalsinthewoods, whichiswhyIdidn’tseeanythingforanabnormalamountof time.Thesquirrelsdidn’tcomeoutfromhiding,untilthe hawkhadbeengoneforacoupleofminutes Oncethe squirrelsknewthehawkwasgone,theycameoutand startedtoplayaroundliketheynormallydo.Humansdothe samethingwhentheyareawareofathreatnearby;Humans willhideintheirhome,locktheirdoors,andremainsilent untilthethreatisgone.Oncethethreatisgoneandthe coastisclear,humanswillgorightbacktolivingtheirlivesas theydidbefore Afterplayingaround,thesquirrelsmade theirwayovertothesameoaktreeandgrabbedasmany acornsastheycouldbeforeheadingbackintothewoods.If you’veeverbeentothegrocerystore,thenyouknowthatitcanbecomechaoticwithhumansrunning around,grabbingasmuchastheycanuntiltheircartsarefull,andthenheadinghometoputthem away.Thegroundhogsremindedmealotofahumanmotherandherchild.Themothersatand scannedthewoodsforanypossiblethreats,lettingherchildeatfirst Whenthemotherheard

somethingthatposedapossiblethreat,shequicklygrabbedabitetoeatandtookherchildtosafety. Thedeerremindedmealotofagroupoffriends,makingtheirwaythroughthewoodstogetherbefore theygrabbedabitetoeat.

AftermakingalloftheseconnectionsInoticedadifferenttrend,notonlydoanimalsactlike humans,theyalsohaveaschedulethatisverysimilartothescheduleofhumans TheanimalsthatIsaw weredoingallofthesamethingsthathumansdoonanormal,daytodaybasis.From25pm,most humansareatwork,butthereareafewthatwillbeoutandabout.Thenafter5,theroadsstartto becomebusywithpeopleflyingallovertheplacetryingtogethome,muchlikethebirdsthatI observed.Oncehome,humanstypicallygetreadyfordinnerrightaround5:15to5:30pm.The groundhogs,squirrels,anddeerwerealloutaround5:30pmtryingtogetdinnerIhadalwayssaid“The woodscometolifeat5:30pm,butIhadnevernoticedthereasonwhyuntilthishunt These connectionsgavemeanewperspectiveonhunting,becauseIfoundthatthereisalotmorethatIneed tolearnabouttheworldaroundmeandIcanlearnaboutitwhiledoingwhatIlovetodo.Icanusemy timeinthewoodstolearnmoreaboutnature,insteadofusingitasagetawaylikeIusedto.7

7 “New waters” Photo credit Albert Blackburn

3,875ftHigh

CalebManu

In2001,GeoffreyBrewer,apollsteratGallup,conductedapollonwhatscaresAmericans He introducedthesurveywiththisquestion:"Everybodyhasfearsaboutdifferentthings.Butsomeare moreafraidofcertainthingsthanothers.I'mgoingtoreadalistofsomeofthesefears.Foreachone, pleasetellmewhetheryouareafraidofitornot.Howabout...?"TheresultsprovedthatAmericansare mostscaredofsnakes.ThispollalwaysremindsmethatIamnottheonlyonewithmanyfears.I innatelysharesomeofthesefearswithmanypeople,suchasthefearofsnakes IlearnedafearafterI nearlydrownedwhilesimulatingaswimmingpoolinabathtub Somefearsotherpeoplehavehave neveraffectedme,suchasthefearofinsects.OtherfearsIgrewoutofquickly,suchasthefearofthe dark.ButtherewasaparticularfearthatalwaysgrippedmewheneverIencounteredit.8 IfIhadbeenasked,"Howaboutheights?"myanswerwouldhavebeenatrembling,“Yes.”I rememberthefirsttimeIenteredanelevator.Everytimetheelevatorwentdown,Ifeltarushof anxiety.IfeltlikeIwasfreefallingfromthethirtyfirstfloorofaskyscraper indeed,Iwasfreefalling.I wouldratherwalkupasixstorybuildingthantaketheelevatorIdidn'twanttobeinthatsituation On myfirsttriptotheShaiHillsinGhana,ImadeafriendwhenIreachedthetopofthesummit Isatona rockandhuggedatreeforabouttenminutesandneverletgo.AlthoughtheShaiHillswereonly239 metersabovesealevel(about700feet),IfeltlikeIwas15,000metersupintheair.Toputthisinto perspective,thishillwasshorterthanMountJefferson,whichis800feetabovesealevel.Itlooked short,butthiswasmyversionofMountEverest.Ivowednevertoputmyselfinthispositionagain. Icouldnotgetawayfromit Ikeptcomingbacktothesame"highrisk"situations Itwas unavoidable "Justtry,"manypeoplesaid Thisphrasesimplifieseverything Itwaslikeexpecting peoplewhoareafraidofsnakestopetthem.Itriedseveraltimesbutwasunabletoovercomemyfear ofheights.Icouldn'tevencompletethe HampdenSydneycampusropescourseinaharness thatwasonlyfiftyfeethigh.

ThisbecameatoughpilltoswallowwhenImet mycurrentgirlfriendinthesummerof2021 Shewas anavidhikerwhohadrecentlyreturnedfroma campingtripintheMidwest.Shecampedinsixstate parks,includingGrandCanyon,BryceCanyon,Arches, andZion,spreadacrossthreestates.Iwasintimidated bythislevelofcourage.Ourfirstdatewasahikeonthe WilsonTrail,followedbyahikeontheHighBridgeTrail. Datinganavidhiker,Iassumedthatahikeona "highrisk"adventureonamountainorhillwasgoingto happen.Withahistoryofcripplingfearinthefaceof height,Iwasnotreadyforthat,andthatwasnot somethingIwaswillingtotry.Ialwayswonderedhow shewasgoingtoseemeaftersuchanadventure.

Loandbehold,aweekafterthesemesterhad ended,sheaskedme,"Whatdoyouthinkabouthiking SharpTopMountain?"Myheartsuddenlydroppedand thenbegantoraceatabout100beatspersecond.Ifelt likeIhadjustruna100meterdashwhilealionchasedafterme."Yes,"Isaidimpulsively.IfIwereacting onthought,Iwouldhavesaidno.Ihadjustcommittedtoahikeona3,875-footmountain.Astheday approached,therealizationofthedangergrewstronger.Idevisedfourcommandmentstohelpmeget throughthis:

“Ascending New Heights” Photo credit Caleb Manu

1. Youshallnotlookdown,nomatterwhat.

2. Youshallkeepyourheadhighuponthenextrocktoclimb.

3. Youshallneverstoptothinkabouthowhighyouarecurrently.Youshallenjoythemoment.

4 Youshallnotquit IbelievedIcouldsurvivethisadventureifIfollowedthesecommandments Ipackedsomesnacksand waterforthehike.Iputonmyhikingboots,andwedroveforalmostanhourandahalf.Whenwe arrivedattheSharpTopMountaintrailhead,Iwasfilledwithamixtureofexcitementandtrepidation.9 Webeganthehike,anditdidnotappeartobeasdifficultasIhadanticipated.Everythingwas smoothsailinguntilIlookeddownhalfwaythroughtheclimbandrealizedIwashighabovethetrees. TherewasnothingIcouldholdontoatthispoint Thistime,Iwouldn'thaveanytreestohug Ilooked upather,whowastenstepsaheadofme "Idon'tthinkIcandothisanymore!"Iscreamed Hearing myselfsaythatbrokemyheart Icouldn'tgetawayfromtheterror"Thisiswhathappenswhenyou breakthecommandments,"Itoldmyself.Ididn'twanttoriskbreakingtherestoftherules,especially thelastandmostimportantone:"Youshallnotquit."Withastartledexpressiononherface,sheasked, concerned,"Doyouwantustoreturn?Ifyouwant,wecouldgoback."Thiscouldbemylasttime tacklingthisissue;fearwasnotgoingtograpplemethistime.Aftersomeconsideration,Idecidedto proceed Saying"No,"gavemeaboostofenergy Althoughthe1,800footdropdidn'tseemquiteso terrifying,thefearneverwentaway Icontinuedtheclimbwithoutlookingbackordown Outoftheblue,Iheard,"Mom!Mom!Whyisthis...?"Itwastwochildrencomingdownthehill withtheirmother;theolderchildcouldnothavebeenmorethanfiveyearsold.Theywerehappily walking,talking,andaskingquestions.Ithoughttomyself,"Howdidthesechildrenclimbthisscary mountain?"Irealizedthattherewasonethingtheydid:theystayedinthemomentandenjoyednature. ThenIrealizedthatIcouldseethebeautyofmysurroundings.Theleavesonthetreeswerealllight green,fresh,andyouthful,asthehintofspringhadpromptedthegrowthofnewleaves The chipmunksandsquirrelschitteredandranthroughthetreesontheedgeofthemountainwithoutfear Iobservedallthisaroundmeasweclimbedtothe topofthemountain.Eventually,wereachedthetop ofthesummitafterhikingforseveralmiles.Isatona boulderthatwashighaboveeverythingelse.Icould notbelieveIwasupintheskies,andIwascloserto themajesticcloudsIhadseeninpictures Thefeeling ofbeingatinyfigurefloatingabovetheworld becameoneofappreciationratherthancrippling fear.Itwaslikeheaven.Iaskedmygirlfriend,"Isthis howyoufeeleverytimeyouhikeathigherplaces?" Shesmirkedandreplied,"Yes."Nowondersheloves hiking Iwasontopoftheworld NotonlydidIfeel appreciationforthebeautyofnature,butIalsofelta senseofaccomplishment.

Fearkeepsusalive.Theinnateabilitytokeep usalivepreventsusfrommovinginthedirectionofa bear.Unfortunately,myfeardeprivedmeofthejoythatIcouldhavegainedfromthebeautyofplaces. IcouldhaveenjoyedmytripinfifthgradewhenwevisitedtheShaiHills Mymemoryofthistripcould havebeenthebirdsflyingandsinging,thezebrasroamingandgrazingonthelargeplain,andallthe greenmonkeysswingingfromonetreetothenext SincethathiketoSharpTopMountain,Ihave ziplinedontheHampdenSydneyzipline,rockwallclimbedinParis,andwalkedtheKakumCanopyWalk inGhana,whichis984feetabovesealevel.IhaverealizedthatIcanenjoyeveryaweinspiringmoment ofnaturewithoutthefearoffallingtomydeath.

9 “On Top of the World” Photo credit Caleb Manu

AnExplorationofthePacificCoast NicholasScheer

InAugustofthesummer2022,mybrother andIembarkedonajourneyunlikeanythingwe hadeverdonebefore.WeweregoingtotheSeven LakesBasinandHighDivideinOlympicNational Park(WA)whichgiveslimitedpermitseveryyear Thetripwouldbesixdaysandfivenights, consistingofthirtymilesofrigoroushikingwith fiftypoundbackpacksandasummitatBogachiel Peak.Eventhoughwewereclimbingamountain whichdeclinedforhalfofthosethirtymiles,the climbfeltuphillbothways Whywouldsomeone putthemselvesthroughallofthis?Thereisno trueanswer,butIdonotfeelsofondofthebig cityanymoreaftercompletingthetrip.Something aboutbeinginnatureandseeingthingsfirsthand sparksjoy,adrenaline,andfearallatthesame timewhichgavemeanexperiencelikenoneother Livingoffthelandissomethingrarelydonein moderndaysociety.Mostgroupsofpeoplewho stilldosoarecutofffromindustrialization.My brotherandIdidnotcompletelyliveofftheland becausewehadhikedinsomefoodand equipment,butbackcountryhikinggivesasimilar experiencetoourpredecessorswhodidnothave television,grocerystores,orrefrigerators Living minimallyandleavingnotraceonthetrailsis difficult;however,itbringsjoytothejourneyersto knowthattheyarehelpingpreservethelandscapethatwastherelongbeforethem.10

Tryingtoliveminimally,atnightmybrotherandIcrammedintoasmalltentandwerenomore thanafootfromeachother;weusedmummystylesleepingbagsforwarmthandclothesbagsas pillows Throughagravitybag,wefilteredourownwaterthatcamerightoutofriversandlakes Additionally,wepackedallourfoodintobearbarrelsandplacedthemagooddistancefromourcamps toavoidadangerousanimalencounter.Firesarenotallowedinthealpinebecauseofthesubstantial riskofspreading,sowecookedallourmealsonasingleburnerJetBoilstove,makingsuretoconserve thepropanewehad.Allourcompostandrecyclableswereheldontoanddisposedofattheendofthe trip,andhumanwastewasburiedifaprivywasunavailable.Weleftnothingbuttracksinthedirt.Being tentativetoconservetookabitofatollonusbutfulfillingknowingthatwegotoffthetraintracksof societyforjustalittlebitoftime Thehikehelpedmerealizehowmuchsmallerthefootprintofman canbe.

Throughoutthehike,therewerevariousinstanceswhenwildlifewasspottedandsensed.On myfirstnightfishingfortrout,Igottoholdthesoft,rainbowlikepatternfish.Igazedacrossthelake, andthereseemedtobeaninfinitenumberofjumpingfishthatIgottoreelinoneafteranother.Icould nothelpbutthinkamountainlionorsnakewasgoingtocomeoutofnowherewhileIstoodonthe bank,andthatwouldbeitformeattwentyoneyearsold MybrotherandIsawaplentifulnumberof deerwhodidnotseemtobeafraidofus Afteratriptofilterwater,Icamebacktofindathreepoint

10 “Good Morning Sun” Photo credit Nicholas Scheer

bucksnoopingaroundourcampsite,buthedidnotgetintoourfoodfortunatelyforus.Notallanimals seemedharmlesslikethetroutanddeer,however.

Itisimportantforsomeonetoknowthatoutsideofthecities,wearenotatthetopofthefood chain Asthedayswentonandwehikedfartherandfarther,itwaseasiertoloseourawareness,which couldhaveshortenedthehike AsItrudgedmypackalongthenarrowtrails,Icameapaceawayfrom steppingrightontoablacksnakewithdifferentcoloredspecklesonitsback.Iquicklyretreatedand imaginedwhatcouldhavehappened.Iwasneverabletoidentifythesnaketoknowifitwaspoisonous becauseIwasstartledsomuch.Idonotrecalltheexactpattern,butIwasoverlyrelievedwhenit slitheredaway.Themostbreathtakingencountercameonthefourthdaywhenwewerejustamile fromthepeak Likethesnakesighting,myawarenesswasdwindlinguntilIheardalargerustleinthe treesofftheclifftomyright Ilookedupandsawablackbearfifteenfeetawayfromme Igently pulledupmyphonetorecordwithone handandpulledmyswitchbladewiththe other.Thebearlookedyounglikeitwas acubnotlongago,butitwasstilllarger thanIam.Theyoungbeastwasskittish andslowlyscaleddownthehillaway fromus,butthatwasnotenoughto stopmyheartfrombeatingoutofmy chest.Anexperiencelikespotting naturethatisuntouchedbymanis somethingthatmustbedonerightand canbeoneofthemostmemorable thingsapersoncansee11

LikethewildlifeatOlympic NationalPark,someofthepartsof naturearebreathtaking.Throughoutthe tripweweresurroundedbythe PacificNorthwestPine,icecapped mountains,andglaciallakes Our campsitesweresomeofthebest;fivenightsgaveusfivegreatsceneries

Longbendingriversand rockylakesofthecolorturquoise,liketheMediterranean,arewhatwegottofeastoureyesonfor nearlyaweek.Manyofthelakeswerefilledwithvariedspeciesoftroutthatgrowfromminnowsupto abouttwelveinches,butastheelevationincreased,fewerfishwerespottedjumpinginthewater.I couldwatchfortherestoftimeallthewaterfallshittingtherocksandsendingmisteverywhere. ThenaturalbeautywasunmatchedtoanynonbackcountrycampingIhadeverdone.Bogachiel Peakgave360degreeviewsoftheSevenLakesBasinandacrosstheHoRiverontheotherside,aswell asMountOlympus,thetallestnonvolcanicmountaininthestateofWashington Ihadseeninthe pictureswhatOlympicNationalParkwouldlooklike,andmyexpectationswereblownawayafter reachingthepeak.EverythinglookedbiggerthanIhadimagineditbeing.Thefullembraceofthe naturalworldissomethingIwillnevertakeforgranted.Everypersonshouldstrivetoexperiencea placeinthebackcountrytoseethingsmostpeoplenevergettosee.Thetoughhikingthroughthe trailswasallworthitforthescenery TheexplorationoftheSevenLakesBasinandHighDivideis somethingIwillneverforget

11 “A Whole New World” Photo credit Nicholas Scheer

ColeVonderharr

TheAndyLayneTrailatTinkerCliffsisaroughlysevenmileroundhikeinRoanoke,Virginia,and asectionoftheAppalachianTrail.Itisrelativelyeasyfortheinexperiencedhiker,andfeaturesScorched EarthGap,anopengapinthetreesneartheCatawbaRiverthatwasburnedtopromoteplantgrowth, wellastheominouslytitled“MurderHoleCave”onthesecondlegofthehike Thenamesakeforthis hikecomesfromthecliffsthathikersreachafterthreeandahalfmilesofswitchbacksandmanmade woodenstairs.Facingwest,thecliffsofferastunningviewofthenaturalCatawbaValleyanddistant AppalachianMountainsatanelevationofnearlythree thousandfeet.

WearrivedattheparkinglotonRoute779in Roanoke,Virginiaatroughly2p.m.onaclearSaturday afternoon Excitedandrestlessafterourtwohour drive,wehurriedlyexitedtheminivanandbeganto unloadourequipment.Eachofuswasequippedwitha backpackthatcontainedourwaterbottlesandhalfof aSubwaysandwich.Onlytheessentialswereneeded forthisexpedition.Wetightlylacedourshoesand quicklysetoffintothewilderness12

Afterabout10minutes,thegroupconcluded thatweshouldshedoursweatshirtsduetothemild fallclimate.Wethencontinuedafterquickly scavengingsomewalkingsticksfromtheedgesofthe trail.Afterwehadcompletedaboutamile,wecrossed theCatawbaCreekandcametoasignthatread, “PRIVATEPROPERTY.STAYONTRAIL”This declarationcausedsomediscussionwithinourparty Wecollectivelywonderedwhoselandthiswas.Wasit notapublictrailmaintainedbytheU.SNationalPark ServicesinceitwasapopularlegoftheAppalachian Trail?Drew,amemberofourgroupwhohadpreviously hikedtheAndyLaynetrailwithhisfamily,said,“This landisownedbytheminingcompanythatwepassed onourwayin Theyjustkeepthetrailopensopeople canhikeit.Anythingoffthetrailisprivateproperty.”Indeed,theRoanokeCementCompanywehad passedafewmilesbeforewearrivedwerethelegalownersofthisland.

Atthissignpostwaswhenwebegantohearthesofthummingcomingfromthedistance.The distanthumofmachineryandconcreteproductionwasrelativelynegligibleanddidlittletoruinour outingintheVirginiamountains However,itdidserveasareminderthatthisbrilliantnatural landscapewasprivatelyowned,andthatwewereonlyabletoaccessthetrailduetothecompany’s impliedappreciationfornatureandthepublic’sabilitytoaccessit.

Beyondthesignpostwaswhenthetrueascentbegan.Aheadofusthetrailwasaperfectly straightline,andtheangleoftheinclineseemedtoexponentiallyincreaseuntilourviewofthepath wasobstructedbythegreenandorangefoliage.Wereachedabout900feetafterabouthalf-a-mileof trudgingtheincline,andthroughthetreelineonourleftwecouldseethemassivecementfacility. Humorously,thefacilitywasdwarfedincomparisonbythemountainofpurewhiteconcreterubble thatneighboredit Atthisheightanddistance,wecouldnolongerhearthefacility’soperation Ibegan

“Catawba Valley,” Photo Credit Cole Vonderharr

towonderwherethepileofprocessedsedimentwouldeventuallyresidewithinthestate.Potentiallyin thesidewalksofRichmondandNorthernVirginia,ormaybethefuturebasementsandfoundationsof newhomeswithinCentralVirginia.Ifounditinterestinghowonetrail’snaturalproductcouldhavesuch awidespreaddispersalforcommercialuse

WesuccessfullycoveredthelasttwomilestretchofswitchbacksontheAndyLaynetrailand arrivedatthepeakofTinkerCliffs.Wethensettledtoenjoyoursandwichesandconversewhile overlookingtheCatawbaValley.TheviewresembledwhatIbelievedAppalachialookedlikebefore colonization,andthevalleywasmostlyunaffectedbyhumandevelopment.Route779ranthroughthe valleyawayfromusandoverthehorizon.NexttoitwasthethinCatawbaRiver,neighboredbysmall, sparselydistributedfarmhouses Theviewremindedmeoflookingdownonascalemodeldioramaof theVirginiamountaincountryside,meticulouslymanicuredbyanavidhobbyist

Afterroughlyanhouroflounginganddiscussion,ourpartybeganthedescentbacktothesmall parkinglotonRoute779.Thesunhadbeguntoset,anditsrayspiercedthetreestothewestand turnedthemountainsideabrightorange.DuringthisdownwardhikeIbegantoreflectonmytime scalingtheAndyLaynetrail,andthemostprominentthoughtwasthatIwasgratefultherearesome privatecompaniesthattakeintoconsiderationthevalueoftheenvironmentandpublicaccess.The boardoftheRoanokeCementCompanycouldhadjustaseasilyrestrictedallpublicaccessoftheirland, severedthreeandahalfmilesoftheAppalachianTrail,andshippedoffthesedimentofTinkerCliffsto aconstructionsitesomewhereinthestate.Regardlessofthecompany’strueintent,whetheritbe publicimageorwildernesspreservation,themountainwaswellmaintained,andwedidnotseeasingle pieceoflitteraswereturnedtoourminivanwhilethenightskysignaledourdeparture.TheRoanoke CementCompanyandvisitinghikerswerecertainlymaintainingandcaringfortheAndyLaynetrail 13

13 “Camp Brew on Tinker Cliffs” Photo Credit Cole Vonderharr

TheHuntforConservation

JacksonFrey

Huntingisapastimewithverymixedopinionsthesedays Iwouldliketobetterexplainmy perspectiveofthehunterasacarefulconservationist,asopposedtothepreservationapproachofno hunting.IwillstartbystatingthatIbelieveinpreservationtowardssomeaspectsofwildernesscare; thingslikenationalforests,nationalparks,andstringentprotectionsforendangeredspeciesand environmentsmattergreatly But,huntingallowsmetoparticipateinmanagingthepopulationofa speciesIlove:thewhitetaileddeerAsahunter,Ihavetheopportunitytoenjoynatureinadifferent waythanmost,carefullyhelpingconservetheanimalsandenvironmentIlove,andengagingina thrilling,bondingactivitythatIwillpassdowntomyownchildren,asitwaspasseddowntome. Oneofmyfavoriteanimalsisthewhitetaileddeer.Throughmyextensiveinteractionwith theminnorthernPennsylvania,Ihavepickedupagreatdealofknowledgeonthespecies.The whitetaileddeeriscommonacrosstheUnitedStates,andithasspreadintercontinentallywithmany distinctsubspecies Themalesstartgrowingantlersinspring,shedthevelvetinsummer,usethemfor fightinganddominancedisplaysinthefallandearlywinter,andlosetheminwinterorearlyspring Duringthebreedingseason,orrut,bucks’neckswillswellinsize.However,theywilllosemuchoftheir bodyweightastheyfocusmuchoftheirtimeonfindingreceptivedoes,managingterritory,and competingwithothermales.Fawnsdropinthespringandstaywiththeirmothersforayearormore. Mostyoungdonotsurvivetoadulthood,andtheyaretakenprimarilybycoyotesandblackbears. Whitetaileddeerprimarilyeatyoungbuds,shoots,acorns,andwhatevertheycangetfromafarmer’s field TwigsandbarkenterthedietduringwinterNormally,deercanbeseentravelinginherdsduring themorningandevenings,browsingtogetherforprotection.Deerhaveverygoodsmellandhearing,in additiontodecent,thoughcolorblind,sight.Ifone sensesdanger,itwillsnortandstompahooftoalert others.Thewhitetailisacaptivating,intricatespecies thatIamgladtoknowaswellasIdo.

Whitetaileddeerhavehadwidespread historicalinteractionswithhumans Afterhundredsof yearsofunregulatedhunting,theybecamethreatened. Conservationprograms,includingmanagedhunting, haveincreasedthewhitetailpopulationone thousand-fold.(“Methods”,4)However,increased populationsize,evenfrompreviouslevels,hasput whitetaileddeeralmostinthecategoryofnuisance animalsinsomelocations Deercangetdiseaseslike chronicwastingdisease,whichiscausedbyprionsthat takeawhiletomanifestthesymptomsofsevereweight loss,excessivethirst,behavioralisolationandcertain death.(“Chronic”)Ithasdevastatedsomedeer populationssinceitsfirstidentifiedwildinfectioninthe 1970’s Additionally,deercanhelpspreaddiseases transmittedbydeerticks,includingLymedisease,which directlyimpacthumans.Whendeeraremorepopulous andundermanaged,thesediseasesspreadeasier amongwhitetailherdsandcomeintocloserproximity withhumans.ThisiswhereI,asahunter,comein.14

Scoping In

Photo Credit Jackson Frey

Letmebeginwiththestoryofmyfirstdeer.ThoughIhadbeenlearninggunsafetyandhunting startingatagefive,Ididn’tbegindeerhuntinguntilIwasthirteen.MydadandIwentoutafewtimesin NorthCarolina(whereIlivedatthetime),butwehadlittleluckamongstthedensebrushofthe southernforests Myluckchangedatmygrandparentsinthemiddleofnowhere,northern Pennsylvania Rifleseason,asopposedtoarcheryandflintlockseasons,openedtheMondayafter Thanksgiving.(IthassincechangedtothefollowingSaturday.)

AftergoodtimesspentwithfamilyduringThanksgiving,Iwaseagertohunt.Mygrandfather hadsomethingwecalled“thescaffolding”setupbyhispond.Essentially,itwasanopen-toppedboxon twentyfootstilts.Thescaffoldingrestedonaslighthillthatdippeddowntoasmallcreekbefore gentlyrisingintoanopenfielddottedwithonlyafewtrees Theedgesofthewoodssurroundingthe “backhill”werethespottowatchfordeertoemerge Thoughthescaffoldinggaveacommandingview ofthebackhill,itdidsoatthecostofhighwinds Itwasacoldmorning Thewindpiercedrightthrough myjacketandintomybones.Inadditiontothejacketonmyback,Ihadanextraacrossmylegsfor warmth.

OneaspectIparticularlyenjoyabouthuntingiswatchingtheworldwakeup.Aslightstartedtocreep intothesky,dawnbegan,andIcouldslowlystarttoseethebackhillbeforeme.Thingsbecamevisible, andthescanningfordeerbegan Ihadtheprivilegeofhearingtheearlybirdsbegintheirdailychirps Thepinksandorangesofsunrisestartedtofillthesky Afterawhilespentscanningthebrightening fields,mydadspottedalargeeightpointbuckemergefromtheforestinacornerofthefield.Thedeer walkedwithouthurryfromlefttoright,hisheadbobbingwithhissteps.Ibroughtmygunup,fillingmy sightswithhischest.IrememberedalltheworkIhadputinforthismoment:learningaboutdeer patterns,practicingmyshooting,andspendinghourswithouteverspottingadeer.Thisbuckstoodasa majesticcreatureoftheforest,asaniconofstrength,power,anddominanceofhisterritory.I squeezedthetrigger

Theringingofmyearshelpeddrownoutmythoughtsandhelpedmefocusonwhathadjust happened:Ihadtakenmyfirstdeer.Forafirstdeer,Ihadbeenspoiled.Hewaslarge,witha symmetricalantlerrackmadeupofeightlargetines.Thestorygotevenbetterwhenmydadtooka largedeerhimselfabouttwohourslater,whenitstoppedandsmelledwherewehadretrievedmy buck.ItisadaythatIcherishinmy memoriesandwillneverforget15 WitheverydeerIhavetaken,the momentbeforetheshotisfilled withanoddcombinationof excitementtingedwithsadness. Excitementforthethrillofthe momentandhardworkpaidoff, andsadnessfortheindividual deerinmycrosshairs IknowthatI amhelpingthepopulationby harvestingdeer.Iamcontributing topreventingthespreadof disease,hungerissuesfrom overpopulation,andultimately protectionforthedeerthatIlove Andit’snotlikethedeergoto waste,either.Webutcherand consumewhateverwecan.Most ofthemeatweturnintoburgers, withsomeofthechoicestcuts beingmadeintoleansteaks Whatwedon’tconsume organs,theremainderofthecarcass,andthe

Back Hill” Photo Credit Jackson Frey

skin isleftforscavengers,lettingallpartsofthedeerbeusedevenwhenwedonothaveausefor them.Evenwithalltherationalreasonsfordeerhunting,itstillfeelsoddtophysicallytakethelifeof ananimalIadmireforitsbeautyandplaceinnature.Asahunter,Icareabouttheenvironmentandthe creaturesinit,putinthetimeandpracticetoensureclean,humanehuntingpractices,andwantto conservenatureforfuturepeople’senjoymentandappreciation Thisishow,inmymind,deerhunting shouldbepracticedandrepresented:asagroupofpeoplewithgreatrespectfornaturetakingan activepartinitsmanagementandconservationforthewellbeingofallinvolved.

Agrarian:TheWildernessPreservationConflict ZachGonzalez

Throughrapidgrowthandindustrialization,Americansocietyhassubstitutedtraditional farmingwithnaturaladditiveswiththeuseofherbicides Naturalprocesses outdatedintoday's society,havebecomethingsofthepastduetothegr WorldWarTwo,populationandindustrializationhass concernforfoodshortageshasnegativelyimpactedn throughtheuseoflowconcentratedchemicalsthrou industrializedherbicides.

Duetoeventslikethebabyboom,effortsto increasenationalfoodsupplyhavebeengreatlyneed Scientificrevolutionshavealteredtheeffectsofherb regardingwhattheyareusedforintoday'sworld Du this,population’sarenoweatingfoodthatisaltered grownwiththehelpofherbicides.SinceWorldWar2 mentalillnesseslikeanxietyanddepressionhaveincr drastically.Somecriticsbelievethatprocessedfoods contributedtotheinfluxintheseillnesses.Further researchwillneedtobeconductedinordertofurthe addressthisundergoingclaim

Thesprayingofherbicideshasnegativelyimp theenvironment,butwithindustrializedactions,crop rotationandfertilefarmlandarebecomingthingsint past.Becauseherbicidesarehighlyacidic,thePHleve thesoilrisesasaresultoftheiruse.CanadianSphagn mossandpeatmossaresomeexamplesoftopsoilmi thathelplowerPHlevelswhilestimulatingrootgrow Drysoilfromtheacidicherbicidesmakesitharderfor plantstorootandgrow.Theuseofperlite,afluffyae topsoil,breaksupthesoilandhelpswithrootingwea plants.Thenutritionalvaluethatperlitecontainsand densenessallowsforittoholdwaterlongerthanman othertopsoils Thehighlyacidicherbicideshaverever effectsontheaddednutrientsandappeartobe16 ineffectiveinregardstoprocessing.Afterbeingstrippedofnutrients,cropsaresenttofacilitieswhere artificialnutrientsareadded.Duetoindustrializedfactories,thisrepetitivesystemhasbecomecostly andinefficient.Consideringthesefactoriesneedtobeconstructedondevelopedland,onecanonly assumethatdeforestationhadtotakeplaceinordertomakespace.Likemostlargecompanies,major herbicidecompaniesadvertisethattheirproductsaresafeinregulation,duetothefactthatthe concentrationofpoisonisdiluted Thesubjectiveviewontheamountofherbicideseachfarmeris sprayingontheircropsissomethingtoconsiderbecausetherearefewspecificguidelinesand regulationspreventingoverspray.Toobtainalicensetouseherbicidescommercially,asmall presentationandtestisadministered.Licenserenewalsarecheckedperiodically,buttheadministrative authorityrarelyvisitsthepropertytolookforoverspray.

Toshiftthinking,let'sconsiderthecapitallossofhavingcropsmassproducedbyfarmers. Naturepreservationisallaboutpreservingnature,buthowcanonearguetheyarepreservingnature whentheyareeatingthebyproductofherbicides?Theshiftfromfarmingwithnaturaladditiveshas driventhepopulationfurtherfromconnectingwiththeland.Inthemidstofgrowingcrops,an

Photo Credit Zach Gonzlalez

individualcanfurtherconnectthemselveswiththenaturalworld,nottomentionthehealthbenefits thatcorrelatewithnonprocessedfood.Becausegrowingcropsopensanagendaofexplorationwithin thenaturalworld,onecanexpecttocontinuehealthyactivities.

Toaccommodatetheherbicidesusedoncrops,animalshavesufferedsignificantly Because animalsliveoffoftheland,theyoftenconsumetheherbicidessprayedoncrops Onewouldarguethat carnivoresavoidthiscompletely,butremembertheyeatherbivoreswhoconsumecropssprayedwith herbicides.Justlikeeveryscientificcycle,thisreturnsbacktothefoodeveryoneconsumes.Regardless ofdieticianstatus,there'snowaytoavoidtheeffectsherbicideshaveontheenvironment. Systematically,thereasonthisisharmfulisbecauseherbicidesarebeingsprayedonplantswhichaffect animalsandeventuallypeople

Inconclusion,herbicidesmayseemtobeeffective,buthavenegativelyimpactedthe populationandenvironment Becauseofcontinuouspopulationgrowth,factorieswerebuilttokeep productionlevelsstable.Largefactoriespollutetheair,andtakeupspaceleadingtodeforestation. Industrializationhastakenawayhomeswithinthenaturalworldandhomestothepeoplewholive within.Thelackofknowinghascontributedtotheoveralldestructionofcivilizationandthenatural world.Tobreakthiscycle,homeownerscanstartasmallpersonalorfamilygarden,reapingtheirown products Althoughsometimescostly,consumerscanalsobuyfromlocalproducestandsandtrusted farmer’smarkets Generalchainstoreshaveorganicfoodsections,anothergreatalternativeto processedfoods.Understandthatthesesolutionsmaybecostly,therearemanywaystochange consumptionhabitsandconnectbackwithnature.

“Tilling at Monticello” Photo Credit Cole Vonderharr

SideEffectsofGreenways

WilliamThornton

DuringmytimelivinginCharlotte,NorthCarolina,thecityhasmostlybeenametropolitanarea surroundedbyvastsuburbanneighborhoods.Ihaveobservedthatasyouleavethemetropolitanarea andenterthesuburbanareas,therearemoreparksandnaturallywoodedforeststhathavenotbeen developed BehindmyhouseinSouthCharlottewasonesucharea Thekidsintheneighborhoodall calleditTheCreek However,overthepastseveralyears,TheCreekwaschangedintosomething different.Ithasbeencompletelycivilized,andturnedintoapublicgreenwayconnectingthe neighborhoodinSouthCharlottewhereIlived,tomorecentralpartsofCharlotte.Thisprojectcreated lotsofexcitementduringitsplanningandexecutionbutinmymindraisedconcerns.Afterwitnessing whathappenedtomynaturalplayground,Iquestionedifthiswasasocietalbenefitorifitposeda threattothesmallamountofnaturethatwasbeingpreservedwithinCharlotte.

Asakid,myfriendsandIusedtogetoutof school,pushasideourhomeworkforlater,andhopon ourbikestomeetup.Countlesstimesmybestfriend Matthewasked,“HeyWilliam,wanttoheaddowntoThe Creek?”Theanswerwasalways“Yes.”Itwasourescape fromsociety,homework,chores,andsometimeseven soccerpractice Wewouldhopbackonourbikes,this timewithourfishingrodstotedbyoursides,andexplore nature.Wespenthoursmountainbikingthroughthe narrowdirttrailsthatanotherfriendhadcreated.We racedthroughthetreesandjumpedoverrockstofinally endatTheCreek.Fromthere,wesplashedintothe rushingwaterandfishedourwayupstreamsothatthe fishcouldnottellwewerecoming Wespent innumerablehoursinthosewoodsanddevelopeda complexunderstandingoftheecology.Weunderstood thecurrentsofthewater,habitsofthefishanddeer,and learnedhowtonavigatetheseeminglyendlessforest. Thislandwasuntouchedandweenjoyedandrespected itforbeingexactlythewayitwas17

However,ourparadisewassoondisrupted The planstocreateanewgreenwaytookeffectduringmy senioryearofhighschool.ContractorsfortheCityof Charlotteoccupiedtheareaformonthsastheymowed downtreesandbulldozedthelandflat.Allofasudden, TheCreekhadbeenmutilatedanddeveloped.Cementwaslaiddownandsmallbuildingsforrestrooms wereerectedalongthepatheveryfewmiles Intheblinkofaneye,thelandwasmadeavailabletothe publicfromallaround

TheCityofCharlottenamedittheLittleSugarCreekGreenway,anddisplayedenthusiasmupon itscompletion.Thecityhostedpromotionaleventsinthevariousneighborhoodstoconveythepurpose andbenefitsofthegiantpavedpathsittingbehindtheresidents’backyard.Somepeoplewereupset thatitwouldencroachontheirproperty,buttheCityofCharlotteframedtheseeventstoconvince peopleofthebenefits.Iunderstoodthebenefitsofthegreenway.Itmadenatureaccessibletomany differentneighborhoods Itallowedpeopletowalktheirdogs,biketowork,connectedpeopletoother neighborhoods,andincreasedthesurroundingpropertyvalue Additionally,itwasmeanttohelp minimizepollutionandimprovethewaterqualityofthecreek.

17

Winding Greenway” Photo Credit William Thornton

However,evenasateenager,Iwasupsetthatthishadhappened.Inolongerhadtheescape thatmyfriendsandIexplored,andallofourtrailsandcampgroundswerenownolongerasecret.Then Ibegantonoticethenegativesideeffectsofthegreenwayproject.AsIwalkedalongthenewpath,I noticedtherewaslitterthrownalongthesides WhenIlookedatTheCreek,thewaterlevelseemed consistentlylowerandcarriedmoretrashinitsstream Iwenttooneofmyfavoritefishingspotsthat wecalledTheRapidsbecauseofthe giantrocksoneithersidethatincreased thecurrentofthewater.Here,Inoticed spraypaintontherocks.Furthermore,I witnessedadecreaseintheamountof deerthatwanderedintheiroldhome, alongwithfewerfishbeingcaughtinthe water.Itseemedasthoughnaturewasin shock. 18

Thisobservationofnature’s responsetothecivilizationofthis woodedareamademequestionthecost andbenefitofthegreenwayproject Isit worthitforhumanstobenefitfromthe destructionofnature?Orshouldwehave leftnatureasitwas?Wouldweactually havebenefitedfromleavingthis environmentuntouched?Ihave occasionallytakenwalksdowntothe greenwaywithmydogtoattempttoreconnectwiththenaturethatIusedtoenjoy However,each timeIvisit,Irealizethatitwillneverbethesame,andthatTheCreekasIrememberitisjustamemory. Ibelievethatthisgreenwayprojectisnowherenearitspotential.Iunderstandthebenefitsofits purpose,butitseemstohaveservedonlyhumans.Itisasocialbenefit,butnotanenvironmentalone. Forthisprojecttobecomeworthwhile,theCityofCharlottemustemphasizemoreofanimportancefor decreasingpollutionandcleaningLittleSugarCreek

18 “Scarlet Reflections” Photo Credit William Thornton

FacingtheFrost

“A Wintry Sunrise” Photo Credit Gage Bass

FrostedWrangles

AlexDavis

Awakebeforetheworld,youmakeyourwaytowardsthebarnasyoubegintonoticethecrisp chillintheair.Yourbreathbecomesaflowingandwispingcloudasitescapesyourlungs.Theslight crunchofyourbootsastheystepovertheiceglazedfoliageistheonlysoundyouhearTheworldis stilldarkwithonlythe faintestwhisperofthe morningsunscratchingatthe horizon.Asyoureachthe barn,thegroggyyetfamiliar facesofyourcompatriots greetyou Nowthework begins 19

Youbeginby gatheringyourhorse; brushing,saddling,bridling, andwaiting.Withthe momentofrest,hotcoffee blessesyouwiththefirstand onlybitoftruewarmthyou havefeltsinceleavingyour bed.Themissionthis morningistogatherfifty-five horsesandmulesthatare dispersedover200acresof pasture,hundredsoffeetof varyingelevation,andthat wouldmostcertainlyrather stayoutandgrazeallday.Youmountyourhorseandbeginthehalfmileridetowardsthebottom pasture.Asyouride,thefrostedlandscapepaintstheworldwithmillionsoftinydiamonds.The morninglightmakesthemsparklewithanirradiatingshimmer.Therearefewplaceswithgreater aweinspiringpowerthanasecludedWyomingvalley Asyouandyourcompatriotssplitup,youbegin theclimboverWranglerRidge Asyouascend,thesnowcoveredpeaksoftheAbsarokaMountains peekoutbeyondthevalleywallandsimplyaddtothegranderofthemorning.Amomentof appreciationandawefillsyouwithanindescribablefeelingofsmallness.

“Heeeey-yuppp!”Yourbellowingcallechoesthroughthestillfrozenair.Thecallyouhavemade onlyafewtimesbefore.Descendingfromtheridge,afewofthemanyhorsesbeginmakingtheirway towardsthefence Theyknowthatthiscallmeansitistimetoheadbacktotheranch “Four,five,six, seven wait,wasthateight?No,justseven Onlyfortyeighttogo”waitwasthateight?No,justseven Onlyfourtyeighttogo.”

Youmakeamentalnoteandcontinuedowntheridge.Aroundthecornerofthetwotrack,you andyourhorsemakehastetogettowardstheridgewherethemulesliketohide.Thosedamnedmules alwaysmakeyourmorningsharder.Theyarenotasintegratedwiththerestoftheherd,sothey frequentlyfindobscurecornersofthepastureinwhichtohide.

“Heeeeyyuppp!”Alargegroupofhorsesfillsthesoggy,willowcoveredmarsh,andtheybegin lazilymakingtheirwaybacktothecorralwithasmuchvigorasamapleleafflutteringtothegroundin anearlyfallbreeze.Theyknowyourcallmeanstogohome,theylistentoyou,buttheydonothaveto

19 “Crimson Corrals” Photo Credit Alex Davis

likeit.Asthesunbeginstowarmtheearth,thecrystallandscapeturnsintoarainforestaseveryaspen, willow,andsagebrushbeginstodripwithanever-consistenttick,asthoughtheairwasrapidlythrust intotheinnerworkingsofaclock.Itistimetocircleback,hopingandprayingthataslipperymareor bullheadedmulehasn’tslippedbeyondtheprecariouslyplacedmilesofthinelectricfence Afasterpacewithyourtrustedequinepartnermakestheairstingyournoseyetfillsyourheartwitha contagiouswarmth.Yourhorseshimmerswiththesteamofahardmorning’swork.Hisdeepinhales seemtosynchronizewithyours.Aroundthelastcornerastragglerdoesnotfollowtheotherstowards thecorral,andyoucuthimoff.Youforcehimtoturnbackaroundandmakehiswaytowardsthefence withaseriesofquickandbreathywhistles.Youandyourhorseweretheperfectteamthismorning.As youapproachthegateyouslowdownandbegincountingthosehorsesthathavethankfullyentered thetoppasture

“Fortyeight,fortynine,fifty,fiftyone Damn”Youquicklyconsulttheotherswhotook anotherroutethismorning.“Don’tworry,”theytellyou,“Therearealreadyfourinthecorral.”You dismountandclosethegate.Slowly,youandyourhorsewalkbackupthehalfmileofthetoppasture, notquitereadytofinishthemorning’sadventure.“Don’tworry,”theysaid.Theirwordsechobetween yourears.

Youalmosthopeyoumissedonejusttobeabletogooutanddoitallagain Youalmosthope youmissedonejustsoyoucanplaythemostthrillinggameofhideandseekonemoretime Youhope invaintoridebackoutacrossthelandinthecoldand

thewet.Ohwell,therewillbeanothermorning.Anothermorningtoleavethecomfortofyourbedfor thestillsleepingworld.Anothermorningtobechilledtoyourcore.Anothermorningtohearthe echoesofyourcalloverthevalley.Anothermorningtobeonewiththehorseunderyourlegs.Another morning…alwaysanothermorning…untilthereisn’t.

TheColdJog JefferyBeavers

Therisingsuncreeping throughmywindowasit begantoshineonmyface, alwaysremindedmetoget upandgetactive Duringmy sophomoreyearofcollege,I wastryingtobeonagood workoutscheduleinthe wintertime.Iwouldwakeup earlythreetofourtimesa weekandgoforanicejog. Somedayswouldbemore complicatedthanothers becauseIonlysometimes gotthebestsleeporcould notfindmotivation.But whenIdidgoonthesejogs, itwouldalwaysgivemea goodkickstarttotheday Thisonespecificdayin general,Irememberbeing themostscenicjogofmylife,anditwouldnothavehappenedwithoutmydad'ssuggestion.20 IhadwokenupandbeguntopreparemyStarbucksbreakfastblendcoffeeintheKeurig.About 5secondsafterIstartedthemachine,Icouldalreadysmellthevanillacoffeebeansspewingoutofthe Keurig AsIwenttograbmycup,mydog,Apollo,decidedtojumpupandtripme,causingmetospill someofmycoffeealloverthegroundandburnmywristalittle Isavedsomeofmycoffeefrom spilling,soIfinishedthatbatchinsteadofmakinganewone.Icouldstilltastethesweetvanilla,soI wasnotveryupset.WhenIstartedtoputonmyshoes,Apollowantedtocometojoinmeformyjog, butinstead,Igavehimoneofhisbrowntreatswithrigidsidessoitwouldsoothehisteeth.Apollo wouldnotdowellonalongjog,heisamerlefrenchbulldogwithbrownspotsonhislegs.Hehasavery smallnosesoanytimehegoesonalongwalkhegetsoutofbreathveryquickly.Ithenopenedmydoor andwasimmediatelyhitwithagustofwindofcoldair,whichdirectlysentchillsdownmyspine I contemplatedgoingbackinsideandfallingasleep,butinstead,Idecidedtotakeanewpathmydad toldmeabout.Manybiggreentreeshadbeenthereforyears,sotheywouldcoverthewindfrom blowinginmyface.

IfeltmylegstightenaftereverystridewhenIstartedmyrun.Ifeltmyhamstringreadytopop atanymoment.Itfeltliketakingarubberbandandpullingitasfarapartbeforeitcouldsnap.So,I stoppedandheldontoastopsignthatwasascoldasaniceberg;thisallowedmetodoafewmore stretchestoloosenup Oncestretchedout,Ibeganmyusualroutethroughtheneighborhood Once,I passedmyfavoritehouse,amodernhousebuiltwithblueshuttersandabrightwhitedoorthatlooked likeitwasshining.IlikedlookingatthishousewhenIbeganthejogsbecauseitremindsmeofahouseI wanttoliveinwhenIgrowup.Itookaleftintothetrailmydadtoldmetotake.Bythispoint,mybody wascompletelynumb.Icouldnolongerfeelmyface,butIwouldsniffeveryfivesecondstoensureno snotwasdrippingfrommynose.Beingonthisnewpathcoveredbytrees,Icouldfeeltheacornsand

20 “Flurries as the River Flows” Photo Credit Caleb Manu

leavesthathadfallenoffthetreeswitheverystepItook.Theacornswouldgivemediscomfortinmy feetbecauseIwasnotlandingonaflatsurface.ItfeltlikeIwastryingtorunonanunpavedroad.AsI gotaquarterthroughthenewtrail,Idecidedtotakeasmallbreakandtakeinthescene. Isawtreesallaroundmewithnotmanyleavescoveringthembutplentyofemptybranches takinginthestronggustofwinds Irememberseeingacoupleofbrownandgrayishsquirrelsstill climbingthebaretreesanddiggingthroughtheolddeadleavesontheground,tryingtofindanynuts theycouldgettheirpawson.OnceIwasabletocatchmybreath,Iwasfinallyabletosmellagain.I couldsmellthesmokinessofthewoodsburningmynose.IbegantostretchagainsoIwouldbeableto startjoggingmore.Mylegswerefeelingprettygoodatthispoint.Theywerewarmedupenoughand werenottiredjustyet Iputmyhandsononeofthetreestobeginstretching,andIfeltthecracksin theoldwood Itwascoldbutnotascoldasthestopsign OnceIwasready,Istartedmyjogagain Igotaboutfourfifthsofthewaythroughthetrail,andmyfeethadbeguntoachebadly They hurtfromsteppingonthesmallpointyacornsanddeadtreebranchesthathadfallenfromthetrees.I sawalittlegreenandbluishstreamofwateranddecidedtositbyit.Thewaterremindedmeof PanamaCitybeach.Icouldseedirectlythroughthewatertothesurface,therewerealotofsharpgray stonesatthebottom.Idecidedtositonthegroundwhichwasslopeddownwardsandwasstillmoist andcoldfromthedewinthemorning AsIlookedaroundIcouldappreciatehowmuchnaturethere wasaroundmecomparedtomyusualjogthroughthestreets Irememberhearingacrackofbranches tomyright,andIsawalightbrownbabydeerstrollingtothestreamofwater,makingsureher surroundingsweresafetodrink.Ihadneverseensquirrelsonmyregularjogs,letaloneadeer quenchingitsmorningthirst.Shelookedfamished.Icouldseeherribspokingthroughhercoatoffur. Afteraminuteortwoofdrinkingthewater,shemusthaveheardme,orsomethingelsespookedher becauseshetookoffinaquicksprint.Onceshetookoffrunning,Idecideditwastimetostartrunning again

Ifinallybegantoseetheendofthetrailinfrontofme Theendofthepathandtreeslookedso closebutyetsofar.MyheartwasstillracingwitheverystepItook,Icouldfeelmyheartbeat.OnceI finishedthetrail,Istillhadtofinishrunningthroughtheneighborhoodtoreachmyhouse.Myeyeshad beenwateringforthepasttwentyminutesbecauseofthewindhittingmyface.Myhandsfeltlikethey wereabouttofalloffbecausetheywerestillnumb.Ialwaysenjoyedfinishingrunningthroughthe neighborhood,becausethatlaststretchofthejoggavemethatburstofenergyIneededtofinish I rememberonthisspecificjogseeinganoldercouplegetintheircar,seeingtheolderguyopenthe doorforhiswiferemindedmeofwhatIwantinmylifewhenIgetolder..OnceIroundedthelastturn andmadeittomyhouse,finallymyheartwasabletotakeabreak.Mylegshadbeentightinitially,butI madeitthewholewaythrough.Althoughthatrunwasverylongandchallenging,Igottoexperience scenesandeventsIdidnotnotnormallyencounteronmyregularjogsmakingitthemostbeautifuljog Ihadexperienced.

WatchoutfortheTrees

GageBass

ThisisthestoryofhowIsufferedshatteredgoggles,adeformedhelmet,abrokennose,a fracturedarm,andasevereconcussion.Itwasmyjunioryearofhighschool,andIhadjustcomeoffan exhilarating,twoweekChristmasbreak In themiddleofJanuary,myparentsdecided torentoutahousewiththeirfriendsand takeusonafourdaylongadventuretothe alpsofWestVirginia:Snowshoe,West Virginia.MysiblingsandIwereabletoskip schoolandsnowboardwithourparents’ friends’children,whohappentobefriends ofours,too Wewerethrilledtoreachthe mountain.Everysnowboardingtrip,weall testourlimitsontheslopes.Wewere pumped!However,thedrivewasnot pleasant.Weweresoreadytobethere;the sixhourdrivefeltlikedays Mybrotherwas inthebackseatrepeatedlyexclaiming, “Momarewethereyet!?”Theentiretyof thecarridewasanonstop,“Canweusethe restroom?Canwegetfood?Whenarewe goingtobethere?”Typicalfamilyvacation.21

Afterallthecomplainingnonsense,weeventuallyarrivedatthemountain.Atthispoint,itwasa dark,snowyevening Thespeedlimitwasnotconducivetotheconditionsoftheolesuburbanbus,the BassWagon Theroadswerewindy,foreveryslightturnfeltlikeweweregoingtodriveintoatree Anxietieswerethroughtheroof!Oncewegotabouthalfwayupthemountain,theSnowshoeResort signbroughtmyfamilyrelief.Weturnedontotheresort,andwedrovethroughallitslittlevillages.We werelookingforalogcabinlocatedintheSilverCreekneighborhoodaswetrekkedthroughtheresort. TheGPShadthehouselocatedaroundthecorner,upthehill,andtotheright.Ourdestinationwasin sight

TheSuburbanturnedthecorner,andtherewasnothing,butaroadcakedwithice Mydadtook overthewheelslammingthesuburbanintofourwheeldrive.Wetookoff,untilwestartedsliding ferociouslybackwards.Weendedupsmackingatree.Itwasnotaterribleaccident,butnotsomething youwantatthestartofanyvacation.However,itissaddeningtosaythatthecarwasnottheonlything togetwackedbyatree.

Afterwesettleddownandgatheredourselves,weofficiallystartedourvacationthenextday. Thefirstdayontheslopeswasquiteeventful Wewokeup,andwesnowboardeduntiltheskiliftswere ropedoffItwasnotuntilthenextdaythesnowboardtripwentintoshambles Westartedoffwitha hearty,continentalbreakfast,andweimmediatelyfledtothetopofthemountainfortheropedrop. Allofussnowboardedforhours,gettingbeatenupby“expertterrain.”IcanconfidentlysaythatIam noexpertsnowboarder.Igoabouttwiceayear,tryingthingsIshouldnotbetrying,andthissnowboard trip,itshowed.

Theentiretyofthetripsnowwasfallingfromthesky;itwascoldandanidealtimeto snowboard Avacationwithperfectconditionsiseverysnowboarder’sdream Despitetheweather beingcold,Iwasgearedupperfectlyforthemountain’sconditions Ihadagatorovermynoseandface,

gogglesovermyeyes,abeaniebeneathmyhelmet,topnotchsnowboardingpants,andacoat. However,whengoingdowntheslopeatfastspeeds,Icouldsmellthehumiditybetweenmyfaceand mygator.Mygoggleswouldfogupbecausemybreathhadnowheretoescape.Isometimeswouldhave topulldownmygator,andsnowwouldfreezemyface Itwasarepetitiveprocess,butIknewthis wouldhappen Ithappenseveryyearitiscold,windy,andsnowing

Iremembergettingtalkedintosnowboardingdownadoubleblackdiamondbymyfriends. Whilewewentdownthisslopemultipletimesbefore,anervousgulpwasalwaysnecessary.Looking downfromitshighestpointwasfrightening,especiallywithitsundulation.Woodslinedtheslopeall thewaytothebottom.Aftergraspingtheslope’sknobbyterrainandouremotions.Wespeddown.At itshalfwaypoint,weallstoppedandlookedtoourright Therewasaslightdropoffandanarrowtrail betweenthetrees Directlyinfrontofthetrailwereropedoffsignsyellingatus,“DANGER,DONOT ENTER”Beingthecarelesskidswewere,theboldsigndidnotseemtofazeuswhatsoever,andwe jumpedrightoffontothetrail.

Thetrailwasterrifying.And,yes,wedecidedtotakeadetour.Assoonaswedoveontothe trail,wepickedupgreatspeed.Iwaslastinlinebringingupthecabooseoffourpeople.Thesnowon thetrailwaspurepowder;however,therewasverylittleroomforerror.Wewereflyingatabout40 milesperhour,dodgingtreeswithnoworries Clumpsofsnowwerefallingoffthetreebranches Itwas electric Isawthethreepeopleinfrontofmejumpingaramp,andIwasreadytogiveitashot Unfortunately,itwasnotaramp.Itwasatreethathadfallenoverandbeendisguisedbeneaththe snow.AssoonasIcameacrossit,thenoseofmyboardhitthetree,andIwentflying.BeforeIknewit,I doveheadfirstintoatreeoffoutintothedistance.Iwasshakenup,notknowingwhathadhappened.I rememberhearingyellingfromtheskiliftaboveme:“That’swhyyoudon’tgothroughthewoods!”It sohappenedtobetheskipatrol.

Itriedtogathermyselfandslidetherestofthewaydownonmybottom,butIwasextremely stunned Bloodwasspewingoutofmynose Mygoggleswerecrookedandcoveringmymouth My helmetwashangingfromitsstraponthebackofmyneck.Myheadwasthrobbingwithpain,andIwas extremelydizzy.Byandby,Idecidedtogiveupslidingdown,andtheskipatrolcameinaninstant. Quickly,theyplacedmeintheirskibodybagandpulledmedowntothebottomoftheslope.Fromthis point,therestwashistory.Myskitripwasoveronthesecondday.Iendedupwithshatteredgoggles,a deformedhelmet,abrokennose,afracturedarm,andasevereconcussion

TreyGrimes

HampdenSydneyCollegehashadtheirgatesopensince1775withtheintenttoformGood MenandGoodCitizensinanatmosphereofsoundlearning.Thistransformationisinnosmallpart thankstothestudents’commitmenttotheclassroom.Foraslongasanycurrentstudenthasbeen here,therehavebeenrumorsthatHampdenSydneydoesnotcloseitsgatesforanyreason.Although inrecentmemory,bothfacultyandstudentscanattesttotheschoolnotablyshuttingdownonthree differentoccasions Thefirstwasanorovirusoutbreakin2015,followedbyaglobalpandemicin2020, and,unexpectedly,in2021itwassimplytoocold.Focusingontheclosingin2021,itseems uncharacteristicfortheschooltocloseduringanicestorm.Fortheothershutdowns,thehealthof everystudentandfacultymember wasatriskpromptingtheclosure toensuresafety However,during anicestormthesafetyofthoseon campuswasindoubtaswell.The powerhadgoneouteverywhere oncampusexceptforthelibrary, meaningthatstudentswere deprivedoflight,warmwater,and evenheatinthedorms Iwould arguethatbeingforcedto embracethisrealityputstudents closertogetherwithnature. Natureismorethanjustsunny daysandprettytrees;italso includestheharshelementsthat wehidefrominmodernhouses Despitebeingunforgivingat times,natureisagiftthatwe mustlearnmoreaboutinorderto protectourownfuture. 22

Thetimeleadinguptoclassesfeltlikeaneternity.Thewindwassocolditfeltlikedaggers piercingourskinaswetookourfirststepsoutside Withouttheabilitytouseourcellphonesor computers,thesepainfulwalksweretheonlythingwecoulddoforfun Thecoldwastoostrongto bearinthedormsaswell,ironicallypreventingusfrombeingabletosleep.Despitewearingtwoshirts, ahoodie,andacoat,fourlayerswasneverenoughtowarmusupatnight.Eventuallytheschoolhadno choicebuttoclose.Studentswereleavingcampusandliterallysquattinginthelibraryasiftheyneeded toclaimagoodseatbeforeanyoneelsecame.Thiscampus-widefreezewasproofthatdespitebeing thegoodmentheschoolhadaskedustobecome,weasmenwerenowincapableofenduringnature anditschillingtruths

TheaveragetwentyfirstcenturyAmericanhaslittlechanceatsurvivinginthewildasour ancestorsdidlongago.Manyofusarephysicallyincapableofthisfeatandmentallyincapableofeven trying.Intruth,wefeartherealityofnature.Manybelievenaturetobearomanticdesire,something quaintthattheyareabletotameandleavewhentheywish.Unfortunately,natureiswildand,despite ourefforts,cannotbecontrolled.Wehaveisolatedourselvesfromtheharshnessofnatureasameans

forsurvivalandproductivity.Wefeareveryaspectofthewild,fromtheweatherweprotectourselves from,thepredatorsweavoid,toeventhedarknessthatwesodesperatelytrytoexpel.

Candles,aninventionovertwomillenniainage,weremadewiththeintenttomakeusmore productiveandtokeepussafe DuringthegreatHampdenSydneyfreezeof2021,weweredeprivedof power,meaningweweredeprivedofthesamelightthatkeepsusproductiveandsafe;twonecessities tosuccessonacollegecampus.Desperately,we’dwalkoutsidewithflashlightsonaswebelievedthat evenawalkaloneinthepitchblackwasdangerousoratleastintimidatingsincewewerefacingthe threatoftheunknown.Thelightsonourphoneswouldnotlastlong,though,andasourphonesdied, wewereonceagainplummetedintodarkness.Wewereplummetedintonature.

Onenightduringthepoweroutage,IbelievedthatIcouldmakeitbacktomyroomfromthe librarywithoutanylight Theplanwasmadewhileinthesafetyofthegeneratorprotected,heated,and welllitlibrary,soperhapsIhadbeenoverconfidentinmyabilities Isetoutonmyjourneybacktomy dormthroughthefamiliarunknownofthedarknessthatfloodedmyowncampus.AsIwalkedfurther fromthelibrary,Icouldseelessofwhatwasrightinfrontofme.Itriedtolookforward,butmyeyes wouldstrainastherewasnolitobjecttofocuson.Whileengulfedinthedarkness,Ithoughtevery noisearoundmegrewwithintensity.Thesquirrelsrunning,thebugschirping,andeventhefootsteps ofotherstudentswereindiscerniblefromamonsterlurkinginthedarkness Unabletomakeout anotherpersonuntiltheywerejustfiveyardsinfrontofmemadeeverysocialinteractionfeellikea jumpscare.Beinginthedarknessofthenight,Ididnotfeelonewithnature;rather,IfeltlikeIneeded tobeprotectedfromitasifmylifewereinjeopardywitheverystepItook.Eventually,Irantomyroom toensuremyownsafety.Unfortunately,itwasevendarkertherethanitwasoutside.

Everytimeweturnthelightsonatnight,wearefightingnature.Naturetellsustorestafter thesungoesdown,yetweresist.Naturetellsustofindsafetyafterthesungoesdown,sowebuild streetlightstoresist Itseemsthattobehumanistoresistnatureoreventoproveitwrong This relationshipissimilartoachilddesperatelytryingtoarguewiththeirparents Withoutourelectricity andshelter,thisargumentendsquicklyaswesubmittotheoverwhelmingpowerofnature.

Itseemsasthoughnoteveryoneisawareofhowdangerousandintimidatingnaturetrulyis.It isconstantlybelievedthatnatureisjustthebeautifulformationofrocksorthemesmerizingheightsof atree.However,naturecanbeascarythingaswell.Itseemsthateventhegroupswehaveoncampus thataremeanttovalueandappreciatenature,suchastheOutsidersClub,onlyvaluethenoveltyof natureinoureyes Thisclubexistsonlybecauseweashumanshavecompletelycutourselvesofffrom theoutsideworld.Wemakedesperateeffortstoreturntonaturewhilesimultaneouslyforgettingwhy weleft.Onehikeonaprettydayisn’tappreciatingthefullconceptofnatureanditswildness.Humans havebecomeseparatedfromthenaturalworld,nolonger“wild,”andwiththatseparationcomesa disdainforthetrueworldaroundus.

Ourfearandhesitationoftheoutsideworldisrootedinourlackofknowledgeandexperience init Goingoutsideandappreciatingourworldshouldn'tbeahobbyorapastime;itshouldbean expectationinoursociety IntheformationofgoodHampdenSydneymen,weshouldstrivetoteach notjustthroughbooksthathavebeenwritten,butalsotogiveanappreciationforthenaturalworld. Ifeveryonehasthechancetoexperiencenatureinitstrueformthenwecanbetterunderstand ourselvesaspeople.Ifweareabletoembracethewild,wewillrespectnature;itsbeauties,dangers, andwarningsarenotseparatefromus,butarelevantpartofourlives.Thisexperienceinthebrutal coldtaughtmetovaluethefragilityoflifeandeventhemortalityofman Asingleicestormbroughta wholecollegetoitsknees Natureisdeadly,butitisalsothereasonforallhumanadvancements;to betterunderstandourworldistobetterunderstandourselves Bylearningthroughexperiencing nature,wemaybecomebettercitizens,notjustofAmerica,butoftheworld.Asitstandsnow,the twentyfirstcenturyAmericandisdainsnatureandthewild,pretendingitdoesn'tevenexist.Thisleads ustopoisonourenvironment,ourpeople,andourplanet.Weshouldallbeabletounderstandour worldbyexperiencingitforourselves.Ifwecandothat,wewillbedriventoprotecttheworldand fightforitsbetterment,notitscontinueddestruction IhopetheGreatHampdenSydneyFreeze helpedotherslearntorespecttheworldaroundthemalittlemoreandencouragedthemtoseethe worldinanewway.