Think Big

Think Big

Aweek of snowfall and near freezing temperatures didn ’ t stop a fearless group of 27 Trinity students from heading out on an expedition into the Blue Ridge Mountains last March. Over the course of five days they hiked 62 miles (some of it in pouring rain and darkness, carrying half of their weight on their backs), slept under stars, learned the art of pacing, became skilled in setting up camp, and most importantly were initiated into the rare and wonderful world of “Stratton storytelling ” . They emerged on day five a little worn and craving McDonalds cheeseburgers, but full of new skills, perspectives, and good memories.

The trek, led by extreme adventurer and math teacher Michael Stratton

’02 and outdoor enthusiast and photography teacher Allison Fiebert, began in Newport, Virginia, a small farming village at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, nestled between Gap Mountain, Salt Pond Mountain, and Spruce Run Mountain near the New River. The previous week’ s snowfall made their initial starting point at the top of the range nearly impossible, so the group launched into a 1500-foot climb right out of the gate. “This was our first interaction, ” said Stratton. “Right off the bus, we put our backpacks on and started climbing. ”

“The uphills were long and tedious and took everybody forever, ” said Nadia Khoury though…because we were all in the same situation. ”

Snow fell on the first day, but the sun was out and with a rigorous hike, everyone was plenty warm. “It was cool to be sweating and in the snow, ” said Fiebert. “It took about an hour and a half to get to the top, ” she said. “But when we got there, we stopped for snacks and drinks and then walked the rest of the way along a ridge, vistas on both sides. It was gorgeous. ”

“It was literally the most beautiful place I’ ve ever been, ” said Khoury, “ and the long uphill to get there was absolutely worth it. We spent at least an hour taking pictures and enjoying the view. ”

That night at base camp, they learned how to filter their own water and set up camp. Then they made dinner and figured out where everyone would sleep. Some slept outside under the stars, others in tents. Temperatures were right around freezing that night, cold enough to keep everyone tightly snuggled inside their sleeping bags until the sun came up and they headed off on yet another day of intense hiking.

Stratton, who is renowned for running 100-mile races and not sleeping for days at a time, didn ’ t cease to amaze anyone. “We were near the front, ” recalled Khoury, “ and we would see Stratton sprinting past us with his 80-pound pack, laughing and cheering the whole way. Then he ’d drop his pack like a mile up, run back, grab one of the slow people ’ s packs and do it all again! He ’ s a freak of nature, ” she said.

For many of the students this was their first time camping and hiking, but they all adapted quickly. “It was great watching the kids transition from being really nervous to cooking for themselves and being capable of handle the terrain, ” said Fiebert. They even adapted to what became known as the “Stratton mile ” — “ that ’ s when one mile equals three, ” laughed Fiebert.

Left to right:

Doug Thompson ‘14 and Arden Locher ’14 take a moment to enjoy the view Pierre Lapotre ’17 tackling a steep wall Sam Parker ’16 testing the limits Emily Wilkinson ’13 on top of the world Students weathered snow and freezing tempuratures

“We finished 20 miles when Stratton said it was only 10, ” said Khoury. “We were all soaked and hungry and smelled absolutely dreadful (even the dog, he got sprayed by a skunk), ” she said, “but there ’ s nothing you can do except laugh. ”

Even Stratton was proud of the group. “I have led many trips and never had this many people. The fact that the food and water worked out perfectly…and the weather…everything that we couldn ’ t predict or control worked out perfect, ” he said.

The kids even developed their own way of communicating to keep track of one another on the hikes. “Every time we reached the top of a big uphill or a break or anything like that, ” recalled Khoury, “ the front people would yell ‘ eeeEEEEEEEEhahahahaha ’ and the call would travel down the line of hikers so the people in the back got encouragement. ” Stratton.

“Some were really fast and pushed the pace, picked all the stops, and carried extra supplies. That was a huge weight lifted from the kids in back. ”

McAffee Knob was one of the most memorable hikes. “It was the highest point of the entire trip and we spent at least an hour taking pictures and enjoying the view, ” said Khoury.

Stratton ’ s campfire stories will likely stay glued in all of their memories as well.

“The last night, we all gathered up after dark, ” said Khoury, “ and Stratton told stories (they were amazing) and even recited a poem. We were all sworn to secrecy!” she said. “Now we ’ ve got these little inside jokes. ”

On the last day, the group hiked high up on a ridge that overlooked Roanoke. “We had our first glimpse of civilization, ” said Stratton. “For a lot of the day we could see the Pizza Hut down below. While we were up there we looked right and we could see a giant cloud moving closer. Eventually we were in the cloud and it was snowing and accumulating. It blew over and then it became sun to the left and clouds to the right. Everyone was singing songs and throwing their backpacks down. It was like Shawshank Redemption…kids sprawling out doing grass angels, ” he said laughing.

They finally made their descent down the mountain and into the nearest restaurant…to probably the best meal they ’d tasted in a long time. “On the ride home I realized how tired I was. But I can ’ t wait to go next year!” said Ian Tewksbury ’17.