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Yosemite: Self-Reflection in Nature (Perrin Veltman '25 & Harper Halbardier '25)

Writer's picture: Everest SchipperEverest Schipper

Located on the west slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains lies Yosemite National Park, which provides exquisite views of the scenic environment. Home to sequoia groves, black bears, great lakes, and so much wildlife, every aspect of Yosemite highlights the true meaning of “What is beauty?” For the class of 2026, Outings Week meant gearing up for the first-ever backpacking trip as a class. Throughout the four nights and five days spent in the valleys and mountains of Yosemite National Park, sophomores learned about leadership, independence, and how to thrive in the woods in the arms of each other.


Preparation for Yosemite was no joke. Students spent the summer months and the beginning weeks of the school year gathering materials, supplies, and gear, (lots of it) for this upcoming trip. Raincoats, fleece pullovers and pants,beanies, cutlery, and bathing suits all made an appearance during Yosemite. Hiking shoes were crucial, and taking the time to break them in was even more important in order to avoid blisters. Emerson Evans ‘26, did not break in her hiking boots before our trip to Yosemite. She said, “Not having broken in my hiking boots was perfectly fine. Although it took a few hours to get used to, it didn’t affect my overall experience at all.” This may have been one lucky circumstance for Emerson… Along with personal supplies, each student had to take their part in carrying group gear. Whether it was tents, cooking supplies, or rolls of toilet paper, this was one more item that added weight to the pack. However, the heaviest item was found to be the bear bin, which held dehydrated meals, snacks, and any scented items like soap and toothpaste. Bear bins were an essential component in Yosemite, as they keep both humans and bears safe by preventing bears from having any late-night snacks. Finally, when the packs were full, water bottles filled, and sleeping pads attached, the class of ‘26 was ready to embark on the journey ahead.


As a pastel-painted sky arose above many Cate sophomores sound asleep in the peaceful wilderness of Yosemite, another day of unknown adventure was beginning. On an average day in Yosemite, the morning would start off with boiling mugs of cocoa or apple cider, some powdered eggs, oatmeal, or perhaps even granola (if we were lucky). Varying from pod to pod, mornings could be slow and enjoyable, or they could be a bit rushed, maybe even squeezing in a sunrise hike before the start of a long day. As camp was packed, and plans were made, the day would get rolling. Each pod member would venture out on each hike carrying a portion of the pod’s load. Many pods chose to hike to the best lunch spots (even if it took a much longer, much more grueling hike). Elsie Chamberlain ‘26 had a very similar experience: “We hiked up to a peak at a tall mountain to eat lunch. This hike tested my strength as it was very hard. After lunch, Shaps let us have 10 minutes of silence to contemplate life and the world around us. I loved having some time alone to reflect and appreciate what I had just accomplished. I felt very proud of myself and everything was worth it for the view.” Experiences like Elsie’s provide insight into what Outings Week is really about: finding out who you are as part of a larger whole while being surrounded by the beauty of nature. Finally, usually, somewhere between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. each afternoon, pods would arrive and set up camp at a new spot. A beautiful, new location almost every night! Each evening, a few new volunteers would step up and make dinner for the pod. This was by far one of the most memorable experiences from the trip, and definitely led to some of the funniest moments too. With everyone’s help pitching in to clean up and do dishes, we would round out the night with some tortilla smores and 10-15 rounds of mafia and paranoia. As the last few sparks of the campfire’s smoke arose into the crisp, star-speckled sky, Cate’s sophomore class fell soundly asleep. Another day absolutely conquered.


Whether the best moments were hiking alone in the woods, looking at an abundance of glistening stars, or singing around the campfire, each place offered a moment of pure wonder and reflection. The time spent in the scenic and peaceful surroundings of Yosemite inspired an appreciation for stillness and nature. Lessons were learned about perseverance and trust and the importance of patience in each other. New skills were learned as a cook making dinner, or as a LOD, (leader of the day) leading each pod to the next breathtaking campsite. Friendships were formed and old friendships were stronger than ever before. Claire Bianchi ‘26 shared her favorite moments of Yosemite, “My favorite part of Yosemite was getting the opportunity to hike and swim with my friends which allowed us to create new memories with each other.” Ramya Bangaru ‘26 shared her experience, “Yosemite allowed me to talk with people who I don’t usually talk to. This gave us all a chance to find similarities and connect with one another.” The goals and intentions of backpacking in Yosemite weren’t to learn how to survive in the wilderness but to learn how to thrive in the wilderness. By understanding this concept, the perspectives of those changed and allowed everyone to fulfill their own goals and intentions. Yosemite was very challenging, there’s no doubt about that. But by learning how to approach each obstacle with courage, determination, and willingness to fail the first time, “thriving” became that much easier.



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