[First Ascent 10/10-10/12]
[First Ascent 10/10-10/12]
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Special Entry: First Ascent
Special Entry: First Ascent
Welcome back to another Site Journal entry. This entry is a special addition because I was at the Kennedy Mountain Campus for First Ascent. I originally was signed up for an earlier week but had to cancel due to timeline issues with fraternity events. I was debating whether or not to sign up again for a later date but am so glad that I chose too. The memories I made will last a lifetime and could not have asked for a better way to spend my weekend.
Welcome back to another Site Journal entry. This entry is a special addition because I was at the Kennedy Mountain Campus for First Ascent. I originally was signed up for an earlier week but had to cancel due to timeline issues with fraternity events. I was debating whether or not to sign up again for a later date but am so glad that I chose too. The memories I made will last a lifetime and could not have asked for a better way to spend my weekend.
It all starts with a very stressful Friday morning. The buses for First Ascent left at 4 and I had a Business Calculus midterm at 3. Luckily, I finished the exam relatively fast and was able to make it to the bus before it left (and hopefully did well on my midterm). I signed up for this trip with 4 friends from my dorm (JMAC) and we all boarded the bus together. After this very stressful start to my day, the moment I put in my Airpods and closed my eyes I was out for the entire bus ride. Once I opened my eyes I was thrilled to see that I was surrounded by a mixture of pine and birch on all sides.
It all starts with a very stressful Friday morning. The buses for First Ascent left at 4 and I had a Business Calculus midterm at 3. Luckily, I finished the exam relatively fast and was able to make it to the bus before it left (and hopefully did well on my midterm). I signed up for this trip with 4 friends from my dorm (JMAC) and we all boarded the bus together. After this very stressful start to my day, the moment I put in my Airpods and closed my eyes I was out for the entire bus ride. Once I opened my eyes I was thrilled to see that I was surrounded by a mixture of pine and birch on all sides.
The main activity that I did was the Via Ferrata. My group showed up to breakfast very early in order to get the seats right by the sign-up tables to ensure that we got the very limited spots. To our discomfort, the moment we started scaling the mountain it started to rain making the rebar and rocks cold and slippery. Luckily no one fell and injured themselves.
The main activity that I did was the Via Ferrata. My group showed up to breakfast very early in order to get the seats right by the sign-up tables to ensure that we got the very limited spots. To our discomfort, the moment we started scaling the mountain it started to rain making the rebar and rocks cold and slippery. Luckily no one fell and injured themselves.
A super fun part of the climb was crossing this very thing bridge. I tried to see how long I could walk on it without using my hands and to no one's surprise I only lasted a few steps. The rain and cold weather definitely added an extra level of challenge on top of the already steep climb. It was interesting to see how the various boulders had different grips based on their wetness and lichen or moss. Although we were cabled to the wire, falling would definitely hurt so I was locked in for the entire climb.
A super fun part of the climb was crossing this very thing bridge. I tried to see how long I could walk on it without using my hands and to no one's surprise I only lasted a few steps. The rain and cold weather definitely added an extra level of challenge on top of the already steep climb. It was interesting to see how the various boulders had different grips based on their wetness and lichen or moss. Although we were cabled to the wire, falling would definitely hurt so I was locked in for the entire climb.
After reaching the top, we obviously had to play some Hackey Sack
After reaching the top, we obviously had to play some Hackey Sack
MVI_5471.AVI
Once we finished the Via Ferrata and had some lunch, we signed up to go rock climbing. I've only ever done bouldering inside in a gym before, so it was definitely a switch up for me. I paired up with Luke (who is also in my FSEM) to be my belay buddy and together we tackled the rock wall. First, we did an easier wall but once we topped out on that, we moved over to the hardest wall which stumped both of us.
Once we finished the Via Ferrata and had some lunch, we signed up to go rock climbing. I've only ever done bouldering inside in a gym before, so it was definitely a switch up for me. I paired up with Luke (who is also in my FSEM) to be my belay buddy and together we tackled the rock wall. First, we did an easier wall but once we topped out on that, we moved over to the hardest wall which stumped both of us.
After a great day of climbing, playing poker in the cabin, playing soccer and volleyball in the field, and eating delicious meals, we ended the night by stargazing out in the middle of the grass. It was beautiful to see all the starts in the sky. We even saw some shooting stars! One in particular shot across the entire sky and left a giant white streak behind it. We then set up hammocks and played music from a speaker in the middle of our hammock square set up until we eventually fell asleep.
After a great day of climbing, playing poker in the cabin, playing soccer and volleyball in the field, and eating delicious meals, we ended the night by stargazing out in the middle of the grass. It was beautiful to see all the starts in the sky. We even saw some shooting stars! One in particular shot across the entire sky and left a giant white streak behind it. We then set up hammocks and played music from a speaker in the middle of our hammock square set up until we eventually fell asleep.
I truly enjoyed my time at the Kennedy Mountain Campus and I definitely would recommend everyone to visit it some time throughout their time at DU. It offers a scenic place away from the hustle of the main campus and genuinely gives you the perfect environment to think and reflect about yourself and the people around you.
I truly enjoyed my time at the Kennedy Mountain Campus and I definitely would recommend everyone to visit it some time throughout their time at DU. It offers a scenic place away from the hustle of the main campus and genuinely gives you the perfect environment to think and reflect about yourself and the people around you.
"You don't have to have it all figured out to start moving forward" -S.C. Laurie
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