Blog #3: Off to Canada!

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I–

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

                                    -Robert Frost

This week was a week of heavy preparation and…

BREAKING NEWS: The Vermont semester students and staff have chosen to change the location of the first leg to the Groulx Mountains in northern Quebec! This decision was reached after much careful thought and consideration of the conditions of the Catamount Trail. Due to the current state of the climate, low snowfall, and high temperatures this winter, it wouldn’t have been possible for our group to ski much of the first leg of the expedition. We have been yearning to experience true winter and the wall hot-tent life experienced by generations and generations of travelers before us. Given all of the options, we decided as a group to spend our time in a place where winter is guaranteed- at least for this year.

Uapishka (Les Montagnes Groulx): 15 hours north of here by car, there is a place known as the Groulx Mountains. Lying on the 52^nd parallel these mountains are true wilderness. The average daytime temperature is 0°. There is almost no one who lives in the area. There is 10 feet of snow on the ground. This is the true winter camping in its most fierce and unrefined state.

In the aftermath of this decision, we have sprung into action packing pound after pound of food, checking and double checking our bags and gear, and finishing up any last minute tasks as we prepare to leave early tomorrow morning.

Savannah gets ready to ride on her snow broomstick all the way to Canada!

Last Saturday was Parent Day! It was a joy to see the smiles on all the faces of parents and students. We were able to reconnect and lead our parents across campus, demonstrating all sorts of new skills that we have learned. In the evening, dinner was eaten together, and laughter rang out as students and parents preformed skits and songs.

On Sunday night, we torched our burn pile and had a simply stunning bonfire. Sparks leapt into the air, and the flames burned high. One or two snowballs were thrown.

Weather: Snow has finally come! Four inches have fallen and more is on the horizon. Unfortunately, it is a bit too late, as it is just powder, and there is no solid base. Canada, here we come.

This will be my last blog post from basecamp, and from now on, the posts will be after each layover. Our layovers are approximately:

Farm and Wilderness – February 26^th to 29^th

Sugarbush area – March 12^th to 15^th

Heartbeet – March 26^thto 28^th

Our final destination of the ski trip is Northwoods Stewardship Center and we are set to arrive on April 1^st. (Dates subject to change)

I will see you all after our romp in Canada with stories to tell.

Whatever I want

Caleb says

In excess of options

I am lost in the endless fields of asphodel.

                                        -A wise old man

Misha, with Kreston behind, salutes the Kroka community as they prepares to head north with students

Semester circle at 8:10AM Thursday, February 11 right before heading to Canada

Bye Semester! Have fun!

Julian packing out food on Tuesday

Claudia packing the energy cubes enthusiastically on Tuesday