January 30th
Almost at HMI…
It has been in the back of all our minds for the last eleven months: counting down the months, weeks, and days before our adventure in Leadville, Colorado was to begin. As the start date drew closer, each detail of what to buy and what to bring or pack was a reminder of how real it was- and is. We were leaving our families and friends behind to come together and form a new community. Although us students come from an array of places, the bittersweet goodbyes were experienced by us all. Soon enough, we had arrived at the Denver airport, and seeing a group of HMI staff and students with big smiles and a “Welcome” sign brought a feeling of relief. We had finally made it to our new family. The two-hour bus ride from the airport to campus was a wonderful opportunity to get to talk to everyone and start getting to know our new community. Each time we rounded another bend in the road, rugged Colorado peaks came closer into view, augmenting our excitement to be so close to our final destination until finally, we had arrived.
It was the morning of the 25th, and a calm snow had covered HMI campus and lit up a fresh energy. The timidity that is common among unfamiliar teens converging was a thing of the past for the students who slowly trickled in. As the rest of us arrived laughter only grew when the one and only game of Apples to Apples became a central focus.
Finally Here!
As the final bus arrived, the games were put aside and we all gathered for our first of many delicious dinners. The day grew late and glances of 14,440ft Mt. Elbert and 14,421ft Mt. Massive found us all in awe, while the light slowly receded behind them to the West. The first day was a rush for all of us both physically and mentally, and before we had the chance to fully settle in, we met in the octagonal Stuen Hall for our first “Circle” ceremony. Person by person, we shared both our names and our thoughts of what was and what was to come. Our hearts and our minds mostly rested in this: “I’m nervous because I don’t know what to expect… and excited for the same reason.” As we came full circle, we joined our hands and sent a connecting pulse through the 62 individuals, and as the pulse connected one another, we raised our hands to the sky and let go – sealing the bond between us for a lifetime.
Jumping Right In…
One of the most unique and exciting aspects about HMI is the three expeditions we go on. Although we have all been super busy getting settled in to our new home, we have also begun preparation for our first expedition: the canyons of Utah. We have been divided into small groups of eight students, two apprentices, and two faculty members with whom we will be traveling for the next two weeks. Some of us have had previous backpacking experience, but the majority will be embarking on their first backpacking experience, which is both intriguing and nerve-wracking. While all of us are excited and anxious to get going, we also have an endless list of questions about the expedition. With guidance from our group leaders, we have been spending our time learning about the gear we carry, how to appropriately pack it, the delicious foods we will eat, where we will be traveling, how to set up our tarps, and much, much more. Although preparation has been a lot of work, everyone is ready to get out to the canyons and explore everything that this expedition has to offer!
By Jack Bynum, Maddy Ambrose, and Alexa Adams