March 24

Last Saturday, we returned from the winter expedition. Over lunch we all shared stories about our challenging and amazing trip. After unpacking all our supplies, we shoveled the fresh snow that had gathered while we were gone. We were now pros, after having shoveled out our own snow caves on the winter expedition! After taking care of all of our de-issue responsibilities, everyone hurried to the showers. For dinner that night, cook crew made an excellent cake for dessert – a warm treat to welcome us back to campus. The next morning, we got to sleep in for the first time in 10 days. We all woke up refreshed and ready for a fun and relaxing day ahead. Throughout the day, groups chopped wood, did a much needed round of laundry, and hung out in town. Once returning to HMI, we all relaxed before dinner, still sharing stories about our expedition. After dinner, we headed off to study hall and later made our way back to the cabin for lights out. We all felt happy to be back on campus together, although our winter camping memories were still fresh in our minds.

We returned to classes on Monday with a regular schedule. In English we started off two weeks of poetry by discussing the concept of close reading and then applying that concept to the poem “Design” by Robert Frost. Science class was filled with discussions about geology helping us to understand what forces created the jagged peaks surrounding the low valley where Leadville is located. Broomball was a popular activity for the first two days of the week and a favorite for many students to let off some steam running back and forth between the goals in the afternoon sun. The four-mile run for AMX Tuesday seemed a lot easier to many of us as we had just returned from camping as high as 12,000 ft. For P&P students discussed “Coming into the Watershed” by Gary Snyder then took a bioregional quiz to find out how much they really know about where they live and about Leadville.

By mid-week, we had fully returned to the normal HMI routine. Everyone was beginning to acclimate to the abundance of warmth and sunshine. Wednesday started off with an intense game of kickball that involved several major league plays. Current events in US History, further discussion of poetry in English, new theorems in Precalculus, and a trip to the National Mining Museum filled up the day's classes. The next morning arrived with an invigorating wake-up; it was our first morning running five miles. It went surprisingly well but proved to be one of the more challenging and rewarding runs yet. For lunch all the faculty and students met in the yurt for community meeting. Nearing halfway through the semester, the community checked in on how our goals were being met and how we could adapt our community behavior to meet them better. This productive meeting lead to a cabin meeting that reflected on the community needs and goals of the semester.

On Friday, we got up at the normal time and had an awesome AMX. With Matt as FOD, we had the choice of either ultimate Frisbee or touch football on the playing field. After we all had our fill of the cold for the morning, we headed inside for breakfast and chores. As usual, chores were a chore, but it’s nice knowing you did a good job at your task...it really helps start the day off right. Even with the weekend just around the corner, each class brought forth its own engaging points and thought-provoking discussion. Throughout the day students met with one of three college counselors visiting our school. They talked in depth with us about what we wanted out of a college and then offered us suggestions for schools that might fit our interests and preferences. Everyone, even those that find the whole college search a bit tedious, found the meeting useful in thinking about the future. Although Fridays always seem to be pretty busy at the RMS, they always leave you with a great sense of accomplishment and gratitude for this wonderful experience.

By: Zoe Solomon, Kerry Sullivan, Beckett Lilien, and Will Thomsen

Top Photo: Molly Barnes, Jane, and Andres play broomball during activities on Monday.

Bottom Photo: Some students take a few minutes to finish up some homework - and take in the view from Who's Hall.