March 21

We've just returned from ten days on the winter expedition in some very glorious, sunny weather. We all felt very fortunate for the warm temperatures after such a cold first expedition in the canyons.

We started skiing to our first campsite where we built snow tarp shelters; snow tarps consist of a regular megamid with snow walls. Then, the next day we went to our next site and piled up snow for our 'quigloo' snow shelters and let them harden overnight so that they would have a very strong pack the next day when we carved into them. After another night in the tarp, we greatly anticipated moving into our quigloos. When we arrived at the snowpiles, after a nice ski session in the morning, snow started flying everywhere. One person would 'skydive' from the top of the quigloo to excavate the inside, while another 'mole' dug a tunnel toward the skydiver. Once the quigloo was completely carved from the inside it was topped off with snow blocks to cover the small hole at the top.  We were all covered in snow and exhausted by the end, but very happy our shelters were made. They were actually quite warm and cozy! We also made fancy kitchens with counters, benches, and shelves for all of our things, which meant we were able to cook standing up and enjoy relaxing meals sitting on our benches. Whoever thought a house made out of snow would be so luxurious?

Speaking of eating, we were definitely kept full on this expedition! Most of us brought extra food (we were each permitted to bring one pound of extras) in the form of frozen appetizers that we would cook up before each dinner. We had jalapeño poppers, mozzarella sticks, pot stickers, taquitos, and a wide variety of other snacks to consume. We also made sure to eat plenty of snack food and big breakfasts to help us replace the many calories we burned while skiing, skinning, and shoveling – our three most-common activities.

This expedition the classes looked a little bit different. Sometimes there are very challenging weather conditions on the winter expedition, so most of the academic classes were set up to do independently, even within our quigloos. In history, for example, we had some readings to complete and essay questions to which we responded. For science, we did a tracking activity, where we identified the tracks we found in the snow. English class was on poetry using many senses to show rather than tell the reader what was happening. We wrote odes using taste and smell, haikus using sight, and silence poems. It was cathartic to take time to write and reflect while in such a serene setting and it was also awesome hearing each other's poems.

As for non-academic classes, some of our favorites were the hazard evaluation grid, in which we learned that we can often affect the likelihood that something will go wrong (e.g. we can make decisions to lower the probability of a consequence occurring), but don't generally have control over the actual nature of the consequence. We also learned about different leadership styles and why there are advantages and disadvantages to using just one style. We also found out which is our "dominant" style – where we feel most comfortable. This gave us food for thought as we considered how to make balanced quigloo and expedition groups, and it is sure to help us back on campus and in future groups.

The great weather permitted an absolutely perfect winter expedition, and the fun activities made the trip even more unforgettable. We did everything from attempting summits to celebrating birthdays and holidays. In the middle of our expedition we celebrated Chewie's birthday. Another expedition group came over for a celebration where we played volleyball, limbo, and whiffle ball. Everyone was dressed in crazy outfits, and it was the weirdest experience of our lives. We looked around at the landscape to see that we were in the middle of the snowy wilderness, yet we were playing common backyard games while dressed in the most random outfits. Who would have thought to bring all these things when the backcountry teaches you the essentials for life?

Another indescribably great activity was when we skinned up to the top of Empire Hill before the sunset. At the top, we watched the sun go down in silence. We then had circle as we watched the lights of Leadville appear, and when we finished we skied back down to camp under the light of the almost-full moon and our headlamps. The feeling we all got from looking around at the moonlit mountains and experiencing skiing while in deep contemplation was amazing.

One of the most fun parts of the expedition was ascending some of the high peaks around where we were skiing. One group skinned up the mile-long ridge of Homestake Peak, which, at over 13,000 feet, was a personal altitude record for much of the group (and we got to pee on top of the Continental Divide!). After many breaks for water and to catch our breath from all the skinning, we made it to the top, a windblown outcrop of jumbled rock, all while snow was falling. All the arduous climbing made for quite a nice, long downhill ski. Other groups climbed and skied similar peaks around Leadville. All in all, the peak ascent was one of the most fun parts of our expedition, and also one of the most tiring days.

Now we're back to classes and two crazy weeks leading up to Parent's Weekend. Never a dull moment!

By: Tom Braine, Sam Fox, & Scott Berkley