By Dylan Park ’28
One of my first memories at Pomona College is backpacking through the San Bernardino Mountains for my Orientation Adventure. During the first week of college, all first-year students are assigned a different orientation trip based on a form we filled out during the summer, indicating our preferences. For some reason, I chose backpacking, something I had never done before. How bad could it be? As the trip neared, I started to question my decision. I learned that backpacking meant you have to carry all your food, clothes, and shelter, on your back. Up a tall mountain. With no toilets. In the spirit of seeking discomfort, I was ready to embrace such a challenge, no matter how novel it would be.
Getting on the bus for the trip seemed like the start of an exciting adventure. Apparently we were going to climb the highest peak in the L.A. area. What was even more surprising was that two sophomores were the guides for the trip. As we reached the base of the mountain and stepped out from the air conditioned bus to the hot sunny wilderness the excitement was tangible. The excitement (along with some trail mix) carried us through the first few miles of the hike. Being up in the mountains with no cell service forced us to get to know each other. We connected over sports, nervousness about freshman year, and having older siblings. After hours of talking and hiking we finally found a spot to set up camp. We collected water through filtered pumps and moved quickly to beat the sunset. Some people prepared the food while others pitched the tents. Teamwork! As the sun set we gathered around to enjoy a meal of rice, beans, and an unnecessary medley of spices. I never knew rice and beans could taste so good. After dinner, we told spooky stories and played a game of mafia (one where I could sadly not convince the others of my innocence). These once strangers were now all I had miles from civilization. As I lay on my sleeping bag and a rocky trail I was pleasantly surprised by my experience backpacking.
The next day we set forth to reach the peak of the mountain! After scenic views, miles of hiking, and even more trail mix, we began to see the top. It was crazy to look down and see how far we had hiked and the cars and streets down below. It made me rethink what was possible. Yes, humans can just walk for a long time and reach the tippity top of a mountain. At the peak, there was a sign and even a mystery box with a letter. “Congrats on your hike to the top!” It read. After a quick photoshoot and lots of staring out into the distance, we made our way back down for another evening of rice, beans, and cards against humanities. Exhausted from our long day, we quickly fell asleep even with the slightly uncomfortable bedding. As we made our way back down the mountain and eventually into the bus, it felt weird that this camping trip had ended, and we were about to start a completely new chapter. After a brief stop at a Chinese restaurant, we made it back and quickly rushed to the showers.
I’m glad I chose this trip, and am happy I met the people I did. We keep in touch, we get meals every so often and update each other on our lives. So, if you don’t like the outdoors but you get a chance to go camping or better yet backpacking, I would highly suggest you try it out. You might make some lifelong friends along the way.