” I’m a member of the class of 1972; I don’t recall whether I joined the Outing Club in my first year, but I definitely recall that the president’s name was Jeannie Mountain, which I though was so appropriate. I know that I signed up ahead of time for Mountain Day trips, in 1969 hiking the Holyoke Range, and in 1970, Mt. Greylock. Some of these trips included sophomore roommate Kathy Hawley and good friend Karen Davis, later my maid of honor and still a good friend, 50 years later. Together with Karen, I participated in trips with the Dartmouth Outing Club to Mt. Moosilauke Lodge. At least one of these was with my brother, Dartmouth class of 1974. Karen’s brother, martin, was also a Dartmouth Alum. With Kathy, I went on my first – and only – winter camping trip with the UVM Outing Club and had an early Nordic skiing experience. I especially recall the very cold nights and, once out on our skis watching a more experienced group of skiers sail over the edge of a small downhill, out of sight, yelling “Oh, no!” as they disappeared from view and it was our job to follow them. With the MIT Outing Club, primarily, if not all male engineering students, I hiked up Mt. Washington via the Boot Spur or Lion’s Head Trail as well as Tuckerman’s Ravine, where I first prayed not to fall and then prayed that I would just end the misery and fall. My love of the outdoors first led me to a degree at MHC in the Biological Sciences and instilled in me a love of what has been recently called “forest bathing”. Early in our years of parenting, when money was scarce, our vacations included camping and hikes in the woods, where I often pointed out different trees and plants to my young boys. Both became scouts, one making it to Eagle and the other becoming a nature counselor at summer camp. During 2020/2021, when folks were staying away from others, we explored trails in many state parks and forests in CT and RI. ” – Kimberly Blake ’72