Mt. Baldy in the snow

Very rarely do I get to take a "school trip" over winter break, but I was lucky to make it to Mt. Baldy yesterday with Shihan, class of 2011, who was home from college for the holidays. I laid in bed the night before listening to the rain, yearning to be in the mountains where it was a proper winter.  When I called around to see if anyone was interested in going up with me, Shihan was instantly excited.  Though he hasn't done much hiking, he just ran a marathon in about 2 hours and 50 minutes (qualifying for Boston!), so he has the lungs and legs to do it.  It was a tough trek to the peak, especially since we were post-holing after the Sierra Club hut, but the wind was relatively calm, and when the sun made it through the active clouds, it was downright balmy (does it have to be above freezing to be balmy?).  More than anything, it was a surreal glimpse into winter, as it coated all the desert plants with snow.

 Shihan makes his way up to the Sierra Club hut.

 Snow always makes an old trail seem new, but it can also lead to challenges in route finding.  The trail is there...somewhere.

 This rabbit seemed to know where it was going.

 We were in and out of clouds for most of the trip. Here the wisps cleared to reveal the cumulous clouds hanging in the valley.

 The final push to the peak

 We were joined at the top by another hiker, who was grateful to follow in our tracks and kind enough to take this photo.

 This sign marks the way down...at least we think it does.

 Shihan refuels under this windswept tree.

 The Devil's Backbone is the hallmark of the descent from Baldy to the ski area.

Rock Climbing at New Jack City

A vanload of dedicated climbers braved the cold in mid-November for some climbing at New Jack City. Though they all started in the gym, Dolly, Abby, Christie, Lucas, and Mairin (below) have all advanced enough to be comfortable outside now, even when they can't feel their hands.

Trail Stewardship on Mt. Baldy

A van load of Webb students traveled up to Mt. Baldy village on Sunday, where we worked on the Bear Flats Trail, which runs all the way to the peak.  We expanded trail and curbed erosion on a good mile of the trail, though there's still much work to do.  The Webb Schools works with the U.S. Forest Service on this section of trail, and has officially adopted it as our own.  It's a great way for students to give back to the mountains that give us so much. 

 The group works on expanding this section of trail, which has severely eroded on the downhill side.

 Anita carries stones for a retaining wall.

 Yoon and James sort some of the stones.

 Shaun and Cathy.

 Yoon, James, Cathy and Alan proudly showing off their work.

 In addition to the reward of a job well done, Johnny, Michelle, Alan, Cathy, Yoon, Anita, James and Shaun got to enjoy great views down into the valley.

 Alan trimming some thorny branches.

 Johnny and Shaun set a line for some widened trail.

 Michelle and Alan

 Cathy and Anita.

The crew celebrates with Smokey at the end of our day.  Then we went to the Mt. Baldy Village diner for some nachos and iced tea.

Joshua Tree

Finding yet another corner of Joshua Tree to explore, Mr. Maffris took a group of students to the national park this past weekend, where he showed them to sharks and other curious creatures in the middle of the desert. 

 Finding a rare spot of shade, Mr. Maffris expounds upon the many features of Joshua Tree.

 Shark!

Backpacking San Gorgonio

Finally!  After two years of attempted climbs of San Gorgonio, we made it to the peak!  Two years ago, we made it to around 10,000 feet before we were stymied by several inches of hard-packed ice.  Last year, we we thwarted by a fresh snow storm and closed trail head.  But this year, all the fates aligned and a determined group of Webb hikers made it to the highest peak for hundreds of miles.  San Gorgonio is the most difficult of the three peaks in the 10,000 Foot Club, and not just because it's the highest.  It's also the longest, steepest hike and involves an overnight stay at 9,200 feet. But all went smoothly for us this year, and we were treated to fantastic visibility from the peak, as we were able to see the adjacent San Jacinto and even Mt. Baldy, about 50 miles away.

Three students in particular deserve congratulations, as they became the charter members of Webb's 10,000 Foot Club.  Terence, David and Alan have now hiked all three peaks over 10,000 feet: Mt. Baldy (10,064'), San Jacinto (10,834'), and San Gorgonio (11,503'). Congratulations to them for their persistent efforts.  We arrived home on Sunday sore but happy.

 On the first day, we hiked steeply out of the valley, gaining 2,000 feet in the first 2.5 miles. Shaun, Vicente, Mr. Dahlstrom, Terence, Alan, and David take a short break at this overlook.

 Terence and Vicente at the entrance to the Wilderness Area

 David in a tree that's much older than any of us, and probably older than Webb itself.

 Sunset from High Creek was spectacular.

 As was sunrise at about 10,000 feet.

 We left our packs at camp and hiked the last few miles with just our bodies to carry.

 This outlook down to the valley below is about a half mile from the peak.

 San Gorgonio -- 11,503'

 And the first Webb students ever to join the 10,000 Foot Club.  Congratulations to David, Alan, and Terence, who received commemorative medals at the peak.

 Crossing the barren landscape on the way down.  Tree line is around 10,000 feet, so we had only low lying shrubs for company at the top.

 By the end of the day, we'd be back in the distant valley below.

Everyone pauses one more time to enjoy the scenery on the way down.