Sunday, December 12, 2010

Snorkeling at Laguna Beach

A week after stomping through the snow on San Gorgonio, we were on the beach at Laguna, taking advantage of Webb's location so close to both. Mr. Lawrence was our fearless leader and specimen finder, identifying everything from kelp snails to coweries (courtesy of Harrison) and urchins to lobsters. The water was a bit cold (57 degrees!) but that didn't phase this group of novice snorkelers. Even though it was the first time for five of the six students, they dove right in, and immediately started diving to the bottom in their best imitation of Mr. Lawrence.

Mr. Lawrence searches the bottom for exotic specimens...

...and immediately comes up with a sea urchin, which Landen is holding.

Joe searches for his own, among a rainbow of fins.

Harrison found an urchin that wasn't quite ready to let go.

Sardines anyone?

Mr. Lawrence holds a crab he found in a tidepool.

Landen, Cole, Camille, Harrison, Joe, and Juliana get ready for a pizookie at BJ's.

Camille and Juliana celebrate another successful outdoor trip.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Backpacking San Gorgonio

This was not going to be easy from the start. San Gorgonio is the most difficult of the 10,000 foot peaks to begin with. Add several inches of snow, and then a layer of ice on top of that, and we had some tough trekking this weekend. We would have needed crampons to reach the summit, but we did reach a spectacular ridge with 360 degree views. Along the way, we enjoyed s'mores, toasted our socks around a campfire, and even made snow angels (sort of -- see below). The trip started at 6,000 feet, and we hiked five miles on the first day to an altitude of 9,200 feet. We stopped at High Creek campground, set up tents, and ate the best dinner we could remember (why does food always taste better after a long hike?). Ryan, Shaun, Sidney and Jordan then helped collect some dead wood for the fire, while Ray carved marshmallow roasting sticks for the s'mores. The crackling heat roused the weary from the warmth of their sleeping bags, and we all stood around for awhile telling ghost stories and drying socks over the fire. An early rise allowed many of us to hike up to 10,500 feet, where we were stopped by thick ice. But we celebrated the view, and then headed back down to camp to pack up and head out. In-n-Out burgers on the way home tasted almost as good as dinner the night before.

Jordan, Will, Ryan, Terence, Shaun, Vinson, Sidney, Tina, Rita, Mr. Dahlstrom, and Ray at the start.

Tina and Rita lead us through the early stages of the hike, across a riverbed and toward the mountain path.

Jordan found this tree at Vivian Creek campsite, about a mile into the trip.

Ray made the most out of his wheel-less skateboard, breaking it out at every rest stop to make new snowboard runs.

Tina and Sidney take a break.

Right behind our campsite was a scenic view up the valley.

Sunset on the first night revealed layers of mountains under layers of clouds.

Rita, Shaun, Mr. Dahlstrom, Sidney, Ray, Ryan and Jordan reap the rewards of a fire on a cold night. A couple hours later, it had melted a four-foot wide hole in the snow and kept us all warm well into the night.

A marshmallow roasted to perfection makes for mighty good s'mores.

The next day, we set out to get as far as we could. When Will told us he would be making a snow angel in his speedo at the top, we thought he was joking. We didn't know he had a speedo, and we weren't quite at the top. But then he made a snow angel in his speedo. We wish he had been joking.

At which point the other boys were inspired to be ridiculous. For the record, it's about 32 degrees at an altitude of 10,500 feet.

Since it was so icy, it was much faster to slide down. We dug our heels in to steer and break. Here, Ryan hits a patch of soft snow that brings him to a halt. Photo courtesy of Rita Lo.

Taking a break to enjoy the sun on the way down.

Looking back to Mt. Baldy (peeking above a thin wisp of cloud) from San Gorgonio.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Rock Climbing at New Jack City

Rock climbing seems to be growing in popularity at Webb. Outdoor Activities, the after school group, continues to draw more people, and weekend trips are now available for everyone from beginner to advanced. Though Theme Week occupied most students, a couple of Webbies found time to head to New Jack City with Ms. Schnupp and Mr. Harris for some refining of technique. Special recognition should go to Kate, who demonstrated tremendous moxie by going even though she endured nine (yes nine!) blisters while trying to finish a route at the indoor gym last week. It was our last day, and she just wouldn't give up until she got it. Luckily, there is life after the indoor gym, as Kate and Alexandra found out. If you're inspired by these girls, sign up for the special overnight rock climbing trip this coming weekend.

Kate's determined to climb, no matter how many blisters she has.


Alex tackles her first climbing trip, and then sits back while Ms. Schnupp belays her.

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Snorkeling at Laguna Beach

Under the expert guidance of Mr. Lawrence, twelve Webb students went snorkeling and tide-pooling in the clear waters of Laguna Beach this Sunday. With visibility at 15-20 feet, we had only to contend with occasional waves in our undersea exploration. From bat rays to sea urchins, starfish to seals, we saw it all. After Mr. Lawrence collected some specimens for his campus aquariums, we headed into town for a great lunch at BJ's and then back to campus. A perfect Halloween day.

Alec checks out a sea urchin that Mr. Lawrence scooped up.

Juliana and her starfish.

Ryan, Anni, and Ali near the cormorants.

We were able to get pretty close to Seal Rock. So close that the smell made us turn around. :)

Trick-or-Treat!

Sea urchins are over-populating this particular area of Laguna Beach. You can see several purple ones on this rock.

Ali practices the fine art of deep-sea snorkeling. Take a deep breath, dive down, and then blow REALLY hard when you come up. It allows you to get to the bottom and pet some of the creatures that look fun. Or, in Mr. Lawrence's case, catch the occasional shark.

This striking anemone was in a tidepool. After the snorkel, we spent some time looking at the ecosystem of creatures who spend their lives in the craggy rocks just on the edge of the water. You can also see a small crab at the bottom right of the picture.

Though this anemone could probably eat Juliana's foot (over the next 100 years or so), she took her chances and gave it a little nudge.

Ryan, Kyle, Yiwa, Ian, Marja, Mr. Lawrence, Juliana, Daniel, Ali, Mairin (behind Ali), Anni, Jake, and Alec

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Rock Climbing at Hangar 18

Twice a week, the students in Outdoor Activities head to Hangar 18 for some rock climbing. This year's crew has developed an outstanding skill set. While Peter and Kevin have now moved to V3's in bouldering, Kate, Jake, Orange, Tinnie, Nicolette, Yiwa and Marja continue to scale the high routes with rope and harness.

Yiwa belays Marja while Tinnie enjoys her descent.

Peter makes quick work of a blue jug route.

Trusting your partner is essential to repelling. Jake has earned pretty much everyone's trust with his reliable work.

Kevin emerges from the cave and a near horizontal start.

Below, Yiwa and Kate take a break from problem-solving.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Mountain Biking in Big Bear

"I did 100 things today I never thought I could do." -- Lauren Herndon

While it was drizzling all day in the valley, thirteen Webbies headed above the clouds to Big Bear under the expertise of Ms. Kapp and Mr. Ball for a day of downhill mountain biking. After purchasing lift tickets, we headed up the mountain for a scenic ride across the ridge on a fire road, culminating in a trip up to a rock overlook. Then we found the single track down, and the fun began. Scrapes, scratches, boulders, slaloms, mud, a flat tire, a broken chain -- we had it all. Including fun.
We could see the clouds that were drizzling on Webb as we happily drove into the sun.

Morgan leads the crew on a side trail to a scenic overlook.


Marcos, Terence, and Sam

Rita enjoys a view to Big Bear Lake on the way down.

Marcos puts the mountain in mountain biking.

Ms. Kapp fixes a tube in no time flat. (HA!)

Marcos came to the rescue with his spare tube, and Ryan and Brian finish the job.

Ryan enjoyed getting a little muddy on the way down.

Terence had a fight with the ground. The ground won Round 1, but Terence came back for more.

Ali and Lauren

Sam

Brian and Sachi

Over and over again, Brian would shout, "Too much rock for just one hand!" Mr. Potash begged to differ.