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

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.

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.

Hiking Idyllwild

Six Webbies set out on a peaceful hike through the pines of Idyllwild on Saturday, covering 3.3 miles to Suicide Rock, a spectacular lookout over the valley below. After spending some time rock-hopping and eating lunch in front of Taquitz Peak, the group headed back down the trail. An unexpected rain storm cooled us off and clean us up, as we reached the van soaking wet but smiling.

Marja, Mr. Potash, Ali, Ms. Fisher, Ms. Mackenzie, and Terence at Suicide Rock, with Taquitz Peak in the background

Terence and Ali explore the various rock outcroppings at the overlook.

Between heaven and earth...

This picture was taken at exactly the same time as the picture before it, from a different angle.

Tree hugger!

The rain on the way down brought out the color in this manzanita, a tree Marja named the Bleeding Glue tree.

Soaking wet but undeterred. As soon as we got in the van, Terence asked, "When's the next hike?"