Hiking at Idyllwild

There is a certain group of seniors this year that has taken to hiking trips.  Eight of them traveled to Idyllwild this past Saturday for a hike to Suicide Rock.  Luckily, the destination refers to the steep drops all around and not to the group's mood.  On the contrary, this was another great trip -- clean mountain air, perfect temperatures, and long views.  Thanks to Dr. Farke and Mr. Shin for leading the trip, and to Devin for some of the these pictures.

 Devin, Kristen, Dolly, Jeainny (front), James, Kathy, Suyeon and Melissa (back).

 Near the overlook to Tahquitz Peak

 The manzanita trees near Idyllwild form vivid groves along the trail.

 The group on one of the many rocks that form the Suicide Rock overlook

Suyeon stretching her wings

 

 Kristen

Rock Climbing at New Jack City

The cooling fall weather presented a perfect opportunity to head out to the desert and do some rock climbing.  Ms. Blomberg and Mr. Dahlstrom, with the help of Dave Hamilton from Hangar 18, led a group of students on a climb at New Jack City on Sunday.  

 Ms. Blomberg, Maggie, Maya, Devin, Dolly, and James

Maggie belaying Dolly, and then climbing with her

 Devin

Devin and Maya

Camping at Joshua Tree

Mr. Maffris led one of his annual trips to Joshua Tree this past weekend, bringing a group of students out for photography, camping, star-watching, and sometimes all three at once.  Thanks to Storm and Devin for the photos below.

 James holding the two most important things to have in Joshua Tree

The full moon was so bright that the night sky was more blue than black.

Jeainny, Megan, Alicia, Alicia, Lauren, Storm, Mr. Maffris, and James under a Joshua Tree

Hiking Mt. Baldy

A group of fifteen students signed up to hike Mt. Baldy this weekend, barely squeezing with all of our backpacks into the two vans that zig-zagged up to Manker Flats trailhead.  It was a superb group defined by their enthusiasm (singing everything from the Webb school song to "We Wish You a Merry Christmas") and their resiliency on the steep, slippery slopes. We were rewarded with views of  Gorgonio (our original destination before the government shutdown diverted us) and Jacinto at the peak, as well as some surprise snacks and a dinner in the village afterward.  

 Click to enlarge: Alvin, Danielle, Robin, Raymond, Andrew, Devin, Susan, Kristen, Johnathan, Bulat, Alicia, Suyeon, David, Kathy, and Lauren. This shot was a reprise of a similar photo taken on San Jacinto a few weeks ago.  You can see that in an older post on this blog.

 After passing the Sierra Club Hut, we entered the snowy switchbacks of a steep climb to the ridge.  We were aided by "mini-spikes," which are basically mini crampons that we strapped to our shoes for extra traction.

 After the steep climb, we took a well earned rest before resuming the hike.

 Another steep climb awaited, but at least this one was in the sun and didn't require spikes.

 Lauren and Suyeon on the climb -- never too tired to ham it up for the camera.

 Mr. Kozden, Robin, Alvin, and Danielle at the lookout from the top of the climb.

 Kathy

The whole group at the lookout -- Alvin seems to think we're taking the second, "crazy" picture.

10,064'

Above and below, the group zig-zags down -- in the distance you can see why the gear company chose the name "North Face" -- it's always a little snowier on that side of the mountain.  On the south face, you can see a thin line of white outlining the trail down.

 And here's the thin white line you could see in the pictures above.

The final part of the hike crosses the Devil's Backbone, a stretch of trail that drops off steeply on either side.

Sailing at Dana Point

With the America's Cup underway a few hundred miles north, seven students set out with Mr. Walker for their own sailing experience at Dana Point.  Notice the position of the boat relative to the horizon with Mr. Walker at the helm.  Then notice the position with Andrew at the helm.  It's no wonder that some of the students ended up going swimming.

 Alexis and Andrew

 Raymond and Andrew

 Mr. Walker

Raymond, Andrew, Mr. Walker, Tracy and Carrissa

Snorkeling at Laguna Beach

Though we arrived in Laguna Beach to morning fog and a forecast of low visibility, the weather cleared and the water calmed, yielding a perfect day for snorkeling.  As always, under Mr. Lawrence's expert guidance, the students on the trip had an educational adventure, learning about ecosystems and then seeing them firsthand as Mr. Lawrence explored the depths for creatures to share.  He inspired many of us to dive for our own specimens, and even led a couple of us through an underwater tunnel.  We're lucky to have his experience and encyclopedic knowledge on trips like this -- he literally brings his subject to life.

 Aliso Beach, south of Laguna.

 Mr. Lawrence instructs the group on the basics of snorkeling. Austin really enjoys how he looks in a wetsuit.

 Austin and Kevin with a snail

 Kristin

 The garibaldi is the California state fish, and is only found along the state's coast.

 The wavy-topped turban is only found between Laguna Beach and San Diego.  The cove where we swam has some of the largest in the world.

 Johnathan brought his GoPro for some underwater filming.

Mr. Lawrence wears special gloves for "hunting," and always manages to share his catch with the students on the trip.  Below, a young lobster (no, not quite ready for butter).

 Katie and Kate were a little nervous at first, but they warmed up to it.

 Spotted Damselfish

 Melissa and one of the many sea urchins in the area.

 The urchins have exploded in recent years, depleting the colorful forests of algae (below).

After the snorkel, several students took a leap off a nearby rock.  Cole launches himself here, right through a water spot on the lens (sorry!).