Although we did not leave San Francisco until May 12th, our trip began much earlier. During P.E. classes, we would do various exercises, such as walking up and down the stairs with our backpacks completely filled with heavy binders and textbooks, to allow our bodies to be prepared for the physical aspects of the trip. In terms of other preparation for the trip, tents had to be cleaned and checked for all parts, and the entire contents of our backpacks had to be checked by our teachers. When May 12th finally arrived, we were all ready to experience the trip.

The entire 7th grade was split into four groups, each group containing about ten or eleven kids, two teachers, and one naturalist. Groups 1 and 2 hiked in Sequoia Canyon while groups 3 and 4 hiked in Kings Canyon. Each group accomplished many challenges that will always be remembered. Group 1, my group, hiked from Panther Gap to Alta Peak.

Although our group hiked the least mileage, we gained the highest elevation. Our group hiked Alta Peak whose summit is over 11,200 feet. Not only is Alta Peak extremely high in terms of elevation, but it is also very steep and therefore took us almost all day to reach the top. The feeling of accomplishment in reaching the top of Alta Peak is still present within me even after the trip has ended. Although many groups have tried, we were the first Day School group to reach the summit of Alta Peak.

Group 2 hiked the High Sierra Trail to Panther Gap. This group was the first group to hike from point A to point B and completed a van shuttle. In Kings Canyon, group 3 hiked from Bubs Creek to Junction Meadow. Group 3 hiked 28 miles, the furthest out of any of the four groups. The last day, Friday, Group 3 had to wake up at 5 am to hike over 10 miles back to the vans. Group 4 hiked from Paradise Valley to the John Muir Trail junction. In total, Group 4 hiked 20 miles. No matter the elevation or length in terms of mileage hiked, we all feel a great sense accomplishment.

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