ARC Orientation Participants Shine and Fly to New Heights

Memorial Day Weekend May 24, 25, and 26th.
Twelve local brave students braved the weather and the cold to camp by Smith Lake in the National Forest North of Truckee. They got more than just an introduction to the ARC program; they got a hardcore adventure to remember.

We packed our gear in the garage at Sagehen Creek Field Station and ducked between pouring rain to play games and get ready for the upcoming weekend. Once we hit the trailhead the rain held off, but the clouds stuck around...almost all weekend, almost.

We hiked to our campsite the beautiful alpine lake, Smith Lake, set camp and settled into dinner. Pesto pasta never tasted so good. MMM-MMM.
We hung our food so the bears won't find it. Can you find it? Nice job Bear Hang Crew.

The next day we again ducked the rain to start our peak hike to Steadfast Mountain. We did an activity connected to observations and started off trail travel to the peak. We got to our peak to notice a whole flock of over a hundred and thirty white pelicans circling majestically overhead. White pelicans are known for their teamwork in gliding along wind drifts for miles and miles. The ultimate display of teamwork. They rose silently on the breeze as the clouds broke and the sun shone down on our little campsite next to Smith Lake. It was truly an inspirational and special moment. (See the first photo in this post.)

We ate lunch and headed back to camp. We completed interviews with the instructors, had dinner and completed our reading, lesson and discussion on the benefits, the challenges and our excitement for the summer course. If anything, it won't be anywhere near as wet and chilly as it was those few days at the end of May.
See you this summer!!!

Berkeley e-giving adds Sagehen's ARC Program to system!

The California Biodiversity Center has been pestering Berkeley to add the Field Stations to its on-line e-giving program & it's finally happened. Would-be sponsors can now donate to Sagehen generally, or specifically to the Sagehen Graduate Student Research Fund or the Adventure - Risk - Challenge Fund.

Use this link for more information or to make a secure on-line donation.

Organization of Biological Field Stations recognizes ARC Program

The ARC Program was recently recognized by the Organization of Biological Field Stations with a nomination for a Human Diversity Award at this year's annual meeting held in Junction, Texas.

Sagehen Orientation Climbs Steadfast

Six students headed into the wilderness of Plumas National Forest toward Smith Lake.

From time to time they might have been tied into knots...

...they might have had to pack and unpack...

...meet some great new friends...

...and work together...

...to get the job done.

Taking breaks during our hikes...

were fun...

...Mara and Luis even fell off a log.

They hammed it up for the camera ...

...and with thanks to the instructors...

...and a little steadfast determination and perseverence, they got to see some amazing views,...

...some cool trees,...

...rocks,...

...some valleys,...

...some lakes, (Do you know what lake that is?)...

...even a little bit...

of who they...

really are.

Steadfast, Strong and Smiley.

Nice job to the ARC 2007 Orientation Group on a job well done.

Hope to see you this summer.

Poetry Challenge for ARC graduates and participants

I STAND LIKE A TREE

Winds may blow violently at times,

Others, gently whispering cool secrets.

The deluge of the day wears away,

Digging deep around my roots.

My roots hold on. My trunk is solid,

strong, and determined. My skin protects.

The night approaches slowly

Silently like a hunting lion.

Chilled to the core, everything is darkened,

Some find fear here.

I sleep soundly. Dreaming of the light

And the life it helps me make.

Smoke fills the air. Fires burn below.

There is trouble brewing;

From time to time, panic sets in.

The clouds gather and the shadows lurk.

I stand like a tree because I am me.

And that is all I need to be.

john arsenault May 2007.

If anyARC graduates or current students have a poem or other writing that you want to submit for publication with the ARC Blog send them to John Arsenault. Submissions must be appropriate and relevant with your ARC experience. Advice, reflections, accounts of post-course service work, or other creative endeavors are most welcome. Happy trails.

Spring Preparations for 2007 ARC Course

Happy Mother’s Day Weekend from us all at ARC.

By John Arsenault, Course Director and English Teacher for the Sagehen Course,

I spent the weekend hiking various areas checking out the melting snow and blossoming spring around the ARC course area. With granola bars and water galore, I headed toward Mt Tallac and Loch Leven Trailheads. Tallac was mostly clear of snow. A few patches of snow remained on shady northern faces but for the most part the trail was not bad.

The views of Tahoe were absolutely stunning. My camera didn’t really do it justice.

The next day I checked out the Loch Leven area. I think this may be my new favorite hike. The snow pack was still around on northern faces; however, the trail was packed enough to be easily passable. I met all kinds of people on the trail, a large group of friends from San Francisco, a few couples, a troop of Boy Scouts training for their trip to Philmont, Arizona, and a train conductor. Yes, I waved to the train conductor as he chugged on by, empty cars and all.

There were spots on the Loch Leven trail that were absolutely mystical. Mossy trees, shaded glens by small mountain lakes, and alpine flowers poking through the rocks marked the trail ever higher. The snow deepened as I climbed, yet toward the top began yielding to puddles, brooks and streams everywhere. The forest smelled fresh as the sun warmed my nose. Robins darted here and there, curious, yet skiddish of my tromping.

Lizards did push-ups on rocks as they twisted their heads one way and then another.

Checking me checking them out.

Flowers poked out of the rock as if responsible for the widening cracks.

Finally I reached the lakes, took off my pack, and propped it against a tree. I ravaged through my pack for a granola bar, snagged a big old bite and settled into quick break.

I looked out over the Middle Loch Leven and thought, my heart still pounding away, “whoever is going on the 2007 ARC orientation trip is psyched!”

Until later. John