Ode on a Grad Hike
by Teresa Myers, Fall 2007 Group 14, The Gumption Group
Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale
A tale of a successful trip
That started from Panorama Point
By a dedicated Gumption Group
The Senior instructor was a mighty hiking man,
with two assistants who were tried and true
Nine students started that day
with dreams of summiting Thorodin Mountain soon
The weather was sunny, cool, and beautiful,
Stacy started our hike on a beaten path
until a turn over a bridge lead us astray,
off trail we headed straight away
The grade was steep and the trees were plentiful
After a discussion and redirection we were confident full
Diane lead us due east to find a smoother section
Discovering in the woods we followed an old jeep trail direction
In the distance a balancing rock was sighted
The group under the guidance of Marshall, decided
It was time to head north, and after a little scramble
Summited mount Gumption, a missed bearing fumble
Maps and compass were studied hard
The true top of Thorodin was afar,
Not to worry, Mother Goose was at the front
A contour was followed, Jess headed us toward the mount
Bears beware as Brett began leading the group
Thru the snow and ascending the mountain
Turning left looking for the summit
Finding a group of boulders, could this be the ultimate?
After viewing the second peak of Thorodin in the distance
It was determined we must search for a higher destination
Chuck fearlessly pushed past a class three scramble up large boulders,
the summit was conquered with little trouble!
The legendary Thorodin Mountain was beat
We celebrated accomplishing such a wonderful feat
After lunching in the sky, a storm danced across a distant peak
Teresa began the trek down, a less rocky path a seek
Finding our previous footprints in the snow
Mark began leading us south all in a row
Hidden on the edge of a meadow was an old cabin found
A stream ran thru the cabin soaking the ground
Richard, our last leader up, took control
Back down the steep southern face of Thorodin we go
Over the boulders our knees ached and screamed
But the last leg of our journey was near the stream
Which way to go on the trail? Up or down to the bridge . .
Chuck’s intuition was followed and Brett scouted ahead toward the ridge
The correct direction was found
Stacey lead us to the cars in the parking round
Celebration was had at the bar Malone’s
It is better to have Gumption than to hike alone.
Much thanks to Norm, Wendy and Robert
The lessons will never be forgotten.
Limericks
There once was a student from Nantucket,
whose day pack was really a bucket.
But he cared all so much,
to hike with his bunch.
That he purchased a sack, as a fact.
contributed by Rich McAdams
