2011 OINK Trip.

                Last June, when I was still in France, my mom kept talking about the opportunity for new Middlebury College students to apply for an outdoor trip called « OINK ». Out of talking me into it, I eventually gave it a try. After all, why not benefit from a weekend-trip in Vermont for only $25? 

              At the beginning of August, I received an e-mail indicating I got put in the waiting-list because of the huge number of applicants. Disappointment ensued but oh well, at least I tried. One week later, another e-mail arrived, and the least I can say is that it was very originally written. Bingo, I got randomly selected to participate in the OINK program! To backpack, that is. Needless to say, I had never done such activity in my life. Sure, I would do some hiking with my family when visiting national parks – the latest ones being in Utah, but the trails were never longer than 2 miles. There is a first time for everything anyway, and challenges do not scare me. Or a least they just make me a little teeny bit anxious.

The night before the OINK weekend started, I foolishly decided to go to the 80’s party which took place outside the Proctor dining hall, in the terrace. I was very unconscious and really being a silly goose for I went to bed at 3 am…What a reasonable hour, when you know that the next day, you have to meet with your team at 7 am! You got it, I basically a 3 hour nap. Biggest mistake ever. I thought it would be okay because I would sleep in the van, which I obviously did not. One of the OINK leaders was extremely outgoing (more than me, seriously) and tried to have us talk in order to initiate a friendly, warm atmosphere during this three hour-drive. As I was sitting in one of the first rows, I was anxious to be caught sleeping.

We eventually arrived, and the trip started. The leaders wanted the group to play a game called “contact”; where the goal is to guess one’s word by asking questions. I understood the concept of maintaining a friendly ambience, but talking while hiking did not seem such a convenient idea to me. It is like running and chatting casually at the same time, i.e, impossible. I am this brain that needs to stay concentrated and focused on a physical activity and cannot afford to do something else in addition to that, with the risk of running out of breath. Apart from a few girls, none of the freshmen really tried to talk to me anyway. Is it because I am four years older that I feel so disconnected from them? 

If I remember well, we started from Vermont Route 108 as we arrived at the Sterling Pond and we slept at at Beaver meadow lodge.

Anyway, little did I know the trail would be that tough. Although I did mention I never backpacked in my life, there was a change of plans and we ended up doing a difficult 11 mile-trail: 7 miles the first day, with an extremely high elevation. Needless to say, I abhorred the steep parts. As a vertically-challenged individual with the handicap of having shorter limbs than tall people, I was definitely not made to be a hiker. I despised the steep parts because of the high elevation. I would have to climb for at least fifteen minutes, and I was hopeless for I did not see the top. I would run out of breath, sweat like hell and at some point I felt dizzy. The fact that I was the slowest while the others seemed to enjoy themselves was the icing on the cake. I felt bad for not being able to keep up their pace, although going to our own pace was perfectly fine. As a result, the group of nine people was de facto split in two: the ones who were in front, and me and two other people (including one OINK leader) that stayed behind. I am a total beginner after all, do not blame me for going at a snail-pace on a difficult-leveled trail! The rewarding thing was to enjoy the mountains scenery once arriving on top.

The Sterling Pond.

From 11am till 2pm, we hiked, getting energy from gorp, which stands for good old raisins and peanuts. It consists of healthy snacks such as raisins, peanuts, dried fruits (bananas, papaya, mango), chocolate chips, M&Ms and last but not least…yoghurt-covered pretzels. Then we eventually stopped by a nice lake to have “lunch”. I ate bagels with cheese, strawberry jam and peanut butter. Not altogether, you crazy. It did ease the hunger but I cannot say this was really yummy. While a French person would have eaten a “baguette au jambon”, that is bread with butter and ham, Americans apparently are fond of bagels. And you call that a lunch? Say hi to cultural food discrepancies.

The road to hell was not over yet for steep parts ensued. I was afraid I would not have enough water left and that we would not encounter streams so I saved water, which was, once again, not a very intelligent thing because I was not as hydrated as I ought to be. Near the end, the steep part was inversed, i.e, we had to go down. As for me, I did so by literally hugging the trees so as to carefully secure my passage. I played it safe. Better safe than sorry after all!

What a relief it was to eventually arrive at destination by 6pm: a cabin lodge. It was already occupied by two other hikers though. My muscles were horribly sore, and tiredness abruptly kicked in by the time we were eating, all gathered around the campfire. I had my best meal ever there. Read: ugh. Once again, it did fill my stomach but none of the food was yummy. On the menu: peanut butter-sauced pasta twice. Holding a hot bowl was quite comforting when it is getting very cold. 

As for sleeping, I initially wanted to go in the cabin lodge but when I found out we would have to go upstairs in a very inconvenient way, I decided to join the three other guys in the tent. Despite wearing many layers and a thick coat while being wrapped up in a sleeping bag, I was pretty frozen. On top of that, my muscles were extremely sore and the pain kicked in hard. 

                When I woke up, I initially thought it rained somewhere during the night for my side was partially wet (I slept right next to the tent entrance). Say hello to condensation. I had my first oatmeal that morning. Unless I am starving and that it is the sole option, there is no way I am eating that anymore! As I have said, I had my best time there, food-wise. I was so happy when I headed back to the dining hall for the first time since the trip ended. Real, warm, relatively delicious but at least edible food!

Anyway, day 2 was way easier. When you have hiked for seven miles with a very high elevation, a flat four mile trail is absolutely nothing next to it. It was still muddy – thanks to Irene, but at least my hiking shoes were made for resisting water! We arrived early at the meeting point, around 11.30am. Unfortunately, not until two hours later did the school bus arrive.

                You may think that I did not enjoy the trip, inasmuch my complaints and sarcasm. I highlighted points that were not easily-bearable for me, sure thing. Nevertheless, I am grateful for having been given the opportunity to have a hiking trip. Thanks to that, I got to appreciate and enjoy Vermont mountains landscapes and thus take hundreds of photos. Moreover, I experienced backpacking for the first time and so far, I can say this is one of the most challenging physical activities I have done. After this, anything else seems to be petty.
When I eventually came back to my dorm, the first thing I did was to take an eternal-lasting and warm shower. Oh, the littlest things that you take for granted, how much you realize they matter when they are out of reach. Then you get to enjoy them.