This month I asked ’90s, “What are your salient memories of your freshman trip?” I think I received enough responses for at least two columns! Here’s Part I. Kyrie Robinson: “Thinking about freshman trips gives me mild PTSD. I called the College in August to inquire about the details of my trip and was informed that I had never actually sent in my forms! The person on the phone said they couldn’t fit me in (which was undoubtedly not true, had I pushed), so I arrived on campus friendless and feeling lonely (though my undergraduate advisor group quickly made things better). Anyway, those are two life lessons I have never forgotten: Send in your forms, and don’t take no for an answer. This is also why I was so happy to meet up with everyone at the Ravine Lodge for our 50th birthday party this past June—I’d never been!” Laurilyn Goettsch Dowling: “So much fun, although when we arrived at Moosilauke and I was reorganizing my backpack, I pulled out my waterproof ground cover (unused, because we all had one and didn’t need them all), and found inside a brick wrapped in foil. Prank, courtesy of some DOC members—though I suspect they didn’t expect the brick to remain hidden for the entire hike!” Elizabeth Allen Edgar: “I got great advice that no real expertise was needed for the more experienced canoe trip. We drifted much of the time, tying the canoes together and using a tarp as a sail on occasion. We had lots of fun kicking back and getting to know each other, and we definitely got to Moosilauke less exhausted than some folks!” Langdon Doty: “Our hike was amazing, but it rained a lot. On the second rainy night I noticed there was a town near our campsite, and I managed to get a couple of volunteers to join me on a pizza run that took about three hours round-trip. Best rain-soaked pizza I’ve ever had.” Rebecca Baggett:“Disaster in some ways, fun in others. I discovered I love challenging hikes but hate camping.” Jack McBride: “We had a blast! Our trip had seven guys and one woman, Amy Fulwyler. When our hike started, most of the guys did pretty well. I was soon sweating, gasping for air, and exhorting the others to go on without me; I told them I’d just lie there and take my chances. Amy didn’t hear any of that—she was already up the mountain. The next day we were nearing another summit, and had stopped for lunch at a clearing with an amazing view. Our leader, Vic Trautwein ’87, remarked that some watermelon would sure hit the spot. He then reached into his pack and pulled out a watermelon to share with everyone. Vic also taught us every Dartmouth song and cheer, which I fear are lacking in today’s trips. Vic was captain of the rugby team, Amy was later captain of the women’s ski team, and I had a 21-swipe meal plan every term.” Mark Sternman: “I mostly recall the rides to and from Hanover for my freshman trip. Mara Leventhal, who grew up in a neighboring town, drove me both ways. She was the first ’90 from outside my high school whom I met, and her graciousness got my Dartmouth experience off to a great start.” Rahul Ranadive:“None. I caught pneumonia a few days before my trip and had to miss it.” Rich Mazzola’s automatic email reply message: “I am currently on vacation and, with any luck, I am busy at the moment reeling in a big brown trout.”

—Rob Crawford, 22 Black Oak Road, Weston, MA 02493; crawdaddy37@gmail.com