Published Oct. 8, 2021
By ALEXIS PINE
Looking for a change of scenery? The Great Outdoors Club at Carmel High School plans on hosting various club activities this semester, ranging from treks to the fire tower at Garland Park to ventures to Garrapata in Big Sur, while shooting for their ultimate goal of overnight backpacking trips and memorable experiences.
“You get to build so many different friendships on those trips,” reflects senior Jordy Cabrera, co-president of the club, “and make unforgettable memories.”
During the quarantine period of the 2019-20 school year, The Great Outdoors Club experienced difficulties in connecting with fellow members and doing monthly hikes, only getting the opportunity to host one excursion. This year, they are getting back on their feet with plans for student-organized hikes and meet-ups, gathering in their free time.
“I love to hike and go outdoors,“ says sophomore Hana Knoblich, who joined the club last year, “and I feel like there’s not a lot of opportunities to do that unless you take initiative to do it yourself. So to have a club to join other people to do that kind of stuff is really cool.”
The 20 or so members have traveled to vast destinations outside the county, both as a club and in small cohorts, experiencing the wonders of nature in places like Pinnacles in central California, Anza-Borrego in Southern California and Nisene Marks in Santa Cruz.
Club advisor Marc Stafford snaps a picture with sophomore Hana Knoblich and senior Jordy Cabrera as they roll up Snively’s Ridge in Garland Park with the fog last year. (Photo by MARC STAFFORD)
“Our club’s goal is to organize as many informal hikes as possible,” club adviser Marc Stafford explains. “We talk about hiking, then people want to plan some hikes because field trips are still hard. The club wants to work towards this goal of maybe doing a backpacking trip again in the spring sometime.”
Regardless of the unpredictability of this school year, the club hopes to plan longer hiking trips and overnight backpacking trips. They are brainstorming possible dates for many gatherings and encourage all students, even those who don’t have any experience, to come out and join them in their rewarding hikes.
“When you’re hiking with a group,” Knoblich expresses, “it’s faster because you’re talking with other people, and it’s really a bonding experience.”
Co-presidents Micah Del Toro and Cabrera, who have been involved with the Great Outdoors Club for four years, convey their fond memories from overnight backpacking trips and hardships they faced to get that satisfying feeling of reaching the top of the mountain.
“We have fun,” Del Toro explains. “We don’t just go on hikes and get quiet. They’re not boring hikes.”
Cabrera and Del Toro want to leave the club in good hands and keep it alive with a variety of students that find enjoyment in the outdoors or just want something to do to get out of the house.
“I enjoy the diversity of the club,” Cabrera says. “There’s so many different people and the outdoors kind of brings everyone together. It doesn’t matter who you are, it’s for everyone.”
No matter the person, or their interests, participating in the club can lead to interesting hikes with friends, creating bonds with other members through exercise and taking in beautiful views that clear up the Carmel fog.
The Great Outdoors Club meets every Friday at lunch in Room 25.
