Cornell Camping 2010

9.18-19.10

Every fall, a group of people from my lab and other departments at Cornell organize a weekend camping trip to the Adirondacks. Last year I had to miss the trip but this year I was able to go. Christine, Christian, and I got to the cabin so late that everyone had already fallen asleep. Christian and I helped Christine set up her tent and then set up our own sleeping bags in the kitchen. It wasn't the ideal location but it was good enough.

Morning!

Helen and Veronica (my cubicle-mates!)

Since it was Helen's birthday we stuck a bunch of candles in this stack of pancakes and sang to her. I think she enjoyed it.

Christian

Mappy watches as everyone else rushes around after breakfast.

We're ready for our hike. (Christine, Christian, and Stephen)

We started on our 2.7 mile hike up Ampersand (&) Mountain.

Julia (aka Beef) is leading the group. This part of the hike was very flat but about half way up the path became steeper.

The forest was quiet except for the sound of our footsteps.

At one point we were just walking up a stream bed. The trees were amazing; growing up and around the boulders.

Stephen was always one step ahead of us.

Maybe I can move the mountain?

Christine is almost to the top and I'm following right behind.

We made it to the top! The view was amazing.

I was hoping there would be little tadpoles in the water but there weren't.

After hiking that mountain we had big appetites.

Christine and I

My Bandito Pose

Christine's Warrior Pose

The Three Peas in a Pod: Christine, Christian, and I

This is a benchmark. It's used by geographers as a reference point for our maps. I learned about these in one of my classes and it was interesting to see them in person.

Stephen

Helen and Veronica

We were already half way down the mountain when Ali came to tell us that Nate had broken his ankle. I gave Ali some Advil to bring back up the mountain and we continued down the path. There were already a group of people to stay with Nate at the top and we couldn't offer any extra help. While we continued down the path, the group at the top of the mountain prepared for Nate to be airlifted to the nearest hospital. Luckily, there was a doctor on the top of the mountain who was able to set Nate's ankle with a makeshift splint.

Waiting for the Helicopter

Nate took an emergency helicopter ride to the Saranac Hospital.

When the rest of the group got back we had hot soup and biscuits waiting for them. We were happy that they all got back safe and sound.

Campfire with S'mores

Chinese Lanterns

The Whole Gang!

lefft to right back row: Matt, Alexa, Julia (aka Beef), Mappy, Alex, Holly, Ali, Stephen, Francois, Trevor, Helen, Nate

left to right front row: me, Christine, Christian, Marie, Veronica

Nate's ankle was definitely broken.

McGraw Tower

9.2.10

One of the more famous buildings on Cornell's campus is McGraw Tower. Today at about 7:45am, I climbed the 161 steps to the top of the tower and looked around at the 21 bells. Besides looking at them you can also hear the bells. Student chimesmasters train to play the bells and also take requests for their daily 15 minute concerts. Before I knew you could go up in the tower to watch the concerts, I would always try to guess the familiar songs during my bicycle ride up the hill. It seems like they play just about anything, from classical music to Disney to Lady Gaga. Anyway, the concert was great and so was the view.

The sun was shining and all was well on the Cornell University campus.

You can see Cayuga Lake from the top of the tower.

Looking down at the Arts Quad