Armstrong Scholars 2024 Trip Report

Our time on trail is a story of soaring highs and river valley lows, finding our way to a practice of gratitude. Throughout the trip we experienced both Yin and Yang (two opposing but interconnected forces that form a whole), and that first emerged when the day came to hit the trail. We found ourselves combating car sickness as we wound our way towards the beautiful Yosemite Wilderness. Our planned stop for lunch at NatureBridge’s Crane Flat Campus started out sunny, with a thunderstorm a comfortable distance away. Within minutes, marble-sized hail rolled in, which caused the leadership team to examine our options for our first night. In the words of our program manager, Kim Laizer, “Things were going too smoothly; something had to go not as planned.” Talks of trailheads and permits ensued, and we determined it was the best option to utilize the Crane Flat campus as our first campsite of the trip. We were treated to hot meals, bathrooms, and a campfire that made our first night feel restful.

Kim, Kelly Sloan (Yosemite Education Director), and Ivy Moore (Yosemite Educator and Armstrong Scholar Leader Alternate) picked us up from the Crane Flat campus the following morning and transported us to Tenaya Lake, where we officially began our wilderness journey. With lots to learn and seven miles to hike, the day flew by! We were greeted at Glen Aulin with a striking golden hour and a massive waterfall—just the balm we needed to soothe us after a long day on our feet.

Those early days on trail were spent adjusting (both our packs and mentalities). Being a diverse group, the Scholars brought a range of knowledge and backpacking experience, which added a lot of spice to our group dynamic. Felicity emphasized equity, and together we learned how to be a team that picked up the weight that our sisters couldn't carry. Soon enough, the “Boulder Baddies” came to be. Creek crossings, slow grinding elevation gains, and steep switchbacks with a salami lunch at the crest solidified the group who showed strength, Joie’s courage, and empowerment for the days to follow.

A day of succeeding events that will stick with us forever occurred in beautiful Matterhorn Canyon. Ascending the canyon dotted with wildflowers was gorgeous, but a storm surged just beyond the distant peaks of Sawtooth Ridge. Felicity and Mia were wary of the threatening storm, so we took a longer than planned lunch where we taught tarp set-up, a skill that seemed pertinent with the updated forecast we received from Kim, our “eye in the sky.” Continuing the approach with caution, we aimed for the last tree line just 900 feet below Burro Pass and took another extended break to watch the unpredictable storm encroach on Matterhorn Canyon.

Mia was leading a team builder activity which asked the students to pick a perfect stick—ultimately representing what they each brought to the group—that would create a strong enough bundle to withstand the pressure of a snap. Before they could attempt to break their bundle, a lightning strike shot down in the canyon followed by a thunderous rumble—and the students’ response demonstrated a spot-on image of how unbreakable these Armstrong Scholars truly were! Their eyes bulged as their heads snapped to attention; we had prepared for this. Packs were grabbed and spots were picked with swift and precise action. We waited out the thunderstorm in lightning position for a little over an hour, with the whole duration of the drill taking about two hours in total.

Felicity started dinner when it seemed safe enough to do so, while the young women stayed separated to make sure the storm had passed. While the drill was frightening (Yin), the Scholars were all refreshed with the solo time (Yang). Curry cous-cous was served as we presented our idea to the group to continue hiking. The Boulder Baddies said “Yes, please!” to completing our ascent of Burro(ito) Pass under the bright light of the full moon. Just like the line from The Invitation by Oriah Mountain Dreamer, we “shout[ed] to the silver of the full moon, ‘Yes!’” We also howled, loud and proud, when we reached the top, reveling in the power of women before descending the pass.

Something our Armstrong Scholars  will always remember are the alpine starts. To bypass the thunderstorm and reach our Resupply Angels in time, we woke up to Felicity’s consistent singsong morning greeting, “Good morning, Armstrong Scholars,” but this time at three in the morning. Mule (nicknamed Donkey) Pass was soft with us as we moved through wildflowers, breathed alongside cascading baby waterfalls, and felt the morning sun eventually warm our faces. Feeling proud and accomplished, yet tired, we rested ourselves at an alpine lake for a breakfast pit stop. We practiced our song for the Resupply Angels as we hiked, eventually greeting them with it as they completed their six mile, 2,000 foot gain-in-elevation trek, with 15 women’s whole week’s worth of food on their backs.

“Ain’t no mountain high enough,
Ain’t no valley low enough,
Ain’t no river wide enough,
To keep me from getting to you, baby,
I’mma keep walking to you, baby.”

We indulged in fresh vegetables, fruit, and a HUGE apple pie, expressing our appreciation consistently. The smiles seemed endless, the laughter warmed our bodies, and yet the Yin found its way back to us. After our Resupply Angels departed, we were holding each other and the emotions that rose within our bodies when the next thunderstorm started to loom over us and our freshly packed packs. We found ourselves outrunning this storm, landing ourselves at our campsite at Peeler Lake, where the storm decided to grant us a chill, lightning-free evening.

Kerrick Meadows brought with it a restful layover day with time to ourselves, as the Scholars embarked on their day of self-discovery and solo sits. A vulnerable conversation about what it means to be a woman, and learning about Joie’s self-expression brought hopes, fears, and tears. We all embraced one another’s stories and understood with certain clarity the unity there is in living life as a woman. 

The rest of our days were just as Kim described they would be: “a blink of an eye, and you’ll miss them.” Even though our eyes were wide open (watching for lightning strikes in the midst of thunderstorms as well as taking in beautiful Yosemite meadow views), the rest of the trip went by quickly. We luxuriated in face masks and temporary tattoos from Kula Cloth, dived deeply into who we were as leaders, and, with an alpine start, made it over our final mountain pass. At the top of Kirkwood Pass, which we named Kirkland (or Costco) Pass, we sat in the feeling of ACCOMPLISHMENT. As an Armstrong Scholar said, “I am so proud of all of us."

Joie, your magic, your empowerment, and your freedom to be authentically yourself inspired us.

Armstrong Scholars, your magic, your empowerment, and your freedom to be authentically yourselves inspired us.

Remember to gulp life.

With love and gratitude,

Felicity & Mia