17Nov, 2020

HMI Gap: A Tale of Two Treks

Written by: Sol Walker and Janak Bhakta The following two stories recount the Wilderness & Conservation Semester 1 group’s trek through the Paria Canyon. To minimize human impact, the group split into two smaller independent groups that completed the trek …

HMI Gap canyoneering in Bears Ears National Monument
09Nov, 2020

Into the Underworld: Canyons!

Written by: Hannah Abramowitz and McKenna Fox After spending our time so far climbing up walls, this past week our group ventured down into the depths of the Utah canyons. Our five-day backpacking/canyoneering expedition began with great excitement and enthusiasm. …

06Nov, 2020

HMI Gap: A Magical Desert Snowstorm

written by: Evie Usich After an incredible month in the desert of southern Utah, we’re back in Leadville for a few “transition days” before we head to Arizona. We started our time in Utah “basecamping” just outside of Moab before …

24Oct, 2020

HMI Gap: High Hopes and Hungry Minds

A student’s account of the first two “climbing basecamps” in the Rock Climbing & Conservation Semester. Written by: Clara Mizock An excellent second expedition has come to a close. We’ve taken the next step in our climbing progression by diving …

22Oct, 2020

HMI Gap: Just A Normal day

A student reflection of the time Wilderness & Conservation 2 spend at their basecamp near Moab, UT. Written by: Cole Norsworthy You wake up to one or two bright stars remaining in a dark blue sky. You turn over in …

09Oct, 2020

HMI Gap: My Friend Doug

Student reflections from HMI Gap’s Fall 2020 “Wilderness and Conservation in The American West” semester. Written by: Zackery Stone  “How are you going to use the bathroom?” It was perhaps the most common question I received when telling family and …

09Oct, 2020

HMI Gap: Inchworms, Salad Bowl, and Gray Jays

Student reflections from a 14-day backpacking trip through the Sawatch Range near Leadville, CO.  Written by Emma Barker and Ruby Platt “F-Trek 1” (short for “Fall Wilderness & Conservation Semester in the American West”) returned from our adventure in the …