All mail can be sent to the students at the following address:
Student’s Name
c/o HMI
531 County Rd 5A
Leadville, CO 80461
We have a No Package Policy (please share this info with friends & family):
One of HMI’s founding principles is “Simple in means, rich in ends.” This community-wide ethos informs much of what we do at HMI. Our package policy is rooted both in this shared value and in a desire to eliminate the impacts of wealth disparity in our community. To help us achieve our minimalist and equalizing values, we do not allow students to receive packages or order items online during the semester.
The only exceptions to this package policy are
- pre-semester arrival shipments
- prescription medications or other health-related items (contact lenses, glasses, etc.)
This policy helps us build a more equitable community defined by things other than what some are able to purchase and others are not, and it helps us reduce our collective environmental impact. We have plentiful resources and are willing and able to accommodate the vast majority of our students’ needs. HMI has outdoor gear and class supplies students can rent or buy from school; our kitchen is stocked with plenty of food and snacks, and we will bake a special treat for students on their birthday; we have extra bedding and toiletries on hand in case students run out. Lastly, if a student truly needs a particular item, we will get it for them by working with their family and advisor. Instead of goods, we encourage family and friends to send students good old-fashioned letters. Please note: a large and/or padded envelope counts as a package.
This policy helps support our community cohesion and align our ethics with our actions. We thank you in advance for helping us enact this expectation.
Pre-Semester Shipping
We highly recommend you ship your trunk or large duffels with your bedding via UPS or FedEx. Do not ship items via the United States Postal Service.
You will then use them for storage of your stuff during the semester. Please do not send them until after August 15 for the Fall Semester, or after January 15 for the Spring Semester. If you own a backpack, bring it on the plane, filled with all of the items that you might need for the first expedition.
Phone Calls
Students are welcome to receive phone calls during the days that we are on campus. During study hall (7-9:15 PM), students may not use the phone. When a student is unavailable, callers may leave a message with the faculty member who answers.
Phone lines in rural Colorado are very expensive; hence, HMI has only 6 lines for voice and fax use. At times, it is very difficult to call in—we apologize for any inconvenience.
Tel 719-486-8200
Fax 719-486-8201
Students may bring their cell phones for use on travel days and vacations only. The rest of the time, they are kept in the administrative office. We do this entirely because we want students to be focused on the HMI Semester experience and all that we offer. Students can temporarily retrieve their phones for two-factor authentication.
Internet Access, Music, and Internet-Enabled Devices
In order to promote an intentional community we ask that students not bring any non-laptop internet-enabled devices to HMI with the exception of laptops. Students should bring their own laptops to HMI. Students are welcome to continue to use iPods or MP3 players (models without wifi) at night or while studying but not in the backcountry. We place great emphasis on building a strong, cohesive community and have found that the use of electronics detracts from our ability to “be present.” Examples of internet-enabled devices that we ask you not to bring are iPod Touches, Kindle Fires and other similar items that store movies, video games, and allow for texting functions. Students are welcome to bring acoustic musical instruments.
Pre-Semester Physical Fitness
The HMI Semester does not require any previous backcountry experience. However, it is required that you arrive at HMI in good physical condition. Shortly after students arrive, we head out on our first expedition. You will not have time to “get into shape” at HMI before we leave on the first expedition.
The vast majority of injuries that happen, especially in the first three weeks of the semester, are direct results of individuals not being in good physical condition. The likelihood of sprains and strains is dramatically increased by poor fitness. In addition, the HMI campus is at 10,000 feet above sea level. Poor physical fitness increases the chance that an individual will experience the deleterious effects of high altitude. Again, good basic fitness can decrease the likelihood of injury and assist in acclimatization.
There are two important aspects to physical fitness. The first is cardiopulmonary efficiency. This simply requires that you be physically active for extended periods of time (30-45 min) 4 or more times per week, for several months. This level of activity will greatly improve your general endurance. If you are not currently active, you should begin slowly and gradually increase the intensity of exercise. A good rule of thumb for endurance training is that you should be able to talk freely as you exercise (bring a friend to talk with).
The second part of physical fitness is task specific strength. Most of the activity during the HMI Semester centers on walking, hiking, and cross-country skiing. Swimming will help to increase your cardiopulmonary efficiency, but will not strengthen your legs appropriately for carrying a backpack. At least half of your training should be task related; i.e. training that uses your legs over uneven terrain. The ideal is to go for fast-paced hikes on trails carrying a daypack (with lots of water!) 2-3 times per week for 30-45 minutes. If trails are unavailable near your home, use a combination of roads and athletic fields.
Your fitness training should begin at least 10-12 weeks before attending the HMI Semester. If you are playing a sport, that may help your cardiopulmonary efficiency but you will also need to get out and do task specific activities several times a week. Remember that trail hiking is a great way to break in your hiking boots! Our expectations of physical fitness are not intended to scare you. We simply want you to know that physical training before your arrival will greatly increase your enjoyment at the beginning of the HMI Semester in particular. It is much easier to enjoy the view or study the map carefully if you are not gasping for breath. If you have questions or would like assistance creating a training plan, please call us anytime 719-486-8200 or contact our Physician Advisor, Dr. Lisa Zwerdlinger at 719-486-0500.
Standardized Tests
While at HMI, students have the ability to take certain standardized tests. We encourage students and families to work directly with the sending school academic and/or college counselor to determine which standardized tests the student should take while at HMI.
Please refer to the following pages for more information: