Author: vav417

GOSC, Spring break’22 trip to Spruce Knob WV

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8 people were going to Spruce knob West Virginia on 18th March for hiking. 2 cars left at different times.
One car with 4 people left at 1:30 PM from Alumni building and the second car with the other 4 started around 5:30 PM.
All the 8 people met in the Airbnb at night and couldn’t tell much about the surroundings of Airbnb since it was a cloudy and dark night. We all went to bed around 12 AM to get out of the house and start hiking by 9:00 AM.

 

While we were starting to go for a hike on Day-1, we took this picture outside our Airbnb to cherish the beautiful view

We stopped here before heading to the trail head to enjoy the majestic mountains on a warm day.
The drivers parked one car at the end of the trail head and came back to reduce the hike duration so that we can also enjoy some time at the Airbnb.
We already hiked for 1.5 hours and found a perfect spot to enjoy some lunch
Getting more than half way through the hike gives us some motivation to push through especially after a heavy lunch
We saw multiple fire places like these around the mountains where stones make a nice seat to enjoy bonfire while camping nearby
After reaching the Spruce Knob summit, Vamc went to explore the trail further. After scrambling a bit further on loose rocks, there’s complete view of WV mountains without any obstruction.
We finally made it to the highest point of WV
We then reached Airbnb and made this nice meal to celebrate the completion of first hike and enjoy the last night at the airbnb. The menu was chicken wings, lentils curry, beef soup, jasmine rice and wine.
When we went out to make the bonfire, we noticed that it was a full moon night. It looked so so beautiful and bright. At some point, it looked like sunrise in pictures
We started the bonfire and gathered around for warmth and to reflect upon our favourite memories during the whole day.
We then got up and packed our luggage and left for Seneca rocks on Day-2 and then to leave to Lehigh. Even though it was a short hike to the top, the elevation made it challenging.
Only Oumaima and Vamc went to the top of Seneca rocks that offers a panoramic view of the entire area but getting there and coming back down was a bit challenging.
We came to the information center to have lunch and then head back to Lehigh at around 3:30 PM.

We reached back to Lehigh at 9:45 PM on Sunday night and were content to make good use of the weekend.

 

Trip leader: VamC

Photos: everyone

Trip Blog: VamC

Lehigh Furnace Gap 11-06-2021

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14 members met around 8:30 AM on a chilly Saturday morning outside the alumni memorial building of Lehigh University.  We left for the furnace gap around 8:45 AM and we reached the furnace gap around 9:20 AM.

We started the hike feeling chilly as it was early in the morning and with a breeze even though it was sunny.
We stumbled upon a shelter for through hikers in AT. Apparently it is called as lean-to and has a record of hikers experiences recorded in a notebook.
After hiking some more distance, we crossed challenging elevation and stumbled upon this view where people took photos and stopped for water break
The hike was relatively flat after few inclination gains. After going for 5.3 miles, the loop ended according to alltrails and we all paused to have our lunch and banter about how the hike was not that hard.
Guanyang clicked our group picture in the sun and we headed back to return.
At mile 6.5, we saw that the trail was splitting into two and we took south trail as we came through north.
South trial surprised and challenged us with a very rocky terrain and inclination.
We then came and rested in the lean-to shelter before heading back to parking lot which was just 10 minute walk.
We reached back to Lehigh around 4:30 PM one hour earlier than anticipated!

Trip leader: VamC, Indranil
Photos: Everyone
Writing: VamC

2-Day Trip to Niagara Falls and Letchworth State Park, NY

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When we heard of the opportunity to organize a big event in collaboration with Lehigh’s Graduate Life Office (GLO) and Grad Students Senates (GSS), we felt both overwhelmed and excited at the same time. Then, all the time spent planning and organizing was a fruitful and big learning experience. The memories stick with us even if the trip is over.

Day 1:

We gathered in front of the Alumni building at 7:00 AM. After checking-in everyone, we, 36 people, were ready to go at 7:15 AM. Amazing team, super efficient, everyone arrived on time.

After driving for ~2 hours, we took our first break at the Greenfield rest area. People gradually woke up and got some chats in the fresh air.

Lunchtime was at Letchworth State Park, filled with pizza smell – from Tony’s Pizzaria. Everyone enjoying their on-average 3-slice pizza for lunch before starting for a gruelling hike at Letchworth state park. Bears are more hungry after arriving late at 1 PM at the state park. We finished 9 large pizzas without any left.

Hiking at Letchworth, the group stopped at a middle point near the lower falls. Not everyone is in the photo because some of the participants were enjoying nature more mindfully.

We then moved on to finally arrive at Buffalo. After checking in the hotel and having dinner and refreshments nearby, we went to see the breathtaking Niagara falls night view which looks amazing in the neon light.

You can see Toronto’s skyline and the falls in the night which is very picturesque. As a fun fact, 75,000 gallons of water flow from the American side of the falls.

Day 2:

The second day started with the thunderstorm weather forecast, but we headed out of the hotel as scheduled – brave Lehigh grads! Before going to the maid of the mist boat tour, it started drizzling and then raining. Everyone took shelter under the car roof’s or a friends umbrella

The bonus of drizzling: the queue at Maid of Mist is much shorter, almost no lining up at the ticket check-in booth. Everyone’s so excited and ready to get into the boat and see the falls.

The horseshoe falls were magnificent and breathtakingly good. Seeing them up from so close got everyone so excited and happy.

 

After the boat tour, we took stairs that take you very close to the falls for a better view.

One group went to see the cave of the winds while others went to have lunch. It was really thrilling at the Hurricane Deck!

Look at their smiles and waving arms!

Guanyang, our chief photographer, took a nice group picture in front of the Niagara Falls State Park sign before we started heading back to Lehigh. We arrived at Lehigh at around 11 PM and dropped everyone at their places. Great trip together, we have so much colorful memories!

 

Writing: VamC, Shasha

Photographer: Guanyang Xue, and many others

Trip leaders: Jeremy, VamC, Shasha

International friends Hike to Mt. Tammany on March 20th 2021

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We started from alumini building at 8:45 AM and after 45 minutes’ drive we reached to Kittatinny point and parked there. To our surprise it was chilly on a bright sunny day. Luke, VamC and Shasha were leading the group to RED DOT trail.

Walking to RED DOT trail from "KITTATINNY POINT"

After hiking for some time, we took a break to enjoy this beautiful view. It started to get warm and nice by this time.

After quite a rocky and challenging ascend, we stopped to take a water/ snack break. We found a place outside the walking trail and cleaned after ourselves. It was a good bonding moment for everyone to meet and talk with fellow grads.

We reached to this viewpoint after 25-30 minutes of hiking after water break.

A few people were exploring this beautiful viewpoint, which can be seen after walking for a few more minutes of walking from the first viewpoint. It was a challenging descend and climb, but totally worth it for the view.

By the time we took another water break on our way down, everyone got bonded really well which is apparent from this picture.

Finally, when we managed to get down the hill, we found a beautiful stream forming a small water fall. Everyone had a good time by the small canal 🙂

And around 2:45 PM, everyone started heading back to Lehigh university feeling accomplished for finishing the hike and happy for making new friends!

Post & Trip leader: VamC

Pictures:  Shasha, Indranil, Sinchan, Jacky, VamC