There are multiple trails and camping locations near us, but not everyone has the equipment necessary to make the trip. The Environmental Club presented this opportunity not only to their members, but to everyone who was interested in going backpacking at the beginning of Spring Break.
The club presents students with the opportunities to learn about the environment and ways to recycle. “Our goal for the club is to teach students more about environmental issues like pollution,” senior Angel Millanes, president of the Environmental Club, said. “We try by teaching sustainability or to appreciate nature.”
As part of appreciating nature and sustainability, the club planned a backpacking trip with the Ventana Wilderness Alliance (VWA) to Arroyo Seco from Friday, March 21st to Sunday, March 23rd. It was a three day, two night trip, with two guides from the Alliance and two teachers from Alisal – Science teacher Lucy Lynn and social studies and AP Psychology teacher Jared Brusa – who both have experience backpacking. It was the first time the Environmental Club pulled off a trip like this.
Lynn is the club advisor in charge of the Environmental Club. “The purpose was to give people in the Environmental Club an opportunity to go camping and immerse themselves in nature, in the environment, to get away from human activity and civilization,” she said. “It had always been a dream of mine to take students backpacking because for me going backpacking when I was a kid had a big impact on my life.”
A total of 11 seniors went on the trip. With a three mile hike to the campground carrying backpacks that weighed about 30 pounds, the students set up camp and explored the rivers nearby. They procured their own water from the river, helped cook, got firewood, and went on hikes. “I only got river water once and it wasn’t that bad, just had to make sure to not fall in and the water was very cold but crystal clear,” senior Adamari Chavez said. “With going backpacking being my first real camping experience it was interesting seeing how we could adapt and make the most out of the limited items we could bring with us.”
The agenda consisted of going on hikes, stargazing, visiting rivers, beaches, and local sites like broken bridges to appreciate the nature that was right next to us the whole time. “I really liked seeing the kids get to actually look down a valley at a 700 foot drop and see a rushing river for the first time, catching frogs and toads in our camp, you know they never held frogs before. It was really cool to see them all do that and to be there while they had that experience,” Brusa said.
The backpacking trip encompassed the good and the uncomfortable. We had one roll of toilet paper for the three days we were there that had to be split between 11 people. The shovel that was affectionately named Jimmy, was used when the urge to go to the bathroom was stronger.
Students had to learn how to use their resources wisely, with the guides from the VWA emphasizing reusing what we brought on the trip ourselves.
Senior Fatima Acuña who chose to go on a trip like this for the first time said, “It was difficult not being able to talk to my friends and family and just being on a whole different schedule, but I really enjoyed being in nature and disconnecting from technology.”
There was no signal the entire time until they were about an hour away from Arroyo Seco, meaning that students had to fully immerse themselves in nature. “My favorite part of this trip was seeing all the pretty stars at night and the constellations. They were so clear and bright, something you’d never see here in Salinas,” Acuña said.
After this trip, the Environmental Club has now shifted its focus on plans for the future. “The plan is to kind of center it around the backpacking trip, just because the Ventana Wilderness Alliance makes it so easy. I think that’s how I’m going to advertise the club and hopefully there’s some sophomores and juniors interested in it,” Lynn said.
