![Nathan in his Dartmouth sweatshirt in his bedroom](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x420_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/img_3925_-_nathan_hammerschmitt_le_gal.jpeg?itok=RZXcCHTb×tamp=1694611771)
![The always stunning view from Mt Cardigan - pictured are Mts. Moose, Holt's Ledge, Winslow Ledge, and Smarts](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x236_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/bg/img_5208_-_nathan_hammerschmitt_le_gal.jpg?itok=4tYuBoq7×tamp=1694611878)
Nathan Hammerschmitt Le Gal
![Nathan in his Dartmouth sweatshirt in his bedroom](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x420_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/img_3925_-_nathan_hammerschmitt_le_gal.jpeg?itok=RZXcCHTb×tamp=1694611771)
You are here
![Group photo of Sugar Crew in front of a sugar shack.](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_0098_original.jpg?itok=z0QGr3e_×tamp=1711372109)
Sugar Crew: Week 1
If you haven't heard of maple sugaring before, it's the process of extracting sap from maple trees and boiling it down to make maple syrup! The season for sugaring is very short, as daily temperatures need to be above freezing during the day and below freezing during the night (in order to generate the pressure differential required for sap to flow). It just so happens that the season lines up with Dartmouth's spring break, so I had the opportunity to make some syrup and explore the maple industry!
We started the break with a visit from Chief Nathan, a local from the Abenaki tribe who's been sugaring his whole life. He told us about the indigenous origins of maple in the Upper Valley and the growing impacts of climate change on sugaring, and he recalled some mouth-watering maple recipes. Speaking of which, he made a special treat called "maple on ice," which is extra-thick, hot syrup poured on a layer of snow—it was, well, sweet!
Then we had a few days of actual sugaring; we went to the O-Farm (aka Dartmouth's Organic Farm) and walked over to "the sugarbush," which is simply the stand of maple trees that the organic farm taps. What are taps, you may ask? Taps are the small holes bored into the outer layer of the tree, which let the sap run out for collection. It's through these small, one-inch-deep holes that we were able to collect hundreds of gallons of sap. The two methods of transport that got our sap to the Sugar Shack (the building housing our evaporator) were lines and buckets. Lines are simply long tubes and hoses that bring the sap down to a main collection tank via the force of gravity, and buckets are, well, buckets (which we had to lug to collection stations).
We also did quite a bit of boiling, which consisted of constantly stoking the fire and occasionally taste-testing our syrup. Our evaporator also had a temperature gauge that indicated whether or not the sap was ready to be drawn, and we had a special tool called a "hydrometer" to test the density of the liquid. But between keeping the heat of the fire going and occasionally checking up on our syrup, we got into deep conversations and reflected upon our experiences at Dartmouth.
On the weekend we went to Mac's Maple festival and tried Maple creamies, which are arguably one of the best maple products there is (especially considering the fact that Mac's Maple is simultaneously a dairy farm and sugaring operation). The festival also provided distinctly local vibes and allowed me to experience regional culture outside of the Dartmouth bubble.
Every night, we made our way back to the Sustainability Living Center (SLC), a Living Learning Community (LLC) that provides low-waste housing with a fully outfitted kitchen, to make a delicious meal from scratch. Cooking with the crew was a great way to connect, and the deep conversations started in the Sugar Shack continued late into the night!
Posts You Might Like
![An image of a sunset from a rooftop in Berlin](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_0351.jpeg?itok=Rr9boyBU×tamp=1718554988)
I used my weekends in Berlin to explore the countless flea markets across the city. I found great items and a great way to experience Berlin culture!
![Profile Picture](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/img_6959_2.jpeg?itok=8Ic27ok0×tamp=1717243884)
![Connecticut river](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/screen_shot_2024-07-11_at_12.34.54_pm.png?itok=Za7K_il9×tamp=1720715742)
Sophomore Summer has already defined itself by its exciting, unfamiliar experiences and the relaxed atmosphere of campus. With new classes and clubs in full swing, here is what I have been up to during this wonderful time on campus!
![Me! blog_828 × 1026_brendilou](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/img_1226.png?itok=U8hQQ4ev×tamp=1663881287)
![chem](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_4517.jpg?itok=lB6u7Onl×tamp=1718400172)
I'm now finally done with my pre-medical requirements and wanted to continue my recap of the whole journey!
![pic](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/img_1827.jpg?itok=BAuyur99×tamp=1665456638)
![a picture of a lufthansa airplane in Boston Logan with the setting sun behind it](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_3508.jpg?itok=5W4WA3HO×tamp=1718913460)
"What's your major?" seems like a pressing question for every freshman, but now that my freshman year is behind me, I know I shouldn't have worried as much.
![Kalina standing amidst the autumn leaves](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/kalina_duncheva_27_-_kalina_duncheva.jpg?itok=1Spk_Kot×tamp=1694612135)
![Pop Up Bike Shop Sign Pop Up Bike Shop Sign](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/bike_shop_sign.jpg?itok=Q6g9dm_y×tamp=1718940753)
I got a bike this term! Read this blog to learn how!
![My first D26 swag! Me, holding up a Dartmouth 26 long sleeved t-shirt](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/bio_pic_redo.jpg?itok=yiMwSuSN×tamp=1673287174)
![Cute tree outside my dorm](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/screenshot_2024-06-21_at_22.46.42.png?itok=cXPj0J_h×tamp=1719024425)
The Dartmouth Alma Mater isn't my most played song on Spotify, but it did teach me a lot.
![Antonio Jorge Medeiros Batista Silva '25](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/blog_antonio_profile_picture.jpg?itok=z4tVogx3×tamp=1632239532)
![An image of the Seattle skyline across the water](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/screen_shot_2024-07-15_at_10.20.59_pm.png?itok=IvcyiHVw×tamp=1721096489)
My first time in Seattle, during the week of the 4th of July! Exploring fish markets and watching fireworks, I had a great time exploring a new city during my off-term!
![Profile Picture](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/img_6959_2.jpeg?itok=8Ic27ok0×tamp=1717243884)
![A view of Baker Tower from the Green during the summer](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/unnamed_1_1.jpg?itok=WhMNrP7S×tamp=1719924347)
Dartmouth employs a unique quarter system in which most students are on campus in the summer between their sophomore and junior year, labeled "Sophomore Summer." But why did it start? And what are my plans for this notable term?
![Olivia Koo - blogger](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/4b596702-2c48-4037-8b1f-db79eeb3e7b0_1_201_a_0.jpg?itok=9S9os9ML×tamp=1663532063)
![Class outside](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_5007.jpg?itok=xmNNDfvA×tamp=1718399985)
As an anthropology modified with global health major, I've taken 7 ANTH courses thus far! One of my favorites, amongst them all, was ANTH 9 (which I took this spring).
![pic](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/img_1827.jpg?itok=BAuyur99×tamp=1665456638)