On campus, I am hyper-involved with the DOC, from Cabin and Trail (hiking) to Ledyard Canoe Club, I love leading trips and being outdoors as much as possible. Swipe through my posts for updates on studying abroad and traveling through college, student bands/a cappella, as well as the day-to-day updates of a 20yo who just recently started liking coffee (exciting, right?).
Throughout my term abroad, I—alongside two other Dartmouth Outing Club trip leaders—planned a beginner flatwater canoeing trip on the Green River, and once the term had finally come to an end, it was time to get ready for this lovely, and nostalgic, trip outdoors.
I was accepted as a trippee on this same trip my freshman year, and it was beyond fruitful. The trip catalyzed friendships I will treasure for a lifetime, as well as role models (shoutout to Hayden, Ulla, Jack, and Slee—the 25s I miss dearly), and outdoor skills acquired. So, this year, when my friend, Senate, who was also a freshman on the trip, and I got chosen to lead it, we felt as though it was an opportunity to come to a full circle, and create a trip that had different participants, social structures, and everyday activities while still maintaining the intense love and unifying bonds that come out of the Green River.
After packing hastily during my one-day pit stop at home, I flew out to Salt Lake City, Utah, where our group would assemble for the first time at the baggage drop. It took a couple hours to convene, but once we were all together, we could tell the trip was going to move so smoothly. I took a group grocery shopping and we bought all the supplies we needed—the receipt was unbelievable.
Then, post lunch, we drove down to Moab, a scenic four-and-a-half hour drive with plenty of snacks, too-loud music, and aesthetic photo stops.
Eventually we made it to our campground, set up tents, and packed our waterproof barrels that would store our food, supplies, and waste. We woke up bright and early the next morning, got picked up by our outfitter, and were dropped off efficiently at our put-in around 10am!
The first days of paddling were bliss. We wasted the days away chatting with our paddle partners, stopping for lunch by astounding views (even a geyser that was actually a chemical plant!), and camping/cooking/stargazing every night. I forgot a sleeping pad for the second time, but honestly, it just made me feel more grounded. Bonfires were made, and meals were housed, and a lot of PopTart controversies were born—the Oreo IS BETTER than the Brown Sugar Cinnamon. Our friendships blossomed and our group became a well-oiled machine, packing and unpacking each day.
Moments in the canyons!
So…you may be asking yourself, when does this take a turn?
Right here.
On the third of six days on the water, we came to a campsite that cannot be described in words. They call it "Three Canyon" because you're surrounded by three canyons, and in their shadow, desert flowers and climbable rock formations took form—creating the ideal campsite for any group of college students. So yes, we took a short paddle day in order to stay there. We spent the day hiking and playing games and enjoying each other's company.
The next day, we leave in the morning and paddle seven of our remaining twenty-two miles before bumping into yet another campsite we could not pass up. So we took a second short paddle day in order to climb the canyons and see the bird's eye view of the river.
On the fifth day, we do a sunrise hike, where we hike to the highest point of the canyon and watch the sun climb over the rocks and paint the ground around us in orange. We basked. Hardcore basked.
But here's the issue. Remember alllll those miles we hadn't paddled yet? Fifteen to be exact—well, we had one day left to paddle them, because the outfitter was picking us up the next morning. So we scrambled. The current fought us for the first time, and the mileage did not feel like it was going down. Okay…you got me. Maybe we took an hour for lunch and a dip??? Is that so bad? YES! It proved to be.
We paddled ten miles before the sun set and then had to camp out at a new campsite, where a goose lived. That goose did not want to share the campsite, but we persevered! At four in the morning we all rallied, woke up ready to crush the last five and a half miles. And they were successfully crushed! We got to the pickup right at eight, and went back to Moab to celebrate with some (well-deserved) Mexican food and a (frankly, needed) shower.
Welcome back to Open Doors—your inside look at life in the Woods! This week, Sarah Getraer '26, a studio art major, showed me around her dorm room, where we discussed Dartmouth residence halls, classes, and campus life.
