Rika Masuda Singh

Can-you Can-oe?

No introduction to Dartmouth is complete without mentioning the long-standing tradition of First-Year Trips. Every year, before classes even start, first years get to go on a four-day trip with ~8 other first-year studentss. Trip types vary, from hiking to museum hopping, with some sleeping in cabins and others in sleeping bags under the stars. When I first looked at the list of trips for my year, I gravitated towards cabin camping, cabin cooking, and lake cabin, which all slept… well in cabins. As someone who had never gone hardcore camping before, the thought of no running water or plumbing kind of freaked me out. But as I filled out the form, I began to realize this was my opportunity to try something new. Going to Dartmouth, I knew nature would slowly incorporate itself into my life, so why not dive head first with trips? I scrolled back up and selected unfamiliar activities: canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and paddle boarding, all of which slept outside, none of which had bathroom facilities. And while it definitely took me a minute, I finally hit submit! 

A few weeks later, I found out I was assigned to the flatwater canoeing trip, which would take us around Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire. As someone with no canoeing experience or substantial upper body strength, I began to feel a little nervous. What if I'm so slow? What if I get left behind and am literally in the middle of nowhere, in a plastic banana-shaped boat with no armpower to move? What if my tent is so terribly set up that I fly away in it in the middle of the night? And what do I do with no toilets? Lots and lots of what-ifs and worries flurried through my head as I set out to buy my 50-liter backpack, padded gloves, and sleeping bag—all firsts for me—going through the provided packing list with a fine-toothed comb, making sure I had absolutely everything. Because, as far as I was concerned, the word "optional" didn't exist. Not when it came to nature. 

So that's how I showed up on trips day 1: bags packed, complete with 100 SPF sunscreen, 100 DEET bug spray, and a 100-emoji-level attitude, ready to take on whatever nature threw at me. Lucky for me, all of my preparations worked! Whatever I needed, I had, or had something that could substitute for what I needed. So my one tip for trips would definitely be FOLLOW THAT PACKING LIST.

My trippee and I in front of some super pretty trees!

My trip was absolutely wonderful. I was immersed in the gorgeous, gorgeous nature of the upper valley, where I got to see bald eagles, loons, minnows, and so many more species of wildlife and plants. One of the eagles even swooped in to fish right in front of me! I learned how to canoe, how to set up tents, how to use a Trangia cooking stove, and what an outhouse looks like. I definitely could've done without the last one, but hey! It was a new experience that I'll probably never forget. But the friendships I made were hands-down the most valuable aspect of my trip. My trippees and trip leaders were so awesome, and we're still texting each other almost every day, sending silly memes and quoting some out-of-pocket sayings during our trip. These are people I will always say "hi" to and are people to whom I reach out for advice or chemistry help. Our trip will be a bond that will last forever, even after we leave Dartmouth, and I'll think of them every time I get in a canoe, or eat Cabot Seriously Sharp Cheddar Cheese, our snack of choice. 

My trippees and I in front of a breathtaking sunrise by the lake.

Were there times when I thought my arms would fall off? Sure. And was I filled with dread every time I had to use "the bathroom?" No doubt. But would I do it all over again? Absolutely.