With the D.O.C.
AN OPEN COMMUNICATION FROM THEDIRECTOR, ASKING FOR YOUR ADVICE
A GAIN I SEE THE NEED of writing you, so consider this a letter on fancy stationery addressed to you, the alumnus who has known the Club in previous days and who is now curious as to what is now going on in Hanover. Though the subject is still the D.O.C. and the background the hills and trails, mountains and lakes you not so long ago were visiting, the characters involved are still changing and now they are old men coming back who remember the organization of pre-war days with its customs and habits, its fun and its grief. The change is similar to the feeling you get when you release the emergency brake on a car after you have traveled a few miles with it on. The boys are out to earn a new reputation as leaders in the outdoor field instead of being content to live in the shadow of the one that you created. It is healthy and the drive is on.
Carnival was adequately covered in the last MAGAZINE. The ski season is practically over due to unseasonal thaws all through the mountains, and Jack Snobble, the captain of the team, and the rest of its members can look with pride at the final score board of each meet entered and know that they have worn the Dartmouth Snowflake well. Coach Walt Prager is now reviewing the whole past winter period of skiing in the Hanover region and working up recommendations for the ski facilities and terrain of the area toward the end that all Dartmouth men may have the finest instruction possible on the best of slopes and trails and that the facilities will provide maximum use out of each inch of snow. Out of the spotlight of popularity but with the' spirit of those who love their sport, a group of men trained in speed skating on Occom Pond continually through the winter in hopes that a major meet might be in the offing. This year it was impossible to arrange one, and St. Peter with varying weather conditions certainly did his best to discourage the skaters but to no avail. Another year the green jersey tights ought to be back in the skating field. Even the lowly (in the eyes of the Mountain Troops) snowshoes were not left out completely. During spring vacation two different groups tied on webbed feet and hiked the cabin chain during the period of heavy wet snowstorms. One started out at Cloudland and went up to Holt's, with the other starting at Holt's and hiking through to Franconia over Kinsman Ridge. I think this feat will bring many recollections to you, and it is good to have the real out-of-doorsman here again.
The new semester has brought many of the old tribe back, and yesterday at the first Cabin and Trail' meeting all were volunteering to help out in their old departments and get a strong spring program under way, with trips and trail work foremost in emphasis.
And now comes the part where I'd like your heIp—MOOSILAUKE. Some day soon the D.O.C. will want and has to make the decision of whether or not it is going to rebuild the Summit Camp and if so, where, how big, of what, and when. The "how financed" is a question I won't ask yet. There are those who say no, it shouldn't go up; those who feel yes, but small; some who say yes, but not on the summit; and those who say yes, definitely on top. What is your answer? But before replying think not alone of the specific problem, Summit Camp, but of a coordinated mountain area including Ravine Camp, Jobildunc Ravine, ski trails, hiking trails, Alpine flora, and what remains of the forest primeval. Think also of the correlation between education and recreation possible in this Dartmouth tract and then snow me under with correspondence.
Within a short time I hope that the committees working on this subject will have a definite proposal to make, soliciting your constructive criticism at that time. It is our earnest desire that the final recommendation to the Trustees of the D.O.C. on this subject will reflect the experience, understanding, and thought of you who have known the mountain directly or indirectly. It must be a Dartmouth project encompassing all alumni and not limited to the current undergraduate organization, and it is with this in mind that I challenge you to make me get a second secretary to handle your mail.
