With the D.O.C.
DESPITE the summer vacation, the months of July, August, and September found the Dartmouth Outing Club and some of its members active. Ski coach Wait Prager spent the summer in Switzerland, Yugoslavia, and Hungary. George Briggs '54 did some mountain climbing in the Bugaboos in British Columbia Meanwhile, the Outing Club office in Hanover was undergoing a renovation. With floors being tiled, and greater working space provided, the northeast corner of Robinson Hall has taken on that "new look."
The Freshman Trip was the first item on the fall schedule here in Hanover. Things started popping on September 11 when 150 '58s descended on Hanover, closely followed by hurricane Edna. In good D.O.C. tradition, the trip went on, although it was held up a few hours to make sure that the storm wouldn't sweep up the Connecticut River valley. The freshmen took off for two days on the trails and two days at the Ravine Lodge, and although the first day was damp, the second was clear and cold, a spectacular introduction for many of the '58s to the Dartmouth out-of-doors. On the trails the freshmen hiked and learned the art of cooking over a wood-burning stove, finding out at the same time that there was wood to be chopped before dinner could be cooked.
Assaulting the slopes of Moosilauke, some tried to better Wes Blake's record of 46 minutes to the top, and, although the record still stands, one '58 turned in a 50-minute performance. After a successful four-day trip, it was back to Hanover and the campus orientation period.
A successful membership drive found the Club with another high enrollment for the coming year. Already 800 have joined, with more expected when the snows arrive. The annual D.O.C. pins have come back into use and may be purchased for a small fee from the office. Trips have gone out every weekend so far, with IOCA trips to Mount Washington and Lake George being the big attractions so far. With the shortened Thanksgiving vacation, and many unable to get home for the turkey dinner, a Thanksgiving trip to the Moosilauke Ravine Lodge is on the books with a big feed planned for Wednesday and Thursday, November 24-25. Any alumni in the area are encouraged to stop in and join the festivities.
Work on Outing Club facilities is in evidence this fall under the guidance of Cabin and Trail. Happy Hill Cabin is headed for renovation from the porch to the window sills. Many trails have been cleared and blazed, and the shelter atop Smart's has been rejuvenated. Calf Moose Cabin, originally donated by the father of Dr. John F. Gile '16, Dartmouth College Trustee, has housed its last occupants. The old cabin was torn down this fall and a plaque placed at the site.
Winter is not far away and the Winter Sports and Carnival divisions are making preparations for what they hope will be a snowy season. Our old friend Stein Eriksen started things off with a display of ski equipment and one of his delightful ski movies, Ski Cocktails. November 16 is the date of the second annual New England ski show here in Hanover. Exhibitions will include new equipment and displays from ski areas around Hanover. Representatives from the Olympic Fund committee and the USEASA will be present, and there will be movies and a talk by Dartmouth ski coach Walt Prager.
Over in the Carnival department, plans for the biggest of all big weekends are being perfected. The center-of-campus statue and the poster contests are under way, and plans for Outdoor Evening are taking shape.
That about brings things up to date around 23 Robinson Hall. Watch for more news when the snow starts to fly.
