On the 21st of May, Mr. Mike Veilleux of the Goffstown High School Science Department organized a combined trip for his classes to hike up Mt. Monadnock. This mountain is the second most hiked peak in the world, second only to Mt. Fuji. This is because of its proximity to several large cities and because of its uniqueness.

Mr. Veilleux brought students in his Geology class to present facts about the mountain to students in his Earth Science classes. There were a total of 36 students in attendance along with Ms. Vanderpool, Mr. McDermott, and Mr. Webb as chaperones. The students had previously divided themselves into three different groups based on hiking paces.

Ms. Vanderpool courageously led the first group up the mountain. They took the famous White Dot Trail up the mountain and then the White Cross Trail down the mountain. It was a harrowing journey. Every year, a handful of tourists need to be rescued by the local Search and Rescue team on this very route.

A little more than a quarter of a mile in, two students had to turn back because of the difficult terrain. About a mile in, the first presentation about the mountain started. Later on, someone hit their knee while climbing the mountain. Another person didn’t have any water despite Mr. Veilleux’s pleads to grab water on the way off the bus. Thankfully, Ms. Vanderpool had extras.

There were five presentations in total, scattered throughout the mountain. Two more were given before the first group passed above tree level. The weather was poor as was visibility. Although, it was not actively raining, the mountain was in a cloud and the air was thick with humidity. The rocks were slippery for those who didn’t have the appropriate shoewear.

At the top of the mountain, the students gathered in the remains of a fire tower. Huddled for warmth, the students ate their lunches. Eventually Group 2, led by Mr. Webb, crested over the hilltop. As the second group Ms. Vanderpool declared, “We will not be staying here for forty minutes, you have ten. Either you go with me, or you stay with Mr. Webb”.

On the way down off the cone of the mountain, Groups 1 and 2 ran upon Mr. Veilleux, who gave out hats and gloves, before going on to the top to meet up with the rest of the group.

Towards the end, there were 3 stations left however, only 2 could be completed because the third geology student had stayed behind at school. The last station had remembered prizes for the successful answers. 

In essence, 32/36 students reached the summit. No one had to be rescued. Students were rewarded with snacks and food from the local store and happily set off for home. Ms. Vanderpool stated the hike, “afforded students a wonderful opportunity to face their fears, and learn about science”.