The Mountains Called to the Class of 2028, and They Have Answered

On Sunday, following 7AM Mass in Holy Rosary Church, Wyoming Catholic College’s newest freshmen piled their carefully-loaded packs into trailers and piled themselves (slightly less carefully) into 15-passenger vans and headed for the Wyoming backcountry, embarking on the legendary 21-Day Freshman Expedition.

Divided into four groups—a pair each of men and of women—they will spend the next three weeks trekking through the Wyoming backcountry, climbing 11,000-ft. passes and summiting 13,000-ft. peaks, hiking roughly 100 miles, fly fishing some of the most beautiful lakes in the Rocky Mountains, cooking their own meals, and growing in wonder as they study “God’s First Book.”

Their first week in Lander was filled with preparation for this trip. Monday was for student and parents orientation meetings and moving into their new residences. Tuesday, they were introduced to the 21-Day Expedition by Dr. Tom Zimmer, met their instructors for the first time, and took part in the vital Food Pack. On Wednesday and Thursday, they completed their WFA training, and on Friday and Saturday, they spent much of the time in their “War Rooms,” going over maps and getting to know one another and the Wyoming terrain that will be their home for the next three weeks.

Now is the time to put all that preparation to work. Led by a trio of upperclassmen who have fulfilled the instructor coursework and requirements of the College’s own Outdoor Leadership Program and accompanied by a chaplain, the men will work their way through the Teton Wilderness, while the women will spend their time in the College’s own beautiful backyard, the Wind River Mountains. Embracing what the College calls “the most unusual orientation program in the country,” these young men and women will learn more about themselves in these three weeks than many students learn in four years of college. Please keep them and their instructors in your prayers during the coming days.