Split-ticket Opponents Alex Monahan and Mallory Wood elected to serve as S.A. president and vice president By Victoria Gomez, News Editor and Erin Blair, Staff Writer Alex Monahan and Mallory Wood won the race for Student Association president and vice president as a split ticket on Thursday, March 29. St. Michael’s voter participation set a record this year with 1,108 voters during the two-day voting period held last Wednesday and Thursday. read more...

Not done yet Despite retiring as hockey coach, DiMasi will remain the director of Residence Life By Scott Greenan, Staff Writer We see him around Alliot or Ross Sports Center wearing an inside-out sweater with sleeves cut at the wrists. Some have been coached by him, others have had to answer to him, on occasion. Lou DiMasi has become a central figure for the faculty and staff of St. Michael’s. read more...

s, three staff, and nine students. All 14 participants will be sleeping in tents at Sheep’s Pass Campsite, located in the middle of the park.

The trip cost for each participant is $750. This includes airfare, meals, campground fees, and rock climbing tutorials. Through subsidizing costs, the goal of the program is to make outdoor experiences more affordable to the students, Director of the Wilderness Program Todd Wright said.

“The Wilderness Program is based on a guide service to the students,” Wright said. “Unlike many other schools, we encourage everyone at the school to participate.”

During the week students will be using the Wilderness Program’s “state of the sport” rock climbing equipment. The program retires and purchases new climbing gear every two years and is funded by the Student Association and Athletic Department.

“The only thing that the students have to worry about is a change of clothes,” Assistant Director or the Wilderness Program Eben Widlund said.

Joshua Tree National Monument has much to offer for those in search of an outdoor experience. Within the park’s temperate desert exists a variety of wildlife and geological features for travelers to explore. Unique to the park are its many rock formations composed of Quartz Monzonite.

The natural grip of the Quartz Monzonite is what attracts so many climbers to the park, Wright said.

“The climbing is amazing,” he said.

Junior Conor Driscoll said he considers Joshua Tree National Monument the Mecca of rock climbing. Having been on past Wilderness Program trips, Driscoll said he can’t wait for spring break.

“It would be fun to be with my friends on the beach for spring break,” Driscoll said “but I would much rather be in the outdoors climbing with them.”

Although Driscoll rock climbed in high school, he said it wasn’t until he came to St. Michael’s that he took the sport seriously.

Driscoll is now certified as an AMGA Top Rope Site Manager. He leads climbers up rock faces, setting safety points in the rock as he climbs upwards.

“You build a great bond with your fellow climbers,” Driscoll said. “You have a huge responsibility. People are trusting you with their life.”

The best part of the trip is getting to know people, he said. The group will spend a week in close quarters with one another and Driscoll said relationships form during that time.

“It’s very similar to the summer programs offered for orientation,” he said. “You are forced to talk and meet people because of the close proximity.”

Wright has climbed at the park three times before. This trip, Wright said his goal is to make sure each student has a great time.

“I love taking students places and blowing their minds,” Wright said. “It’s a real honor when you witness a student catch on to climbing.”

Contact Jon Ketchum, Staff Writerat jketchum@smcvt.edu