IS AN ASCENT OF MOUNT HARVARD FOR YOU?
Fellow Members of HR78 and Members of Our Bracketing Classes (HR76, HR77,
HR79, and HR80):
This Summer, on Saturday 19 August 2023, members of HR78 will renew a tradition of
15 years as part of the celebration of the 45th anniversary of their graduation: many of
us will attempt the ascent and summiting of Mt. Harvard (in Colorado’s Collegiate Peaks
Wilderness Area of the Sawatch Range, near the town of Buena Vista, CO, which lies
along the Arkansas River about 2-hours’ drive from Denver, CO). Following another
HR78 tradition, we also are inviting members of our ‘Bracketing Classes’ (those with
whom we overlapped in the Houses: HR76, HR77, HR79, and HR80) to join us in this
adventure.
While this hike is not a technical climb, the ascent is a very challenging trek (~13 miles
round trip) and at elevation (trailhead is at nearly 10,000 feet, and the summit at 14,421
feet. For comparison, the summit of Mt. Washington, NH is 6,288 feet.) We plan to do
this ‘out-and-back’ trek in a single day, and are encouraging alums (and their guests)
who are in excellent physical shape AND who have had prior experience hiking at
elevation to please join us. Space for hikers is limited, but non-hikers also are welcome
– and in unlimited numbers.
Mount Harvard and neighboring Mounts Yale, Columbia, Princeton, and Oxford (which
constitute the ‘Collegiate Peaks’) also have a fascinating history (much of it related to
Harvard itself). If you would like to learn more about this area, its history, and this
outdoorsy reunion-related opportunity, please sign-up for our informational Zoom
meeting that is being held Thursday 18 May at 6:00 PM Mountain Time (8:00 PM
Eastern, 7:00 PM Central, and 5:00 PM Pacific). The main Information Page for this
orientation session is located here and the signup for this informational meeting for alums
of these years (1976-1980) here. You must sign up to attend this meeting.
Note: this hiking event is being coordinated with the Rocky Mountain Harvard University
Club (RMHUC), which will be holding a separate hike of Mt. Harvard the following day
(Sunday 20 August 2023). Alumni/ ae and their guests planning to hike with the
RMHUC that day also are expected at this information session, but have a separate
signup to attend it (see Information Page, above).
We hope to see you on Zoom later this month, and in Colorado in August.
Be well. Stay safe. Enjoy today!
Thanks. Cheers,
Katherine ‘Kathy’ Haney Duffy and
Philip S. ‘Flip’ Koch, for
HR78’s 45th Reunion Committee
Download a pdf of this announcement: by clicking here.
Download a thumbnail of the ascent by clicking here.
Download a checklist of items to bring by clicking here.