A group of Langley Middle School eighth- graders faced their fear of heights and stretched their physical abilities while conquering a mountain. The Langley Middle School Adventure Education class climbed Mount Pilchuck, a peak in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest east of Granite Falls, last month.

A group of students ascended the 5,234-foot-high summit on Friday,

Sept. 22.

“It may have been hard, but it was amazing. Pilchuck has been conquered,” Chris Turpin said of the one-day journey.

Students scrambled up rocky precipices during the strenuous hike. Teacher Nels Berquist led the group up to a fire lookout at the summit of the mountain that was first climbed in 1897 by topographers.

“The hike was six strenuous miles round-trip. All hikers gained 2,200 feet in elevation,” Bergquist said. “Students walked for approximately five hours.”

For some, it was making the summit that made the trip memorable. For others it was the journey itself. Students shared their experiences by e-mail.

“My favorite part of this hike was when we got to the top and my friends and I were jumping around like ninjas. This activity trains your heart, body and soul,” said Olin Bergquist.

The view from above was a challenge for some.

“I didn’t want to come out of the fire tower because I was really scared of heights. My friend Courtney was scared, too, but we both went outside together,” Channy Potter said.

One student borrowed from a Master Card commercial when recalling the trip.

“Getting to Mt. Pilchuck: $7. Buying the water bottles: $10. The Lunchable eaten at the top: $3.65. And seeing the pictures you get: priceless,” Alex Le Blanc said.

A geocash and letterbox was found at the top, and students also enjoyed spectacular views. As part of their assignment back at school, students wrote about their trip to the top.

“If you ever get a chance to go to this beautiful mountain you only need

three things: A lot of food and water, don’t take shortcuts and bring good

friends to share the great experience with,” Zach Nerison said of his experience.

Adventure Education began in 1992 when the first class, a handful of eighth-graders, boarded a sailing ship for a two-hour cruise around Langley Harbor. The students’ ride aboard the well-known Whidbey Island schooner Cutty Sark was the seed for Adventure Education classes at LMS.

Since then Adventure Ed students have traveled to Montana, California and the San Juan Islands for outdoor experiences.

“I’m sure that everybody in this class went home with something they learned about this hike that will always be with them, and will hopefully draw them back for more,” said William Hallberg.

Gayle Saran can be reached at 221-5300 or gsaran@southwhidbeyrecord.com.