The View from the Top: NMH Celebrates Mountain Day

Students at Northfield Mount Hermon took the day off from classes on Sept. 24 to celebrate one of the school's hallmarks of the fall semester, Mountain Day.

A cherished tradition stretching back to 1881, Mountain Day gives students and faculty a chance to step outside the rigorous day-to-day hustle of boarding school life and appreciate the seasonal beauty of New England, spend time with classmates and teachers, and reflect on their journey thus far at NMH, as well as the months ahead.

As in years past, the 9th-, 10th-, and 11th-grade classes took a stroll along a 3.5-mile section of the New England Trail, while the Class of 2027 scaled the rocky 3,165-foot summit of nearby Mount Monadnock.

"It's always the day I'm most excited for at the beginning of the school year," said Nancy Huang '27. "It's just a nice way to get in touch with nature and take a break from academics and sports and all the other stuff."

Seniors were met with a crisp, clear fall morning as they ascended Mount Monadnock's White Dot Trail, a 3.4-mile climb that threads through several distinct ecosystems, culminating at the mountain's famous windswept stone summit. Some students bounded up the rocky path, determined to be among the first to reach the top, while others took a more leisurely pace, taking in the changing foliage and chatting with friends and faculty.

"It's fun to see the different ways students are getting up here," said Penn Teaching Fellow Henry Reeder '17, who was manning one of the many waypoints along the trail. As an alum, he found that being back on Monadnock conjured memories of his own senior trek up the mountain.

"I found a photo of me and my friends pretty much on this spot from 10 years ago," Reeder said. "I sent it to them last night, and we were all talking about those memories."

The steep climb to Mount Monadnock's peak presented students with an opportunity to challenge themselves and step out of their comfort zones. 

"It feels like a reward, especially once we reach the top," said Ruba Al Hadhrami '27, adding that the hike was a great example of the perseverance she's learned in her time at NMH. 

Asked about her plans after senior year, Al Hadhrami grinned.

"Maybe go on another hike, if this one ends well," she said, "though I might pick a smaller mountain next time."

Up and down the side of Monadnock, students encouraged each other through challenging parts of the trail, checking on friends who tripped or stumbled, and pointing out flora and fauna along the path.

"Sitting here, I get to hear from kids who have hiked this mountain five times, and some who have never been on a mountain," said history and social sciences teacher Tim Relyea, perched on a rock near the edge of the tree line. "It's a really cool bond for the class and a real physical challenge, but, most importantly, it's a metaphor for the coming year and many phases of life."

At the summit, a crowd of tired but happy seniors celebrated with hugs, cheers, and laughter while posing for pictures. Others quietly sat side by side taking in the jaw-dropping 360-degree view.

"For me, it's really come full circle," said Nate Chuang '27, a four-year senior. "Coming from doing the smaller trails in 9th through 11th grade to doing this, it feels surreal that I've gotten this far. I'm just trying to make as many memories as possible [this year] before I leave."

Roommates Amelia Sabetti ’27 and Aly Baze ’27 took the opportunity to celebrate their own annual tradition at the top of the mountain. "Every year we take the same photo, so I was looking forward to our yearly photo up here," said Baze.

Both students said they were looking forward to other milestones of their senior year at NMH: completing a capstone project, finishing college applications, and participating in other traditions, such as Vespers.

Returning to the picnic area at the bottom of the White Dot Trail, seniors enjoyed a lunch of chili bowls before climbing onto the buses that would take them back to campus, weary of feet but full in belly and heart.

Reflecting on the day, dance teacher Nicole Williams said the tradition of Mountain Day serves as an important reminder to students that life's challenges must be approached at their own speed and by their own path.

"Your remedies aren't the same as everyone else's — or anyone else's — remedies," Williams said. "You might need to take a break; friends may need to go faster; you might need more water; sometimes you may need to turn back. But you can't gauge yourself off of the people around you all the time. It's truly your own journey."

— Max Hunt

Photos by Mathew Cavanaugh; selfie by Aly Baze. See more images from Mountain Day on Flickr.