<p>Any advice from those who have done the trips (or their parents) to help a freshman trying to choose between options that all sound wonderful?</p>
<p>If you have gone, could you describe what you liked/disliked about it about your particular itinerary?</p>
<p>How about the 4 day vs. 6 day option? </p>
<p>Which trips end up being most/least popular, and why? </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I only know what I heard about the 6-day White Mountains trip – it was awesome and wonderful. My child chose it knowing that she has loved mountain-climbing, backpacking and car-camping trips with the family.</p>
<p>I have heard great things about both of them - I’m doing the 4 day one because I need to be at a wedding the weekend before, but I doubt there is much of a difference (aside from the amount of time spent, of course)</p>
<p>I’ve heard that the FOOt trips are really really great, but what if you’re really not too much of an outdoorsy person? I definitely am adaptable and easy-going, but i’ve really never been hiking or camping before, and i’ve never had any desire to. is a FOOT trip just not for me?</p>
<p>I chose the White Mountains (6 days) because of their absurd weather patterns and because much of the range follows the Appalachian Trail, just like many of the trips. I had a fabulous, sometimes strenuous experience, but the grandeur of the mountains always overrode the occasionally brutal ascents and descents. The Whites are very popular on FOOT, but I don’t have a sense of how they rank with other trips. If I recall, they had trouble recruiting for the Blue Trail last year because it was so easy…</p>
<p>I’m told that the Whites are the hardest trip, so as long as you’re in average physical shape any of the trips should be challenging but manageable. </p>
<p>@anon2010: Several of the people in my group had little to no hiking experience but didn’t have too many problems adjusting. Everyone I’ve talked to about FOOT had an extraordinarily positive experience. It’s a great way to relax, reflect, and prepare for the two semesters ahead with good company - which is why so many Yalies vie to become FOOT leaders as upperclassmen. And 4 days is just about right to give you a taste of backpacking. A lot of hiking is taking time to establish daily rhythms, but the advantage of the shorter trips is that you’re never more than 4 days from a shower (but that’s not to deter you from trying 6 days if you’re considering it!).</p>
<p>What about the Green Mountain 6-day trip? Anyone out there with personal experience?
It’s described as moderate/strenuous, but which way does it lean?</p>
<p>I’m doing the 4-day Green Mountains. I hear its sort of rainy, but beautiful.</p>
<p>@ MSauce- I’m doing 4-day Green Mountains too!</p>
<p>Six-day White Mountains trip for me!</p>
<p>I like the outdoors and getting dirty and stuff, so it’s all good. ;)</p>
<p>I read on the FOOT website that the average pack weighs 30-40 lbs… really? I’d like to go (never really been hiking before though I love being outdoors) but I’m only 5’ tall and not the super athletic type, do you guys think a little person like me could handle it? lol</p>
<p>That sounds like a low estimate to me. The food is heavy. I’m sure though, if you were nervous about the rigor of the trip, the least difficult one would be fine and there would be a lot of people like you on the trip.</p>
<p>@livorneo- if you want to go, you should go. I do think the packs are going to weigh around 40 pounds, but FOOT says that they’re accommodating to all types of people, so I doubt they’d make you carry as much as, say, a recruited linebacker or someone that goes hiking all the time. If you’re not athletic, just pick an easier trip. That being said, forty pounds on your back really isn’t that much. My regular school backpack probably weighed more than that.</p>
<p>My dd did a 4 day trip because she couldn’t leave her job earlier. She absolutely loved it, and will be a leader in August. She had never backpacked before and was not especially fit, but she did a trip labeled “moderate” and did fine.</p>
<p>I really think you can’t go wrong with your choice-just don’t choose a trip marked strenuous unless that’s really your thing. Other than that, it’s not really about location. It’s all about getting to know wonderful people and having tons of fun.</p>
<p>@livorneo:</p>
<p>Yes. Baggage is distributed by ability-to-carry. Also, one great thing about backpacking is that your load gets lighter after every meal.</p>
<p>Bump for class of 2015.</p>
<p>Good bump. You don’t have to be super-athletic or strong to do these trips. My D, not exactly your athletic outdoorsy type, did a 4 day ‘moderate’ FOOT trip and loved it. She is still friends with the people she met there- they keep in touch by getting together for dinner once every few months during the school year.</p>
<p>OP you should ask your Yale questions on the Yale fb page: [Log</a> In | Facebook](<a href=“Yale College Class of 2015 Public Group | Facebook”>Yale College Class of 2015 Public Group | Facebook). You’ll get much more responses, and more quickly, than if you posted in college confidential. By the way, Harvest > FOOT :)</p>
<p>Just FYI: You may not get the trip that you requested, but, from everything I hear (from recent and not-so-recent FOOTees), the location has little to do with the whole experience. For instance, my son requested the 6-day Green Mountain trip and got the Berkshires instead; he loved every minute. It’s really about building relationships and spending time with other incoming freshmen, so that you arrive on campus knowing at least a few other souls. </p>
<p>As for the venues, they are all chosen precisely because they’re beautiful and doable for most 18-year-olds. So pick one that appeals to you and don’t worry too much if you don’t get it. Have fun!</p>