Hike-a-Mania

The stress-buster and life saver for some, but the Harbinger of glee for all.

As the January Test had ended and everyone needed the break from their regular studies, the Hiking Club put the show and launched its very own fest “Hike-a-Mania” with an aim to promote adventure in one’s life.

The fest was inaugurated with its photo exhibition in the S.C.R. Lawns in the morning of January 25th, 2011. The exhibition covered all the recent treks, rafting trips, natural rock climbing excursions, cycling trips etc that happened in last 4years. With students walking around in the lawns and enjoying one of the best clicks of those memorable trips, we started off with the registrations for Rappelling.

Rappelling, our second event, was organized against the gymnasium wall under the experts guidance. The participation received was overwhelming for the event and we had to extend the duration of the event from 120minutes to 160 minutes.

To end the first day of the fest, we had the camp fire set in the J.C.R. Lawns and the projector on to showcase the memoirs of club’s year-round activities and treks. With the camp setting, bonfire and hot tea and snacks served in the late evening of the peak of January winters, it proved out to be more relaxing and entertaining for the resident students than the blankets in their rooms. People came for the camp fire, relaxed down on the benches, shared the jokes and their experiences with us in the last treks and hiking club activities they were involved in.

It was the end of Day 1 of the fest, we had somehow succeeded in giving everyone the much deserved break after the in-house exams. The task was not yet over but it had just started. With the next day of fest on January 27th, 2011 and the preparations for the 6th St. Stephen’s College Open National Climbing competition in next 2 days looming over our heads, we had a good sleep.

On the second day of the fest, club had its most-awaited and successful event from its last year’s fest, the Obstacle Course. And this time again living upto its expectations, the event received great participation. Set-up with one of the most interesting obstacles like tires, ropes, nets, the wooden planks and slippery and soapy panels, the course tested not only one’s physical strength but also the agility of the mind.

To end the fest on a high note, club screened the recently released blockbuster “127 Hours” in the A.V. Room. The beautiful movie attracted the students and filled the A.V. Room to its capacity. With the adventure thriller ending on a happy note, we called the fest off.

-Tarang Gupta