The Trekking the Dry Stone Path Project Week group navigated a hailstorm on their second day of hiking, but ultimately enjoyed a warm meal and set off the next day only slightly damp.

After a typical Mallorcan breakfast of bread with ham and cheese, Monday began with a stop in a nearby grocery store to restock on snacks, then an uphill trek to a local village. Following a quick stop for lunch—sandwiches packed earlier in the morning—the group was back on the trail, hiking to a castle in the mountains and then to their hostel for the night.

Sophomore Henry Schrade voiced his appreciation for this segment of the trek. “I liked staying in the castle last night because the view was really, really good from the top,” he said.

Unfortunately, the bad weather hit midway through the climb to the night’s accommodations, leaving students and faculty with wet gear. Amid the storm, the group briefly reunited with their suitcases, which a tour guide transported by car throughout the day and held overnight, to grab clothes for the next day, moving quickly to avoid staying out in the elements too long.

Seven miles successfully hiked, the intrepid Romans dried off at the hostel, took naps, and sat by the fire to warm up. Everyone hit the hay early to best prepare for another intensive hike on Tuesday.

The next morning, the group descended the mountain where they had stayed for the night, picked up more gear from their luggage for the next two days of hiking, and made their way up another mountain to their next destination. Though rain was forecast for the late afternoon, the Romans completed their hike before another run-in with the weather.

At the hostel, hikers had a chance to shower, play cards, and even toss a frisbee around before another group dinner and a long night’s rest for a final day of hiking.

Though the group certainly felt tired, fueled by the amazing sights on their journey and their newfound friends, they persevered. Junior Theo Garino said, “We’ve seen so many natural awes.”