This page is dedicated to the exceptional pieces of art work and journaling done by students in 2006-2007 WildLink expeditions. Their artistic interpretation of their personal wilderness experiences is evident in their quality of work in journaling and sketching activities.

natalie, Expedition I l domenick, Expedition I l leith, Expedition I suhkjit, Expedition II
monica, Expedition II | armster, Expedition III | valerie, Expedition III
robert, Expedition V | darren, Expedition VI | nadia, SEKI Expedition I |
jason, Richard Iglehart Memorial Expedition III

natalie, Expedition I

“Why climb this mountain? Because it is the best thing to do. It’s this feeling you get when you reach the top and see back where we started. To get the sense of how far you can push yourself. One thought of sitting next to the sign that states ‘Clouds Rest’ is a kind of sense of accomplishment. It’s emotional, you know, makes you want to cry!”
“Wilderness to me changes each and every time I come and visit. It gives me the awesome experience of seeing Mother Nature loving creation. When you live in the city there are no peaks or large grand canyons. Wilderness is something I will always share with my family and all my friends. Just thinking of all the deer and birds that can fly as they please where ever they want is such an amazing thing to experience. Wilderness is everything I see in Yosemite, it is a part of my life now and always.”

domenick, Expedition I

“Wilderness is self-sustained majesty. It goes on whether it is observed by man or not. Wilderness is just another color on the universal palate of expressions of divine beauty. The wilderness reminds you of the feistiness of life-the ever changing moment. All the stages that life has to offer: birth, growth, maturity, death, transformation. Wilderness is God smiling.”
Why climb a mountain?
“Symbolically, mountains represent a great challenge or obstacle standing in our way, while the summit represents a high spiritual achievement, being close to the sun and God.
Climbing and conquering a mountain on the physical plane boosts courage and confidence and allows an insightful perspective on future challenges that aren’t necessarily physical at all.”

leith, Expedition I

“Away from it all
Doesn’t matter big or small
Wilderness is something we all share
To show our thanks to protect and care
We establish restrictions to preserve it
We create limits to ensure it
We all acknowledge its importance
And we all hope for its endurance.”

suhkjit, Expedition II

“What I learned from nature is that not everything is available when you need it. If you’re having a hard time with something, you can’t just give up, you have to stick through it. You also have to be well prepared and organized. More importantly, you have to have faith. These lessons can apply to my every day life because I know not to give up on something that seems impossible now. I just have to be prepared for what I have to do and be organized in doing it. I learned from nature what I may not learn anywhere else.”

monica, Expedition II

“…Wilderness is not something we want to change, but something that can change us.”

armster, Expedition III

“As of right now I’m feeling as if my mind is expanding. I’m going beyond the boundaries of just another adolescent. I’m making a statement that I can, since so many people in my love over the years told me that I can’t.”
“I feel I’ve accomplished my biggest fear. And life is no longer just what we live day to day. Its meaning to what we are, what we do, and what we go through. I feel I’ve obtained love from all on this trip with me for reaching this point of conquering my true self and knowing my being. Its destiny, this here true peace…”

valerie, Expedition III

robert, Expedition V

The wilderness has its effect on people. The mood is set by the animals who discovered the land before the humans did and the changes we had while climbing through mountains. People were growing, becoming leaders and leading other people to the top of the mountains. The group was beginning to believe in themselves, believing that they can reach the top.

darren, Expedition VI

You are one with nature. You are you, no one can change it out here with music or shoes. You are in control, nobody is holding you back from unleashing the true animal in you. You make the calls and you put your own life in front of danger. Nobody else can do it, but you.

I have learned how beautiful Earth can be. It can be calm, quiet, and loud all at the same time. It can be very delicate and fragile and I intend to look over it…I have learned how fortunate I am and should be grateful for all that I have. You can’t truly appreciate it until it is gone; you realize how much we have and how much we misuse it. I have learned morals from my experiences here…This is one trip that I’m going to remember and use till my death. You don’t realize how many life lessons you can learn by spending time away from others. Living life to its fullest is to go out and see all you can so when you see that bright light they call heaven you can say “I’m already in it.”

nadia, SEKI Expedition I

I conquered everything I feared. I did everything I disliked doing. There is still more to do. With what happened the last few days I feel I can do anything I put my mind to. I also have a different but good view of nature. I learned so much and I know I can use this for future purposes. I'm gonna keep going until my soul completely gives out.

jason, Richard Iglehart Memorial Expedition III

I see thousands of trees,
I hear the wind blowing the leaves,
it makes me not want to leave,
because I feel so at ease.
I can taste the pure air,
I see tiny toy cars down there,
Maybe they’ll be where I am
On top of El Capitan.
I can touch the trees I can see,
I lookin for Wyle coyote.
I believe that this is where I was made,
I can feel the sun, I can feel the shade.
I can see a bird walking vertically,
Pecking for feel he almost ran into me,
Maybe he was put there for me to see,
He’s probably eating better food than me.
I can almost see the same mountains that represent home,
I can also see the top of Half Dome.
I can’t believe I had a snowball fight in June,
Makes me think I’m leaving way too soon.
Even though I’ve never been to this place before,
During this experience I’ve never been bored.