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HAC Tribute to the original Foresteros
During a busy and stressful quarter at Utah State University, a group of students
banned together and vowed to go on at least one high adventure per week in order to
maintain their sanity. They ended up keeping that vow and doing even a little better, x-c
ski camping, ice climbing, snow caving, and such over once a week for the entire quarter.
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- The name they chose for themselves, Foresteros, means "wanderers" in Spanish
while its sound in English loans it the double meaning of loving the outdoors.
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- Forestero traditions included harmonicas (nearly everyone had one and made good use of
it), traditional foods like "good stuff" (a fruit/bread concoction that didn't
always hold together so well but tasted great anywhere), and a determination to never back
out of any commitment to high adventure.
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- The Foresteros was the first of a number of similar groups formed (including USU's
Climbing and Mountaineering Project: CAMP) that preceeded the formation of the High
Adventure Coalition.
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- Spencer Smith was an outstanding member of the group. As one of the four original core
members, he never missed an outing. He was an excellent musician and skillfully played
Shaun's $14 guitar whenever it was packed along. He once attended his 7:30 a.m. class in
his sorrells, backpack, and pijamas after a snow caving expedition. He worked hard and was
always cheerful, optimistic, entertaining, and inspiring.
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- Two years later, Spencer fell to his death from a cliff while hiking alone in Parley's
Canyon above Salt Lake City, but is still remembered on every Forestero outing. Spencer
was, and continues to be, an inspiration to every Forestero and anyone who knew him,
casually or intimately.
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- The High Adventure Coalition salutes Spencer and everyone like him: everyone dedicated
to learning, developing talents, service, to discovering, experiencing, and creating
beauty in life, and to living the adventurous life.
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