Travel Night Takes Us to Grand Canyon, Antarctica

One of the many spectacular photos taken by Patty Pond during her adventures to the Antarctic and the Falkland Islands. She'll share more images and impressions of her travels to these destinations, as well as her trip to New Zealand, at Travel Night on May 18. — One of the many spectacular photos taken by Patty Pond during her adventures to the Antarctic and the Falkland Islands. She’ll share more images and impressions of her travels to these destinations, as well as her trip to New Zealand, at Travel Night on May 18.

Hiking trips inside the Grand Canyon and Tasman National Park in New Zealand, and a National Geographic adventure to Antarctica and the Falkland Islands, all adventures enjoyed by local residents, will be the subjects of a special Travel Night on Wednesday, May 18, at the Highland Lake Grange Hall in East Andover. The program starts at 6:45 PM and is free and open to the public.

Frank Baker, Brad Hartwell, and Donna Baker-Hartwell of East Andover, who took a four-night back-country hike into the Grand Canyon National Park in March of 2010, will share their experiences and the images they captured and explain what gear they took with them and why.

A view of the hiking trails leading into the Grand Canyon toward the Colorado River. Frank Baker, Donna Baker-Hartwell, and Brad Hartwell will share their stories and photos of the hike they took into the canyon at the May 18 Travel Night at the Grange Hall in East Andover. Photo: Frank Baker

The trio, avid New England backpackers, hiked the less-traveled trails from the South Rim to the Colorado River and back. These trails were considered “most difficult” and “very strenuous” for Western standards. Making the hike especially unique was the fact they scheduled it to coincide with a full moon, which they describe as “unforgettable.”

Don’t be surprised if Frank entertains the crowd with his stories, especially about the miracle of discovering water when they had none.

Antarctica and New Zealand

Patty Pond, math teacher at Proctor Academy and director of the school’s Mountain Classroom Program, will share her experiences travelling to Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands and later to New Zealand.

The Antarctic trip was a three-week National Geographic adventure coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the Endurance Expedition being iced in. The images she and her daughter Caroline, with whom she frequently travels, brought back from the trip will be shown and discussed.

She will also share her experiences “tramping” through Abel Tasman National Park in New Zealand and traveling along the West Coast of the South Island and near Christchurch.

Travel Night is part of a series of presentations sponsored by the Andover Institute and featuring the adventures of local residents.

The Institute is a branch of the Andover Community Association and is committed to “bringing people together to learn new things and gain new skills.” Stay connected to local events by “liking” their Facebook page at Facebook.com/AndoverInstitute03216.