Three UBC ECE Alumni met up in the Swiss Alps to tackle a hike up to dinner in a hut high above civilization and cell service. A hike with home-cooked food was the perfect reunion for three former university roommates who lived through the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic together.
Our little group met up in the Swiss city of Zürich, took public transit to the trail head, laced up our hiking boots, grabbed some snacks, and started hiking. Parts of the day were filled with laughter and lively conversation, while some kilometers were spent more quietly, walking through the fog, gaining meters upon meters of elevation in contemplative silence.
15 Kilometers and 1000 meters of elevation later, we reached the Mountain Hut! We took in the surroundings, seeing the peaks around us emerge from fog for the first time all day over some warm drinks. After changing into clean, dry socks, we enjoyed a hearty Swiss mountain dinner. Over the 3-course home-cooking-style meal, we recounted the exciting day of hiking together as well as the past few years since graduation. We traded stories about the transition into the working world and transitions out of student life, but mostly we reminisced and joked about our days in together in the McLeod Building.
Finally, as our dinner started coming to a close, the sky opened up and it started to rain. Playing cards in a cozy hut, nursing hot cups of tea, while the rain pelted the windows around us was the perfect end to the nostalgic day. Nothing like a rainstorm and a late-night with friends to remind you of your days studying in Vancouver.
Submitted by Leah Talalayevsky, BASc '22
