ABOUT JESSALYN

Jessalyn has chosen to make a career out of her enthusiasm and respect for the outdoors by majoring in Outdoor Education at the University of New Hampshire. She hopes to incorporate her strong interests in environmental science and biology to help her become a better outdoor leader. Jessalyn shares Peter’s drive to test the limits of human physical and mental endurance in her aspiration to become one of very few successful female thru hikers of the Appalachian Trail (that’s about twenty-one hundred miles of continuous hiking from Georgia to Maine!). According to her coach, Jessalyn currently ranks among the top 2 to 3 climbers in her age group in the United States. She currently works at the Dover Indoor climbing gym where she teaches rock climbing, belaying, technique and leading lessons.

Jessalyn's Application Essays:

Know Yourself and you might Live

"I chose the quote 'Know yourself and you might live,' because I think this quote is incredibly accurate and reflects me as a person. As a teenager, you spend a lot of time trying to find yourself. This has been a constant struggle throughout my high school career, but as time pases, the pieces are starting to fit together. I have come to find that the more I learn about myself and the more I realize who I am, the happier and more complete I become. It is only when you are truly comfortable with yourself are you able to truly live your life and be happy. I have not yet reached that point, but I think that college is going to bring on a lot more self-discovery. By living on my own, I will be able to learn more about my own wants and needs and how I can fulfill them. It is a difficult think to know yourself. It takes confidence, determination and time. I think I have a pretty good understanding of myself; I know the negative and positive sides of my personality, but I am excited to see what more I am able to become."

The Greatest Athletic Adventure you Aspire to and Why

"The greatest athletic adventure I aspire to is to hike all 2,174 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Not only is this trail incredibly important to American history and its environment; it is also the ultimate outdoor adventure. I understand that it will be both physically and mentally trying, but that is what makes it so intriguing. I want to push my body and mind to the limit, to test myself and see if I am capable of completing such as demanding journey. My academic years at UNH as an outdoor education student will prepare me for this experience and others like it. 'Only ten-percent of the people attempting to hike the entire AT succeed. Ten-percent of that ten-percent of hikers are women," (Hall, A Journey North). I plan to be a part of that ten-percent, to be one of the few thru hikers that get to stand atop Mount Katahdin in triumph. I want to experience nature at its best and worst, to form strong environmental ideals and to have the greatest and most challenging outdoor experience out there. This adventure will broaden my world views and help me learn about myself and the world I live in."

What is a scientist? Are you a scientist?

"A scientist is a person who is interested in learning more about the world around them and discovering new wonders. A scientist's mind is always hungry for more knowledge so that they can have a better understanding of how things work in their environment. In my opinion, everyone is a scientist, whether they have a science degree or not. The world is an enormous place full of things to discover. I am a scientist because I am constantly discovering new things about my environment. I'm very interested in learning about nature and more specifically the organisms that live in it. I love to learn about different animals and how they live or about the different plants that grow in my backyeard. I hope to use the knowledge I gain at UNH about environmental science and biology to help me become a better outdoor leader. A good guide can not only getyou from point A to point B, but can also inform you about the area; like how specific rocks got there or why certain plants grow in that envornment or even point out and identify some birdand explain how they survive. I can use science as a tool to do better at my job."

Supplemental Essay- Tell us about an outdoor climb that you are most proud of, or that has stood out for you in some way.

"My favorite outdoor climb is a route called Peanut Man up at the Main Cliff in Rumney, NH. It is a very exposed route with a beautiful view as you climb up the cliff's face. I had never really done any hard climbing outside yet, considering most my youth was spent training in a gym for competitions. Some experienced climbing friends took me up and threw me on it. The crux is this huge move from an undercling to a horrible sloper and I had little protection (gear or trees) and a storm was rolling in. It was incredibly scary trying to make this hard move while the wind is blowing you back and forth and you're looking at a long fall. But I just sucked it up and went for it. I had so many doubts running through my head but after I got the move I was so happy I tried. I was unable to finish the route but this climb/move taught me to climb with no fear and to go for things even if you're unsure of yourself. Because of this lesson I am a more aggressive climber and much braver."

-Jessalyn Hobson

Pictures of Jessa's "Wild Ride Adventure" Trip to California With Matt Smith (PGS 2004), Rachel Rines, and Sara Moe Summer 2007
Email from Jessa one year later: Hey Anita, I was actually thinking about you and steve a lot lately and was going to check in with you guys this week. haha! School was great, I LOVE outdoor education, it was the perfect choice for me. I just got back from an 8 day canoe trip in the Adirondacks, NY for class and it was so much fun. I also took summer backpacking, so I did an 8 day trip and a 3 day trip this summer/fall. I learn so much at UNH and all of the knowledge is so applicable. I also climbed at the Red River Gorge in KY this spring break with some new UNH friends. I really feel like I found my niche... ...I hope you're doing well and keep in touch. Miss you guys! Thank you so much for everything you both have done for me. Visiting and climbing in Yosemite fulfilled a lifelong dream of mine, especially standing in front of El Cap. I love thinking back about the trip and the great experience you both provide for me. Thank you so much! -Jessa
Jessa and Golden Gate Bridge	Anita, Sara, Jessa, Rachel, Matt, Marina (Pete's wife)	Jessa at Berkeley climbing gym showing us all how its done!
Jessa and Sara after a climb Tuolome Meadows Yosemite National Park	Matt and Jessa El Cap, YNP	Rachel, Matt, Sara, Jessa El Cap, YNP
Hmm....Have we seen this picture somewhere before?	Hike Tuolomne Meadows YNP Sara, Jessa, Matt, Rachel	Some Crazy Giant Redwood Tree Huggers YNP