The Hardie Alpine Tower
Ultimately, the programs developed around the Hardie Alpine Tower are the fulfillment of ideas: of challenges, of surpassing expectations, of pushing one's own limits, and of successful cooperative teamwork.
Officially named The Thomas Hardie Alpine Tower through the generous gift of the Class of 1974, this unique structure offers Gilman students the opportunity to experience and overcome the challenges of the tower and in themselves. Students can experience the Hardie Alpine Tower through an intramural program, selected academic class time, as an Upper School club, and as a member of the Alpine Tower Team assisting in all three activities.
There is nothing quite like the feeling of standing on a very unstable horizontal log, resembling a suspended telephone pole, 30 feet off the ground, and trying to balance with your partner as you both "walk" to your respective ends. Of course, you are being belayed, but that is of little comfort as you are given enough slack in the rope to feel weightless as the log shifts under your respective weights. The trust in your partner, the trust in your belayer, and most importantly, the trust in yourself are on display, and the achievement of this challenge requires the successful navigation of all three.
