Mountain Day is Mount Holyoke’s oldest tradition; it dates back to 1838, a year after MoHo was founded. Mountain Day is further proof that Mary Lyon was a genius.
On one fall morning, Abbey Chapel’s bells ring for five minutes at 7:00 am, signaling the cancellation of the days classes, the academic buildings are locked, and students, faculty, and staff are told to go enjoy nature. Usually this means climbing to the top of Mount Holyoke and enjoying ice cream, served to us by college president and deans.
It is quite possibly the best tradition a college could have. Yesterday a Hampshire student told me she was jealous of Mount Holyoke because of Mountain Day. Other colleges do have their own version of Mountain Day: Colby, Williams, Smith (they “borrowed” the idea from us) etc. but Mount Holyoke has celebrated Mountain Day the longest.
As for me, my five hour environmental science lab was postponed, my Islam paper was postponed, and I got to sleep for two extra hours!!
I’m off to hike Mt Holyoke.
@Cinefille 
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