The school announces that every senior is required to participate in a two-week wilderness survival expedition through Black Ridge Mountain. The expedition is worth 60% of the final semester grade, and students who fail or refuse to participate risk failing the class and delaying graduation. Permission slips, medical forms, and a packing list are handed out to every student. All paperwork must be signed and returned before the deadline in order to attend. For safety reasons, every student must have a hiking partner for the entire trip. Although students are encouraged to think about who they would like to be paired with, the school makes it clear that official partners will be randomly assigned on the morning of departure to ensure fairness and prepare everyone for working with unfamiliar people. The expedition will require students to hike over 80 miles through forests, rivers, cliffs, and mountain trails while camping outdoors for 14 days. They will be responsible for building campsites, preparing food, purifying water, completing survival challenges, and helping their assigned partner through every obstacle. The mountain is home to black bears, mountain lions, wolves, wild boars, venomous snakes, and other dangerous wildlife. Harsh weather, freezing nights, steep cliffs, and rough terrain make the journey unpredictable, meaning teamwork and trust will be essential for making it to the summit. No one knows who their partner will be until the day the expedition begins.