Hillsborough Hike goes smoothly

Students travel the streets looking for booze and fun

By Laura Wilkinson, Staff Writer

Published: Monday, November 2, 2009

Updated: Monday, November 2, 2009

Though construction and other location options had businesses concerned about Halloween sales, students turned out en masse for the Haunted Hillsborough Hike Saturday.
Tread Snedecor, a senior in business, said he enjoyed the Hike and was glad to support Hillsborough Street businesses.
“We're right here,” Snedecor said. “These guys are trying to get business.”
Anthony Navarro, manager of Red, Hot and Blue, said he was looking forward to the Hike because it is good for business.
“Business has been kind of slow with the construction, so [the Hike] is the kind of thing we need to get us back on track."
Although construction on Hillsborough has been a major issue this school year, Lucy Phillips, a junior in arts applications, said she chose Hillsborough Street over other Halloween hot spots like Chapel Hill's Franklin Street because of the proximity and availability.
“We live here. We drink here. We pass out here,” Phillips said.
Liz Grandchamp, a junior in parks, recreation and tourism, also said the easier access was a big factor in her choice of party place.
“It's easier to walk [to],” Grandchamp said. “I don't want to have to deal with drinking and driving.”
Luke Carter, a junior in civil engineering, dressed with friends as plastic army soldiers and said his favorite part of the night was posing for pictures.
“We knew there would be a lot of people here that we know,” Carter said. “We get a lot of attention.”
Carter said he will be back for next year's Hike out of Wolfpack pride.
“It's our home turf,” Carter said. “Forget Franklin.”
Phillips said her favorite part of the Hike was looking at people's costumes.
“I saw this guy being Patrick Bateman. We saw Danny Zuko and Sandy,” Phillips said.
Grandchamp, however, said she had a few complaints with the Hike, though she said relaxed security and more bars could have enhanced the experience.
“Way too many cops,” Grandchamp said. “I wish there were better bars on Hillsborough.”

Mindy Sopher

Tue Nov 3 2009 11:21

Congratulations on continuing another tradition which many do consider fun and successful. I am all for this great University continuing to build great traditions and I commend the great student leaders who work to make it so! Our local businesses can use the foot traffic and Friday night's creative costumes were quite impressive.

Sadly, my Friday night view of the Haunted Hillsborough Hike was damped when I discovered that someone - perhaps a misguided HIKER (?) - had decided to "HIKE" up, on, and over the top of my Chevy Cavalier convertible. My car was the only vehicle parked on Current Drive for much of the night. It was in front of Page Hall in the handicapped spot to be exact and well away from Hillsborough Street, but the footprints on the hood and roof, the bends in the soft top support beams and the scratches left in the paint indicated that two HIKERS were heading away from Hillsborough. Sure, I filed a Police report, and one with my insurance, but I am not sure that my convertible will be ready to drive with the top down, carrying some great and award-winning students in the back for Homecoming Parade on Friday, due to the repairs needed to make the top "drop" again. When the responding Police Officer asked me if I had any enemies or had recently angered anyone, I couldn't even imagine of any such person, instance or situation in my current role at the University or in my personal life. The only possible thing either of us could come up with was the possibility of an irresponsible student or perhaps an inebriated irresponsible student just "trying to have some fun".

My message in this post is for all to continue to have fun, revel, enjoy and keep good traditions going . . . but please don't do harm in the process. My vehicle was not the only "thing” damaged during or after the Haunted Hike. Stories of "fallout" from arguments, fights and illnesses are still coming in. ONE person could have prevented this and other needless harm. Maybe that one person was you. With Homecoming now upon us all, please join me in celebrating great traditions, and in doing, let us all celebrate the great traditional WOLPACK SPIRIT, without harming others. That way everybody wins! (And feel free to hold the CAR HIKERS accountable if you know who they are. I will appreciate your help there too!) Happy Homecoming!

Hillsborough Hike goes smoothly

Students travel the streets looking for booze and fun

Comments

Log In