Fall 2009 Events Schedule
- Complete Fall 2009 Events Schedule
- Eligibility
- Payment
- Physical and Technical Rating Scale
- Pre-trip Meetings
- Refunds
- Registration
Registration
Registration for all outings begins the first day of classes, Monday, August 24. To register for an outing, a full payment is required for trips less than $100. For trips more than $100, a minimum of half of the trip cost is required to reserve a spot. There are two ways to register: call us by phone with a credit card, or stop by our office in the south lobby of Half Acre. Dependents and spouses pay the same price as their sponsor.
Eligibility
Outings are only available to UW students, faculty, and staff (dependents and spouses). Lectures, slideshows, climbing wall competitions, drop-in kayak pool sessions, and the gear swap are open to the general public.
Pre-trip meetings
Pre-trip meetings are mandatory. If you cannot attend, you must make prior arrangements with the instructors.
Payment
We accept cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard, payroll deduction, or WyoOne Cards. Receipts must be completed at our office in the south lobby of Half Acre or by phone. Payments must be made at the Campus Recreation service window in the west lobby or by phone (credit card only).
Refunds
Refunds of ½ of the trip payment are available if five-business-days notice (prior to the pre-trip meeting) is given, and as long as the refund amount exceeds $20. With less than five-business-days notice, there are no refunds available. The only exception to this policy is if our office is presented with an authorized absence from the Dean of Students office or a note from a doctor. If we cancel a trip due to weather or participation, you will be issued a full refund. Refunds may take a few weeks to process.
Physical and technical rating scale
To assist you in selecting from our offerings, we rate our outings and clinics on a subjective scale of physical and technical difficulty. Physical difficulty is based upon the average college student’s ability. Technical ability is any background and experience necessary to participate in the activity. If you have any questions or concerns about your ability to participate, we encourage you to contact us.
| Physical Rating | Description |
| L | Low to moderate physical activity |
| M | Moderate to strenuous physical activity |
| S | Strenuous to very strenuous physical activity |
| Technical Rating | Description |
| 1 | No previous background or experience necessary |
| 2 | Requires some background and experience |
| 3 | Requires proficiency |
Fall Schedule
*for persons without membership to Half Acre
Course Descriptions by Type
Canoeing
Canoe trip, North Platte River
This fall we’ll take a casual paddle down the North Platte River near Saratoga during the Labor Day weekend. We’ll camp out for two nights on this beautiful stretch of river. We’ll spend part of Saturday practicing canoeing skills (paddling strokes, rescue, and boating safety) before we hit the river. No prior canoeing experience required. Transportation, equipment, and meals provided. Limit: 10 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Thursday, Sept. 3; 5–6 p.m.; OP office
Departure date: Saturday, Sept. 5th
Return Date: Monday, Sept. 7th
Price: $131 students, $170 faculty/staff
Caving
Caving Trip to Cave Creek & Saratoga Hot Springs
Come explore the depths of the underworld as we head to the Shirley Mountains to go spelunking. Participants will spend the day caving and in the evening head to the Saratoga hot springs for a dip. This trip is a great way to learn about a very pristine and fragile environment. No experience is necessary. Transportation, camping/caving equipment, and meals provided. Limit: 10 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Wednesday, Sep. 30; 5–6 p.m.; OP office
Departure date: Saturday, Oct. 3
Return date: Sunday, Oct. 4
Price: $79 students, $103 faculty/staff
Climbing
Intramural Bouldering Competition
This event is cosponsored by Intramural Sports and the Outdoor Program. Come try out your climbing skills; you do not need prior experience to participate! We have four categories for beginners and intermediate climbers both male and female. New climbing routes will be set specifically for this competition. You do not need to be a certified climbing wall member, but you MUST be a UW student, faculty, staff, spouse, or dependent. Register onsite at the start of the comp.
Registration begins Monday, Aug. 31, in the Recreational Sports office (Half Acre, 2nd floor, north lobby) and continues until the competition starts.
Competition: Friday, Sept. 11; 6–9 p.m.; Half Acre climbing wall
Price: Free! ($5 for non-members of Half-Acre)
Fundamentals of Rock-Climbing, Vedauwoo
This is a great way to learn how to climb at our premiere climbing spot just east of Laramie. Get a start in climbing or just freshen up your skills. Learn some helpful techniques from knowledgeable and friendly instructors. We'll use the pre-trip meeting to go over the basics of climbing at the indoor wall; we'll spend the whole day climbing on Saturday. Please come to the pre-trip meeting dressed to climb. No prior experience necessary. Climbing equipment, instruction, and transportation provided. Limit: 10 participants.
Trip I
Pre-trip meeting: Thursday, Sept. 10; 5–7 p.m.; OP office
Departure date: Saturday, Sept. 12
Trip II
Pre-trip meeting: Thursday, Oct. 1; 5–7 p.m.; OP office
Departure date: Saturday, Oct. 3
Price: $26 students, $33 faculty/staff
Two-Day Rock-Climbing Workshop, Vedauwoo
Are you new to the area? Have you been climbing in other places? Do you know how to off-width climb? (not that you really would want to!) We specifically designed this program to introduce you to Vedauwoo, to give you a chance to meet other climbers, and to try out some of Vedauwoo’s best climbs. After climbing on the first day, we’ll stop by the Fat Crack Festival, Laramie’s local climbing festival. You must have prior climbing experience. OP leaders will be setting all top-ropes. Transportation and equipment provided. Limit: 10 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Thursday, Sept. 17; 5–6 p.m.; OP office
Date: Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 19 & 20
Price: $51 students, $66 faculty/staff
Rock-Climbing Anchors Clinic
This is a must-do clinic for climbers! Learn how to place a plethora of gear for dissimilar anchors. Prior climbing anchor-building skills are not necessary, although a solid foundation of climbing is. The clinic has two components: one classroom session and two single-day trips to Vedauwoo to practice skills. The second day has an option to place gear while on mock-lead, eventually working toward lead climbing gear placement. Harnesses, belay devices, and helmets are required, but they can be provided. The classroom session is mandatory for the day trips to Vedauwoo, please come ready to climb. Limit: 10 participants.
Classroom session: Wednesday, Sept. 23; 5–7 p.m.; OP office
Departure dates: Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 26 & 27
Price: $51 students, $66 others
Friday-Night Bouldering Series
The Friday-Night Bouldering Series (FNBS) is our fun, low-key competition series open to the community. New routes will be set for every competition for all abilities from beginner to advanced. Prizes will be awarded for top female and male finishers in four different categories (beginner, intermediate, advanced, and marathon), along with a general raffle for all participants. These comps will be a great way to get introduced to the competition arena. Sponsored by Big Hoss Mountain Sports, Clif Bar, Cross Country Connection, NOLS, Organic Climbing, and the Wyoming Conservation Corps. No preregistration.
Date: Fridays, Oct. 9, Nov. 13; 6–9 p.m.; Half Acre climbing wall
Price: Free for Half Acre members, $5 for nonmembers
Rock-Climbing Trip to Sinks Canyon
Sinks Canyon, located outside of Lander, Wyoming, is home to the International Climbers Festival and some of the best sport climbing in Wyoming. We will spend two days climbing and camping in Lander. Prior climbing experience strongly encouraged. Climbing gear, most meals, and transportation included. Limit: 10 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Thursday, Oct. 8; 5–6 p.m.; OP office
Departure date: Saturday, Oct. 10
Return date: Sunday, Oct. 11
Price: $93 students, $109 faculty/staff
Thanksgiving Rock-Climbing Trip to Moab, Utah
Join us during Thanksgiving break as we head to the warm, sunny southwest desert. We’ll spend three-and-a-half days climbing on soft sandstone and feast on some great camp food. We’ll probably have a chance to go to Arches National Park as well. No prior climbing or camping experience required. Transportation, most meals, and equipment provided. Limit: 10 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Thursday, Nov. 19, 5–7 p.m., OP office
Departure date: Tuesday, Nov. 24 (early morning departure)
Return date: Sunday, Nov. 29
Price: $293 students, $380 faculty/staff
Fall Hiking Series
This fall, join us for four spectacular hikes around the region. Sign up for individual hikes or for all four, and keep in mind that the trips get progressively more challenging.
Turtle Rock Trail
Join us for a hike at Vedauwoo on Turtle Rock Trail, a three-mile hike around the most prominent rock formation in the Laramie Range. We’ll spend time talking about some of the rock climbing areas and local flora and fauna. We will also take a brief van tour of some of the other hiking areas in the Laramie Range Mountains, located just to the east of Laramie. No prior experience necessary. Limit: 12 participants. Please bring a lunch.
Pre-trip meeting: Thursday, Sept. 3; 7–7:30 p.m.; OP office
Departure date: Saturday, Sept. 5
Price: $20 students, $26 faculty/staff
Medicine Bow Peak
Join us for a beautiful hike to the top of Medicine Bow Peak (weather permitting). We’ll depart from the Lake Marie Trailhead. The hike will climb more than 1,800 feet from the parking lot (six miles round-trip) to the summit at 12,013 feet. Transportation provided. Limit: 12 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Thursday, Sept. 10; 7–7:30 p.m.; OP office
Departure date: Saturday, Sept. 12
Price: $21 students, $27 faculty/staff
Rock Creek
Rock Creek Trail, located on the northern toe of the Medicine Bow Mountains, is a beautiful canyon hike that follows Rock Creek. This hike should contain the beginnings of spectacular fall color. This out-and-back hike could be up to six miles in total length. Transportation provided. Limit: 12 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Thursday, Sept. 17; 7-7:30 p.m.; OP office
Departure date: Saturday, Sept. 19
Price: $21 students, $27 faculty/staff
Laramie Peak
The final hike of the series takes us to Laramie Peak, located in the northern portion of the Laramie Range. This hike will be our most physically demanding, climbing over 2,700 feet in four miles. This out-and-back hike packs spectacular views of the region upon gaining the summit at over 10,200 feet. Transportation provided. Limit: 12 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Thursday, Sept. 24; 7–7:30 p.m.; OP office
Departure date: Saturday, Sept. 26 (this will be an early departure time)
Price: $26 students, $34 faculty/staff
Fly-fishing
Fly-Fishing Casting Clinic
This FREE clinic will provide you with the basic skills necessary for casting a fly rod. Areas of teaching include rod and reel assembly, proper casting technique, and choosing/tying flies. No fly-fishing experience necessary, and all necessary equipment will be available for use. The clinic will take place on campus, so there will be no actual fishing. Limit: 10 participants.
Clinic: Wednesday, Sept. 2, 5-7 p.m.; OP office
Price: Free!
Mountain Biking (NEW!)
Fundamentals of Mountain Bike Maintenance Series
The Outdoor Program is proud to announce the addition of a Bike Shop! Come to our new shop to learn how to do basic repairs and give your bike a tune-up. Perfect for getting your mountain bike ready for Happy Jack; this clinic will cover great tips for fixing a flat to gear adjustments and many other things in-between. The clinics will be offered as a progression, with more advanced items taught in later sections. Attend one, or all three. Bring your bike, too! Limit: 7 participants.
Fundamentals I: Wednesday, Sept. 9; 6–8 p.m.
Fundamentals II: Wednesday, Sept. 16; 6–8 p.m.
Fundamentals III: Wednesday, Sept. 23; 6–8 p.m.
Location: OP Office & Bike Shop
Price: Free!
Introduction to Mountain Biking, Happy Jack
Interested in learning the basics of mountain biking and exploring the area? Join us for a tour of trails in the Happy Jack area. The trip includes a bike, helmet, and transportation on the day of the trip. Participants must be able to ride a bike, but do not need any previous mountain bike experience. Price includes mountain bike rental. Limit: 8 participants. Please bring your bike to the pre-trip meeting.
Pre-trip meeting: Tuesday, Sept 8; 5–6 p.m.; OP office
Date: Saturday, Sept. 12
Price: $22 students, $29 faculty/staff
Intermediate Mountain Biking, Curt Gowdy State Park
If you have some experience mountain biking and want to challenge yourself and ride with others, this is the trip for you! The trip includes a bike, helmet, and transportation on the day of the trip. Participants should have some experience with mountain biking and be able to ride a variety of terrain types. Price includes mountain bike rental. Limit: 8 participants. Please bring your bike to the pre-trip meeting.
Pre-trip meeting: Tuesday, Sept 29; 5–6 p.m.; OP office
Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
Price: $23 students, $30 faculty/staff
Mountaineering
Fundamentals of Mountaineering Two-day Course
This introductory course will cover the basics of rope-teams, snow anchors, crampon technique, and self-arrest over a two-day period while staying in the Little Brooklyn Lake Guard Station. The pre-trip meeting will be used to introduce theory and discuss basic knots, etc. Equipment, instruction, food, and transportation provided. Proficiency in basic rock-climbing skills is required. Limit: 8 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Thursday, Oct. 22; 5–6 p.m.; OP office
Departure date: Saturday, Oct. 24
Return date: Sunday, Oct. 25
Price: $106 student, $137 faculty/staff
Snow Sports
Avalanche Rescue Beacon Clinic
This clinic is designed for people with some prior experience with rescue beacons. The classroom session will be used to review the basic principles of beacon/avalanche rescue. The field day will focus on reducing search times, practicing companion rescue, and multiple burial scenarios. Participants will receive a gift certificate for a free weekend rental of an avalanche rescue beacon from the OP (restrictions apply, $9 student value!). Limit: 10 participants. Equipment and transportation provided.
Classroom session: Wednesday, Nov. 18; 5–8 p.m.; OP office
Field session: Sunday, Nov. 22
Price: $21 students, $27 faculty/staff
Snowshoe Trip to the Snowies
Have you ever wanted to learn how to snowshoe? This popular sport is a great way to get out, explore, and have fun in the winter. No experience necessary. Snowshoes and transportation included. Limit: 10 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Thursday, Dec. 3; 5–6 p.m.; OP office
Departure date: Saturday, Dec. 5
Price: $23 student, $30 faculty/staff
Classic or skate cross-country ski technique clinic
Focus on your technique and learn helpful tips to improve your skills. This clinic is taught by the UW Nordic Ski Team as a fundraiser, and provides a great deal of individualized instruction. All skill levels are encouraged to attend. Transportation provided; ski equipment must be rented separately. Limit: 10 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Thursday, Dec. 3; 4–5 p.m.; OP office
Departure date: Sunday, Dec. 6
Price: $29 students, $38 faculty/staff
Special
Programs
2009 REEL ROCK Film Tour
Big Up Productions and Sender Films are teaming up with Windstopper to produce the third annual major international climbing film tour. The 2009 Reel Rock Film Tour will feature Chris Sharma’s Jumbo Love, Kevin Jorgenson’s Ambrosia, and Tommy Caldwell’s El Cap . Events will be held at almost 100 venues of all sizes across the United States, with additional tours in Canada and Europe. The Reel Rock shows will be high-energy events about which climbers and mountain enthusiasts can get excited. Cosponsored by Cross Country Connection and the Fat Crack Festival.
Date: Friday, Sept. 18; Agricultural Building Auditorium; 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.)
Price: Free
Freeheellife Film Tour -NEW schedule addition!
The Freeheel Life creates a visual montage of shots ranging from the first descents of Austrian couloirs by World Tele Champion, Dylan Crossman, to the two-lane roads of New England. The movie features athletes, skiing styles, and music sure to strike a familiar chord with free heel skiers from around the world. It visually represents the full spectrum of everything from jumping to steep descents, and plenty of overhead powder! Co-sponsored in part by the Fine Edge Ski, Cycle and Fitness.
An official movie trailer and additional tour date information can be found at: www.freeheellife.com.
Location: Classroom Building, Room 129
Date: Tuesday, October 6, 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.)
Price: free!
Slideshow presentation by Ray Jacquot, 1931: A Banner Year for American and Wyoming Mountaineering
Mountain exploration and climbing was slow in coming to the Teton Mountains until the creation of Grand Teton National Park in 1929. With the Park’s creation came the appointment of the first two rangers, Fritiof Fryxell and Phil Smith, both of whom had an interest in reaching the Teton summits. Along with their influence came real mountaineers from the east coast who had gained mountain experience in the Alps and rock climbing expertise in the crags and quarries of New England. Two young Idaho students, Paul Petzoldt and Glenn Exum also contributed to the alpine progress of the season. These three influences coalesced in 1931 resulting in a massive step forward for American mountaineering. The talk will focus on the Teton summer season of 1931, the personalities involved and what this spawned for the future.
Date: Wednesday, October 7, 7 p.m.
Location: Classroom building 214
Price: free!
Fall Outdoor Gear Swap
Sell your old gear or find some “new to you” gear! There is a drop off time on Friday evening and Saturday morning for you to come in and set prices on your gear. No cost for attending the swap! We will facilitate all transactions, and take a percentage of each sale. Pick up your money and/or gear that did not sell after the swap. Checks and cash are the only forms of acceptable payment; checks are made out directly to the seller. Call for more details.
Gear swap: Saturday, Nov. 21; 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Gear drop off: Friday, Nov. 20; 6–8 p.m. & Saturday, Nov. 21; 8–10 a.m.
Gear pickup: Saturday, Nov. 21; 1-3p.m.
Location: Yellowstone Ballroom, Wyoming Union
Map and Compass Clinic
Learn basic and advanced map and compass skills. This clinic will teach you how to read, analyze, and orient a topographic map; use a compass; take and follow a bearing; and how to apply these skills in a wilderness setting. This clinic may also briefly use GPS units and discuss different coordinate types for route finding or locating your position on a map. The classroom session will be devoted to learning the basics while the field session will be used for applying your skills. Limit: 10 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Thursday, Sep. 24; 5–7 p.m.; OP office
Departure date: Saturday, Sept. 26
Price: $22 students, $29 faculty/staff
Basic Ski/Snowboarding Tuning Clinic
Don’t just slap some wax on your skis or snowboard—learn some helpful hints for do-it-yourself tuning the right way! Mitch Bock, owner of the Fine Edge Ski and Cycle shop, will teach you everything you need to know. He’ll provide the instruction, wax, and tools; you bring the ski equipment (one pair of skis/snowboard per person). Limit: 15 participants.
Clinic date: Tuesday, Nov. 17; 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Location: Fine Edge Ski, Cycle and Fitness, 1660 N. 4th St. (in the Northridge Shopping Center)
Price: $5 students, $7 faculty/staff
Water Sports
Learn-the-Kayak-Roll Clinic
Do you want to learn how to roll a kayak? This quick introduction to rolling will get you started. The classroom session will be used to explain the basics; the pool sessions will be used to learn the roll and “wet exit.” This class will not teach you river dynamics or river safety for white water kayaking. Individuals interested in gaining more kayaking skills should sign up for the introductory white water kayaking class. Instruction and equipment are provided for this clinic. No prior experience necessary. Limit: 8 participants.
Class session: Tuesday, Oct. 6; 6–8 p.m.; OP office
Pool sessions: Sundays, Oct. 11 & Oct. 18; 7–9 p.m.; Corbett pool (enter through the southeast doors only)
Price: $23 students, $30 faculty/staff
White water kayaking class
This class will cover all the components of the learn-the-kayak clinic; please do not sign-up for both. Taught by seasoned kayakers, this comprehensive class is a great way to get started in this fun and challenging sport. Learn the roll, paddling and bracing techniques, river dynamics and terminology, swimming techniques, and river safety. The pool sessions will be used for practicing techniques, while the classroom sessions will be used to learn river dynamics and safety techniques. This class is a great value with 10 hours of scheduled pool time, and six hours of classroom time! Limit: 8 participants.
Class dates: Tuesdays, Oct. 20, 27, Nov. 3; 6–8 p.m.; OP office
Pool session dates: Sundays, Oct. 25, Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22; 7–9 p.m.; Corbett pool (southeast entrance only)
Price: $32 students, $42 faculty/staff
Wilderness Medicine
Wilderness First Aid/CPR
If you spend time in the backcountry, you need to be prepared for whatever emergency may come your way. This class will teach you everything from patient assessment and trauma care to wilderness-specific injuries to hazards and protocol. With a hands-on approach, this class will complement any experience you may already have in the outdoors. Upon successful completion, participants will receive a three-year certification through the American Red Cross. Limit: 20 participants. Price includes textbooks. Please come prepared to go outside for up to an hour.
Classroom sessions: Mondays & Wednesdays, Nov. 2, 4, 9, 11; 6–10 p.m.; OP office
Price: $49 students, $59 faculty/staff
Wilderness First Responder (WMI of NOLS)
Essential for anyone who spends significant time in remote places or who has a professional career in the outdoors, the Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course will prepare you to make difficult medical decisions. This course is fast-paced and engaging. You'll spend half your time outside of the classroom doing hands-on skills and realistic scenarios. In addition to scenarios, you'll participate in a full-scale night mock rescue. WMI's curriculum encompasses a wide range of topics including long-term patient care, wound management, straightening angulated fractures, reducing dislocations, litter packaging and administering medications. You'll complete this course with the tools and confidence to manage patients in the backcountry for multiple days. The intensive 80-hour curriculum is nationally recognized and supported by the Wilderness Medicine Institute's Medical Advisory Panel. You'll be taught by dynamic educators who have practiced both wilderness and urban medicine. This 10-day course is ideal for all professionals operating in remote environments. Adult/child CPR certification is included. Limit: 30 participants. This course is open to the public.
Dates: December 12–21
Price: $560 UW students, $600 all others
The following documents for the course are available here:
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University of Wyoming
Outdoor Program
Department 3604
1000 E. University Ave.
Laramie, WY 82071
(307) 766-2402
e-mail: oap@uwyo.edu
