Fall 2008 Events Schedule
- Complete Fall 2008 Events Schedule
- Eligibility
- Payment
- Physical and Technical Rating Scale
- Pre-trip Meetings
- Refunds
- Registration
Eligibility
Outings are only available to UW students, faculty, and staff (dependents and spouses). Lectures, slideshows, climbing wall events, the drop-in kayak pool sessions, and the gear swap are open to anyone.
Pre-trip Meetings
Pre-trip meetings are mandatory. If you cannot make it, 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 (with a credit card only).
Physical and Technical Rating Schedule
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 | Low to moderate technical activity |
| 2 | Moderate to strenuous technical activity |
| 3 | Strenuous to very strenuous technical activity |
Registration
Registration for all outings begins the first day of classes, Monday, August 25. 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.
Refunds- NEW POLICY!
Refunds of 1/2 of the trip payment are available if five-business-days notice (prior to the pre-trip meeting) is given, and as long as the 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.
Fall 2008 Events Schedule download the pdf list of
events here(1.3MB).
*for persons without membership to Half Acre
Outing Descriptions
Avalanche safety/First Aid
Avalanche rescue beacon clinic
This quick-and-dirty clinic is designed for people with some prior experience with rescue beacons.
We will use the classroom 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 provided; transportation is not.
Classroom session: Wednesday, Nov. 19; 5–5:30 p.m.; OAP office
Field session: Saturday, Nov. 22
Price: $18 students, $23 faculty/staff
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. 3, 5, 10, 12; 6–10 p.m.; OAP office
Price: $48 students, $62 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 13–22
Price: $537 UW students, $595 all others
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, Aug. 28; 5–6 p.m.; OP office
Departure date: Saturday, Aug. 30
Return Date: Monday, Sept. 1
Price: $112 students, $146 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, Oct. 1; 5–6 p.m.; OP office
Departure date: Saturday, Oct. 4
Return date: Sunday, Oct. 5
Price: $109 students, $141 faculty/staff
Fall hiking series
Turtle Rock Trail, Vedauwoo
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\'92ll 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. 4; 5–5:30p.m.; OAP Office
Departure date: Saturday, Sept. 6
Price: $18 students, $28 faculty
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. 11; 5–5:30p.m.; OAP Office
Departure date: Saturday, Sept. 13
Price: $21 students, $28 faculty/staff
Rock Creek hike
Rock Creek, located on the northern toe of the Medicine Bow Mountains, is a beautiful canyon hike.
The last hike in the fall hiking series should contain remnants of 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. 18, 5–5:30pm., OAP office
Departure Date: Saturday, Sept. 20
Price: $21 students, $28 others
Laramie Peak hike
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. 25; 5–5:30 p.m.; OAP office
Departure date: Saturday, Sept. 27 (this will be an early departure time)
Price: $25 students, $32 faculty/staff
Fly-fishing
Fly-fishing trip to the North Platte River
Come with us to the North Platte River near Saratoga, Wyoming; home to some of the best fly-fishing the area has to offer. The pre-trip meeting will cover the basics of fly-fishing. The trip will consist of two days of fishing on the river. No fly-fishing experience necessary. Meals, camping, and fly-fishing equipment will be supplied (participants must purchase their own flies). Participants must also purchase a Wyoming fishing license. Limit: 7 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Tuesday, Sept. 9; 5–6 p.m.; OP office
Departure date: Saturday, Sept. 13
Return date: Sunday, Sept. 14
Price: $86 students, $112 faculty/staff
Mountaineering
Fundamentals of mountaineering two-day course
Have you ever wanted to learn the basic skills necessary to scale the world’s highest peaks? 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: Wednesday, Oct. 15; 5–6 p.m.; OP office
Departure date: Saturday, Oct. 18
Return date: Sunday, Oct. 19
Price: $72 student, $93 faculty/staff
Rock 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.
Registration begins Monday, Aug. 25, in the Intramural Sports office (Half Acre, 2nd floor, north lobby) and continues until the competition starts.
Competition: Friday, Sept. 5; 6–9 p.m.; Half Acre climbing wall
Price: free!
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: Wednesday, Sept. 3; 5–7 p.m.; OP office
Departure date: Saturday, Sept. 6
Trip II
Pre-trip meeting: Wednesday, Sept. 10; 6–8 p.m.; OP office
Departure date: Saturday, Sept. 13
Price: $28 students, $36 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: Wednesday, Sept. 17; 5–6 p.m.; OP office
Date: Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 20 & 21
Price: $46 students, $60 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 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. 24; 5–7 p.m.; OP office
Departure dates: Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 27 & 28
Price: $46 students, $60 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,
Organic Bouldering,
and the
Wyoming Conservation Corps. No preregistration.
Registration: 5–6 p.m., at the Half Acre climbing wall
Date: Fridays, Oct. 10, Nov. 14; 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. Prior climbing experience strongly encouraged. Climbing gear, most meals, and transportation included. Limit: 10 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Wednesday, Oct. 7; 5–6 p.m.; OP office
Departure date: Saturday, Oct. 11
Return date: Sunday, Oct. 12
Price: $84 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: Monday, Nov. 24, 5–6:30 p.m., OP office
Departure date: Wednesday, Nov. 26 (early morning departure)
Return date: Sunday, Nov. 30
Price: $226 students, $294 faculty/staff
Skiing and snowshoeing
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. 4; 5–6 p.m.; OP office
Departure date: Saturday, Dec. 6
Price: $21 student, $28 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 and is used as a fundraiser for the team. Typically there is a very low student to instructor ratio; there should be a lot 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, Nov. 20; 5–6 p.m.; OP office
Departure date: Sunday, Nov. 23
Price: $22 students, $26 faculty/staff
Special Programs
Fundamentals of mountain bike maintenance
Learn to do basic repairs on your bike, and get a free tune-up! Taught by mechanics at The Pedal House, this clinic will cover basics and offer you a chance to tune your own bike (limit: one/person) with the help of their tools and mechanics. 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. Limit: 7 participants.
Date: Thursday, Sept. 11; 6–8 p.m.
Location: The Pedal House; 207 S. 1st St.
Price: $19 student, $23 faculty/staff
2008 REEL ROCK Film Tour with
Special Guest Micah Dash!
Big Up Productions and Sender Films are teaming up with Windstopper
and The North Face
to produce the third annual major international climbing film tour.
The Reel Rock Film Tour will feature two new groundbreaking climbing
films by the top producers in the industry: Josh Lowell and Peter Mortimer.
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.
Guest speaker Micah Dash has built quite an
impressive climbing resume over the years, and he is well-respected
throughout the climbing community. As a three-year member of the
Yosemite Search and Rescue Team he mastered free ascents on El Capitan’s
Freerider, and the Regular Route on Half Dome.
This year’s show, Kashmir Alpine Style, chronicles the epic first ascent
of the Shafat Fortress in Indian Kashmir. The Shafat Fortress is a 3,000
ft wall mountain that Jonny Copp and Micah Dash made the first ascent of last
summer. The show also includes brilliant photos and stories of Kashmiri
culture and travel as well as cutting edge climbing in Indian Creek Utah
and Yosemite Valley. It is enjoyable for climbers and non climbers
alike.
Cosponsored by
Cross Country Connection,
Mountain
Hardware and the
Fat Crack Festival.
Date: Friday, Sept. 19; A&S auditorium; 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.)
Price: free
Fall outdoor gear swap
Sell your old gear or find some “new to you” gear! We will sell your gear for you (and take a percentage of the sale). Set your own price. Pick up your money 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. 8; 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Gear drop off: Friday, Nov. 7; 6–8 p.m. & Saturday, Nov. 8; 8–10 a.m.
Gear pickup: Saturday, Nov. 8; 2–4 p.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, Oct. 23; 5–8 p.m.; OP office
Departure date: Saturday, Oct. 25
Price: $18 students, $23 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. 11; 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: Wednesday, Oct. 8; 6–8 p.m.; OP office
Pool sessions: Sundays, Oct. 12 & Oct. 19; 7–9 p.m.; Corbett pool (enter through the southeast doors only)
Price: $19 students, $25 faculty/staff
Drop-in kayak pool sessions (Please bring your WyoOne Card to the Corbett pool)
These sessions are for individuals who have prior kayaking experience. There is no instruction available in the pool; you need to know how to safely exit from a kayak before using the pool. Practice your kayaking technique or roll in Corbett pool. These popular sessions are a fun way to meet other boaters and just play around. Open to the community. Bring your own kayak. No advance registration required, just show up! The sessions are held at Corbett pool (enter thru the southeast doors only).
Dates: Sundays, Oct. 12, 19, 26, Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23; 4:30–6:30 p.m.
Price: Free for full-time students and active members of Half Acre, $5/person for nonmembers. (Please bring exact change to the pool, no credit cards allowed.)
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: Wednesdays, Oct. 22, 29, Nov. 5; 6–8 p.m.; OP office
Pool session dates: Sundays, Oct. 26, Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23; 7–9 p.m.; Corbett pool (southeast entrance only)
Price: $28 students, $36 faculty/staff
Field session: Saturday, Nov. 22
Price: $18 students, $23 faculty/staff
Price: $48 students, $62 faculty/staff
Price: $537 UW students, $595 all others
Pre-trip meeting: Thursday, Aug. 28; 5–6 p.m.; OP office
Departure date: Saturday, Aug. 30
Return Date: Monday, Sept. 1
Price: $112 students, $146 faculty/staff
Pre-trip meeting: Wednesday, Oct. 1; 5–6 p.m.; OP office
Departure date: Saturday, Oct. 4
Return date: Sunday, Oct. 5
Price: $109 students, $141 faculty/staff
Turtle Rock Trail, Vedauwoo
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\'92ll 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. 4; 5–5:30p.m.; OAP Office
Departure date: Saturday, Sept. 6
Price: $18 students, $28 faculty
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. 11; 5–5:30p.m.; OAP Office
Departure date: Saturday, Sept. 13
Price: $21 students, $28 faculty/staff
Rock Creek hike
Rock Creek, located on the northern toe of the Medicine Bow Mountains, is a beautiful canyon hike. The last hike in the fall hiking series should contain remnants of 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. 18, 5–5:30pm., OAP office
Departure Date: Saturday, Sept. 20
Price: $21 students, $28 others
Laramie Peak hike
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. 25; 5–5:30 p.m.; OAP office
Departure date: Saturday, Sept. 27 (this will be an early departure time)
Price: $25 students, $32 faculty/staff
Fly-fishing
Fly-fishing trip to the North Platte River
Come with us to the North Platte River near Saratoga, Wyoming; home to some of the best fly-fishing the area has to offer. The pre-trip meeting will cover the basics of fly-fishing. The trip will consist of two days of fishing on the river. No fly-fishing experience necessary. Meals, camping, and fly-fishing equipment will be supplied (participants must purchase their own flies). Participants must also purchase a Wyoming fishing license. Limit: 7 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Tuesday, Sept. 9; 5–6 p.m.; OP office
Departure date: Saturday, Sept. 13
Return date: Sunday, Sept. 14
Price: $86 students, $112 faculty/staff
Mountaineering
Fundamentals of mountaineering two-day course
Have you ever wanted to learn the basic skills necessary to scale the world’s highest peaks? 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: Wednesday, Oct. 15; 5–6 p.m.; OP office
Departure date: Saturday, Oct. 18
Return date: Sunday, Oct. 19
Price: $72 student, $93 faculty/staff
Rock 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.
Registration begins Monday, Aug. 25, in the Intramural Sports office (Half Acre, 2nd floor, north lobby) and continues until the competition starts.
Competition: Friday, Sept. 5; 6–9 p.m.; Half Acre climbing wall
Price: free!
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: Wednesday, Sept. 3; 5–7 p.m.; OP office
Departure date: Saturday, Sept. 6
Trip II
Pre-trip meeting: Wednesday, Sept. 10; 6–8 p.m.; OP office
Departure date: Saturday, Sept. 13
Price: $28 students, $36 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: Wednesday, Sept. 17; 5–6 p.m.; OP office
Date: Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 20 & 21
Price: $46 students, $60 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 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. 24; 5–7 p.m.; OP office
Departure dates: Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 27 & 28
Price: $46 students, $60 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,
Organic Bouldering,
and the
Wyoming Conservation Corps. No preregistration.
Registration: 5–6 p.m., at the Half Acre climbing wall
Date: Fridays, Oct. 10, Nov. 14; 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. Prior climbing experience strongly encouraged. Climbing gear, most meals, and transportation included. Limit: 10 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Wednesday, Oct. 7; 5–6 p.m.; OP office
Departure date: Saturday, Oct. 11
Return date: Sunday, Oct. 12
Price: $84 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: Monday, Nov. 24, 5–6:30 p.m., OP office
Departure date: Wednesday, Nov. 26 (early morning departure)
Return date: Sunday, Nov. 30
Price: $226 students, $294 faculty/staff
Skiing and snowshoeing
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. 4; 5–6 p.m.; OP office
Departure date: Saturday, Dec. 6
Price: $21 student, $28 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 and is used as a fundraiser for the team. Typically there is a very low student to instructor ratio; there should be a lot 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, Nov. 20; 5–6 p.m.; OP office
Departure date: Sunday, Nov. 23
Price: $22 students, $26 faculty/staff
Special Programs
Fundamentals of mountain bike maintenance
Learn to do basic repairs on your bike, and get a free tune-up! Taught by mechanics at The Pedal House, this clinic will cover basics and offer you a chance to tune your own bike (limit: one/person) with the help of their tools and mechanics. 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. Limit: 7 participants.
Date: Thursday, Sept. 11; 6–8 p.m.
Location: The Pedal House; 207 S. 1st St.
Price: $19 student, $23 faculty/staff
2008 REEL ROCK Film Tour with Special Guest Micah Dash!
Big Up Productions and Sender Films are teaming up with Windstopper
and The North Face
to produce the third annual major international climbing film tour.
The Reel Rock Film Tour will feature two new groundbreaking climbing
films by the top producers in the industry: Josh Lowell and Peter Mortimer.
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.
Guest speaker Micah Dash has built quite an
impressive climbing resume over the years, and he is well-respected
throughout the climbing community. As a three-year member of the
Yosemite Search and Rescue Team he mastered free ascents on El Capitan’s
Freerider, and the Regular Route on Half Dome.
This year’s show, Kashmir Alpine Style, chronicles the epic first ascent
of the Shafat Fortress in Indian Kashmir. The Shafat Fortress is a 3,000
ft wall mountain that Jonny Copp and Micah Dash made the first ascent of last
summer. The show also includes brilliant photos and stories of Kashmiri
culture and travel as well as cutting edge climbing in Indian Creek Utah
and Yosemite Valley. It is enjoyable for climbers and non climbers
alike.
Cosponsored by
Cross Country Connection,
Mountain
Hardware and the
Fat Crack Festival.
Date: Friday, Sept. 19; A&S auditorium; 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.)
Price: free
Fall outdoor gear swap
Sell your old gear or find some “new to you” gear! We will sell your gear for you (and take a percentage of the sale). Set your own price. Pick up your money 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. 8; 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Gear drop off: Friday, Nov. 7; 6–8 p.m. & Saturday, Nov. 8; 8–10 a.m.
Gear pickup: Saturday, Nov. 8; 2–4 p.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, Oct. 23; 5–8 p.m.; OP office
Departure date: Saturday, Oct. 25
Price: $18 students, $23 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. 11; 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: Wednesday, Oct. 8; 6–8 p.m.; OP office
Pool sessions: Sundays, Oct. 12 & Oct. 19; 7–9 p.m.; Corbett pool (enter through the southeast doors only)
Price: $19 students, $25 faculty/staff
Drop-in kayak pool sessions (Please bring your WyoOne Card to the Corbett pool)
These sessions are for individuals who have prior kayaking experience. There is no instruction available in the pool; you need to know how to safely exit from a kayak before using the pool. Practice your kayaking technique or roll in Corbett pool. These popular sessions are a fun way to meet other boaters and just play around. Open to the community. Bring your own kayak. No advance registration required, just show up! The sessions are held at Corbett pool (enter thru the southeast doors only).
Dates: Sundays, Oct. 12, 19, 26, Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23; 4:30–6:30 p.m.
Price: Free for full-time students and active members of Half Acre, $5/person for nonmembers. (Please bring exact change to the pool, no credit cards allowed.)
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: Wednesdays, Oct. 22, 29, Nov. 5; 6–8 p.m.; OP office
Pool session dates: Sundays, Oct. 26, Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23; 7–9 p.m.; Corbett pool (southeast entrance only)
Price: $28 students, $36 faculty/staff
Quick Links
Events
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Fall 2008
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Spring 2008
Orientation Programs
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Summer Outdoor Experience
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Fall Outdoor Experience
UW credit for National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) courses
University of Wyoming
Outdoor Program
Department 3604
1000 E. University Ave.
Laramie, WY 82071
(307) 766-2402
e-mail: oap@uwyo.edu
