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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 are mandatory. If you cannot make it, you must make prior arrangements with the instructors.
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).
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 for all outings begins the first day of classes Monday, January 14! To register for an outing, a full payment is required for trips less than $50. For trips more than $50, a minimum of half of the trip cost is required to reserve a spot.
Full refunds are available if five-business-days notice, prior to the pre-trip meeting, is given. Fifty percent of a full trip payment is refundable with less than five business days notice, as long as the refunded amount exceeds $20. Refunds may take a few weeks to process.
*for persons without membership to Half Acre
This quick-and-dirty clinic is designed for people with little to no prior experience with rescue beacons. We will review the basic principles, using them when we practice. The clinic will introduce a few different types of transceivers. Participants will receive a gift certificate for a discount on one weekend rental of an avalanche rescue beacon from the OAP (restrictions apply). This clinic is limited to 10 participants without transceivers, and five additional participants with their own transceiver. Please come prepared to be outside for an hour or more. We do not recommend that you attend this clinic if you plan on signing up for the Level I avalanche class.
Clinic date: Wednesday, Jan. 23, 5–8 p.m., OAP office
Price: free!
This class is a must for anyone venturing into avalanche terrain in the winter. Taught by the coordinator of the Outdoor Adventure Program and National Ski Patrol (NSP) instructors, this comprehensive course is an NSP class; upon successful completion, participants will receive a certificate from the NSP. Topics covered: avalanche hazards and mechanics, route selection, slope analysis, weather, snow pack, transceiver use, probing techniques, self-rescue, and buddy rescue. Weekend sessions will be used to practice techniques. A very good level of physical fitness is required and familiarity with some form of human-powered backcountry winter travel is strongly recommended. All sessions are required. Limit: 20 participants. No transportation provided.
Classroom sessions: Tuesdays & Thursday, Jan. 29, 31, Feb. 5, 6–10 p.m., Classroom Building, room 222
Field sessions: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturdays, Feb. 2 & 9, locations TBA
Price: $42 students, $49 faculty/staff (price includes textbook, $5 discount for NSP members)
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 certification through the American Red Cross. Limit: 20 participants. Price includes textbooks. Please come prepared each night to go outside for up to an hour.
Classroom sessions: Mondays & Wednesdays, March 31, April 2, 7, 9; 6–10 p.m.; OAP office
Price: $49 students, $62 faculty/staff
Join us for a trip to the Little Brooklyn Lake Guard Station in the Snowies for a weekend of playing in the snow. Saturday we’ll snowshoe or ski two miles into the guard station and build a snow cave. Brave souls will sleep in the cave; some may opt for the cabin. On Sunday, we’ll head out for a hike. No prior snow camping experience necessary, most equipment and meals, transportation, and instruction will be provided. Limit: 7 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Wednesday, March 26; 5–6 p.m.; OAP office
Departure date: Saturday, March 29 (morning)
Return date: Sunday, March 30 (late afternoon)
Price: $41 students, $53 all faculty/staff
(Please note that this trip will be cost sharing; excess trip monies, if any, will be returned to trip participants) Join Emilene and friends for a spectacular trip down the Green River, south of Green River, UT floating through Labyrinth Canyon. Huge spectacular sandstone walls follow the river towards it’s confluence with the Colorado River. We’ll take some time to hit side canyons for hikes on a layover day and/or along the way. No prior canoeing experience necessary. Equipment, meals and transportation provided. Limit: 10 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Monday, March 10; 5–6 p.m.
Date: Monday, March 17–Sunday, March 23
Deposit: $100 (final due at the pre-trip meeting)
Tongue River Cave is located west of Sheridan, Wyoming. Join us as we take the time to explore (and help clean) the cave. The cave contains rooms as big as auditoriums and small constrictions where you go through on your belly. Come explore the depths of this special place with our experienced instructors. No prior caving experience necessary. Transportation, equipment, and most meals provided. Limit: 9 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Tuesday, April 8; 5–6 p.m.; OAP office
Departure date: Friday, April 12 (evening departure; time TBD)
Return date: Sunday, April 13
Price: $69 students, $82 faculty/staff
The earth is composed of more than 70 percent water. Why not explore more of it? This comprehensive course is the first part to receive your lifetime open water diving certification from Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). Upon completion of the course, students have six months to take the open water dive component (additional fees for open water certification dives). Course fees include instruction, Crew-Pack with manual, dive table, log book, DVD, and complimentary use of all gear for pool dives. Certain medical conditions may require a physician’s approval; participants must pass a swim test and practical skills test before moving on. Advanced homework must be completed before class, call or stop by for more information. Please bring a swimsuit and a towel. Limit: 10 participants.
Registration deadline: Monday, Feb. 4
Course dates: Friday, Feb. 15, 7–9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 16 & 17, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.; 202 Corbett (enter through the north doors of
Corbett on Sat. and Sun., by the Fine Arts Center parking lot)
Price: $239 students, $265 all faculty/staff
The North Platte River is a Blue Ribbon trout stream; join us for an awesome overnight trip to fish some of the best walk-in spots available. We’ll camp out by the river on Saturday night and hopefully hit the hot springs in Saratoga, too. Personal flies and Wyoming fishing license not included (though we can provide most all other equipment). Transportation, instruction, and food provided. Limit: 10 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Wednesday, April 9, 5–6 p.m.
Dates: Saturday–Sunday, April 12–13
Price: $49 students, $61 faculty/staff
Have you ever wanted to learn the 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 camping 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. Proficient basic rock-climbing skills are necessary to participate. Limit: 8 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Thursday, April 3; 6–8 p.m.
Date: Saturday–Sunday, April 5–6
Price: $41 student, $51 faculty/staff
The 307 Bouldering competition is the only state bouldering competition series nationwide; join us as we host the semi-finals at the Half Acre climbing wall! This series draws climbers from across the state and the region; routes will be set in the intermediate and advanced categories for men and women. High-quality prizes will be awarded to top finishers, and there will be a huge selection of raffle prizes from national and regional sponsors. For more information about the series visit: www.307bouldering.com
Registration: Saturday, Jan. 26, 4–6 p.m. at the climbing wall (nonmembers of Campus Recreation must pay $5 at the front
desk of Half Acre before proceeding to the wall)
Competition: Saturday, Jan. 26, 5–7
(same as men's now) 9 p.m. (female climbers), 5–9 p.m. (male climbers)
Price: $15 students, $20 non-members of Half Acre ($5 collected in the front office of Half Acre)
Learn to set routes at our wall! We’ll start off this clinic with an orientation to route setting safety, etiquette, and methodology and then set you loose with wrenches, holds, tape, and ladders. Route setting staff will oversee route development and provide feedback. This clinic will not certify you as a “route setter” to set your own routes from now on; participants can find out more information about setting for us at the clinic.
Date: Saturday, Feb. 9, 9-11 a.m. (please sign-up in the OAP office)
Price: free
Have you ever wanted to learn how to ice climb? This introductory trip will allow participants to experience waterfall ice and learn the special technique required to climb this medium. We can provide most participants with crampon-compatible boots and other ice-climbing equipment. Transportation and most other equipment will be provided. Prior rock-climbing experience and a very good level of physical fitness are necessary to participate. Limit: 6 participants.
Trip I
Pre-trip meeting: Wednesday, Feb.13; 5–6 6–7 p.m.; OAP office
Departure date: Saturday, Feb. 16 (very early departure time)
Trip II
Pre-trip meeting: Tuesday Wednesday, Feb. 20; 5–6 p.m.; OAP office
Departure date: Saturday, Feb. 23 (very early departure time)
Price: $29 students, $34 faculty/staff
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. No preregistration. This series is sponsored by Big Hoss Mountain Sports, Cross Country Connection, Organic Bouldering Pads, and Prana.
Registration: 5–6 p.m. (before the competition), at the Half Acre climbing wall
Date: Fridays, Feb. 29, March 28, and April 25; 6–9 p.m.
Price: free for Half Acre members, $5 for nonmembers
This two-part trip will head to the inspiring sandstone canyon country of Southern Utah. The first half of the week we’ll be canyoneering (rappelling into and exploring narrow slot canyons) in the Robber’s Roost area. The second half of the trip will be dedicated to climbing outside of Moab. No prior canyoneering or climbing experience necessary, although a good level of physical fitness is important. Most meals and equipment provided. Limit: 10 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Tuesday, March 11, 5–6:30 p.m., OAP office
Departure date: Saturday, March 15
Return date: Sunday, March 22 or 23
Price: $195 students, $250 faculty/staff
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, April 10; 5–7 p.m.; OAP office
Departure date: Saturday, April 12
Trip II
Pre-trip meeting: Thursday, April 24;
Wednesday, April 23 (new date), 5–7 p.m.; OAP office
Departure date: Saturday, April 26
Price: $11 students, $19 faculty/staff
Shelf Road, located outside of Ca๑on City, CO is home to classic sport climbing. Join us for a fun-filled weekend of sport routes on some spectacular rock. Some prior climbing experience is necessary. Climbing gear, meals (except 1–2 meals), and transportation included. Limit: 10 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Tuesday, April 2; 5–6 p.m.; OAP office
Departure date: Saturday, April 5 (early morning departure)
Return date: Sunday, April 6
Price: $48 students, $62 faculty/staff
This is a must-do clinic for climbers! Learn vital gear placements and practice placing a plethora of gear for different 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. 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, April 16; 5–7 p.m.; OAP office
Departure dates: Saturday & Sunday, April 19 & 20
Price: $22 students, $29 faculty/staff
Join our female instructors for a two-day trip to Vedauwoo. Instruction will begin at the OAP office and at the indoor climbing wall, going over knots, harnesses, commands, and general safety. We’ll spend the two days at Vedauwoo climbing a variety of different climbs, overnight camping at Vedauwoo is optional. This outing will be a great way to get introduced to climbing in a fun environment. All equipment and transportation provided. Limit: 10 participants.
Pre-tip meeting: Thursday, April 17; 5–7 p.m.; OAP office
Departure dates: Saturday & Sunday, April 19 & 20
Price: $22 students, $29 faculty/staff
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. You must have prior climbing experience. We can provide equipment if you don’t have your own. OAP leaders will be setting all top-ropes. Transportation provided. Limit: 10 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Thursday, May 15; 5–6 p.m.; OAP office
Date: Saturday & Sunday, May 17 & 18
Price: $22 students, $29 faculty/staff
We’ve scheduled four fantastic snowshoe trips to various areas around the region. Come join us for one or all three!
Happy jack is our local snowshoe destination, located just 15 min. to the east. We’ll head out for a half-day of snowshoeing to check out some of the best trails up there and give you information about others. No snowshoeing experience necessary. Snowshoes and transportation included. Limit: 10 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Thursday, Jan. 17; 5–5:45 p.m.; OAP office
Departure date: Saturday, Jan. 19
Price: $10 student, $15 faculty/staff
We’ll hike up along the ridgeline of Libby Creek canyon and break for lunch, overseeing a spectacular view of the Laramie Valley. The trail descends into Libby Creek and ties into Barber Lake Trail. The whole loop is roughly 6 miles with some moderate elevation gain. No prior snowshoeing experience is necessary. Transportation and equipment is provided. Limit: 10 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Wednesday, Jan. 30; 5–5:45 p.m.; OAP office
Departure date: Saturday, Feb. 2
Price: $10 student, $15 faculty/staff
Come with us to Lake Agnes, a beautiful high-mountain cirque north of Rocky Mountain National Park. We’ll spend part of the day out on a hike. The hiking will be on a 2.5 Mi. out-and-back trail gaining over 1000’ in elevation. A good level of physical fitness is important. Limit: 10 participants. Snowshoes and transportation provided.
Pre-trip meeting: Wednesday, Feb. 6; 5–6 p.m.; OAP office
Departure date: Saturday, Feb. 9
Price: $14 student, $19 faculty/staff
Join us for a spectacular opportunity to snowshoe under moonlit skies! We’ll head out in the evening on Thursday and hopefully be in good position for the moonrise over the Laramie Range Mountains. We’ll hit the Bear Tree for dinner, too (on your own). Snowshoes and transportation provided. No prior snowshoeing experience necessary, although you will need warm clothes! Limit: 10 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Tuesday, Feb. 19; 5–6 p.m.; OAP office
Departure date: Thursday, Feb. 21, (approximate departure time of 5 p.m.)
Price: $11 students, $15 faculty/staff
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, Feb. 21; 6–7 p.m.; OAP office
Departure date: Sunday, Feb. 24
Price: $19 students, $24 faculty/staff
The Snowies are home to awesome backcountry skiing! Come and explore some of it with us. An advanced level of skiing/snowboarding experience is required, and a very strong level of physical fitness is important. Participants will practice evaluating backcountry terrain and snowpack for avalanche potential and learn the importance of educated decisions. Backcountry skiing/snowboarding is dependent upon conditions, no guarantees will be made as to the safety of the snowpack; we may not be able to ski. Transportation and some equipment will be provided. Limit: 10 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Wednesday,
Jan. 31 Tuesday, Feb. 26 (new date); 5–7 p.m.; OAP office (It is strongly recommended that you participate
in the avalanche rescue beacon clinic on Wednesday, Jan. 23 or the level I avalanche class)
Departure date: Saturday, March 1
Price: $22 students, $29 all faculty/staff
Two days of FREE, exciting mountain adventure and culture films! The Banff Film Festival, held annually in Banff, Alberta, draws films from all over the world. Shortly after the winners are announced, you see only the “Best of the Fest” as they tour the country and the world with the show. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity that usually costs $20 or more a ticket! This event is made possible by the generous support of the Student Activities Council and Cross Country Connection. Movies are not rated by the MPAA. Screened movies will not be selected until the night of the show. Please call for more information.
Dates: Saturday & Sunday, Feb. 23 & 24; 7 p.m.
Location: Arts & Sciences auditorium
Price: Free
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 spring break; this clinic will cover fixing a flat to gear adjustments and many other things in between. Limit: 4 participants.
Date: Wednesday, March 12; 6:30–8 p.m.
Location: The Pedal House, 207 S. 1st St.
Price: $19 student, $23 faculty/staff
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, March 8; 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Gear drop off: Friday, March 7; 6–8 p.m. & Saturday, March 8; 8–10 a.m.
Gear pickup: Saturday, March 8; 2–4 p.m.
Location: Yellowstone Ballroom, Wyoming Union
Bill Hatcher, a freelance photographer for National Geographic and other publications including Outside magazine and Smithsonian will be giving a presentation entitled “stories from the field” on April 3. Hatcher specializes in adventure and expedition photography, including climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, and backcountry skiing and snowboarding, among others.
Hatcher will talk about the behind the scenes of some of the magazine expedition stories he has worked on around the world from wall climbing in Pakistan, tree climbing with scientists in Malaysia, running to and then away from flash floods in the Navajo Indian Lands, to Alaska where he was assigned to follow an elderly guided climbing team to the summit of Mt. McKinley. A basic truth runs through all these stories; if you combine talented, motivated adventurers with a remote, beautiful and potentially deadly environment (and you succeed in living to tell the story), you will likely have a good story to tell.
Earning a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Wyoming in 1984, Hatcher has been a freelance photographer since 1987. The presentation is free and open to the public. For more information please call (307) 766-2402
Date: Thursday, April 3 at 7 p.m.
Location: Business Building Auditorium
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, Feb. 27; 5–6 p.m.; OAP office
Pool sessions: Sundays, March 2 & 9; 7–9 p.m.; Corbett pool (enter through the southeast doors only)
Price: $9 students, $15 faculty/staff
These sessions are for individuals who have prior kayaking experience. There is no instruction available in the pool; you must 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, March 2, 9, 30, April 6, 13, 20; 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.)
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 8 hours of scheduled pool time, and six hours of classroom time! Limit: 8 participants. Participants must attend all sessions.
Class dates: Tuesdays, April 1, 8, 15; 6–8 p.m.; OAP office
Pool session dates: Sundays, April 6, 13, 20, 27; 7–9 p.m.; Corbett pool (southeast entrance only)
Price: $24 students, $30 faculty/staff
Join us for a fun day of instruction on the fundamentals of freestyle kayaking. Participants must have ample kayaking experience; either OAP white water kayak class graduates or by approval of the instructors. Learn to play on river features using fundamental moves as your foundation to playboating. Front surf, side surf, spin, cartwheel, stern squirt, and endless others. Personal gear must be appropriate for cold water and weather paddling; wetsuit or dry suit is necessary (the OAP does not have this equipment to rent). Transportation and equipment including kayak, skirt, paddle, helmet, and lifejacket provided. Location to be determined; possible locations include the whitewater parks in Steamboat, Colo.; Casper, Wyo.; or Golden, Colo., in that order. Limit: 6 participants.
Pool session: Sun., April 20; 4:30–6:30 p.m.; Corbett Pool (southeast doors only), during the drop-in kayak pool session
Pre-trip meeting: Fri., April 25; 5–6 p.m.; Corbett Pool (no pool practice)
Departure date: Saturday, April 26
Price: $39 student, $49 other
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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