Things to know before you sign-up, below. Then check out our complete schedule.
Registration for all outings begins the first day of classes, Monday, August 27. 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.
Outings are only available to UW students, faculty, and staff (dependents and spouses). Lectures, slideshows, the Friday Night Bouldering Series, Wilderness First Responder course, and the gear swap are open to the general public.
Pre-trip meetings are mandatory. If you cannot attend, 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 (credit card only).
Make sure you can go before you sign-up! 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.
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 |
Technical Rating Description |
||
|
L |
Low to moderate physical activity |
1 | No previous background or experience necessary |
|
M |
Moderate to strenuous physical activity |
2 | Requires some background and experience |
|
S |
Strenuous to very strenuous physical activity |
3 |
Requires proficiency |
*available to non-UW affiliated individuals
Learn the essentials of bicycle repair with our bicycle mechanic. This series of clinics progresses from basic skills, such as flat repair, to more advanced skills. Bring your own bike to work on or work on one of ours. Though it is not required to attend all four clinics, some of them do overlap. Limit: ten participants per clinic.
Clinic I: Wednesday, Sept. 5; 6–8 p.m.
This first clinic will teach you the anatomy and terminology of your bicycle, how to tell if a repair is needed, how to clean your bike, change a flat tire, and lube the chain.
Clinic II: Wednesday, Sept. 12; 6–8 p.m.
It is highly recommended that you attend the first clinic to attend the second, but it is not required. In this clinic you will learn the difference between a cassette and a freewheel; and how to overhaul and adjust hubs, headsets, and bottom brackets.
Clinic III: Wednesday, Sept. 19; 6–8 p.m.
Being able to stop is important. In this clinic you will learn about different types of braking systems and how to adjust them. Includes inspection of braking surfaces and brake pads.
Clinic IV: Wednesday, Sept. 26; 6–8 p.m.
This final clinic will cover adjusting derailleur systems, also known as adjusting your gears. You will learn how to inspect your cables and housing, check derailleur alignment, and adjusting limit screws.
Location: OP Office
Price per clinic: $5 students, $7 faculty/staff
Join us for a low-intensity mountain biking skills clinic. This two-hour clinic will cover the essential skills you need to take your mountain biking to the next level. Skills such as breaking, shifting-on-the-fly, cornering, descending, ascending, and basic technical movement will be covered. No prior mountain biking experience necessary. Limit: 10 participants. Bike and helmet included; riders who have their own bike are strongly encouraged to bring them. Please come to the clinic dressed and ready to ride!
Clinic date/time: Monday, Sept. 17, 5-7 p.m., Half Acre Conference Room
Price: $5 students, $7 faculty/staff
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, and hit the Saratoga hot springs! On Saturday, We’ll spend part practicing canoeing skills (paddling strokes, rescue, and boating safety) before we hit the water. No prior canoeing experience required. Transportation, equipment, and meals provided. Limit: 10 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Wednesday, Aug. 29; 5–6 p.m., Half Acre Conference Room
Departure date: Saturday, Sept. 1
Return Date: Monday, Sept. 3
Price: $131 students, $170 faculty/staff
Join us for a trip to the first National Park in the United States; Yellowstone! We’ll tent-camp in the park for two nights, visiting the historic and most significant parts of the park; Old Faithful, Yellowstone Lake, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. We’ll day-hike to all sites, so participants need to be prepared to be out all day. Transportation, camping equipment, park entry fees and most meals provided. Hot springs admission is not included. Limit: 25 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Thursday, Aug. 30, 5–6 p.m., Half Acre Instruction and Training Room, #116
Departure date: Saturday, Sept. 1
Return Date: Monday, Sept. 3
Price: $132 students, $158 faculty/staff
This fall, join us for four spectacular hikes around the region. Sign up for individual hikes or for all four.
Head up Medicine Bow Peak by moonlight, and/or headlamps; this popular trip is a wonderful opportunity to experience an exhilarating hike on a fall evening. We’ll stop by the Beartree Restaurant for a pizza dinner (on-your-own) after the hike. Typically this trip returns rather late, so be prepared to be out for the whole evening. The hike will depart from the Lewis Lake Trailhead for a short but strenuous hike right up to the peak. Transportation provided. Limit: 12 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Wednesday, Aug. 29; 6–7 p.m.; Half Acre Conference Room
Departure date: Saturday, Sept. 1 (evening)
Price: $21 students, $27 faculty/staff
Rock Creek Trail, located on the northern toe of the Medicine Bow Mountains, is a beautiful canyon hike that follows Rock Creek. The canyon should contain the beginnings of spectacular fall color. This out-and-back hike is approximately six miles long. Transportation provided. Limit: 12 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Wednesday, Sept. 19; 5–6 p.m. Thursday, Sept 20 5pm-6pm, Half Acre Conference Room
Departure date: Saturday, Sept. 22
Price: $21 students, $27 faculty/staff
Hike around Turtle Rock trail by moonlight. If the clouds are away, we should experience fantastic scenery of illuminated rocks and stunning shadows. . This hike is approximately three miles long. Transportation provided. Limit: 12 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Thursday, Sept. 27; 5–6 p.m.; Half Acre Conference Room
Departure date: Sunday, Sept. 30
Price: $21 students, $27 faculty/staff
Laramie Peak is 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, Oct. 4; 5–6 p.m.; Half Acre Conference Room
Departure date: Saturday, Oct. 6
Price: $26 students, $34 faculty/staff
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. 26; 5–6 p.m.; Half Acre Conference Room
Departure date: Saturday, Sept. 29
Return date: Sunday, Sept. 30
Price: $79 students, $103 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.
Pre-trip meeting: Wednesday, Sept. 5; 5–7 p.m.; Half Acre Conference Room
Departure date: Saturday, Sept. 8
Price: $26 students, $33 faculty/staff
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 MUST be a UW student, faculty, staff, spouse, or dependent to participate. Register onsite at the start of the comp.
Competition: Friday, Sept. 7; 6–9 p.m.; Half Acre climbing wall
Price: Free!
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. OP leaders will be setting all top-ropes. Transportation and equipment provided. Limit: 10 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Thursday, Sept. 13; 5–6 p.m.; Half Acre Conference Room
Date: Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 15 & 16
Price: $51 students, $66 faculty/staff
This is a must-do clinic for climbers! Learn how to place a plethora of gear for dissimilar anchors. Prior 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: Thursday, Sept. 20; 6–8 p.m.; Half Acre Instruction and Training Room
Departure dates: Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 22 & 23
Price: $51 students, $66 others
Join Vedauwoo Bouldering guidebook author and climber Davin Bagdonas for a bouldering trip to Needle Peak, WY. Needle Peak offers well featured granite surrounded by a beautiful landscape between the Sierra Madre and Medicine Bow Mountains. We’ll head over for a day of bouldering. If there is time, we’ll hit the Saratoga hot springs before we return to Laramie. Transportation and equipment provided. Limit: 10 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Thursday, Oct. 11; 5–6 p.m.; Half Acre Conference Room
Departure date: Saturday, Oct. 13
Price: $26 students, $33 faculty/staff
The Friday-Night Bouldering Series (FNBS) is our fun, low-key competition series open to the community. This season we celebrate ten years of the series! New routes will be set for every competition for all abilities from beginner to advanced. T-shirts 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 Cross Country Connection, Organic Bouldering Mats, Blue Sun Designs, the Wyoming Conservation Corps. and Atmosphere Mountain Works. No preregistration. Minors must have their parents complete the UW release prior to being allowed to climb.
Date: Fridays, Oct. 5, Nov. 2; 6–9 p.m.; Half Acre climbing wall
Price: Free for Half Acre members, $5 for nonmembers
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 camp in Lander. Prior climbing experience strongly encouraged. Climbing gear, most meals, and transportation included. Limit: 10 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Wednesday, Oct. 17; 5–6 p.m.; Half Acre Conference Room
Departure date: Saturday, Oct. 20
Return date: Sunday, Oct. 21
Price: $93 students, $109 faculty/staff
Join us over thanksgiving break for a rock climbing trip to Moab, Utah! We will hit some of the best climbing in the area; Wall Street, Kane Creek, and also break for a brief trip into Arches National Park. No prior climbing experience necessary. Equipment, instruction, most meals, and transportation provided. Limit: ten participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Monday, Nov. 19, 5-6 p.m.; Half Acre Conference Room
Departure date: Wednesday, Nov. 21
Return date: Sunday, Nov. 25
Price: $192 student, $230 faculty/staff
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. 10; 5–6 p.m.; Half Acre Conference Room
Departure date: Saturday, Oct. 13
Return date: Sunday, Oct. 14
Price: $106 student, $137 faculty/staff
This clinic is designed for people with no prior experience with avalanche safety training or rescue beacons. The clinic will be used to review the basic principles of avalanche awareness and beacon/avalanche rescue. This is NOT a level I avalanche class; a level I class is highly recommended before venturing out into avalanche terrain. Limit: 15 participants. Equipment provided.
Classroom session: Wednesday, Nov. 14; 5–8 p.m.; Half Acre Instruction and Training Room
Price: $5 students, $7 faculty/staff
We’ll head up to the Snowies for a 4-6 mi. hike on Libby Creek Trail (snow conditions depending, we may choose to explore Happy Jack instead).No experience necessary; snowshoes and transportation included. Limit: 10 participants.
Pre-trip meeting: Wednesday, Nov. 28; 5–6 p.m.; Half Acre Conference Room
Departure date: Saturday, Dec. 1
Price: $23 student, $30 faculty/staff
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. 6; 5–6 p.m.; Half Acre Conference Room
Departure date: Sunday, Dec. 9
Price: $29 students, $39 faculty/staff
Learn the fundamentals of maintaining skis or snowboards from our ski technician Cindy Dywan. This clinic will introduce you to proper use of our ski tuning area and tools while covering the basics such as base prep, edging, waxing, and finishing. Bring your own skis/snowboard or work on one of ours. This clinic does not cover major base or edge repair. Limit: ten participants.
Clinic dates: October 24, November 7 & 28, 6-8 p.m., OP office
Price $5 students, $7 faculty/staff
The seventh annual REEL ROCK Film Tour brings the best in climbing and adventure films to local audiences across the globe. REEL ROCK shows are spirited events where climbers and outdoors lovers come together to celebrate and sample the ultimate in adventure filmmaking. Sender Films and Big UP Productions are at it again, with a mind-blowing, palm-sweating pump-fest of climbing flicks for the 7th annual REEL ROCK Film Tour. They gathered the wildest climbing stories from around the globe: Alpine legend Conrad Anker fulfills a lifelong obsession, climbing a new route on Meru with Renan Ozturk and Jimmy Chin. Sport climbing icons Chris Sharma and Adam Ondra battle to establish the world's first 5.15c, while Sasha DiGiulian and Daila Ojeda shred standards on radical Spanish limestone. Free solo superstar Alex Honnold tries to balance pure ambition with self-preservation, as he continues his groundbreaking feats in Yosemite and beyond. The absurdist game of offwidth climbing faces a British invasion, as the UK's "Wide Boys" tackle America's most heinous fissures. Co-sponsored by Cross Country Connection.
Date: Friday, Sept. 14; Education Building Auditorium; 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.)
Price: Free
Join author, adventurer and Laramie local Mark Jenkins for a night of stories of his 2012 summit of Mt. Everest with The North Face team. Jenkins is a field staff writer for National Geographic magazine and a writer in residence for UW. A critically acclaimed journalist, Jenkins covers the globe writing about geopolitical issues, from opium smuggling in Afghanistan to HIV/ AIDS in Botswana, ethnic cleansing in Burma to mountaineering in Pakistan. Prior to working for National Geographic, Jenkins was The Hard Way columnist for Outside magazine for eight years. Jenkins is also the author of four books: A Man's Life (Modern Times, 2007), The Hard Way (Simon and Schuster, 2002), To Timbuktu (Morrow, 1997), and Off The Map (Morrow, 1992).
Date: Tuesday, Sept. 18, 7 p.m.
Location: Education Building Auditorium
Price: Free
Join our instructors as they whip up some yummy camp food and share their favorite camp recipes with you. We’ll focus on easy and fun backpacking food, as well as front-country Dutch oven cooking. Food included, so come hungry! Limit: 12 participants.
Date: Thursday, Oct. 18, 6–8 p.m.; Half Acre Instruction and Training Room
Price: $5 students, $7 faculty/staff
Sell your old gear or find some “new-to-you” outdoor gear at this very popular one-day only sale!
Buyers: there is no cost to attend the swap; buyers typically line-up at the door around 10:30 a.m. to gain entry (doors open at 11 a.m.). Local checks (with a valid ID) and cash are the only forms of acceptable payment; each check is made out directly to each seller you purchase from; you may be writing multiple checks depending upon how many items you purchase (therefore we prefer cash).
SellersGear drop off: Saturday, Nov. 17; 6–8 p.m. & Sunday, Nov. 18; 8–10 a.m.
Gear pickup: Sunday, Nov. 18; 1-3 p.m. ONLY
Location: Yellowstone Ballroom, Wyoming Union
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 in Wilderness First Aid, and a one-year certification in CPR. Limit: 20 participants. Price includes textbooks. Please come prepared to go outside for up to an hour each day.
Classroom sessions: Friday, Oct. 26; 6–10 p.m., Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 27 & 28, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; Half Acre Instruction and Training Room, #116
Price: $59 students, $69 faculty/staff
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 9-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. Please see the registration letter for more information. Participants must complete the release/waiver prior to the first day of class as well.
Location: Corbett Building, room 202
Dates: December 15–23
Price: $595 UW students, $650 all others
