The (below) schedule is an archive of the fall 2011 OP schedule. Please see spring 2012 events for a current schedule.

Things to know before you sign-up...

Registration

Registration for all outings begins the first day of classes, Monday, August 22. 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

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.

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.

*for non-members of Half Acre

Course Descriptions by Type

Biking/bike maintenance

Fundamentals of Bike Maintenance

Learn the essentials of repairing your bike, and get a free tune-up. Taught by our bike shop mechanic Cindy, this series of clinics will cover a progression of skills and offer you a chance to tune your own bike (limit: one/person). Perfect for getting your bike tuned up for fall riding; this clinic will cover fixing a flat to gear adjustments and many other things in between. Limit: ten participants per clinic.

Clinic I: Wednesday, Sept. 7; 6:30-8 p.m.

This first class will teach you the anatomy and terminology of your bicycle while discovering how to tell if there is a problem that needs to be addressed. Skills taught include learning how to remove wheels and change a flat tire.

Clinic II: Wednesday, Sept. 14; 6:30-8 p.m.

While you do not need to attend the first clinic to attend the second, it is recommended. Skills taught include learning how to adjust the brakes and gears on your bicycle.

Clinic III: Wednesday, Sept. 21; 6:30-8 p.m.

You learned what a hub, headset, and bottom bracket are in Bicycle Maintenance I. Now learn how to repair them in Bicycle Maintenance III.

Clinic IV: Wednesday, Sept. 28; 6:30-8 p.m.

Bicycle Maintenance IV is the final chapter of our series of bicycle maintenance. This class time will be an open session to refresh skills already covered and to discuss more advanced work.

Location: OP Office

Price per clinic: $5 student, $7 faculty/staff

Mountain biking skills clinic

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. 19, 6-8 p.m. 5-7 p.m., OP office

Price: $5 students, $7 faculty/staff

Mountain biking: Soapstone Prairie Natural Area

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. Limit: 8 participants.

Pre-trip meeting: Wednesday, Sept. 21; 5-6 p.m.; OP office

Date: Saturday, Sept. 24

Price: $23 students, $30 faculty/staff

Canoeing

Canoe trip and hot springs, 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, 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. 31; 5-6 p.m.; OP office

Departure date: Saturday, Sept. 3

Return Date: Monday, Sept. 5

Price: $131 students, $170 faculty/staff

Camping/hiking

Yellowstone National Park & Thermopolis Hot Springs

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, Mammoth Hot Springs, 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, Sept. 1, 5-6 p.m., OP office

Departure date: Saturday, Sept. 3

Return Date: Monday, Sept. 5

Price: $132 students, $158 faculty/staff

Fall Hiking Series

This fall, join us for five 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.

Full-moon hike, Medicine Bow Peak

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 Tavern for a pizza dinner (on-your-own) before or 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.

Departure date/time: Monday, Sept. 12, 5 p.m., OP office

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 is approximately six miles long. Transportation provided. Limit: 12 participants.

Pre-trip meeting: Wednesday, Sept. 14; 5-6 p.m.; OP office

Departure date: Saturday, Sept. 17 (early departure time TBD)

Price: $21 students, $27 faculty/staff

Laramie Peak

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, Sept. 29; 5-6 p.m.; OP office

Departure date: Saturday, Oct. 1

Price: $26 students, $34 faculty/staff

Snowy Range Ecology day-hike

Join Ecologist Dr. Bob Hall and Outdoor Program leaders for a hike in the Snowy Range to include a discussion of stream ecology and food webs in the Snowy Range. The hike will likely entail a loop around some of the alpine lakes in the Snowy Range. Transportation provided. Limit: 12 participants.

Pre-trip meeting: Thursday, Oct. 6; 5-6 p.m.; OP office

Departure date: Saturday, Oct. 8

Price: $21 students, $27 faculty/staff

Grand Canyon National Park

Join us over Thanksgiving break for a trip to Grand Canyon National Park! We'll camp on the South Rim in a campground, and head out for day hikes each day; all-day long. Our focus will be on exploring as much of the park as we can over the three-day period. Nights will be cold, and the weather this time of year can be challenging; we may change the itinerary based upon conditions so please be flexible. Equipment, transportation and most meals will be provided. Limit: 15 participants.

Pre-trip meeting: Thursday, Nov. 17, 5-6 p.m., OP office

Departure date: Wednesday, Nov. 23 (very early departure time)

Return Date: Sunday, Nov. 27 (weather dependent)

Price: $192 students, $230 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: Thursday, Sep. 22; 5-6 p.m.; OP office

Departure date: Saturday, Sept. 24

Return date: Sunday, Sept. 25

Price: $79 students, $103 faculty/staff

Climbing

Rock-Climbing Fundamentals, 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, Aug. 25; 5-7 p.m.; OP office

Departure date: Saturday, Aug. 27

Trip II

Pre-trip meeting: Thursday, Sept. 8; 5-7 p.m.; OP office

Departure date: Saturday, Sept. 10

Price: $26 students, $33 faculty/staff

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 climbing wall member, but you MUST be a UW student, faculty, staff, spouse, or dependent. Register onsite at the start of the comp.

Competition: Friday, Sept. 9; 6-9 p.m.; Half Acre climbing wall

Price: Free!

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. 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. 15; 5-7 p.m.; OP office

Date: Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 17 & 18

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 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. 22; 6-8 p.m.; OP office

Departure dates: Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 24 & 25

Price: $51 students, $66 others

Rock climbing, bouldering trip to Needle Peak

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: Wednesday, Sept. 28; 5-6 p.m.; OP office

Departure date: Saturday, Oct. 1

Price: $26 students, $33 faculty/staff

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. Theme attire is optional, though encouraged; there will be prizes for the best dressed (please ensure that costumes meet the appropriate guidelines for attire within the gym). Sponsored by Clif Bar, Cross Country Connection, the National Outdoor Leadership School and the Wyoming Conservation Corps. No pre-registration. Participants must complete the following waiver before being allowed to climb.

Date: Fridays, Oct. 7 (Wild West theme), Nov. 11 (Recycled Halloween theme); 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. 13; 5-6 p.m.; OP office

Departure date: Saturday, Oct. 15

Return date: Sunday, Oct. 16

Price: $93 students, $109 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: Tuesday, Sept. 20, 5-7 p.m. 4-6 p.m.; OP office  

Price: Free!

Fly-fishing trip to the North Platte River

There are numerous fantastic fishing spots along the North Platte River in Wyoming, join us as we hit one of them! We'll be camping near the river, shore casting and/or wading both days on the River. Trip costs do not include your Wyoming Fishing License or flies; we will provide transportation, most meals, rods, reels and camping equipment. Limit: 7 participants.

Pre-trip meeting: Tuesday, Sept. 27, 5-6 p.m.

Departure date: Saturday, Oct. 1

Return date: Sunday, Oct. 2

Price: $63 students, $81 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: Wednesday, Oct. 5; 5-6 p.m.; OP office

Departure date: Saturday, Oct. 8

Return date: Sunday, Oct. 9

Price: $106 student, $137 faculty/staff

Snow Sports/avalanche awareness

Avalanche awareness/rescue beacon clinic

This clinic is designed for people with no prior experience with avalanche safety training or rescue beacons. The classroom session will be used to review the basic principles of avalanche awareness and beacon/avalanche rescue. The field day will focus on identifying avalanche terrain, reducing search times, and practicing companion rescue. This is NOT a level I avalanche class; a level I class is highly recommended before venturing out into avalanche terrain. Limit: 10 participants. Equipment and transportation provided.

Classroom session: Thursday, Nov. 10; 5-8 p.m.; OP office

Field session: Saturday, Nov. 12

Price: $21 students, $27 faculty/staff

Snowshoe trip to the Snowies

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. 30; 5-6 p.m.; OP office

Departure date: Saturday, Dec. 3

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. 1; 5-6 p.m.; OP office

Departure date: Sunday, Dec. 4

Price: $29 students, $39 faculty/staff

Special Programs

2011 REEL ROCK Film Tour

The 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 6th annual REEL ROCK Film Tour. We've gathered the wildest climbing stories from around the globe: The legendary race for the Nose speed record; The queen of the off-width cracks; A nine year old bouldering prodigy; Tommy Caldwell's efforts on the hardest big wall free climb; A crazed high-lining champion; And the most insane ice climbing action ever. It's all part of the cinematic tour de force that is REEL ROCK VI. Co-sponsored by Cross Country Connection.

Date: Friday, Sept. 16; Education Auditorium; 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.)

Price: Free

Backcountry Cooking Clinic

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: Wednesday, Oct. 12, 6-8 p.m.; OP office

Price:  $5 students, $7 faculty/staff

Fall Outdoor Gear Swap

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.). Checks and cash are the only forms of acceptable payment; checks are made out directly to the seller.

Sellers: We will facilitate all transactions, and take a percentage of each sale. There is a drop off time on Friday evening and Saturday morning; you need to set prices on your gear and check it all in with us. Sellers MUST pick up your money and/or gear that did not sell on the same day of the swap. Call for more details.

Gear swap: Saturday, Nov. 19; 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Gear drop off: Friday, Nov. 18; 6-8 p.m. & Saturday, Oct. 19; 8-10 a.m.

Gear pickup: Saturday, Nov. 19; 1-3 p.m. ONLY

Location: Yellowstone Ballroom, Wyoming Union

Water Sports

White water kayaking class

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 six hours of scheduled pool time, and four hours of classroom time! Limit: 8 participants.

Class dates: Wednesdays, Nov. 2, 9; 6-8 p.m.; OP office

Pool session dates: Sundays, Nov. 6, 13, 20; 7-9 p.m.; Corbett pool (southeast entrance only)

Price: $32 students, $42 faculty/staff

Drop-in kayak pool sessions (Please bring your Campus Express ID to Corbett)

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, Nov. 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 accepted.)

Wilderness Medicine

Wilderness and Remote First Aid/CPR with AED

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 two-year certification through the American Red Cross in Wilderness and Remote First Aid, and a two-year certification in Adult CPR and AED. Limit: 20 participants. Price includes textbooks. Please come prepared to go outside for up to an hour each day.

Classroom sessions: Friday, Oct. 21; 6-10 p.m., Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 22 & 23, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Half Acre Instruction and Training Room, #116

Price: $59 students, $69 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.

Registration letter | Participant waiver/asumption of risk

Location: Corbett Building, room 202

Dates: December 10-19

Price: $595 UW students, $650 all others