ISU Bengal

Issue date: 2/15/06 Section: Life

Winter means different things to different people. To some winter means shoveling snow, to some it means snowboarding. To some winter means bundling up to defeat the cold, to others it means embracing the crispness of the air. Some take pleasure in winter, others dream of days when they no longer have to trudge to class in a blizzard - uphill both ways. Some grumble about the snow, others go out and enjoy it. (Or grumble about the lack of snow.)

For students seeking to participate in winter activities, the ISU Outdoor Program has a lot to offer. From ski trips to climbing lessons to soaking in hot springs, there is something for just about everybody. Some activities that are offered through the outdoor program include:

• Weekly cross-country ski and snowshoe day trips. Participants meet every Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. at the Outdoor Program office.

• Alpine ski trips to Pebble Creek on Fridays. Participants meet at OP office. Shuttle(s) leave at noon and return when the lifts close. Cost is $5 plus lift pass.

• Several cross-country ski and snowshoe yurt trips through the Portneuf Range backcountry are planned for spring semester. Several levels of difficulty are available. The next trip will visit Jackson Yurt on the weekend of Feb 17-20, and a week-long yurt to yurt adventure is planned for the week of spring break. Interested persons should contact Justin Dayley in the OP office.

• There will be a cross-country ski workshop in Soda Springs on Saturday, Feb 18. Interested persons contact Peter Joyce in the OP office.

• An ice climbing workshop will be held on Feb 18-19. The workshop will be in Wyoming's Wind River mountain range, between Togwotee pass and Dubois. There is no charge for the workshop, and travel fees are $20 per person. Participants will need crampons, climbing boots and ice tools. This will be a weekend long camping trip, and usage fees may apply.

Equipment rentals for ice climbing, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are available in the Wilderness Rental Center in the first floor of the SUB. ISU students participating in an Outdoor Program activity receive a 50% discount on equipment rental fees. "We understand these activities can be expensive," says Program Coordinator Justin Dayley, "so we try to keep them as affordable as possible so students have a choice."

Getting into outdoor activities can be a good way to beat the winter doldrums. "Our main goal is to provide opportunities for students to participate in these activities," says Dayley, "many people simply don't get outside enough."

The next time you feel the need for a break from monotony, perhaps a day out on snowshoes or a day at Pebble is the remedy. Afternoons at Pebble can be a great release, but can be habit forming and have killed more than one GPA. Consider yourself warned.

On a more serious note, one caution is in order. Outdoor activities are inherently dangerous. Before venturing into the backcountry, be sure you are aware of the risks and account for them accordingly. Never go alone, and if you don't know the terrain, make sure there is someone in your party who does. Be safe-and have fun.

The Outdoor Program assists students in having safe fun in the outdoors. "These clinics are an opportunity for individuals to acquaint themselves with these activities," says Dayley, "We really work to help students select the best activity for them".

The helpful people in the Outdoor Program can be contacted at 282-3912. The Wilderness Rental Center can be contacted at 282-2945.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools