Into the great outdoors

The Outdoor Program, the division of Campus Rec that encourages students to get away from campus and into the great outdoors, is kicking off two excursions this weekend.

The program will lead a weekend climbing trip to Smith Rock from Friday to Sunday and a kayaking trip to Sauvie Island on Saturday. Pre-trip meetings, which are mandatory for many Outdoor Program trips, were held Wednesday to discuss trip details as well as safety issues.

The Sauvie Island kayaking trip is limited to just eight participants and all the spots were taken by Monday. The trip costs $38 for students and ASRC members and $80 for the general public. Sauvie Island is one of the largest freshwater islands in the country. It is so large that it has its own rivers, lakes and sloughs, and is perfect for sea kayaking exploration.

Steelman Lake will be explored as well as Sturgeon Lake via the narrows. One can expect to see great blue herons, sand-hill cranes, bald eagles, nutria and more. Participants and organizers will leave for the trip in a van, along with a truck and trailer for gear, at 8 a.m. on Saturday and plan to be back by 5 p.m. later that day.

Joel Sinclair, a graduate assistant with Outdoor Program, said the trips are largely tailored to the skill level and interest of the participants.

“We try to create trips that cater to both people that are just getting into the activity—whether it’s rock climbing or backpacking—all the way to people that have experience and are just looking to get outside, meet new people and further their outdoor abilities,” Sinclair said.

The weekend climbing trip to Smith Rock has already drawn 64 participants and three spots were still open on Monday. The $120 fee for students and ASRC members and $240 for the general public will cover transportation, food and all the required gear for the weekend.

Sinclair said that keeping the trip costs low is something the program strives for.

“We try to make them really affordable for students,” he said.

This trip is appropriate for both beginning and experienced climbers, and participants get to spend the weekend climbing at the beautiful Smith Rock State Park.

“We’ll leave Friday, get down there, set up camp and make a nice big dinner, then get up Saturday morning and just go climbing all day,” Sinclair said. “We set up the ropes and teach people the skills they need, teach them about the equipment they’re using, climb all day, then go back to the campsite and do it all over again on Sunday.”

The Outdoor Program is also arranging an overnight backpacking trip to the Columbia Gorge from May 29–31. More information on these and upcoming outdoor adventures can be found at www.pdx.edu/recreation/outdoor-program or by visiting the Outdoor Program office in the ASRC, room 101.