Online exclusive: Heading to the mountain for some snowshoeing fun

Coming up this weekend, the PSU Campus Rec’s outdoor program is taking a trip to Mount Hood for a fun-filled day of snowshoeing. Due to undesirable weather, the originally chosen destination of Trillium Lake is no longer where they will be heading. Instead, they will decide which trail to take upon arrival at the mountain.

The outdoor program has been around for 15 years, and its mission is to support health and wellness and get people into the outdoors. This trip is open to anyone—no necessary skills needed. It was presented as an opportunity to allow students a chance to get out and experience something they have never done before. 

Some advice for this snowshoeing trip is to dress in warm, winter-appropriate clothing such as long underwear, a warm coat, rain shell pants and jacket, gloves and Pile Mitts or Gore-Tex overmitts. As for shoes, a pair of light hiking boots, snow boots or gaiters will do, and maybe some wool socks, too. Other necessities such as a hat or scarf are recommended. The program will provide the snowshoes and any other articles of clothing that participants do not own. For food, the program suggests bringing two liters of water and a lunch.

The events are open to any ASRC members (all PSU students or staff members), for discounted prices of up to 50%, but the full charge applies to non-members. However, for this specific event, the trip is sold out. For trips like this, the organization recommends that people sign up early for a spot on the list. 

Those who work at the outdoor program are very supportive and are always willing to help those who need it. There will be a pre-trip meeting held on Thursday, Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the ODP office. At the meeting, the program will go over the logistics of the trip, the expectations that they have of participants and expectations participants have of the staff.

Throughout the terms, the outdoor program has put on several trips doing all sorts of things outdoors. Previous trips included a white-water rafting trip on the Clackamas River, cross-country skiing, trips to Forest Park and many others. They also put on seminar events about such topics as kayaking, rock climbing and avalanche safety. Check out www.pdx.edu/recreation/outdoor-program for a schedule of upcoming events.