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Summer Expeditions

CANOE-CAMPING
Date:  May 18 – 26 (Sat. – Sun.)
Location: Buffalo National River, Arkansas
Cost: $390
Sign-up by: 4:30 pm on Friday, May 3.
> Bring $100 cash, check or Vanderbilt Card to register.
Pre-Trip Meeting:  Friday, May 3 at 4:30 pm at the Outdoor Rec. Center

The Buffalo National River of northwest Arkansas is one of America’s finest free flowing rivers. This entire trip will be in the national park; the Buffalo was the first river named as a national river in the United States. We plan on paddling 63 miles in 7 days on this beautiful river. The first day will have some whitewater rapids, but the rest of the trip will be a moderate to easy Class 1 float. Massive limestone bluffs, waterfalls, and side hikes will add to the fun of this trip. We will camp every night on the river in either a developed campsite or along a more remote gravel bar. We will have one day of rest, where we will not pack up and paddle. We will be primarily paddling canoes, 2 people plus gear per boat. We will also have 2-3 long kayaks on the trip to give everyone the chance to paddle a kayak. Previous paddling experience is helpful, but not required. Participants must know how to swim. We will stay in a cheap hotel on the last night of the trip, in Conway, Arkansas. Participants are expected to attend two Pre-Trip Meetings. Estimated trip duration: 7:00 AM Sat. to 4 PM Sun.

Cost includes: van transportation, on-the-river food, hotel at the end of the trip, group camping equipment, river bags, paddling jackets, canoes, kayaks, and paddling gear.
Space is limited to the first 12 people that sign up, so don’t delay.

For more info, click on BuffaloNR.web.5.13d for a colorful pdf.
ALASKA BACKPACKING AND SEA KAYAKING
July 20 – Aug. 3, 2013  (Sat. – Sat.)
Locations:  Anchorage, Whittier, Seward, Prince William Sound, Caines Head State Park, Exit Glacier
Cost: $1945.00 + your airfare to and from Anchorage, AK
Sign-up by: September 28 at 6:00 pm
Pre-Trip Meeting: Tuesday, November 27th @ 6:00 pm
***Registration begins on 8/22 at 3:00 pm.  This trip is first come, first served and limited to 8 participants. Register early to ensure your spot on this once in a lifetime trip!!!***
To register:  Bring $300.00 cash or check to the Outdoor Rec. Center on 8/22 during business hours (3-6 pm).
Sorry, but this is now a full trip.
In the summer of 2013, a trip coordinator from the Outdoor Recreation Program and Lee Collette, Activities Coordinator for Outdoor Rec., will set out with a crew of 6-8 participants to the great wilderness of Alaska.  Our plan will be, over the course of 15 days, to immerse ourselves in the wilderness (both land and sea) as well as the unique cultural and ecological heritage of this state.  The expedition will begin with a 4 day sea kayaking portion in the Prince William Sound.  Beginning out of Whittier, AK, we will be taxied by boat to Port Nellie Juan, often referred to as “Little Yosemite”, where we will explore the back bays, tide water glaciers, and indulge our adventurous spirit in this remote haven.  From our sea kayaking portion we will drive south to Seward, AK on the Kenai Peninsula.  After spending a few days gathering supplies and immersing ourselves in the local Alaskan hospitality, we will again head into the back country.  Spending three days backpacking in the Caines Head State Park we will get a different view of the land around us.  This portion of the trip will be finalized with a glacier hike where we will literally trek across Exit Glacier.  This icing on the cake will bring our expedition full circle in providing us the intimate experience of being on one of the glaciers that has shaped the land we have been calling home.  This trip is designed with the inexperienced and seasoned veteran both in mind.  Our time is going to be spent catering to both our adventurous and carefree spirits all at once.  Through balancing our backcountry time with a dose of front country decadence, we hope to offer a well-rounded experience.

For a detailed look at our proposed expedition route and tenative itinerary, check out this GOOGLE MAP.  Scroll over the various icons for a description of the site as well as for links to other useful websites that outline aspects of this fantastic offering.  Click here for colorful, printable Alaska PDF
For more information regarding this trip please contact Lee Collette, VU ORP Activities Coordinator, at (615)322-0811 or via email at outdoorrec@vanderbilt.edu

Trip Information

Most trips are designed for a small group of people (10-12), and many of the trips require no previous experience. The fee for each trip covers the activity, transportation, in-camp food, camping fees, and group equipment. For more information, look for flyers around campus or stop by the Outdoor Recreation Center (along Children’s Way and the Intramural Fields behind the Student Recreation Center) during rental hours. This is also where trip sign-up takes place. Trips are open to all VU students, faculty, staff, and Rec. Center members. Alcohol is not permitted on any trip.
For More Info Contact:
Linda Rosenkranz at 343-7898
Outdoor Recreation Center at 343-8182
Monday & Friday: 12pm – 6pm
Tuesday – Wednesday: 3pm – 6pm

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