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Outdoor Recreation

Posted by on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 in Archives, News.

SEPT. 28 – 29   (Fri.-Sat.)
WHITEWATER RAFTING & CAMPING @ Ocoee River, TN
Cost: $112             Sign-up by: Fri, Sept. 14; Pre-Trip Meeting:   Tue, Sept. 25 at 6:00 PM

Whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River is packed with fun and excitement on back-to-back rapids! After camping out on Friday, we will be guided down the mighty Middle Ocoee in rafts of 5-6 paddlers each. No experience is necessary. We-€™ll eat lunch and have a chance to shower before heading back. The tip your guide is included. Estimated trip duration: 6 PM Fri. -€“ 7 PM Sat.

SEPT. 29   (Sat.)
HIKING @ North Chickamauga Creek State Natural Area, TN
Cost: $29       Sign-up by: Fri, Sept. 21; Pre-Trip Meeting:  Wed, Sept. 26 at 5:00 PM

Spend the day hiking the 9 mile trail at beautiful North Chickamauga Creek. The hiking is moderately difficult, with a few strenuous elevation changes. Rewards on this hike include going under and on top of bluffs, and a swim in the creek before turning back. Estimated trip duration: 7 AM – 9 PM

SEPT. 30   (Sun)
(Beg. -€“ Inter.)   WHITEWATER KAYAKING @ Hiwassee River, TN
Cost: $73    Sign-up by:   Fri, Sept. 21;  Pre-Trip Meeting: Tue, Sept. 25 at 5 PM

Tennessee-€™s scenic Hiwassee River is fantastic for boaters of all abilities to practice the fundamentals like eddy turns, peeling out, ferrying and reading water. This trip is designed for kayakers who have mastered the roll in the pool and are ready to try moving water and rapids.   It is preferred that you have some flat water kayaking experience before signing up for this trip. Paddling equipment, including a spray jacket, is included. This trip is limited to the first 6 people who sign up. Estimated trip duration: 7 AM -€“ 10 PM.

FALL BREAK

OCT. 4 – 7 (Thur. -€“ Sun.)
BACKPACKING @ Great Smoky Mountain National Park, TN/NC
Cost: $115        Sign-up by:   Fri, Sept. 21; Pre-Trip Meeting: Thu, Sept. 27 at 6 PM
It’s a relatively long drive, but this park is worth it! Plan on backpacking 5-7 miles a day of up, down, and around the beautiful, colorful Smoky Mountains. Specific trails have not yet been determined, but plan on car-camping Thursday night and then backpacking Friday – early Sunday. Hiking boots are advised. Estimated trip duration: 8 AM Thurs. – 6 PM Sun.

OCT. 4 – 7   (Thur. -€“ Sun.)
CANOE-CAMPING @ Green River, Mammoth Cave National Park, KY
Cost: $140     Sign-up by:   Fri, Sept. 21; Pre-Trip Meeting:   Wed, Sept. 26 at 6 PM

Although this National Park is known for its caves, it actually has a great river for canoe-camping. The Green River is a fairly deep river with beautiful tree covered hills surrounding it.  We plan on going on a cave tour and car camping, before beginning an 18.5 mile, 3-day, 2-night canoe-camping trip. Highlights will include the fall colors and checking out a few small caves along the way. We also plan to camp on islands each night. Beginners are welcome.   Estimated trip duration:   9 AM Thurs. -€“ 5 PM Sun.


BIG ADVENTURES WITH SEPTEMBER DEADLINES:

DEC. 16 – 22, 2012     (Sun. -€“ Sat.
DOWNHILL SKIING &/or SNOWBOARDING @ Steamboat Springs, CO
Cost: $1,121  (but you can save $75 if you sign up by Sept. 28!)
Sign-up by:   Fri, Oct 12 **
Pre-Trip Meeting:  Mon, Nov. 5 at 5:30 PM

Join us for our 17th annual semester break ski/snowboard trip! The price includes air (RT: Nashville to Denver) and bus transportation to our condo, 6 nights lodging, and a 4 of 5 day lift ticket to Steamboat Springs, Ski Town USA, with 165 named trails and 16 lifts. The base elevation is 6,900 feet, with 9,080 feet at mid-mountain and 10,568-€™ on top of Mt. Werner. A shuttle runs from our condo to the resort, but it is also within walking distance. We will be staying in the Lodge Condominiums, located 200 yards from the slopes. These large condos have the usual, plus free wifi and laundry facilities on the premises. There is also an indoor hot tub, two outdoor hot tubs, and an outdoor heated swimming pool. The rate we are paying is for -€œfull occupancy-€, which means two people are assigned per bed. If you want a bed to yourself or if a group wants to secure a unit all to themselves, there will be an additional $300 fee for every spot less than 6. We will have more ski trip info on the web, including the -€œMeet us in Denver-€ and -€œMeet us in Steamboat-€ price. Check out our site at  www.vanderbilt.edu/outrec.
**  SAVE $75 IF YOU SIGN UP BY FRI,   SEPT. 28 !!

July 20 -€“ Aug. 3, 2013     (Sat. -€“ Sat.)
SEA KAYAKING and BACKPACKING @ ALASKA: Anchorage, Whittier, Seward, Prince William Sound, Caines Head State Park, Exit Glacier
Cost: $1,945.00 + your airfare to and from Anchorage, AK
Sign-up by:   Friday, Sept. 28.
Pre-Trip Meeting:   Tue, Nov. 27 at 6 PM

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 -€œLittle 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 will drive south to Seward, AK on the Kenai Peninsula. After spending a couple of 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.

Registration for this trip began on August 22nd and space is limited to the first 8 people.   DO NOT miss out on this amazing opportunity. To register:   Bring $300.00 (cash or check) to the Outdoor Rec. Center during business hours.

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To sign up for a trip, come to the Outdoor Recreation Center (ORC), located on 2600 Children’s Way, kind of behind the Student  Rec. Center, and pay a deposit or the full amount of the trip.     The ORC accepts cash, check, and the Vanderbilt Commodore Card.   For more info on trips, workshops, and equipment rentals, check out the web at  www.vanderbilt.edu/outrec.

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Outdoor Recreation Hours:
Mon and Fri 12 noon – 6 p.m.
Tue, Wed, and Thur 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
www.vanderbilt.edu/outrec