By Josh Hughes
Each quarter, the Outdoor Center here at Western offers trips and excursions that give students an opportunity to explore some the endless nature right outside our door. While the entire list of Winter quarter trips can be found on posters around campus or through their website at http://as.wwu.edu/outdoor/excursions/, some of the major upcoming excursions include a Canadian ice climbing trip and a snowshoe venture to hot springs in Steven’s pass.
The Ice Climbing trip, which costs students $200, occurs from January 14-16, and the pre- trip meeting will take place on January 11 at 6pm. As with all excursions, students are welcome to register for the trip up until the day before the pre- trip meeting. A trip of moderate difficulty, dinners will be provided as well as the bus up to Canada.
Taking place in the town of Lillooet, B.C., the annual trip is a no experience necessary weekend of climbing and picking away at ice. The first day usually involves a climb called The Rambles, followed by Oregon Jack, and finally Marble canyon on the last day. Seeing as this is the only quarter that the trip can happen, it is expected to be quite cold, snowy, and undeniably beautiful up in the Great White North.
Students will climb all day and spend the evenings cooking dinner and staying at a hotel in Lillooet. The Outdoor Center will provide ice gear, helmets, and harnesses, but students are expected to bring sleeping equipment, day packs, and plenty of warm clothing. More information on the climbing areas themselves can be found at http://www.westcoastice.com/.
The snowshoeing hot springs trip, a first for the OC, which costs $60, will take place on January 22, with the pre- trip meeting on January 18 at 6pm. An easier excursion than the ice climbing, the snowshoeing trip is intended to be a fun and relaxing day spent in the mountains.
Steven’s Pass, located on the Cowboy and Big Chief Mountains, offers breathtaking views in the winter as untouched snow accumulates only for students to lightly tread over. The hike culminates at a privately owned hot springs, where students get to take a break and soak in the natural water.
The OC will provide transportation and snowshoes, but students must be prepared with appropriate layers and day packs (trekking poles are also recommended).
These are but two of the 15 trips that will take place this coming quarter, which also include a spring break backpacking trip in Utah and a whitewater rafting trip in early February. Whenever school or work starts to wear you out, the Outdoor Center is there to provide a break from the ordinary and an opportunity to get outside and explore.