Get outside with Outdoor Center excursions
By Julia Berkman
Western is notorious for having outdoorsy students. Even if you’re less Tarzan and more of a Jane, if you’re looking to get your feet wet or your shoulders burnt, the Outdoor Center has an excursion for you.
For about $30 for half a day, the Outdoor Center will whisk you away on adventures to places like Mt. Baker, the San Juan Islands and other local fixtures like the Chuckanut mountain range. They have many excursions still up for spring 2017, as well as the option to customize your own excursion through the OC using their equipment and guides.
If you’re nautically inclined, you might want to check out the Sunset Sea Kayaking in Bellingham Bay on May 17 or May 31. For a paltry penance of only $35, you get three hours on the high seas as the sun sets. All you have to bring is a snack and a good attitude.
Maybe clambering up cliffs is more up your alley? Say no more. On June 3, the OC is hosting a beginners rock climbing course at Mt. Erie. The course is a day trip and only costs $45. You bring the shoes, they bring the rocks.
Perhaps you’re more artistically inclined. Luckily, the OC has a trip for everyone, including an art hike. Spend your day out on Artist Point, sketching the expansive views provided to you. The Outdoor Center trip leaders will bring you to the highest vistas on order to get that perfect drawing. All you need is your own art supplies and $55.
All excursions require a pre-trip meeting to go over the logistics for the trip. Overnight trips require a bit of extra training to make sure you don’t freeze to death once the sun goes down. The Outdoor Center ranks their trips in difficulty, from a 0 (anyone can do it) to a 4 (good luck), but adventurers of all levels are encouraged to sign up for trips of any difficulty.
If you’re interested, act quickly, because spots for Outdoor Center excursions go quickly! You can check out all of the spring excursions online at http://as.wwu.edu/outdoor/excursions/.