By Josh Hughes
The Outdoor Center (OC) offers a range of activities and excursions that students can attend throughout the year. With everything from instructional courses to casual moonlit hikes, all students need to do to sign up for trips is stop by the OC (Viking Union 150) during their weekly hours, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. While Winter and Spring quarter courses and events are still getting set up, here’s a comprehensive list of upcoming events students can still sign up for:
Women’s Mountain Bike
When: November 9 at 3 p.m.
Cost: $20
Difficulty Scale: Easy
Where: Meet at the OC
What: A quintessential Bellingham bike ride for womxn only that explores some of the town’s interurban trails. A great way to get into mountain biking, the event also serves as a way of networking with other womxn cyclists and meeting people to go explore with. All levels of experience are encouraged to attend! Unlike other events, there is no pre-trip for this ride.
Sunny Rock Climbing Weekend
When: November 10-12, pre-trip meeting on November 10 at 6 p.m.
Cost: $170
Difficulty Scale: Moderate
Where: Sunny Rock, meet at the OC for pre-trip
What: Intended as an introductory to intermediate course for rock climbers, especially those without much outdoor experience, the Sunny Rock trip hopes to help students learn the ins and outs of outdoor climbing. The goal, besides having a fun weekend, is for students to acquire the skills needed to go sport climb on their own. The weekend long trip will provide transportation for students out to enjoy some of Washington’s world class climbing.
Sunset Snowshoe
When: December 2, pre-trip meeting on November 29 at 6 p.m.
Cost: $45
Difficulty Scale: Easy
Where: Mt. Baker, meet at the OC for pre-trip and details on trip
What: If you’re already missing hiking season but unsure of how to keep roaming through the wilderness in the winter, try taking this daylong snowshoe excursion. The group will be going near the Mt. Baker ski area for the majority of the day to catch sunset at a vista looking eastward. Snowshoes provided for those in need, but bring your own if you have them!
Intro to Backcountry Winter Touring
When: December 9, pre-trip meetings on December 5 and 7 at 6 p.m.
Cost: $65
Difficulty Scale: Moderate
Where: TBD, pre-trip meetings in the OC
What: An instructional course for students interested in winter backpacking, the trip will give students the tools and skills necessary to safely get out in the wintery wonderland of Northern Washington. Students will learn the basics of touring gear and backcountry travel, and is intended for students who already have some level of skiing or snowboarding experience under their belt.