Outdoor Recreation
Spring 2014 Adventure Trips
Feb 8 (Sat)
HIKING @ Honey Creek State Natural Area, TN
Cost: $29 // Sign-up by: Fri, Jan. 31 // Pre-Trip Meeting: Tue, Feb. 4 at 5 pm
Honey Creek is located just south of the Big South Fork N.R.A. This challenging 5.7 mile trail covers rugged, yet amazingly beautiful terrain. This hike is incredibly -green- due to the pine trees, the rhododendron, and the lush moss found along an intriguing creek. Estimated trip duration: 7 am - 9 pm.
Feb 15 (Sat)
PARK CLEAN-UP @ Bells Bend Park, Nashville, TN
Cost : * Free! * // Sign-up by: Fri, Feb. 7 // Pre-Trip Meeting: Tues, Feb. 11 at 5 pm
Bells Bend is another relatively new park in Nashville that is being developed as a more natural park, rather than a -ball field park-. We will be doing some site preservation work around the historic Buchanan House, built in 1842. Specifically, we will remove invasive plant species and pick up trash and debris from around the house. Experienced park staff and equipment will be provided to help us. Lunch is also provided, and hiking afterward is an option. Estimated trip duration: 8 am - 3 pm.
Spring Break 2014
MARCH 1 – 9, 2014 (Sat. - Sun.)
CANOE-CAMPING @ Gulf Coast, Florida
Cost: $385 // Sign-up by: Fri. Jan. 31 // Pre-Trip Meeting: Tues, Feb. 4 at 6 pm
We are taking a break from the Grand Canyon trip again this year. Instead, we will be driving down to the Gulf Coast for some more canoeing adventures! This trip was a huge success in 2010 and we are bringing it back, with a few suggested revisions. First, we-ll check out the wildlife in Big Lagoon State Park, FL. The lagoon is located just inland from the gulf. Next we-ll travel to the Styx River in southern AL for a canoeing day trip on a beautiful river. This will be a learning experience for some and a refreshing of canoeing skills for others. We will bring mostly canoes, but also 2-3 touring kayaks that we can take turns paddling. There will be a chance to hang out at the beach on the coast before heading to Florida-s Blackwater River State Forest. We will camp at Bear Lake where we can sleep in, go hiking, or canoeing on the small lake. Finally, we will go on a 5-day, 4-night canoe-camping trip down the incredible Blackwater River. (The water is a dark, tannin-stained color, but it contrasts vividly with the snow-white sand bars at each bend). This is definitely an area that you have to just be there to experience all of its beauty. No experience is necessary for this week of camping and paddling, but you must know how to swim. In order to properly prepare for this fun adventure, plan on attending 2-3 Pre-Trip Meetings. Estimated trip duration: 6:30 am Sat. to 4 pm Sun. For more info, please check our web at www.vanderbilt.edu/outrec
Cost includes: van transportation, in-camp food, group equipment (including the canoes and kayaks), permits, camping fees, entrance fees and a cheap hotel in Alabama on the last night. Space is limited, so don-t delay.
MARCH 1 – 7, 2014 (Sat. - Fri.)
(Int. - Adv.) ROCK CLIMBING & CAMPING & WHITEWATER RAFTING @ New River Gorge, WV
Cost: $440 // Sign-up by: Fri. Jan. 31 // Pre-Trip Meeting: Thu. Feb. 6 at 5 pm
This spring break the Outdoor Rec. team will be heading back to the New River Gorge for an exciting week of climbing and white water rafting in one of the premier destinations in the SE. The New River Gorge is home to thousands of climbs in over 12 different areas that will serve as our wilderness proving ground. So get ready to test your skills on a variety of climbs ranging from slabs to overhanging forearm blasters! In addition to the climbing, we will spend one of our days rafting on the Lower New River. This section of river boasts big water and class IV rapids on a wide portion of the New with great recovery pools! Prior climbing experience is required and participants should be able to comfortably climb 5.7 face and crack climbs. Estimated trip duration: 9 am Sat. to 8 pm Fri. This trip is limited to 7 participants, SO DON’T DELAY!!!
Cost includes: van transportation, food while camping, group equipment, climbing gear (except shoes), camping & entrance fees, and WW rafting fees.
Summer Expeditions 2014
May 17-25, 2014 (Sat – Sun.)
KAYAK TOURING, HIKING, & CAMPING @ Lake Powell, in Glen Canyon NRA, AZ
Cost: $885 + your airfare to Las Vegas
Sign-up by: Friday, Feb. 7. // Pre-Trip Meeting: Thursday, Feb. 13 at 6:30 pm
Lake Powell is a really big lake in the impressive Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. This trip offers an opportunity to explore the lake and some of its surrounding side canyons by kayak! We will rent single person kayaks, get a motor boat ride, and then begin paddling on a 5-day trip. There will be plenty of opportunities to go for short hikes and otherwise explore the beautiful sandstone canyons.There is a good chance to experience some fantastic weather and incredibly star filled nights. For this trip we will fly to Las Vegas and then rent a van for the drive. Trip details, including the trip cost will be figured out in November. More info is available on the web at www.vanderbilt.edu/outrec.
June 14 - 22, 2014 (Sat – Sun.)
(Int. - Adv.) ROCK CLIMBING & CAMPING @ Squamish, British Columbia, Canada
Cost: $810 + airfare to Seattle, WA
Sign-up by: Friday, Feb. 7. // Pre-Trip Meeting: Thursday, Feb. 13 at 5:30 pm
This coming summer the Outdoor Rec. team is headed to western Canada to spend a week climbing in what is considered the recreation capital of Canada. We will fly into Seattle, WA, and drive 3.5 hours north to our campground at the foot of the Stawamus Chief (The second largest granite monolith in North America!). Squamish boasts a myriad of climbing areas that range from single pitch sport and trad, to towering 2000+ ft. multipitch climbs, and world class bouldering. Join our team as we venture north to this haven of granite to test our mettle on some of the globe-s best climbs! Prior climbing experience is required and participants should be able to comfortably climb 5.7 slab, face, and crack climbs to get the most out of this experience. More details will be available at www.vanderbilt.edu/outrec.
This trip is limited to 6 participants! You will need a passport for this trip.
Cost includes: vehicle transportation, food while camping, group equipment, climbing gear (except shoes), camping and entrance fees, lodging for the last night. Cost does NOT include: Airfare to and from Seattle. Participants must purchase their own tickets. Specific travel times will be discussed at our first Pre-Trip meeting.
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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 Thu 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
www.vanderbilt.edu/outrec