Outdoor Recreation
MAR 16 (Sat)
CLIMBING (Intermediate to Advanced Climbers) @ Foster Falls, TN
Cost: $33 / Sign-up by: Mon, Feb. 11 / Pre-Trip Meeting: Tue, Mar 12 at 5 pm
Come enjoy the early spring weather with a day of climbing at Foster Falls! Located near Jasper, TN, this climbing destination boasts a great concentration of quality routes to test your climbing prowess. With a short approach hike, Foster Falls has a little bit to offer any person willing to push themselves in a vertical environment. From face and crack climbs to tenuous slabs and overhanging pump fests, this trip will provide a great opportunity for those looking to take their climbing to the next level. Price includes food, transportation, and technical climbing equipment. Climbing shoe rental is $5.50 extra. Estimated trip duration: 8 am – 7 pm. Note: This is not a beginner trip. Participants should be able to comfortably 5.9 to really get the most out of this day.
MAR 16 (Sat)
TRAIL BUILDING (for a new mountain bike trail!) @ Bells Bend Park, TN
Cost: FREE! / Sign-up by: Mon, Mar 11 / Pre-Trip Meeting: Tue, Mar. 12 at 6 PM
Bells Bend Park is a relatively new park in Nashville that is being developed as a more natural park, rather than a -ball field park-. This time we will work on building a new mountain bike trail! Experienced trail volunteers and equipment will be provided to help us. No prior experience is necessary. Lunch is also provided, and hiking afterward is an option. Estimated trip duration: 8 am - 3 pm.
MAR 23 (Sat)
BOULDERING @ Little Rock City, TN
** This trip is for Intermediate to Advanced Climbers **
Cost: $44 / Sign-up by: Fri, Mar. 15 / Pre-Trip Meeting: Wed, Mar. 20 at 5 pm
Join the VU Outdoor Rec climbers for a day of ego-bruising, stone crushing, and awesomeness as we descend upon one of the east coast-s most renowned boulder fields, Little Rock City. This field is home to the many notable boulder problems that could keep the most seasoned climbers busy for years. Little Rock City is the location of the third and final leg of the country-s only outdoor climbing competition, the Triple Crown Bouldering Series. We will spend the day testing the limits of our strength as well as our skin! Price includes food, transportation, and technical climbing equipment. Climbing shoe rental is $5.50 extra. Space is limited to 8 people so don-t delay!!! Estimated trip duration: 7 am – 7 pm.
MAR 23 (SAT)
HIKING @ Virgin Falls State Natural Area
Cost: $25 / Sign-up by: Fri, Mar. 15 / Pre-Trip Meeting: Tue, Mar. 19 at 5 pm
A hike to Virgin Falls provides one with a day filled with beauty. The moderately difficult 8-mile hike leads to high overlooks and three beautiful waterfalls, including the mysterious Virgin Falls. Estimated trip duration: 7 am - 9 pm.
BIG SUMMER TRIPS
MAY 18-26 (Sat. – Sun.)
CANOE-CAMPING @ Buffalo National River, AR
Cost: $390 / Sign-up by: Fri, Mar. 22 / Pre-Trip Meeting: Wed, Mar. 13 at 6 pm
The Buffalo National River of northwest Arkansas is one of America-s finest free flowing rivers. This entire trip will be in the national park; the Buffalo was the first river named as a national river in the United States. We plan on paddling 63 miles in 7 days on this beautiful river. The first day will have some whitewater rapids, but the rest of the trip will be a moderate to easy Class 1 float. Massive limestone bluffs, waterfalls, and side hikes will add to the fun of this trip. We will camp every night on the river in either a developed campsite or along a more remote gravel bar. We will have one day of rest, where we will not pack up and paddle.
We will be primarily paddling canoes, 2 people plus gear per boat. We will also have 2-3 long kayaks on the trip to give everyone the chance to paddle a kayak. Previous paddling experience is helpful, but not required. Participants must know how to swim. We will stay in a cheap hotel on the last night of the trip, in Conway, Arkansas. Participants are expected to attend two Pre-Trip Meetings. Estimated trip duration: 7:00 am Sat. to 4 pm Sun.
Cost includes van transportation, on-the-river food, hotel at the end of the trip, group camping equipment, river bags, paddling jackets, canoes, kayaks, and paddling gear. Space is limited to the first 12 people that sign up, so don-t delay.
MAR 29-30 (Fri. – Sat.)
BACKPACKING @ Great Stone Door, SCRA, TN
Cost: $45 / Sign-up by: Fri, Mar. 22 / Pre-Trip Meeting; Tue, Mar. 26 at 5 pm
The Stone Door / Alum Gap loop is a classic route for backpacking. This 9.2 mile trail, with its variety of terrain, is great for beginners. Highlights will include the Great Stone Door and other awesome overlooks. We will also see up to four waterfalls, including the impressive Greeter Falls. Estimated trip duration: 3 pm Fri. - 9 pm Sat.
MAR 30 (Sat)
WHITEWATER KAYAKING @ Clear Creek, TN
** This trip is for Beginner Kayakers **
Cost: $75 / Sign-up by: Fri, Mar 22 / Pre-Trip Meeting: Wed, Mar 27 at 5 pm
If the March showers bring us enough rain, then we-re off to paddle the beautiful waters of Clear Creek. This is a fantastic destination for beginner paddlers looking for something a bit more challenging than the Hiwassee. The consistent elevation drop and exciting turns through the boulders make for an exhilarating day on the river. Experience is necessary and a solid roll is a must. This trip is limited to the first 6 people who sign up. Estimated trip duration: 7 am to 10 pm.
Note: There will be two pool sessions available to participants of this trip to work with kayak instructors on your roll prior to the trip. Participation in at least one of these sessions is mandatory: Wed. March 20 or Wed. March 27 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.
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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