网曝吃瓜

Outdoor Pursuits Program (OP) 2025-2026 Schedule:

听

听

听

听

听

Outdoor Pursuits (OP) is part of Campus Recreation and offers a variety of trips and instructional experiences including canyoneering, hiking, rock climbing, ice climbing, avalanche forecasting, mountaineering, camping, kayaking and more.

Adventures
Adventures are instructional, hard skills focused experiences that include new skills and review in challenging outdoor settings. Examples include rock climbing, ice climbing, trail running and more.

Adventure Leadership Programs (ALP)
ALP provides student leadership development and teambuilding for your group, club, class or office. Also learn to facilitate teambuilding and participate in fun on-campus challenges.

CityScape
Welcome, urban explorers! Immerse yourself in Denver鈥檚 vibrant tapestry 鈥� from captivating art scenes to hidden historical gems near campus. Embrace leisurely strolls with other MSU students, discovering both city pulse and scenic trails.

Climbing Wall
Located in the fitness center, the climbing wall is open any time the fitness center is open and is there for all levels of climbers from beginner to expert.

Outdoor Pursuits Center (OPC) 鈥淭he Shop鈥�
Located in PE 002, the shop is staffed by-student-for-students. We rent camping and other outdoor gear plus you can borrow yard games for free to play on campus.

OP Online
Web content, podcasts and mixed media content delivered via the Web including content on the Campus Recreation website at /recreation/outdoor-pursuits/ and on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/c/MSUDenverRec

Outdoor Pursuits and the
Eight Dimensions of Wellness

Outdoor Pursuits and wellness involve engaging in physical, mental, and social activities in nature, promoting health, engagement, and connection to the environment in ways that enhance quality of life and well-being.

Physical
Maintaining a healthy body through exercise, nutrition, sleep, and regular medical care. Our outings support physical wellbeing with activities such as hiking and climbing.

Emotional
Managing stress, fostering positive feelings, and maintaining emotional resilience. Most of the OP events provide a break from daily stressors and support emotional wellbeing.

Social
Building healthy, supportive relationships and community connections. Getting outside with others provides a chance to meet others and to socialize in a 鈥渃hill鈥� atmosphere outside.

Intellectual
Engaging in continuous learning, problem-solving, and creativity. We both provide a break that can refresh the intellect but also intellectually challenging activities.

Spiritual
Seeking meaning, purpose, and alignment with personal values. Spirituality is a deeply personal thing. At OP, we feel strongly that connecting with nature can contribute to spirituality and a sense of belonging in nature.

Environmental
Living in harmony with the environment and promoting a healthy, sustainable lifestyle. While at OP we spend a fair amount of time in outdoor engagements, we spend most of our time in man-made spaces. We hope that in either of those, OP helps to create safe, healthy spaces for students to enjoy.

Occupational
Finding fulfillment and satisfaction in work or career. Much of what we do for student staff and participants includes transferable skills to other aspects of life including work. Leadership, communication, grace and discovering ways to contribute come to mind.

Financial
Managing financial resources effectively for security and peace of mind. Other than offering ways to get involved at low or no cost, OP also employs students in flexible working arrangements that support academic needs and financial security.

Fall Outings and Activities

Drop in Rental Shop Showcase
Various – Check in at PE 002 for info OPC Shop. Join us at the Outdoor Pursuits office for adventure info and prizes! Explore gear, plan trips, and win big. See you there!

Rock Climbing Outside
Basics of Anchor Building II
Sunday 9/21 @ 8:00a-3:00p OP Office 002 $15
Explore top rope anchor setup, prioritizing three-piece gear anchors. Delve into gear placement, rappelling, belaying, and climbing techniques in this comprehensive session.

Rock Climbing
Saturday 9/27 @ 8:00a-3:00p
This is a chance to get outside, climb a bunch of times on a top rope without so much focus on instruction. We look forward to getting out, having fun and providing a safe place to climb. Questions about how to, are welcomed!

Cityscape Walks
Friday 9/19 @ 12:00p-3:00p
Immerse yourself in Denver鈥檚 vibrant tapestry 鈥� from captivating art scenes to hidden historical gems near campus. Embrace leisurely strolls with other MSU students, discovering both city pulse and scenic trails.
Call, email of visit to set up a custom Cityscape for your group!

Rock Climbing
Basics of Climbing Outside
Saturday 9/13@ 8:00a-3:00p OP Office 002 $15
Join our one-day outing to master essential rock climbing techniques. Learn knot tying, belaying, climbing skills, and outdoor leadership. Safety is paramount throughout. Elevate your climbing with us!

Rock Climbing Outside
Basics of Anchor Building I
Saturday 9/20 @ 8:00a-3:00p OP Office 002 $15
Join us for expert-led sessions on belaying, rappelling, and crafting secure anchors using fixed bolts. These outings provide the perfect opportunity to transition to outdoor climbing.

Fall Front Range Hike
Sunday 10/5 @ 10:00a-3:00p
Hike through the stunning Jefferson and Douglas county foothills. The hike weaves through picturesque landscapes, offering breathtaking vistas and vibrant autumn vistas. Immerse yourself in nature as you traverse rugged trails, creating cherished memories along the way.

Coffee at the Outdoor Pursuits Center
Wednesday 10/8 @ Noon-1:00p
Indulge in rich coffee and nutritious snacks at the Outdoor Pursuits Center. Join us for a delightful treat and vibrant conversations. All for free. See you there!

Rock Climbing Day Out
Saturday 10/4 @ 8:00a-3:00p
Participants gain hands-on experience while building confidence and understanding of outdoor climbing principles in a controlled and supportive learner driven environment. Skills include safety, equipment usage, knot tying, belaying, climbing movement, and basic route navigation.

Red Rocks and Morrison Hike
Saturday 10/18 @ 9:00a-3:00p
Amongst Colorado鈥檚 mesmerizing Red Rocks, nature鈥檚 drama unfolds. Carved over eons, these sandstone cathedrals have hosted harmonies of Bob Dylan, The Doors, and Grateful Dead, a symphony echoing through time.

Fall Front Range Hike
Saturday 10/21 @ 10:00a-3:00p
Join the Outdoor Pursuits students staff for a not-so-rugged hike near Golden Colorado. Visit Buffalo Bill鈥檚 grave site, do a little souvenir shopping and relax with a snack at the top of Lookout Mountain. Incredible vistas!

Online ALP Seminar
Fall 2024 and Spring 2025
The Outdoor Pursuits Adventure Leadership Play (ALP) Seminar and Certification is a text-based small-group teambuilding facilitation certification. Additional content and a variety of options including all online live interaction (Zoom or Teams) and face-to-face small group activities are offered at 网曝吃瓜 to complete the experience for students. For those who are new to small group facilitation, the ALP content provides an introduction and overview, while, for experienced facilitators, ALP can provide an opportunity to share and learn new activities and ideas. Designed for and with the 网曝吃瓜 community in mind, the skills, knowledge, ideas, practices, and techniques are transferable to other settings.

Fall Front Range Hike
Saturday 11/1 @ 10:00a-3:00p
Explore foothills 鈥渟houlder鈥� season – the season between hiking/biking and snow sports. Often a fresh chill permeates the air, leafless trees populate the horizon and snow flurries are possible.

Fall Front Range Hike
Sunday 11/9 @ 10:00a-3:00p
Weather permitting, this is our last chance for a foothills hike. The tentative plan is to hike to one of our ice climbing locations to check it out, see how the water is flowing and if there is ice starting to form. Other plans are under consideration to check with us for details.

Rope Access Workshop 鈥� Anchor Building
Thursday 11/6@ 1:00p-3:00p
Learn the basics and advanced 鈥渇iner points鈥� to building rock climbing anchors indoors on the climbing wall. Hinged, load-sharing, two and three point anchors are among the topics discusses. Bring your ideas and questions for a robust discussion of the vital set of climbing skills.

Thanksgiving Break Skills Clinics
11-24, 11-25 and 11-26
Sign up for one, two or all three days. We will work on rope access canyoneering, hiking and rappelling and rock-climbing skills on each of the three days. Skills will include moving efficiently over challenging terrain, rock climbing, rope handling skills including belaying and anchor building. We will focus on proper travel techniques that minimize damage to the environment including releasable rappel anchors. Visit OP for details.

Winter Foothills Hike
Saturday 12/6 @ 10:00a-2:30p
Check in with OP – we might be snowshoeing or we might be hiking depending on the conditions.

鈥淚ce Climbing鈥� on the Climbing wall
Wednesday 12/10 @ Noon to 2:00p
Meet us at the climbing wall for mock-ice climbing. Get a hint of the ice climbing experience with topics of belaying and dry tooling included.

Spring Outings and Activities

Avalanche Safety Field
Days One and Two
Saturday 1/31 @ 7:00a-4:00p
Sunday 2/1 @ 7:00a-4:00p
Learn to identify and assess avalanche hazards in this Level 1 Outdoor Pursuits course, offered free to 网曝吃瓜 students through student fee funding. For over 30 years, we鈥檝e provided comprehensive instruction, regularly updating and reviewing our content to maintain high standards.
While our Level 1 course has previously been accepted as a prerequisite for Level 2 classes, this decision ultimately rests with the Level 2 provider.
Day one focuses on understanding terrain, recent avalanche activity, weather patterns, and rescue techniques. The primary goal is mastering rescue skills, starting with foundational techniques and progressing through scenarios designed to emphasize the simplicity and clarity of the beacon search process.
We review terrain, recent avalanche activity, weather, and snowpack stability, with a focus on practical assessments. Snowpack analysis includes hasty pits and data pits, explored through an informal process we call a 鈥渓earning pit.鈥� A learning pit is a compact test site where we sample various snowpack stability tests and tools. Examining the snowpack in this way offers valuable insight into its structure, offering a clearer understanding of how skier loading might influence avalanche activity.

Avalanche Classroom
Online Live and Recorded
Friday 01/30 @ 4:00p-6:00p
Visit the content anytime for a self-guided primer of avalanche safety content. Join us live for a guided discussion of avalanche safety and backcountry travel in winter.
www.msudenver.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Avi_spring_2023.pdf

Ice Climbing
Sunday 2/8 @ 7:00a-3:00P
Beginning ice climbing instruction and belay instruction We will hike or rappel to the base and start climbing. The focus is on correct technique, efficient travel over steep terrain and the basics of top rope belaying. The techniques we will learn are the same as those used by the best climbers in the world.

Rock Climbing
Basics of Climbing Inside
Saturday 2/7@ 9:00a-2:00p OP Office 002 Free
Indoor climbing is very accessible which is great but at the same time there is a knowledge base and skillset required to enjoy and advance in this sport. Take a day to join OP student staff, have fun and learn/review the basics.

Snowshoe or Spike Hike
Saturday 2/14 @ 10:00a-3:00p
Depending on trail conditions we will hike or snowshoe in Jefferson County Open space. Snowshoes and spikes are provided. Check in with OP staff for gear and other information.

Rope Access Workshop 鈥� Rappelling
Thursday 2/19 @ Noon-2:00p
Taking rock climbing beyond single pitch or indoor climbing eventually leads to complex descent challenges including rappelling. There are many different ways to rappel but only a few are in the mainstream and considered standard. Learn about these in the safe confines of the climbing wall. Basic but applicable skills are covered including anchoring and retrieving your rope.

Mountaineering Museum and Coffee in Golden
Friday 2/20 @ 12:30-4:00p
Take a Friday afternoon off to visit Golden, Colorado! Check out the Mountaineering Museum, old town Golden and warm up at a local coffee shop.

Spring Snowshoe or Spike Hike
Sunday 3/1 @ 10:00a-3:00p
Depending on trail conditions we will hike or snowshoe in Jefferson County Open space. Snowshoes and spikes are provided. Check in with OP staff for gear and other information.

Rope Access Workshop 鈥� Anchor Building
Tuesday 3/3 @ Noon -2:00p
Learn basic and advanced techniques to anchor to rock climbing belay and rappel points. Two- and three-point bolt and gear anchors are included. Positioning, logistics and anticipated loading are considered via the ASPEN TREES method.

Climbing Wall Route Setting
Wednesday 3/4 @ 11:00a-3:00p
Thursday 3/5 @ 11:00a-3:00p
Friday 3/6 @ 11:00a-3:00p
We will be re-setting the routes on the wall. Volunteers are welcome. Come share your skills or learn from scratch about route setting.

Canyoneering Skills
Saturday 3/7 @ 9:00a-3:00p
Learn about and practice rope access canyoneering skills at Castlewood Canyon State Park. Systems include basic rappel techniques plus advanced retrievable sling (leave no trace) anchor systems. No experience required to participate.

Coffee at the Outdoor
Pursuits Center
Wednesday 3/18 @ 9:00a-11:00a
Indulge in rich coffee and nutritious snacks at the Outdoor Pursuits Center. Join us for a delightful treat and vibrant conversations. All for free. See you there!

Spring Break
Canyoneering in Moab UT
Saturday 3-21 – Wednesday 3-25 (check in January for updates) Experience the time-honored tradition of spring break with 网曝吃瓜 students in Moab, Utah. Enjoy camping, hiking, rock climbing, canyoneering (weather permitting), local tours, town exploration, and a visit to Arches National Park. Join the adventure! Gear is included at no additional fee.

Rock Climbing
Basics of Climbing Outside
Saturday 4/4@ 8:00a-3:00p $15
Join our one-day outing to master essential climbing techniques. Learn knot tying, belaying, climbing skills, and outdoor leadership. Safety is paramount throughout. Elevate your climbing with us!

Spring Front Range Hike
Sunday 4/5 @ 9:00a-2:00p $15
Hike through the stunning Jefferson and Douglas County foothills. The hike weaves through picturesque landscapes, offering breathtaking vistas and vibrant spring vistas. Immerse yourself in nature as you traverse rugged trails, creating cherished
memories along the way.

Bike Tune Series Meeting #1
Bike Tune Series Meeting #2
Bike Tune Series Meeting #3
Visit OP at PE 002 or call for info
Get hands-on with your bike to get it up and running for spring. It鈥檚 not hard to do! Clean, fix a flat, lube and adjust brakes and derailleur. Also, be a more informed rider.

Rock Climbing Outside
Basics of Anchor Building I
Saturday 4/11 @ 8:00a-3:00p $15
Join us for expert-led sessions on belaying, rappelling, and
crafting secure anchors using fixed bolts. These outings provide the perfect opportunity to transition to outdoor climbing.

Spring Foothills Hike
Sunday 4/12 @ 10:00a-2:30p
Explore foothills 鈥渟houlder鈥� season – the season between hiking/biking and snow sports. Often a fresh chill permeates the air, leafless trees populate the horizon and snow flurries are possible.

Rope Access Workshop 鈥� Ascending a Rope
Thursday 4/16 @ Noon-2:00p
Taking rock climbing beyond single pitch or indoor climbing eventually leads to complex descent challenges including rappelling. There are many different ways to rappel but only a few are in the mainstream and considered standard. Learn about these in the safe confines of the climbing wall. Basic but applicable skills are covered including anchoring and retrieving your rope.

Rock Climbing Outside
Basics of Anchor Building II
Saturday 4/18 @ 8:00a-3:00p $15
Explore top rope anchor setup, prioritizing three-piece gear anchors. Delve into gear placement, rappelling, belaying, and climbing techniques in this comprehensive session.
Spring Front Range Hike
Sunday 4/19 @ 10:00a-2:30p
Another opportunity to visit the outdoors and welcome spring. This hike will be in one of our spectacular open space parks in Douglas or Jefferson counties. Expect early wildflower sprouts and shoots.

Rock Climbing
Basics of Lead Climbing
Saturday 4/25 @ 8:00a-3:00p $15
This is a chance to get outside, climb a bunch of times on a top rope without so much focus on instruction. We look forward to getting out, having fun and providing a safe place to climb. Questions about how to, are welcomed!

Night Hike 鈥� City Lights of Golden
Friday 5/1 @ 6:00p-9:00p $15
Hike along the craggy foothills overlooking the town of Golden. Start in early evening twilight and finish with headlamps. It will be a dark night with the near-new waxing crescent moon. Perfect for a city-lights headlamp hike.

Front Range Wildflower Hike
Saturday 5/2 @ 10:00a-2:30p
Warm, summery weather and wildflowers in bloom. This is a wonderful time for viewing early season wildflowers at the lower elevations of the foothills along the front range.

Online ALP Seminar
Spring 2025
The Outdoor Pursuits Adventure Leadership Play (ALP) Seminar and Certification is a text-based small-group teambuilding facilitation certification. Additional content and a variety of options including all online live interaction (Zoom or Teams) and face-to-face small group activities are offered at 网曝吃瓜 to complete the experience for students. For those who are new to small group facilitation, the ALP content provides an introduction and overview, while, for experienced facilitators, ALP can provide an opportunity to share and learn new activities and ideas. Designed for and with the 网曝吃瓜 community in mind, the skills, knowledge, ideas, practices, and techniques are transferable to other settings.

The Campus Recreation climbing wall provides the 网曝吃瓜 Campus community a place to gather, meet other climbers, boulder, top rope and learn to rock climb.

A modest wall, 22 feet high and 40 feet wide, provides approximately 900 square feet of climbing space.

Located in the Fitness Center, the climbing wall is open any time the fitness center is open.

The climbing wall is for all levels from beginner to expert.

Student groups, such as classes, clubs, program staff or just a group of friends, are encouraged to contact us to set up events.

Examples of events include start of semester kick-off, end of semester celebrations, team-builders and skills classes. These can be custom designed and scheduled to meet your needs.

Check out the Gravity Wars comp video:

We welcome and encourage students to participate in route setting events. Check the OP schedule or contact us to learn more.

Route Setting on the Climbing Wall
October 10, 11 and 12, 2024

We will be re-setting the routes on the wall. Volunteers are welcome. Come share your skills or learn from scratch about route setting.

Email: [email protected] for info

Climbing Wall Route Setting Policies,
Procedures and Guidelines

Policies

• When route setting at bouldering height, setters must be spotted while using a ladder and belayed while setting at a foothold height of two feet and always belayed while setting at or above a waste-height or 6 feet or suspended with backup (ascension device of your choice and a knot backup or two devices)
• Route setting impacts on user access is to be minimized
• Volunteers are encouraged to participate
• Beginner route setters are encouraged to participate as learners
• Routes will be maintained on each main climbing wall feature or panel (finger crack, overhang, hand crack and slab) that are appropriate for all participants 鈥� beginner to advanced
• Use of safety glasses is required of route setters
• Holds, tools and supplies must be staged in an area outside of drop zone(s)
• Ongoing route setting will occur on an as-needed basis
• Route setting volunteers must complete orientation
• Hard routes must include a bucket hold at the finish or top of the route
• Volunteer route setters must sign participant liability release

Procedures

• Do not over tighten anchors
• We have many small holds 鈥� please populate the wall with 鈥渆xtras鈥�
• Place holds between routes to 鈥渇ill鈥� panels
• Drop zones must be clearly marked
• No route setting within drop zone of higher setters
• No tossing holds or equipment
• Maintain a clean and organized work space and staging area
• Use spotters on ladders at and beyond third step is required
• The process of removal, cleaning and replacement (down time for wall) will not exceed three days
• A combination of soaking, brushing, bleaching and/or pressure washing are used to clean holds
• Participants are required to sign rosters and are counted as participants
• Easy routes are placed among hard routes in order to facilitate 鈥渂ailing out鈥�

Guidelines

• Diversity of route difficulty 鈥� we need everything from 5.0 to 5.13
• All levels of climbers are encouraged to set routes
• We include “bale holds” adjacent to bouldering routes
• Every panel includes a beginner level route

Welcome to the Outdoor Pursuits (OP) climbing wall route setting gathering. Our goal is to reset routes once each semester. This includes removing all holds, inspecting and replacing damaged holds and resetting the wall with new routes.

Each course setting gathering is intended to provide students of the Auraria Campus with opportunities to create original routes, gain experience and knowledge of route setting and get to know others with common interests.

We recognize that Outdoor Pursuits, including the climbing wall, is a student resource. As such, we make every effort to make the climbing wall as accessible as possible while maintaining a safe and welcoming environment.

Thank you for volunteering!

Risks

• Injuries associated with route setting can be serious and can include but are not limited to strains, sprains, spinal injury, eye injury, brain injury and even death. Our policies are intended to mitigate these and other risks.
• Mechanisms of injury include falling, being hit by falling (dropped) equipment, debris falling in the eye, spinning power tools,

Route setting volunteer and staff guidelines

Refer to and follow the OP Climbing Wall Route Setting Policies, Procedures and

Safety Requirements

• A belay or rope grab system is required when setting holds at or above the 12-foot level
• No jumping off 鈥� please reverse or lower off
• Avoid accidental dropping of holds and equipment.
• No intentional dropping of holds or equipment
• No tossing holds or equipment
• Maintain a clean and organized work space and staging area
• Safety glasses are available, and use is required of route setters
• Use spotters on tall ladders

Route Guidelines

• Diversity of route difficulty 鈥� we need everything from 5.0 to 5.12…
• Avoid over tightening anchors
• We have many small holds 鈥� please populate the wall with 鈥渆xtras鈥�

Risks

Route setting is climbing and is subject to all the risks associated with climbing. Wall waivers are required. If you have not read and signed a waiver, please ask for assistance at the desk or from OA staff.

Yard game use is free for 网曝吃瓜 events and departments!

On-campus use is free for students!

Personal use rates:
Weekend – $7 Weekly – $11

To check availability, please email [email protected]

• Air O sport
• Bases/markers
• Bocce
• Cornhole
• Croquet
• Flag football
• Frisbees
• Hammocks
• Hula-Hoops
• KanJam
• Kickball
• Kubb
• Ladderball
• Slackline
• Spikeball/roundnet
• Various field markers
• Volleyball
• Wiffleball
• And More

Avalanche Information and Safety Training

Avalanche Presentation PDF

Pause the video to read the captions.

Take a Rec. Level One Avi course from us or another reputable source like the American Avalanche Association.

Understand your motives and decision making tendencies from a hindsight perspective.
Keep learning and be safe.
Avalanche Awareness 2021 (click to download PDF)
The OP Online avalanche awareness slideshow based on the Four Factors:
Weather 鈥� Snowfall, Wind, Temperature|
Terrain – Slope aspect, Signs, Terrain traps
Snowpack 鈥� Layers, Bonding, Stability, Evaluation
Human 鈥� Decisions, Equipment, Survival, Rescue

Avalanche and Mountain Weather Phenomena

Panel Discussion with Thomas Horner, Founder of Highpoint Weather [ ] , discusses the Dyatlov Pass incident and new theories that seem to solve the decades-old mystery of how nine winter mountaineers perished on the Russian peak, Holatchahl (meaning Dead Mountain). The mystery includes missing eye balls and severed tongues. Other topics include avalanche and weather phenomena.

Recommended links:
Avalanche instruction and certification:

https://www.americanavalancheinstitute.com/

Excellent content for all levels of back-country enthusiasts and snow science geeks.

Backcountry Travel

Topics related to travel to听and into the Colorado backcountry for all听four seasons

Intro to Backpacking 1st episode

Getting started is the hardest part. This series is intended to put things into perspective and make getting started “do-able” and fun. We include lessons learned and tips for beginners.

Leave No Trace and Lessons Learned.

Technology in the Outdoors

Professionals, including geospatial specialist, meteorologist听and outdoor educators discuss the pros and cons of technology in the outdoors.

Intro to Backcountry Cooking

Get an overview of cooking with a single-burner stove.

Tune and Wax a Snowboard

Diversity and Equity in Outdoor Recreation

Including articles, organizations, podcasts, TedTalks, locations to visit and academic sources.

Student research and internship project
Fall 2020

Diversity in the Outdoors Project

Articles

This article talks about the racial inequality of people visiting public lands, and the barriers behind this, as well as strategies for moving forward.

This article talks about the efforts that the National Park Service is making to become more inclusive and accessible, through changing the internal culture, expanding outreach and education, and improving affordability.

This article talks about Native American鈥檚 ancestral connection to the outdoors, and how they often get left out of conversations about wilderness, wildlife, recreation, and conservation.

This article focuses on Jalyn Gough who grew up on the Navajo reservation, and grew up climbing, hiking, and biking on the reservation. After college she realized how much she needed the outdoors in her life, and in 2017 founded the 鈥淲hose Land Are We Exploring On鈥� initiative. This initiative was to make the Native American鈥檚 historical connection to the land a mainstream part of the outdoor industry.

Shilletha Curtis is a Black, queer person who plans on hiking the Appalachian Trail. The article talks about the fears of being a Black hiker in the South, and how white privilege plays into hiking.

Patricia Cameron hiked the entire Colorado Trail. She is the founder of Colorado Blackpackers, a nonprofit organization addressing gaps in representation outdoors. They provide gear, outdoor excursions, and education for free or reduced cost, and participants also get volunteer, internship, and job opportunities.

This article talks about Will 鈥淎kuna鈥� Robinson, the first African American man to complete the triple crown of long distance hiking.

This article discusses different people of color鈥檚 experiences backpacking in the US. They talk about both positive and negative experiences during their time on the trail, and barriers that stop people of color from backpacking.

Organizations

The Next 100 Coalition is an organization with an inclusive vision for the next 100 years of conservation and stewardship in America. National public lands play a big part in protecting the environment and culture, but a lot of people do not enjoy the benefits of them. The Next 100 Coalition鈥檚 guiding principles are for the public lands to reflect the faces of the country, respect for all cultures, and the responsibility to engage all people.

Melanin Basecamp鈥檚 purpose is to inspire diversity in outdoor adventure sports with content from Black, Brown, Asian, Indigenous, and Queer People of color. Their website includes featured bloggers, trip reports, gear reviews, and more.

Diversify Outdoors is a coalition of social media influencers who all want to promote diversity in outdoor recreation and conservation.

This organization was founded in 1973 in order to get a black skier on the US ski team. It is now a collection of ski clubs.

Slippers and Sliders, located in Denver, was one of the founding clubs National Brotherhood of skiers.

City Kids is an organization that bring DC students to Jackson Hole, Wyoming during the summer, after preparing through programs in Rockville, Maryland. City kids don鈥檛 necessarily have outdoor opportunities, and many of them are kids of color. This trip is low cost, and is for middle and high school students. The program also has tutoring, support, and job training programs.

Adventures for Hopi
The goal of the organization is to get Hopi kids outside and Hopi guides to take them. This program takes kids on all sorts of adventures, and students can go for free in exchange for community service on the reservation. The organization teaches kids lessons about culture, biology, and job skills. The ultimate goal of the organization is to incorporate outdoor recreation into reservation culture, leading to economic development.

This is a Native American owned outdoor apparel and media company. Their mission is to empower indigenous communities through products and storytelling, to work towards a sustainable world. The organization started as a social media project telling stories of Native people in outdoor recreation to address the lack of representation. Now they advise and consult with the outdoor industry on the intersections between tribes, public lands, and outdoor recreation. They work with tribal governments, community organizations, and individuals to increase access to outdoor recreation and connect people to resources and opportunities in the outdoors.

The mission of this organization, based in San Antonio, TX, is to reconnect Black/African American youth to the outdoors through culturally relevant outdoor experiences. They aim for their participants to explore themselves, their culture, and the outdoors. They have an overnight camp for black girls, Camp Founder Girls, the Bloom Project, which helps heal youth impacted by incarceration, and more.

This camp is America鈥檚 first Black summer camp for girls, resurrected in 2019.

LatinXhikers inspires more people of color to go outdoors through storytelling and outreach.

Unlikely Hikers Spotify Podcast
This podcast talks about diverse stories from people in underrepresented groups in outdoor media and culture.

She Explores Spotify Podcast
This podcast tell stories of women who are inspired by the outdoors, covering many topics as they intersect with the outdoors.

Ted Talks

Verna Myers, a diversity advocate, talks about how our biases towards out groups can be dangerous and deadly. She talks about how to acknowledge your biases and move towards overcoming them.

Alex Bailey, the founder of Black Outside, Inc, speaks about how the outdoors is not a diverse space currently, and the benefits of spending time in nature. He talks about both the tragic and triumphant histories of people of color in the outdoors.

Mercy M鈥橣on, the founder of the organization Wild Diversity, talks about the history of people of color in the outdoors, and the barriers people of color face in getting outdoors. There are many different ways to get outdoors 鈥� not just those defined by the outdoor industry.

Native American Cultural and Historical Sites in Colorado

Mesa Verde National Park was established to preserve the heritage of the Ancestral Pueblo people. This park, located in southwestern Colorado is full of archeological sites and cliff dwellings. There is camping and hiking in the park, as well as guided tours.

Canyons of the Ancients National Monument is in southwestern Colorado. This monuments contains many Native American archeological sites dating back to 10,000 years ago. The Pueblos were one of the tribes that lived there. There is also a visitor center and museum.

Chimney Rock National Monument is a Pueblo archeological site in southwestern Colorado. There are archeological structures, artifacts, and wildlife in this beautiful national monument.

Hovenweep National Monument has six prehistoric villages, and is a Native American archeological site for many tribes, especially the Pueblo. You can hike, camp, and stargaze in this national monument located partially in southwestern Colorado and partially in southeastern Utah.

Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park
Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park is an archeological Native American site on tribal land in southwestern Colorado. Various types of tours of this park are available with Ute guides, catering to more active and less active groups, and groups who want to see remote parts of the park. Camping is also allowed, and transportation into the park is provided.

Crow Canyon Archeological Center
Crow Canyon Archeological site is located in southwestern Colorado, and does archeological research and experiential education programs about Native Americans. They offer tours as well as archeology and lab programs. They encourage citizen scientists to participate in the archeological process. Their education programs include one day trips for schools and overnight programs. They also offer summer camps and programs for adults.

The Southern Ute Museum, also known as the Southern Ute Tribe Cultural Center, is on tribal land in southwestern Colorado. The museum educates about and celebrates Ute Native Americans, Colorado鈥檚 longest continuous residents. Tours are self-guided, and behind the scenes guided tours and school group tours are also offered. There are also events and temporary galleries.

This museum connects history to current Ute life and culture. It is located in Montrose, Colorado.

The Trail of the Ancients is a 116 mile long scenic byway in southwestern Colorado, goes through Native American historical sites, including Mesa Verde National Park and Hovenweep National Monument. The byway continues to Utah鈥檚 Trail of the Ancients.

Academic Sources for Diversity in the Outdoors

Participation of women in outdoor recreation is growing, but white men still dominant the face of outdoors recreation. One explanation for this could be the effects of gender socialization. Participating in outdoor recreation has physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual benefits, and since there are fewer women involved, there are fewer women benefiting.

In this study, focus groups and individuals were interviewed. There were 34 adolescent girls interviewed, six female outdoor program leaders, and five adult women. The constraints to women participating in outdoor recreation include stereotypical gender roles, differences in opportunities for men and women, peer and family expectations, access, and physical and environmental factors. Outdoor programs help girls to overcome these constraints. This study was meant to show the constraints and how outdoor programming can overcome them.

This paper talks about the history of racism in Colorado, its impacts on the state, including higher education, up until the modern day.

Linking the 2010 Census to National Park Visitors
This study compared visitor characteristics from the Visitor Service Project survey with census data, to find that National Park visitors are more highly educated than the general public, with higher income, and whiter.

This survey was done on 53 wildlife refuges, to understand visitor needs and experiences, in order to design programs and facilities. Visitors to these refuges were largely white, with a higher income and education level than the general public.

This thesis talks about how African Americans experience the outdoors, and the historical, economic, and cultural factors.

Outdoor Industry

This link includes a list of videos to watch, and articles and books to read about diversity in the outdoors.

Outdoor Pursuits 33 second visual learning assets

To learn to kayak, take lessons and find a partner and learn together
Progress is earned | Kayaking can be dangerous | Take it slow | Be real

These resources are intended to support correct execution of skills – not to teach how to river kayak. Learn from a pro.

Video One –听Kayak Parts and Shapes

Video Two –听River Hazards

Learn to recognize river hazards, scout before you paddle any section of river. Never practice听skill upstream of river hazards.

Video Three –听Pollution
Urban waterways and boat parks are popular kayak locations – be aware of and scout for pollution. Common pollutants include听fertilizers听from lawns and golf courses, oil from streets washed in by rain and human waist. All are best avoided.

Video Four –听The Paddle

Offset paddles are the standard for river kayaking. You will notice the offset right away and at first, it is one of the more confounding aspects of learning to paddle. With careful observation, a little practice and after a few errors, you will master the wrist rotation and the offset paddle. At that time you will fully embrace the virtues of offset paddles.

Video five –听River Hazards- Low Head Dams

Low head dams present very real danger to kayakers. Give them a wide berth, don’t attempt to boat them and don’t practice skills just above a low head dam. What’s going on that makes these so deadly? The fact that there are strong and uniform recirculation that traps people and boats.

Video six –听Straight Stroke
Making a river kayak go straight is the hardest thing 鈥� river kayaks are designed to turn, or more specifically, to spin on a vertical axis. The curved bottom or your kayak does nothing to guide the boat on a straight course (compare to sea kayaks, motor boats and ships with V-shaped hulls that make them go straight, and hence, take a long time to turn). The need to change course while kayaking a river rapid is constant 鈥� the curved bottom facilitates that. So, to make your river kayak go in a (mostly) straight line, think about pulling the kayak rather than pushing 鈥� this is accomplished by sitting tall in the cockpit, leaning forward and reaching out and starting your stroke near the bow and finishing the stroke near the middle of the kayak. The bow will pitch left and right with every stroke 鈥� this is inevitable 鈥� so each stroke includes an element of correcting your line.

Straight stroke thoughts:
Think of each paddle placement as a placement into cement and pulling your kayak forward
Use the whole paddle on every stroke
The moment you stop 鈥減ulling鈥� strokes, your kayak will spin out (barring other stroke inputs)

So, pivot your kayak and put the bow on an object (tree or rock) proximal to the course you plan to follow, make a stroke, pitching the bow off of the object, then make a stroke on the other side of the boat, bringing the bow back toward and then past the object, repeat, repeat, repeat 鈥� each new stroke will require less course correction as speed and momentum is acquired.

Video Seven –听Accelerating Straight Stroke

The accelerating straight stroke is used to gain momentum to facilitate entering and exiting and crossing river current features such as waves, holes and eddy fences. All the same principals of the straight stroke (above) apply with the addition of a more aggressive stroke. To add speed in a short distance, as is often needed, lean forward, shifting your weight toward the bow and assuming an aggressive, athletic stance. Make tension in your legs so that you feel pressure in you sit-bones on the seat, knees on the braces, heels on the floor and balls of your feet on the bulkhead or pegs. This 鈥渓ocks鈥� you into the boat, using the boat for leverage and assures the power of each stroke is transferred to paddle. In this position, the kayak response is immediate and there is a feeling of being one with the boat. Remember to offer the bottom of your boat to the current, correct your line on every stroke and make use of the full paddle face.

Video Eight –听Bow and Stern Draw (turning the kayak)

Spinning the boat on the vertical axis is the goal. In this video, the kayaker is stationary, but the same strokes apply to spinning a moving kayak to point in a new direction to propel toward or away from a river feature. As the names imply, bow and stern draw strokes, pull (draw) the front or back (bow or stern) of the kayak toward the paddle face. Always keep in mind, we want to use the power face of the paddle for (nearly) all strokes. Notice the paddle position is changed on each stroke so that the kayaker is using the power face, and as much of the power face as possible to gain the greatest affect from each stroke. The power of the draw strokes comes from the core, so think about spinning the boat while maintaining the position of the paddle in the water. Torque the torso to create potential, place the paddle and uncoil. You should feel pressure in the lower-body kayak-touch-points 鈥� hips, sit-bones, knees, heels and feet.

Video Nine – Draw Stroke (moving the kayak left and right)

The goal of the draw stroke is to move the kayak left and right without rotating on the vertical axis 鈥� so the direction of the bow does not change as we draw the kayak laterally. Using the power face, reach out and, using as much of the paddles as possible, pull your hips toward the paddle. Just before the paddle contacts the side of the kayak, either turn the paddle 45 degrees or lift the paddle from the water 鈥� then move the paddle to the first position and repeat (or make different stroke to move forward, etc.). You鈥檒l learn to make subtle adjustments to the position and angle of the paddle so that the kayak is drawn sideways rather than turned. It takes practice. Remember to offer the bottom of your kayak to the current 鈥� drawing to the right (paddle on the right side), you should feel pressure on your left sit-bone and right knee. The power of this stroke comes from the upper body and the movement of the paddle. A sculling stroke can also accomplish a draw stroke effect.

Videos Ten and Eleven – Sculling Draw Stroke
To draw the kayak laterally with a sculling stroke, the paddle remains in the water and actively moved fore to aft and aft to fore while alternating the angle of the paddle blade so that water is displaced toward the kayak. The sculling position includes the advantage of offering a high-brace position allowing the kayaker to lean toward the paddle creating a stable 鈥渢ripod鈥� position – once mastered. Sculling on the right side of the kayak, you should feel pressure on the left thigh-brace and heal/foot/bulkhead and on the right seat-bone (mirrored for the left side scull draw).

OP Knot List and Videos

Figure eight follow-through (retraced figure eight)

This is the classic harness tie in knot. It is often the first knot learned and is the most commonly used for climbing, canyoneering and mountaineering. At Outdoor Pursuits, we teach this knot on all our rope-access sport courses as an essential and basic skill.

Figure eight on a bight (Flemish bend, figure eight on a loop)
Video link (coming soon)
This knot is useful make a loop attachment point to clip to or to attached a rope to an anchor.

Blocker Knot
Video link (coming soon)
Tied in the ends of the rappel rope, the stopper knot prevents accidental rappelling off the end of the rope. Also, when tied to the belay-side of the rope in top-rope and single pitch scenarios, a blocker knot prevents the break strand from passing through the belay device while lowering thus, preventing dropping the climber.

Overhand (flat overhand)
Video link (coming soon)

Clove hitch
Video link (coming soon)
This is a hitch with many applications. It is quick to create and undo and has the added benefit of being easily adjusted for varying length needs. The clove hitch, while not common in gym or single pitch sport climbing, is common in advanced anchor building, multi pitch and trad climbing settings.

Munter hitch
Video link (coming soon)

Swiss Seat Improvised Harness

Butterfly knot
Video link (coming soon)

Square knot
Video link (coming soon)

Sheet bend
Video link (coming soon)

Tensionless hitch
Video link (coming soon)

Optional second knot – double overhand
This knot is often tied after the follow through figure 8听and as a backup for other knots. Referring to this knot as a backup when it is tied after a follow through figure 8 is a misnomer because a properly tied follow through figure 8 does not need a backup. For this reason, the double overhand backup is widely considered to be unnecessary and is no longer taught or used by Outdoor Pursuits rope access activities. It is good to know because many climbers still use the second knot and some climbing gyms still require it.

Outdoor places:

Learn techniques:

Getting involved

Leadership

First aid

Anything trails-related from local tours to construction to the Zen of trails and being outside

Getting Started With Hiking 14ers

Learn how to get started hiking Colorado 14,000 foot peaks from accomplished 14er hiker (climbed all 54 peaks) and 网曝吃瓜 professor, David Kramer. This includes all the basics you need to know plus special insights to make your adventures more successful听and rewarding.

Modern Recreational Trail Design OP Online Podcast

Check out our trails discussion with geologist, certified geospatial specialist, drone pilot, professional trails contractor, project manager and MSU grad, David “Barney” Barnett. Topics include careers, planning, bike features, environmental and archaeological impacts and modern tools and construction techniques.
Recommended reading: On Trails by Robert Moor,听

听– this short video shows the warning signs of gathering summer afternoon thunder storms that can come in quickly and present risk of lightning strikes.

听– Check out the view from the top of the Ouray Ice Park.

Hiking above Castle Rock – close encounter with a Cooper’s Hawk

33 seconds of a听.

The听听video shows rappelling while the rope is anchored to humans.
Get qualified instruction if you are interested in technical canyoneering.

Forecasting and Safety

Thunder Clouds

Thunder storms are common in the Colorado mountains and plains. They can appear quit suddenly, rolling in from the west with storm clouds rising tens of thousands of feet in just minutes. The energy contained in some of the storm cells is tremendous and the inevitable lightning can be deadly.

Highpoint Weather
听(link to website)
“Weather forecasts for the recreating in the Colorado high country鈥娾�斺�妋ountains, ski resorts, and crags.”

Ten Denver area close-in, Front Range locations for enjoying fall foliage

By Bryan Ferguson

听View the Fall Foliage Video:

Castle Rock area

Chatfield Reservoir

Clear Creek Trail Corridor Through Denver and Golden

The Colorado Chautauqua

Deer Creek Canyon

Eldorado Canyon State Park

Goldengate Canyon

Jarre Canyon

Spruce Mountain

Waterton Canyon

There is just one short period of time each year when traffic on I-70 rivals the busiest ski days and that is when our beloved quaking aspen turn from green to spectacular shades of yellow 鈥� the fall foliage show. While I would never deny the value of a trip to the higher mountains for fall colors, I would like to suggest these excellent alternative (or complimentary, if you prefer) fall foliage experiences. So, stay low for a fall foliage show.

While going higher has its benefits, staying low and close to home saves drivetime, extends the season and helps reduce our carbon output. Staying low and close to home also allows for a quick, one- or two-hour weekday get-away. These options also avoid the weekend crowds and parking hassles at our more popular trailheads.

High in the mountains, we often glimpse the overstory from a distance. By staying low, we still get to see spectacular overstory fall colors, but we can also look low to find special fall colors in the diverse understory. While there is much to appreciate in the vivid yellow overstory, there are many plants with changing fall foliage to appreciate in the understory; dogwood and it鈥檚 amazing shades of red, the yellows of rabbitbrush, purples of the late-blooming dotted Gayfeather, bright whites of various bursting seed pods, an amazing range of colors of Mountain Mahogany, Rocky Mountain maple, Choke Cherry, Clematis and the surprising greens of Bearberry. Be sure to pause and look closely for mosses, mushrooms, and lichens.

At the lower elevations of these locations, autumn canopy colors come mostly from cottonwood, willow, boxelder, gamble oak while at the higher elevations of our locations, we can spot the quaking aspen.

Best viewing times are early to mid-morning and early evening. The north-facing slopes tend be more lush, have more diverse plant species and therefore, more variety of fall colors.

It鈥檚 important to recognize times passages and to celebrate the passing of the season and the beginning of the new fall season so I hope you get out and enjoy the drama of Colorado鈥檚 lower elevation fall foliage.

听听View the Fall Foliage Video:

Links to how to get there and information:

Castle Rock area

Chatfield Reservoir

Clear Creek Trail Corridor Through Denver and Golden

The Colorado Chautauqua

Deer Creek Canyon
听This link is specific to the park but it also provides the location for Deer Creek Canyon

Eldorado Canyon State Park

Golden Gate Canyon

听This is a link to Mount Galbraith Park located in Golden Gate Canyon

Jarre Canyon

Spruce Mountain

Waterton Canyon

Web resources:

Colorado State Forrest –听

Colorado State University –听

Inaturalist –听

Recommended reading:

The Tree by Colin Tudge

As we walk along the path, the leaves crunch under our feet. It is a beautiful crisp morning late in fall.

Movement in a nearby bush catches Lola鈥檚 attention. She cocks her head and watches until the source of the noise is visible. When a squirrel finally leaps out, sees us and scampers away she wags her tail in excitement. Now that the mystery has been solved we continue on our walk.

As the sun grows higher in the sky and the air loses its chill from the night before I begin to notice another sound. Sounds I should say, because it is a chorus of birds greeting the morning. I can hear Black-billed Magpies Chattering in the distance, the ever-present chirping of house finches surrounding me, the occasional tweet of a Black-cap Chickadee as it fly overhead and sometimes, if I am lucky, I hear the 鈥測ank-yank鈥� call of a Red-breasted Nuthatch. One of the most adorable birds, in my opinion.

Squirrels and rabbits rustle in the leaves and the whole day seems to be awakening from a long slumber.

Lola and I have been spending most of our mornings this way. Because I am no longer taking the hour long train ride into the city every day for school, and because most of my social obligations are now void, I have found myself with a bit more time on my hands. As daunting and empty as that time seemed at first, my view on it has changed now.

I made the decision to see this empty time as an opportunity to enjoy the moment and the small things in life. Last year, at this time in the morning, I would have been waiting at the train station, nervously checking my emails, wondering if there was anything I had forgotten to do. Now I walk along the streets and sidewalks and paths of my neighborhood. I leave my electronics at home and I allow myself to unplug, if only for a little bit. I take the time to observe the things around me and I am often surprised, especially by the birds.

I don鈥檛 live in a remote cabin in the woods where I am alone with nature, I live in a booming suburb, with traffic and construction and all of the other daily noise and distraction. But somehow the birds are still here. They may not be magnificent raptors or exotic song birds, but they are cheerful, charming and diverse and they are finding a way to live in this chaos.

We come to a bench and take a seat, watching a Flicker hop around on the ground in search of breakfast. The sun rises behind us, its rays warming our backs. I take in the world around me, absorbing the sights, smells and sounds.

And for a brief moment in time, amidst all the obstacles and struggles, my mind is still and I have peace.