February - March, 1997

Navigation

• Download the OA Newsletter in RTF format
• Back to the Outdoor Action Home Page.
• Wilderness Seminar Programs
  • Exploring Winter Series
• Activities
  • Rock Climbing
  • Kayaking
  • Cross-country & Telemark Skiing
  • Winter Hiking
• Spring Break Trips
• The Outdoor Action Leader Training Program
  • First Aid, Safety & CPR Training
  • Group Building & Leadership Development
  • Advanced Leader Training
• Environmental Stewardship Programs
• Other Programs
• Outdoor & Environmental Job Information
• OA Resources
• Equipment
• OA Calendar

Outdoor Action Program

The Outdoor Action Program (OA) is Princeton University's outdoor education program administered by the Princeton Blairstown Center. OA runs a wide variety of wilderness oriented trips, seminars, and training courses throughout the year that are open to all students, faculty, and staff. OA trips include backpacking, canoeing, rock climbing, kayaking, cross-country skiing, and other activities, a number of which may be accessible for disabled individuals. (Contact the Program Director for additional information.) There is a modest fee for trips to cover transportation, food, and equipment costs. Sign-ups for trips and other activities are on the OA bulletin board outside of the OA office, which is located on the second floor of Clio Hall. There is also an extensive leader training program for those interested in leading Outdoor Action trips. OA has an equipment rental program for people interested in going on their own trips.

Signing Up for an OA Trip: Since many trips have space limitations we require participants to sign up in advance. The sign-ups for all OA trips are on the OA Bulletin Board at the Outdoor Action Office located on the second floor of Clio Hall. Most sign-ups are done on a first-come-first-served basis. We do maintain a waiting list for trips and will contact you if a space opens up. With some activities the sign-up is an interest list and participants are randomly selected off the list. OA Leaders and Leaders-in-training may be given preference for some trip activities. For multi-day trips or courses, you are required to pay the full fee for the trip to hold your space (check, cash or U-store Charge). [Note: U-store charge requires an additional 5% fee.] We will hold your space for 24 hours for the fee to be paid. There are different trip fee rates for students (undergraduate and graduate) and faculty and staff.

OA Trip Information Hotline: For the latest information on upcoming OA trips and programs, call the OA Trip Information Hotline at 8-6417. The recorded message will describe upcoming trips and programs for each week.

OA News via Email and the Web: The OA Calendar is mailed to subscribers and sent via Email. The detailed version of the Newsletter is available at the OA Web Site. If you do not receive the OA Calendar, jump Subscribe to the OA Email List. If you wish to be removed from the OA Calendar email list, please send email to rcurtis@princeton.edu.

The complete OA Newsletter is available on-line on the Princeton World Wide Web server from the OA Home Page (www.princeton.edu/~oa/). If you wish a printed copy of the full newsletter, you can print the Web Page, or download a Rich Text File version of the newsletter from the Web page to your word processor.

Surf the Internet with OA: The OA Web Site is one of the most popular outdoor sites in the country with over 12,000 hits a week. One of the hottest pages at the OA Web is the OA Guide to Outdoor Resources on the Internet with links to over 500 outdoor related sites including climbing, paddling, backpacking, biking, skiing, etc. You can access the OA Home Page directly at (www.princeton.edu/~oa/) or from the Princeton Home Page (www.princeton.edu) through the following menus: News & Events Entertainment & Events Outdoors and the Environment Outdoor Action Activities.

Wilderness Seminar Programs

Outdoor Safety Management Workshop: An important part of being comfortable in the wilderness is safety, knowing how to plan trips properly and how to evaluate potential risks. This seminar is designed to make all wilderness travelers familiar with the causes of accidents in the wilderness, how to prevent accidents through effective pre-trip planning, how to identify risks in the field, and how to increase your margin of safety. The Dynamics of Accidents Model that will be taught is used by outdoor programs across the country. All OA Leaders must attend this seminar once. No advanced sign-up is required. For more information check out OA Guide to Outdoor Safety Management. Free and open to the public. The seminar will be held on the following dates:

Grace Under Pressure - The Kayak Eskimo Roll: The Eskimo roll is an essential skill for kayakers, whether you tour on open water, sea kayak, or whitewater. This video gives step by step instructions on how to master the roll including excellent underwater photography. Join us on Thursday, February 6 at 7:30 PM in McCosh 62, or Sunday, February 9 at 5:00 PM in McCosh 66. (60 minutes) Free and open to the public.

Training to Rock Climb and Performance Rock Climbing Videos: If you are climbing at the Wall for exercise, or to develop your climbing skills then Training to Rock Climb is the video for you. Learn from Christian Griffith, one of America's top sport climbers, how to enhance your climbing through specific training with stretching, bouldering, endurance and strength training techniques (30 minutes). Performance Rock Climbing shows you the skills, techniques and approaches that help top men and women climbers from around the world succeed on the hardest climbs. What they have learned can help climbers of every ability. (110 minutes). Join us for both videos on Wednesday, February 12, at 7:30 PM in McCosh 66. Free and open to the public.

Outdoor & Environmental Careers Workshop: Many people who enjoy the outdoors look for ways that they can integrate the outdoors into their career. Outdoor and environmental careers can include leading trips for Outward Bound or NOLS, doing environmental advocacy work, environmental attorney, public policy, environmental engineering, etc. This workshop will provide information on the broad range of careers available, resources for finding job leads, and skills required. The workshop will be held on Monday, February 24, from 7:30 - 9:00 PM in McCosh 62. Free and open to the public. For more information check out the OA Guide to Outdoor & Environmental Careers.

Cold Weather Camping Workshop: Backpacking in early spring conditions often means experiencing the tail end of winter. Learning to be prepared with proper equipment and the necessary techniques for cold weather camping is what this workshop is all about. This workshop is designed as an advanced skills seminar for those who already have previous warm weather backpacking experience. Join us on Wednesday, February 26, at 7:30 PM in McCosh 64. Free and open to the public.

OA Exploring Winter Series

These free OA Workshops will teach you the fundamentals of safe travel in the winter. Whether you are a cross-country skier, downhill skier, snowboarder, Telemark skiier, snowshoer, winter camper, you will enhance your ability to travel safely in the winter environment.

Learning to Telemark Ski: If you are interested in learning how to Telemark ski (downhill skiing on cross-country skis) then join OA for The Telemark Movie, an excellent video on basic and intermediate Telemark skiing skills on Wednesday, February 19 from 7:30 - 9:00 PM in McCosh 66. (60 minutes) Free and open to the public.

Avalanche Awareness & Avalanche Rescue Beacon Videos: Backcountry skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers, etc. all need to understand the dynamics of avalanches. People in the western states are much more aware of avalanche hazards but last winters tragic avalanche deaths on Mount Washington in New Hampshire show just how dangerous avalanches can be. Learn the basics of safe travel in avalanche terrain, how to interpret topography and how to use avalanche beacons for backcountry rescue. Join us on Monday, February 24 from 7:30 - 9:00 PM in McCosh 66. (60 minutes) Free and open to the public.

Advanced Telemark & Backcountry Skiing Videos: Join us for two excellent instructional videos on advanced Telemark Skiing for the Backcountry, Beyond the Groomed and Revenge of the Telemarkers. If you are working on expanding your Telemark skills, these are filled with the tips you need to improve. Joins us on Tuesday, March 4 at from 7:30 - 9:30 PM in McCosh 66. (90 minutes) Free and open to the public.

OA Activities

OA will be offering a number of day trips to provide opportunities for everyone from beginners to advanced participants. Fees for the trips vary depending on the activity and location. On full-day trips, participants should provide their own lunch. All other equipment and transportation will be provided by OA. Sign up for all trips at the OA Office on the second floor of Clio Hall.

OA Climbing Wall Open House: The Wall has been completely redone with new holds and routes expanding the learning and training opportunities for beginners to experts. We are really excited about the expanded OA Climbing Wall. Come down for the grand opening for a free afternoon of climbing. Help us celebrate and create your own new route! The big opening is Saturday, February 8 from 1:00 - 5:00 PM. Skilled OA instructors will be on hand to coach you. Families with children are welcome.

OA Climbing Wall: The Outdoor Action Climbing Wall is a state-of-the-art indoor rock climbing practice facility located in the Armory next to Palmer Stadium. The Climbing Wall allows beginners to learn basic climbing skills, while intermediate and advanced climbers can work on refining their technical abilities. There will be experienced instructors there to teach skills and assist people in solving particular climbing routes. The Climbing Wall is open only to students, faculty, and staff of Princeton University. Children of members of the University community are allowed to climb only with a parent present. All climbers are required to sign a waiver. The Climbing Wall is the following times during the academic year except during breaks and final exams.

• Day Pass: $5.00 students, $7.00 faculty/staff
• Equipment Rental: $1.00 for harness and climbing shoes (no charge if you have your own)
• Semester Wall Pass: $40.00 students, $55.00 faculty/staff
• Half-semester Wall Pass: $20.00 students, $27.00 faculty/staff (available after spring break)

In order to purchase a card you must have your University ID. Cards can be purchased at the Climbing Wall. Cash or checks are accepted.

Belaying Classes & Climber Authorization: OA offers free belaying classes for new climbers to give you instruction on how to properly tie-in and belay. Classes are during regular Wall hours on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Only individuals who have passed the belaying course are eligible to belay at the Wall. For more information on belaying check out the OA Guide to Belaying at the Climbing Wall.

Off Hours Climbing: Climbers who have been tested and authorized by the Climbing Wall staff are eligible to climb at the Wall during off hours. To be authorized you must have passed the Belaying Class and demonstrate proficiency in rope handling and setup. Off-hour climbers are required to purchase a Wall Pass. Please note that off-hours climbing is not permitted during scheduled Wall Classes (Tuesdays & Thursdays from 4:30 - 6:30 PM).

Rocks 1: Learning to Rock Climb Course: If you are interested in learning to rock climb, then this course will teach you all the basic techniques of climbing, including: climbing techniques like weight shifting, stemming, laybacks, and dynamic moves; rope work skills like knots, tying in and belaying; and how to use the Climbing Wall for training. The course will meet on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 4:30 - 6:30 PM at the Climbing Wall on February 11, 13, 18, and 20. There will also be an day trip to a local climbing gym on Saturday, February 22. (You will need to pay your own entrance fee at the Rock Gym). Only sign up if you can attend all the classes. Preference will be given to OA Leaders. Course Fee: students $65.00, faculty/staff $90.00. Sign up at the OA office by Monday, February 10.

Rocks 2: Tope Rope Systems Course: If you are serious about rock climbing then you need to learn the details of setting up top rope climbing systems. The Rocks 2 Course covers climbing hardware, rope care, tying into natural anchors, equalizing loads, rappelling, and advanced belay techniques. The course will meet Tuesday and Thursdays February 25, 27, and March 4, 6, 4:30 - 6:30 PM at the Climbing Wall in the Armory. There will be a class field trips to a local climbing area on Saturday, March 1 and 8 to practice top rope setup on real rock. Only sign up if you can attend all the classes. Participants must have completed Rocks 1 or have comparable basic climbing experience. Please contact Andrew Burke at 8-9462 if you have questions about your climbing experience. Course fee: students $65.00, OA leaders $45.00, faculty/staff $90.00.

Kayaking

Beginners Kayaking Eskimo Roll Classes: Winter in the pool is an excellent time to learning kayaking. Beginners will learn the Eskimo Roll and basic strokes. There will be two Beginners classes, one from 7:30 - 9:00 PM and the other from 9:00 - 10:30 PM on Sunday nights February 9, 16, 23 and March 2 and 9. Only sign up if you can attend all the classes. Due to the limited spaces in this course, participants will be selected off an interest list. Preference will be given to those who have previously taken an OA kayaking class. Participants are required to attend the Eskimo Roll Video on Thursday, February 5 at 7:30 PM in McCosh 62 or Sunday, February 9 at 5:00 PM in McCosh 66 (see above). Course fee: students $50.00, faculty/staff $70.00.

Cross-country & Telemark Skiing

For more information on other Winter Activities check out the OA Guide to Winter Camping.

Cross-country Skiing Day Trips: Cross-country skiing is a wonderful way to explore the winter wilderness and a great form of exercise. OA will offer day cross-country skiing trips to local trails in New Jersey or ski touring centers in the Poconos or southern New York (weather and snow conditions permitting). Basic skiing skills will be taught for beginners and intermediate skiers will be able to kick and glide up a storm. Participants will need appropriate warm clothing and should bring lunch. Trip fee: students $15.00, faculty/staff $20.00 which includes ski equipment ($5.00 discount if you have your own skis). If the group goes to a ski touring center, there will be an additional trail fee (~$10.00). The trips are scheduled on:

NATO Telemark Skiing Clinic: If you are an experienced cross-country skiier, then you may be interested in heading into the backcountry and going downhill. To do this you need to learn the Telemark turn, the fundamental turn for downhill cross-country skiing. The North American Telemark Organization (NATO), the largest Telemark Instruction Program in the country, is offering a one-day Telemark Skiing Clinic on Sunday, February 23. Trip Fee: students $80.00, faculty/staff $100.00 which includes backcountry ski equipment ($5.00 discount if you have your own backcountry or Telemark skis. Please note that you must have backcountry skis with metal edges and stiff boots, regular touring skis are not sufficient for this class).

Intermediate Telemark Skiing Trip: Telemark skiing is about going downhill, so the best way to practice your technique is to go to a downhill ski area, ride the lifts, and get in as many training runs as you can. This trip is open to those who participated in the Telemark Skiing Primer or have other Telemark skiing experience. This is not a trip for first time Telemark skiers. We will go to a local ski area for the day so bring lunch and prepare to put a burn on your quads on Saturday, March 1. Trip Fee: students $15.00, faculty/staff $20.00 and you will need to pay for your lift ticket (~$35-$40). Trip fee includes backcountry ski equipment ($5.00 discount if you have your own backcountry or Telemark skis. Please note that you must have backcountry skis with metal edges and stiff boots, regular touring skis are not sufficient for this class).

Winter Hiking

Nature in Winter Walk: Even in the midst of winter, life carries on. This guided walk through the Institute Woods, led by experienced naturalists, will explore the diversity of plant and animal life signs during the winter. The walk will be held on Sunday, February 23, from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Canceled if raining. Please wear warm clothing. A van will be leaving from the Dillon Gym parking lot promptly at 9:45 AM or participants can meet at the Institute for Advanced Study parking lot at 10:00 AM. Sign up at the OA Office. As part of the celebration of the preservation of the Institute Woods, there is no fee for this trip.

Spring Break Trips

Outdoor Action will be running a variety of activities during spring break. These trips offer an opportunity to take a break from academics and enjoy the spring. There will also be several Leader Training Courses offered. See the Leader Training section below.

Backpacking Trips: Early spring is a special time in the Shenandoah Mountains in northern Virginia as the forest emerges from winter. The 3,000 - 4,000 foot peaks of the Shenandoahs provide great hiking and beautiful vistas to the valleys below. OA is offering two 4-day backpacking trips to the Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah National Park over spring break. Each trip will cover 7-8 miles each day and basic wilderness and minimal impact camping skills will be taught. Equipment will be provided by OA. Trip fee: students $75.00, faculty/staff $100.00. Dates for the trips are as follows:

See also the special Backpacking Trips for Graduate Students, and the Women's Center below.

OA & Women's Center Backpacking Trip: This is a special trip co-sponsored with the Women's Center which will focus on women's leadership issues in a wilderness setting. Like all OA trips, participants will work together to manage the trip and will learn basic backpacking and leave no trace camping skills. The trip will cover 7-8 miles each day. Equipment will be provided by OA. Trip dates will be Saturday, March 15 - Tuesday, March 18. Trip fee: students $85.00, faculty/staff $110.00.

Graduate Student Backpacking Trip: This trip is designed to provide an opportunity for graduate students to take a break from campus and explore the wilderness. The early spring views from the summits of the Shenandoah Mountains in Virginia are spectacular. The trip will cover 6-8 miles each day and basic wilderness and minimal impact camping skills will be taught. Equipment will be provided by OA. Trip dates trip will be Thursday, March 20 - Sunday, March 23. Trip fee: graduate students $85.00.

The Outdoor Action Leader Training Program

Outdoor Action encourages all students, faculty, and staff to participate in the OA Leader Training Program. OA's Leader Training Program is considered one of the most comprehensive in the nation and has been imitated by numerous other schools. As well as learning valuable wilderness skills, participants develop leadership, group facilitation, safety, and first aid skills. Upon completion of the training program, you are eligible to apply to lead OA trips. These trainings are offered several times each semester and are described in more detail below. You should plan your semester accordingly. This spring we have restructured the Leader Training Program to build upon the skills learned throughout your training. The Leader Training Trip will serve to tie together all of the other skills that you have learned. Therefore, you should have completed all of the other Leader Training Requirements before taking your Leader Training Trip. You may still be completing requirements while you are taking the pre-trip 5-week class sessions, but they should be completed before the 5-day trip begins. See the OA Leader Training Program section on the OA Web site for more information. The requirements for Basic Wilderness Leader are the following: