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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 13, 2004)
Trip Initiator’s Clinic___ Wednesday and Friday, January 14 and 16 Become an OP trip initiator: it's easy. The first night covers OP philosophy, liability, trip planning, and procedures. Thursday we'll go over the use of the equipment facility (The Barn), the gear, vehicles, safety procedures, and more. Attendance at both sessions is required to become a trip initiator. Free! Wednesday, 5:30 pm: Outdoor Program Friday, 5:30 pm: OP Barn Introduction to Telemark Skiing Friday, January 16 and Saturday, January 17 The OP and the City of Eugene Riverhouse are excited to be working together to offer you a unique opportunity to learn the art of freeheel skiing. The evening session will cover the equipment and techniques of the sport, with film footage of local telemarkers to inspire you. The Saturday Level l class (levels II and III are also offered) is designed for those new to telemark, but with some skiing experience (backcountry, basic tele or basic alpine). Pre-register and pay at the OP Office or the City of Eugene Riverhouse. Telemark gear required; telemark rentals are available at Berg's Ski Shop. Discount lift tickets available with pre-registration. Lesson $20. Lesson w/lift ticket $44. Friday, 5:30 pm, Outdoor Program Saturday, 10:00 am-12:30 pm, Local Ski Area TBA The Broom of Allah:____ Big Wall Climbing in the Sahara Desert Tuesday, January 20 Big wall climber and photographer, Paul Piana, returns to UO to host his latest inspiring presentation. Paul Piana is a product of the most technically difficult climbs in the world. He has discovered that the most forbidding and untrodden places on our planet are the soaring rock walls of the world greatest mountain ranges. This time Paul takes us to the vast Sahara Desert and The Hand of Fatima. For thousands of years, camels have tracked across lonesome Saharan sands to an oasis with the magic name of Timbuktu. Timbuktu is in Mali, and today the country is plagued by drought, political turmoil and social unrest. Less than a hundred miles south of Timbuktu, along the Bandiagara escarpment, old ways survive. Here, bare hands and feet of Dogon tribesman climb cliffs to bury their dead in funerary caves perched hundreds of feet above their villages. Here, Paul and his climbing partners meet the Dogon people and explore a 1400-foot new route up the severely overhanging outside corner of the little finger on Fatima's Hand. Don’t miss this stunning and dramatic multimedia show by one of the sport's most inspiring climbers. $2 students and OP Co-op members, $4 general admission. Tuesday, 7:30 pm, 100 Willamette Hall OP Kayak Pool Sessions__ Wednesdays, January 21, 28, and February 4,11,18 Get ready to roll! Practice your skills in a warm, supportive environment. The Outdoor Program has reserved pool space at Gerlinger Pool on the UO Campus for five skill builder sessions. An OP staff person will be on hand to offer informal tips but instruction is not provided. A small pool means that space will fill quickly. Reserve your spot by prepaying at the OP Office. Pool Session: $3 UO students and OP Co-op members, $5 general admission, OP Kayak Rental $5 (first-come basis). Wednesdays, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm: Gerlinger Pool Introduction to Cross-Country Skiing Saturday, January 24 Discover why cross-country skiing is such a timeless and satisfying way to glide into the snowy backcountry. OP staff will share what they know about travelling up and down hills, and have you kicking and gliding like a pro in no time! Follow-up trips will be planned at the completion of the clinic. Bring your own skis or rent from local ski shops. Pre-register and pay $5 transportation fee at the OP Office. Saturday, 9:00 am: OP Barn Pre-Trip Thursday, Jan 22, 5:30 pm: Outdoor Program introduction to Snowshoeing Sunday, January 23 Snowshoeing really is as easy and fun as you've heard. Come get out on the snow and see for yourself what a great way to travel this is. Backcountry snow boarders, snow hikers, and anyone who is curious about this ancient method of winter travel are welcome. Rent the OP's shoes for $3 or bring your own. Pre-register and pay $5 transportation fee at the OP Office. Sunday, 9:00 am: OP Barn Avalanche Awareness Clinic Wednesday, January 28 and Sunday, February 1 The OP is joining forces with the City of Eugene River House to offer an informative two-part avalanche awareness clinic designed to introduce basic principles of avalanche awareness and backcountry travel in suspect areas. The evening presentation is free; you'll learn about snow characteristics, route finding, and rescue techniques. The optional field trip cost is $40, and provides the opportunity to practice beacon searches, probe lines and snow assessment. Preregister and pay for the field trip at the OP; no preregistration required for the evening presentation which is free and open to all. Wednesday, Jan 28, 6:00-8:00pm: Outdoor Program Sunday, Feb 1, 8:00 am » 6:00 pm: Hilyard Center at 2580 Hilyard Street Indoor Rock Climbing Session Saturdays, Jan 31, and Feb 7,14, and 28 Want to discover, or improve, your rock climbing skills while meeting other capable climbers? The OP has reserved time on the Student Recreation Center (SRC) Rock Wall on the UO campus for four skill builder sessions. Instruction is not provided but belayers are. This is a great opportunity to build an OP rock climbing community and practice, practice, practice. When warm weather arrives we'll be ready to climb Smith Rocks, Flagstone, Joshua Tree and more! Reserve your spot by prepaying at the OP Office. You must get belay checked at the SRC Rock Wall before the sessions begin. Rock Climbing cost is $4 per session if you have your own gear (harness/shoes/belay device) or $6 if you need gear. It's time to climb and all skill levels are welcome! Saturdays, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm: UO-SRC Rockwall Oregon's Best Wildland Destinations Thursday, February 5 Sometimes small is better; that's our thinking with this presentation by an old and dear friend of the OP, Bruce Johnson, Bruce was a participant and photographer on many of the OP's very first outings, way back in the 1960's! Since that time he has become an amazing photographer. The OP has invited Bruce to come show us some of his greatest photos and talk about some of Oregon's best destinations, right in the heart of where it all started- the Outdoor Program Resource Room. It'll be a family-style presentation with a bit of OP history too. Join us for this intimate presentation by an OP friend. Free. Thursday, 7:30 pm: Outdoor Program Kayaking off the Edge of the Tibetan Plateau Wednesday, February 18 Last summer, OP staff member Travis Winn helped organize two exploratory white-water kayaking expeditions in Western China, where the rivers drop off the edge of Tibetan Plateau. During his adventures he and the rest of his team found themselves with the rare opportunity to contribute to the introduction of whitewater kayaking in China. Within 48 hours of their arrival, they found themselves "first descenting" miles of Class 5 rapids, with hundreds of eyes watching their every move, wondering about this strange and exciting sport. Soon they found themselves signing autographs, teaching people the Eskimo roll, and eating fish heads with famous Chinese rafters. All this in the stunning, remote geography on the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, amongst the gracious, inquisitive and increasingly adventure-oriented people of China. Come re-live Travis's adventures and learn about the future of whitewater in China through this fascinating, multi-media presentation. Free. Wednesday, 7:30 pm: 100 Willamette Hall Biking Outside the Lines: International Incidents and Other Misadventures with the Metal Cowboy Wednesday, February 25 The LA Times calls him "A Modem Day Mark Twain". Portland-based satirist, misadventure cyclist, and author Joe Kurmaskie, first grabbed our attention with his book entitled: "Metal Cowboy: Tales from the Road Less Pedalled" which was a tremendous success. Many of you may have had the chance to enjoy Joe’s performance last year with Willie Weir. Now, Joe has a new book about the tales and tribulations of biking where others fear to tread and he'll bring his stories and slides to the UO for an entertaining evening of mayhem, suspect advice and a lots of laughs. The OP is proud to be co-sponsoring this event with the UO Bookstore, Burley Design Coop, Bike Friday, and Collins Bicycle Shop. Free! Wednesday, 7:00 pm: 100 Willamette Hall Outdoor Program Event E-Mail List The Outdoor Program has a popular E-mail list for those who would like to receive notice of the current week’s upcoming events and trips. If you’re interested in receiving this information, please complete the submission form on our web page: http://outdoorprogram.uoregon.edu