UA Outdoor Recreation

Ski Trip: Spring Break 2012

2012-01-30T15:42:00.000-06:00

The time is drawing near to decide if you want to go to the premier ski resort of the southeast: Snowshoe, WV. Our plan is to leave Saturday, March 10, ski on the 11th, 12th, 13th, then return to Tuscaloosa on the 14th. This still allows you 4 more days of spring break to go to the beach or do whatever else you might want.

Our accommodations include an luxurious 4 bedroom lodge just minutes from the slopes. Your lodging, rental gear, and lift tickets are all included the price: only $650 for students.

Even though this is a UA sponsored trip, you will have the freedom to explore the slopes on your own - want to bump up the difficulty? Go right ahead and go down those black diamonds! You will also be able to explore the resort and town as you wish.

Contact Lance Haynie for more information OR go the UA Outdoor Recreation trip page.

Spring 2012 Trips and Events

2012-01-13T16:18:00.002-06:00

Check out all of our Spring 2012 trips and events:

Feb 4: T-Town Pull Down Climbing Comp; $30 registration fee
Feb 24-26: Sipsey Wilderness Backpacking; $40/$50
March 10-14: Spring Break Ski trip to Snowshoe, WV; $650/$750
April 6-8: Kayaking the Nantahala River, NC; $100/$125 *kayak sessions required for this trip
April 20: Gear Swap at UA Outdoor Recreation offices
April 21: Caving at Tumbling Rock; $30/$40
May 14-22: Wilderness First Responder (WFR); $500

*member/non-member prices

Contact us for more information 205-348-4701 outdoor.recreation@ua.edu

Tuscaloosa Bicycle Commuter Maps

2011-09-27T09:53:00.000-05:00

Thanks to partnerships between I Bike Tuscaloosa, UA Outdoor Recreation, the Druid City Bicycle Club, VeloCity Pro Cycle, The Alabama Art Kitchen and others, this map is made available for free. Please use the second picture to educate yourself on bicycle laws in Alabama.

Alabama Mountain Bike Series

2011-08-30T13:15:00.002-05:00

Hooverball!

2011-08-26T16:40:00.002-05:00

Check out hooverball!

2011-07-25T20:45:00.000-05:00

Come check out our new Cannondale road bikes at the rental center!

AlaBeta mapping project

2011-07-23T06:35:00.000-05:00

Check out our outdoor recreation mapping project: AlaBeta

We offer Google Maps with pinpoint location for the nearest rock climbing, backpacking/camping, whitewater paddling, lakes, and cycling opportunities. Scout your next adventure from the comfort of your home, apartment, or dorm room.

Gear Swap 2011

2011-04-26T08:56:00.000-05:00

It is that time of year again. Time for our annual spring Gear Swap. This year we are selling road bikes, tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, cooksets, sleeping pads, headlamps, dry bags, and more!! Remember, you can bring your own gear to sell as well.

Upcoming Trips

2011-02-16T06:27:00.000-06:00

Check out these great outings we have on the horizon:

Spring Break Rock Climbing: Indian Creek, Utah March 12 - 20

Bouldering: Rocktown, Georgia April 8 - 10

Whitewater Paddling: Nantahala River, North Carolina April 8 - 10

Paddling: Hurricane Creek April 20

Gear Swap at the UA Outdoor Recreation offices:April 29

Get all the gear you need at Alabama Outdoors!

You can also visit our website for more information on our Bike Shop, Gear Rental, and Climbing Wall.

T-Town Pull Down Conclusion

2011-02-04T14:58:00.010-06:00

The 2011 T-Town Pull Down was filled with energy, lots of climbing, and great prizes and raffles that helped to raise money for a great cause. Again, the comp maxed out and even went over a little bit on capacity along with great vendors in attendance like Alabama Outdoors and the Southeastern Climber's Coalition. The competition was also a success due to great sponsors like Mountain Khakis, Sherpa Adventure Gear, Voodoo Climbing, Rock and Ice, and Lowe Alpine.

The raffle drawing also helped to raise over $400 for the Southeastern Climber's Coalition to purchase land in Steele, AL and Deep Creek, TN - both are local climbing areas that are very special the local climbing community.

Results:

Beginner Men:

Tyler Upchurch
Andrew Brownlow
Cameron Butler

Intermediate Men:

Ty Dilbeck Jr.
Graham Montgomery
Isacc Levin

Advanced Men:

Garrett DeBruin
Shawn Haynes
Kaleb Estes

Open Men:

Brooks Walker
Camden Clemets
Michael LaCour

Beginner Women:

Anna Basso
Khris Kirk
Alison Croop

Intermediate Women:

Tatiana Mejia
Alli Anderson
Susan DeBruin

Advanced Women:

Natalie Hawley
Katie Whitcomb
Emily Korth

T-Town Pull Down 2011

2011-01-24T08:35:00.000-06:00

This Saturday, Jan. 29, the Student Recreation Center (SRC) at UA will host the 2011 T-Town Pull Down. There is climbing for all ability levels and prizes and giveaways for all. Visit the Outdoor Recreation website for registration form and more information.

Check out the highlight reel from last year's comp.

Hillcrest High School 4-H

2010-12-17T15:01:00.000-06:00

The UA Outdoor Recreation program had the honor of teaching some Hillcrest High School students how to properly set up a tent as well as other skills needed for recreating outdoors. The special needs students had a blast with the Program Coordinator - Lance Haynie

NEW class comes to an end

2010-12-13T15:21:00.006-06:00

We have just concluded our first semester of NEW 490-007: Outdoor Leadership, and let me say how pleased I am with the outcomes. The semester was filled with new learning experiences, refinement of skills and building of relationships.

Group initiative and team building

A common myth with outdoor classes is that they are easy A's. Our class requires just as much work and effort as any other academic offering - it is actually given a 4 hour writing credit value. We require 2 presentations, 2 case studies, 1 mid-semester test, a trip plan, and a final exam from each student.

Learning about participant evacuation

Our students take an active role in the class by teaching about different kinds of shelters

The final exam for our class is a 3-day field-based experience where instructor led scenarios allow each students the opportunity to put their class-room learning "to the test". This past semester's class went to the Cheaha Wilderness area in eastern Alabama. We traveled along the Pinhoti Trail for approximately 12 miles from Adam's Gap to the Cheaha Trailhead. Along the way, we simulated participant care issues, lost participant cases, first-aid related emergencies, lightning protocols, participant conflict situations, and off-trail land navigation.

The Pinhoti Trail: an official extension of the Appalachian Trail

Group cooking at CAMP 1

Taking a break at the top of Stairway to Heaven: elev. 2,135'

First-aid related emergency scenario

Leaving CAMP 2

This class specializes in an experiential education approach to teaching leadership in an outdoor setting. One does not need to be well-versed in outdoor skills to participate. I hope that this continues to be of value to the University of Alabama as students pursue careers in the outdoors. If you would like to learn more about this class, please contact Lance Haynie (lhaynie@sa.ua.edu), Program Coordinator for Outdoor Recreation at the University of Alabama

Regions Bike Donation

2010-10-28T10:00:00.000-05:00

On October 20, 2010, Regions Bank donated 25 of their signature green bicycles to the BamaBikes program. This donation represents an increased ability to serve the unique user group that depends upon this program for cost-effective, sustainable transportation in and around the University of Alabama campus.

The BamaBikes program was started in 2006 by a partnership between University Recreation, the Ferguson Center, and the Office of Housing and Residential Communities. The current fleet of bikes (36 total) is divided among 3 stations around campus: the Student Recreation Center, the Ferguson Center and Rose Towers resident hall. If you are interested in learning more about BamaBikes, visit http://bamabikes.ua.edu

Cheaha Wilderness/Pinhoti Trail

2010-09-27T17:13:00.001-05:00

View Pinhoti Trail/Cheaha Wilderness in a larger map

Poetry Day Hikes

2010-09-21T16:42:00.000-05:00

On Saturday, September 18, the Outdoor Leadership class participated in a series of poetry day hikes at Sokol Park. The hikes featured various authors' writings being read to the hiking group as they strolled along the trails. This event was coordinated by Joseph Wood, an instructor in the UA English Department. The title of the project is called 6, 5, 4, 3, Referring to the number of authors featured on four different hikes.

The Outdoor Leadership class provided readers, participant monitoring, and basic first-aid support. It was a great collaboration that will contionue to grow.

New College 490-007: Outdoor Leadership

2010-09-03T16:23:00.000-05:00

The UA Outdoor Recreation office has begun regular class meetings for the NEW 490-007: Outdoor Leadership class. This class meets a need for formal course work at the University of Alabama for Outdoor Recreation, Outdoor Leadership, Camp Administration, and other outdoor recreation related fields of study. We cover theoretical concepts of leadership, self-assessment, group dynamics, wilderness medicine, as well as a balance of in-the-field hard skill lessons. Here are a few pictures from a canoeing day in which we covered basic paddling maneuvers as well as canoe rescue techniques.

Fall 2010 Trip Schedule

2010-09-03T15:57:00.000-05:00

Canoeing and Caving: Anvil Cave, AL – SRC Member: $50; Non-Member: $60

Sept. 19 (Sunday)

This trip features a new destination that is only accessible by canoeing on Flint Creek.

Kayak Roll Clinics – SRC Member: $35; Non-Member: $45 for 5-week session

Series 1: Sept. 22, 29, Oct. 6, 13, & 20 – Wednesdays 7 – 9:30pm

Series 2: Oct. 19, 26, Nov. 2, 9, &16 – Tuesdays 7 – 9:30pm

Mountain Biking: Lake Lurleen SP – SRC Member: $15; Non-Member: $25

Oct. 10 (Sunday)

This trip is classic mountain biking at Lake Lurleen State Park. All gear provided.

Backpacking clinics - $10 for each clinic; attendance gets you a discount on the Fall Break trip!

October 13: Backcountry cooking and Leave No Trace

October 20: Packing your gear for the backcountry

Fall Break backpacking: Sipsey Wilderness – SRC Member: $75; Non-Member: $100

Oct. 29 – 31

This is a backpacking trip that everyone should do while they are at UA. Beautiful Wilderness area in the heart of the Bankhead National Forest.

Fall Break Lead Climbing Day Trip/Clinic – SRC Member: $50; Non-Member: $60

Oct. 30, 2011

Join us at Sand Rock, Alabama and learn the art of lead climbing. We will cover the essential skills to safely lead climb and belay both sport and traditional climbs. Topics include proper belay technique, bolt clipping, traditional gear placement, and basic anchor building.

Christmas Break Ski Trip: Durango, Colorado – SRC Member: $850; Non-Member: $950

Dec. 12 – 19

Beautiful Colorado skiing at Durango Mountain Resort (aka Purgatory). 5 nights lodging in slopeside condos, 4 days of skiing opportunity.

*Register by visiting the UA Outdoor Recreation office during regular business hours.

Round 2: Whitewater Rafting Trip

2010-06-15T15:09:00.003-05:00

We have just scheduled another whitewater rafting trip for Saturday, July 31. Come by the UA Outdoor Recreation office to register. Cost is $125/person. This will be a FULL RIVER trip - meaning twice the amount of rafting with a catered lunch included. Contact the UA Outdoor Recreation office for more details. 348-7045 outdoor.recreation@ua.edu

Trip Leader Training @ Bear Creek, AL 5.31.2010

2010-06-07T08:19:00.004-05:00

Trip Leader Training @ Bear Creek, AL 5.31.2010 from UA Outdoor Recreation on Vimeo.

Whitewater Rafting Trip

2010-05-26T16:12:00.004-05:00

Join us for a day of whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River (site of the 1996 canoe/kayak Olympic Games!)

When: Saturday, June 26, 2010
Cost: $75

Register at the UA Outdoor Recreation office.

Wilderness First Responder course

2010-03-11T08:47:00.000-06:00

Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities (SOLO) provides definitive course in medical training for outdoor educators, guides, and Search and Rescue teams. Includes all of the essential skills required to assess and manage medical problems in the backcountry.

The WFR is 72-80 hours long, and is a comprehensive and in-depth look at the standards and skills of dealing with: Response and Assessment, Musculoskeletal Injuries, Environmental Emergencies and Survival Skills, Soft Tissue Injuries, and Medical Emergencies. Additional topics, such as CPR, are also included.

Must be 16 years of age or older. For individuals 18 or younger, official written consent must be provided – contact Lance Haynie for more information (205) 348-4701.

Please visit our website for information and to download a registration form.

T-Town Pull Down 2010

2010-02-03T16:34:00.001-06:00

This year's comp a was a great success. We had new holds, new problems, new sponsors, and new style. Add it all together and you get one great boulder comp. The addition of the men's and women's flash finals was well received. It gave the crowd a good show as our top 3 men and women threw down flash attempts on 3 difficult problems. Go here for more photos.

WOMEN'S RESULTS

Recreational: 1. Melissa LoBue

2. Lil Gregory

                      3. Rachel Smith

Intermediate:   1. Katie Whitcomb
2. Susan DeBruin
    3. Alli Anderson

Advanced:       1. Laurel Mailman
      2. Natalie Hawley
                      3. Emily Korth

MEN'S RESULTS

Recreational: 1. Todd Clark

2. Stephen Washington

3. Robin Oldham

Intermediate: 1. Bradley Killough

2. Ryan Copeland

3. Jonathan Hauck

Advanced: 1. Brooks Walker

2. Tyler Wilcut

3. Casey Culp

Trip Leader Training Trip

2010-01-15T14:07:00.001-06:00

On Friday, Jan 8, we departed into the Sipsey Wilderness for our Trip Leader training trip. Little did we know when we planned the outing that there would be single digit temperatures and iced over rivers.

We covered all necessary information as well as a simulated evacuation for an injury scenario. We almost had a group of hikers give us aid until we told them it was just training. Never-the-less, the trip was good and prepared us all for what can and may happen when enjoying our great outdoors.

Staff Jackets by Sherpa Adventure Gear

2009-12-11T09:14:00.003-06:00

UA Outdoor Recreation recently received a set of staff apparel from Sherpa Adventure Gear. This company is based out Kathmandu, Nepal where the company is run by the local Sherpa people. Please visit their website to learn more about this great company that produces and tests this great gear in the mountains of Nepal.

Backpacking the Appalachian Trail

2009-12-08T09:04:00.004-06:00

This is a map of our Appalachian Trail trip that is departing on Dec. 14, 2009. Google Maps allows us to present a fairly detailed itinerary of our trip with specified campsites, trails, parking areas, and emergency medical facilities.

View Backpacking the Appalachian Trail in a larger map

Please click on the map to see descriptions/distances of hikes and campsites.

New Trips and Events for Spring 2010

2009-12-07T15:41:00.002-06:00

Rock Climbing: Jan 15 - 18; $90/members, $100/non-members

T-Town Pull Down climbing competition: Jan 30 (Sat); $25 before Jan 30, $35 day of comp

Kayak Roll Clinic: Feb 3, 10, 17, 24, Mar 3 (5-week series); $35/member; $45/non-member

Backpacking the Sipsey Wilderness: Feb 12 - 14; $40/member; $50/non-member

Mountain Biking Oak Mountain State Park: Feb 27 (Sat); $15/member; $25/non-member

Skiing Snowshoe, WV: Mar 14 - 18; $550/member; $600/non-member **Price includes transportation, lodging and lift tickets for 3 days**

Canoeing, Climbing, Camping the Sipsey Wilderness: Mar 12 - 17; $95/member; $105/non-member

Please visit http://urec.sa.ua.edu/ortrips.cfm for a full listing and any changes that may occur.