Bamboo Bikes!

The UA Outdoor Recreation office just received 8 bamboo bikes made with locally harvested bamboo. The Bike Lab in Greensboro, AL, as part of the HERO Projects, partners with Bamboo Bike Studio, based in San Francisco, CA, to produce the sustainable-oriented bikes.

The raw bamboo is harvested just down the road in Greensboro, AL then taken to the Bike Lab for processing. If you are interested in learning more about the build process, the Bike Lab offered build workshop where you can custom build your own bamboo bike in many different configurations. 

More pictures showing the build process:

T-Town Pull Down Wrap Up

The crowd was in effect and the beats were thumpin' at the comp Saturday. Thanks to all of the incredible sponsors that helped to make the day a success:

Alabama Outdoors, Black Diamond, Outdoor Research, Evolv, Solid Rock Climbers for Christ, Patagonia, Petzl, Mammut, Scarpa, Mountain Khaki.

We especially want to thank the Southeastern Climbers Coalition for fighting for climber's rights in the state and region. The event helped to raise $420 to go towards climbing access projects that affect the local climbing community. Josh Reyes, BOD with the SCC, was on hand to present an overview of the SCC's goals and mission. He also was instrumental in getting the finals session in order for the big showdown.

Props to GA Tech and Clemson for representing in force!

Women's Advanced

Allison Hwang (2800) - 1st

Emily Korth (1575) - 2nd

Tatiana Mejia (1305) - 3rd

Mariana Musicus (1300)

Chau Tran (1260)

Katie Whitcomb (1250)

Women's Recreational

Carolyn Coffey (1185) - 1st

Krys Kittredge (1110) - 2nd

Camellia Aslami (1040) - 3rd

Alli Anderson (710)

Tasha Parrish (410)

Jazmine Mosley (170)

Men's Advanced

Nick Robinson (3865*) - 1st

Michael Rosato (3865*) - 2nd

Todd Clark (3865*) - 3rd

Ben Tsui (3635)

Carlin Kersch (3520)

Jeremy Savor (3060)

Dallas Dean (2720)

*winner determined in finals session

Men's Intermediate

Brian Haight (2480) - 1st

Brian Peasley (2390) - 2nd

Michael Chickene (2260) - 3rd

James Conces (2230)

Andrew Silva (2215)

Joseph Watters (2160)

Colby Butterfield (2080)

Men's Recreational

Thomas Traweek (1565) - 1st

Isaac Levin (1475) - 2nd

Christian Trotter (1415) - 3rd

James Trigg (1390)

Dan Nelson (1370)

Sam Bates (1340)

Andrew Green (1260)

Judson Williams (1245)

Harrison Aslami (1230)

Chip Garrett (1140)

Drew Swinney (1125)

Hansen Babington (980)

Andrew Brownlow (840)

Shahn Washington (790)

Tyler Upchurch (735)

Kirt Daily (690)

Brett Gagner (670)

Matt Fairfield (550)

Ethan Hummel (490)

Richard Taylor (280)

John Chow (170)

Support Mountain Khaki!

The T-Town Pull Down could not have been such a success if not due to the help from companies like Mountain Khakis! They donated $75, $30, and $15 gift cards for our prizes and raffle.

Ben Lowe, MK campus ambassador, also help ed to make the event a success. He brought samples and plenty of swag to hand out. Thankfully, our competitors and spectators went home happy thanks to MK!

Ski Trip: Spring Break 2012

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

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

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

Hooverball!

Check out hooverball!

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

AlaBeta mapping project

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

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

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

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:

1. Tyler Upchurch
2. Andrew Brownlow
3. Cameron Butler

Intermediate Men:

1. Ty Dilbeck Jr.
2. Graham Montgomery
3. Isacc Levin

Advanced Men:

1. Garrett DeBruin
2. Shawn Haynes
3. Kaleb Estes

Open Men:

1. Brooks Walker
2. Camden Clemets
3. Michael LaCour

Beginner Women:

1. Anna Basso
2. Khris Kirk
3. Alison Croop

Intermediate Women:

1. Tatiana Mejia
2. Alli Anderson
3. Susan DeBruin

Advanced Women:

1. Natalie Hawley
2. Katie Whitcomb
3. Emily Korth

T-Town Pull Down 2011

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

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

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

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

View Pinhoti Trail/Cheaha Wilderness in a larger map

Poetry Day Hikes

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

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.