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