Hello all,

Tuesday night the Outing Club kicked off the semester with our first meeting of 2016. In our physical challenge, Jake Cramer’s strong hands were the only ones capable of opening an extremely stuck jar of sauerkraut.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

“Preparing for a Wilderness Adventure: Hiker Trash Style” by Dave Gantz – 1/19, 8pm – The Outing Club is also pleased to present a guess talk for next week. During our meeting on Jan. 19, we’ll be hearing local backpacking guru Dave Gantz speak about how to plan and prepare for long distance backpacking trips. If you’re a weekend backpacker who would like to break into some longer hikes, this talk is perfect for you. And if you’re not really a backpacker but would like to know more about what kind of logistics go into hiking the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, or other long distance trails, come out and hear what he has to say!

TRIP REPORTS

Polar Bear Plunge – Hardly “polar,” some PSOCers started off their finals week right with a dip in the Bald Eagle Creek near Unionville. The air wasn’t too cold, but the water was frigid. Everyone warmed up afterwards with a visit to Waffleshop!

Centralia – A group of PSOCers explored the abandoned remnants of this rural Pennsylvania town, where residents were smoked out by underground coal fires in the 60’s. After exploring the famous graffiti highway, we then drove to an inactive coal quarry of massive proportions known as “the whaleback,” before ending the day with some tasty pizza.

Adirondacks – A few PSOC members signed up for an adventure rec trip to this massive forest preserve in upstate New York. A group of 16, many of whom were new to mountaineering, summited the Algonquin peak. Under beautiful bright blue skies, they endured subzero temperatures and hurricane-force winds. On the way up, some friendly hikers tossed them some Lil’ Debbie Cakes. On the way down, a guide fell and broke her ankle shortly after they reached the treeline. As half the group returned to camp, a small crew stayed behind to drag and carry her for a grueling 6 miles before some forest rangers took over for the final mile. The situation was serious, but the experienced guides provided medical care and decisive leadership. All had an experience they will never forget.

UPCOMING

Sledding at Slab Cabin Park – 1/14, 12-3pm – Grab your sled and hit the slopes! We’re taking a drive to this local sledding hill to tear up some fresh pow-pow. Email bsv5021@psu.edu to sign up.

Cold MiLK IV – 1/15-18 – PSOC is taking a dozen hikers to the west loop of the Chuck Keiper trail near Renovo, PA. We plan to hike 33 miles, keep warm, and eat ice cream.

Climbing @ the Y – 1/14 – PSOC Treasurer Pat Thornton is taking a group down to the local rock wall to practice some indoor climbing. Email him at pmt5086@psu.edu if interested.

Kayak Pool Sessions – Date TBD – Soon we will have dates reserved at the McCoy Natatorium, where paddlers of all experience levels can practice kayaking techniques and hopefully learn to hit that roll.

PAPERWORK

All of the linked forms above are also available here: http://sites.psu.edu/clubsports/resources/

Membership

If you want to become an official member, please come to the next meeting with a completed participation agreement (in pen), and club dues in cash ($30 for year, $20 for one semester). All members must have health insurance, but are no longer required to provide proof.

Benefits of membership include:

– being able to go on trips

– free gear rental from Penn State Adventure Recreation

– 10% discount at Appalachian Outdoors

– discounted Rock Climbing at the State College YMCA

– being irresistibly attractive

– being involved in a community of outdoors-people at Penn State!

 

Safety Officers

– Provide scanned copies of your certifications for CPR/AED and First Aid. Certifications a! re only accepted from the American Red Cross, American Heart Associatio! n, a! nd the Emergency Care and Safety Institute.

– Complete Safety Officer Form

 

Drivers

– Complete Vehicle Authorization Form

– Submit and print the Vehicle Authorization Form and have it signed by the vehicle owner (whoever’s name is on the registration)

– Provide scanned copies of your up-to-date Vehicle Registration, Auto Insurance, and Driver’s License