Hampshire College

The OPRA staff is committed to providing outstanding services and programs to the community. Learn respect for self, others, and the environment, and have a safe, fun, and educational experience on our worldwide trips. Information regarding the following events will be available in the Robert Crown Center.

There is a $10 refundable deposit for all trips, and a $15 per day equipment usage fee for non-Hampshire students. Only Hampshire and Five College students may participate in these trips/activities, except where noted.

Note: All OPRA events are substance-free.

WEEKEND OUTDOOR TRIPS

Ice Climbing for Everyone!
Saturday, January 30; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Prerequisite: Knowledge of basic belaying technique and harness/knot. Students can learn this at the RCC indoor climbing wall.
A great opportunity to try the fun and exciting sport of ice climbing. We will travel to a local area and learn the basic techniques used in this fun sport.
Instructor: Earl Alderson
Cost: Hampshire: Free + $10 deposit. Five College: $15 + $10 deposit.
Participant Limit: 10
Sign-Up Deadline: Friday, January 29 at noon.

Cross-Country Skiing at Wendell State Forest
Saturday, February 6; 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Even if you have never cross-country skied before, this trip offers the perfect opportunity for first-timers to try this fun sport. We will travel to the Wendell State Forest and spend the day skiing groomed trails in a beautiful wood setting. We will also have lunch on the trail. Equipment is provided by OPRA.
Instructors: Glenna Alderson
Cost: Hampshire: Free + $10 deposit. Five College: $15 + $10 deposit.
Participant Limit: 10
Sign-Up Deadline: Friday, February 5 at noon.

Ice Climbing for Everyone!
Saturday-Sunday, February 6 and 7; 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
Prerequisite: Knowledge of basic belaying technique and harness/knot. Students can learn this at the RCC indoor climbing wall.
A great opportunity to try the fun and exciting sport of ice climbing. We will travel to northern Vermont and spend two days climbing frozen waterfalls!
Pre-Trip meeting: Thursday, February 4; 5:30 p.m.
Instructors: Earl Alderson and Guy deBrun
Cost: Transportation, food, lodging; $50.00
Participant Limit: 10
Sign-Up Deadline: Friday, February 5 at noon.

Downhill Skiing/Snowboarding/Snow Tubing
Sunday, February 7; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Prerequisite: Bring skiis/snowboard or rent at the slopes. Bring lunch.
Treat yourself to a day of winter fun! We will travel to Berkshire East where there are all types of varied terrain for the total beginner or advanced winter enthusiast. You can ski, ride, or snow tube on the slopes.
Instructor: Karen Warren
Cost: Lift ticket for skiing/riding, $45; Tubing pass for 3 hours, $20
Participant Limit: 10
Sign-Up Deadline: Friday, February 5 at noon.

Hike Mt. Monadnock
Saturday, February 13; 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Prerequisite: Participants must be in relatively good shape and have the ability to hike approximately 2 hours to the summit and 1 hour descent.
A popular winter hiking destination, Mt. Monadnock is located in southwestern NH. We will be hiking on the ‘white dot’ trail and to the summit at 3165 feet! Participants will be dressed for winter conditions. The average length of time for the hike is 2 hours to the summit and an hour for the descent.
Instructor: Glenna Alderson
Cost: Hampshire: Free + $10 deposit. Five College: $15 + $10 deposit.
Participant Limit: 11
Sign-Up Deadline: Friday, February 12 at noon

Cross Country Skiing
Saturday, February 13; 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
We will travel to Notchview ski area in Windsor, MA for a day of cross country skiing. Trail fee $10. All abilities welcome. Skis and winter clothing available for checkout in the OPRA Equipment room.
Meet at 9 a.m. at the RCC
Cost: Hampshire: Free + $10 deposit. Five College: $15 + $10 deposit.
Participant Limit: 11
Sign-Up Deadline: Friday, February 12 at noon

Climbing Wall Update Day
Saturday, February 20; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Prerequisite: Be excited to update the wall for the Five-College Outdoor Festival and school year!
We will be working on stripping and cleaning up the climbing cave and wall so that new routes can be put up. Come with your ideas on a route you’d like to put up and try your hand at improving the wall!
Instructor: Earl Alderson
Cost: Hampshire: Free
Participant Limit: None

Five College Outdoor Festival
Friday-Saturday, February 26 and 27
The Five College Outdoor Festival is a yearly celebration of outdoor sports, wild places, and the spirit of adventure. Our goal is to inspire the Five College and western Massachusetts community to engage in human-powered outdoor recreation. The festival includes clinics, speakers, climbing competition, and the Telluride Mountain Film On Tour.
For festival details simply log onto 5cof.hampshire.edu and browse through the complete schedule.

Spring Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding
Saturday, March 7; 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
We will travel to Mt. Ascutney in southern Vermont for a day of spring skiing and snowboarding. OPRA does not provide skiing or snowboarding equipment. Please bring your own skis/boards or rent from Ascutney.
Instructor: Glenna Alderson
Cost: Student rate with valid ID: $40. Ski rental: $35. Snowboard rental: $35. Helmet: $6.
Participant Limit: 11
Sign-Up Deadline: Friday, March 5 at noon.

Top Rope Climbing
Saturday, April 3; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
If you want to experience climbing outside, then this is the trip for you! The certified OPRA Instructor will show you the ropes and teach you the skills you need for climbing outside. The day will be packed with fun, excitement, and challenge. If you can’t attend this top rope climbing trip, no worries! There is another top rope climbing trip on April 24. No experience is necessary; equipment is provided.
Instructor: Earl Alderson
Cost: Hampshire: Free + $10 deposit. Five College: $15 + $10 deposit.
Participant Limit: 11
Sign-Up Deadline: Friday, April 2 at noon.

Top Rope Anchors
Saturday, April 17; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Prerequisite: Some top rope climbing experience.
Are you interested in being able to go climbing by yourself? Being able to build a safe climbing anchor is the first step towards self-reliance. On this trip we will teach you the essentials of building your own top rope anchors. Some of the topics covered will be the use of tress and rocks in anchors, as well as the use of artificial rock protection (cams, shocks, etc.) Join us for this fun and informative trip that will surely add to your enjoyment of the sport.
Instructor: Guy deBrun
Cost: Hampshire: Free + $10 deposit. Five College: $15 + $10 deposit.
Participant Limit: 6
Sign-Up Deadline: Friday, April 16 at noon.

Beginning Whitewater Kayaking
Saturday, April 17; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Prerequisite: Must like the water and be able to swim.
This beginning kayaking trip is open to all ability levels. Spend a fun spring day kayaking and learning some fundamentals. Location to be announced.
Instructor: Earl Alderson
Cost: Hampshire: Free + $10 deposit. Five College: $15 + $10 deposit.
Participant Limit: 6
Sign-Up Deadline: Friday, April 26 at noon.

Top Rope Climbing
Saturday, April 24; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
If you want experience climbing outside, then this is the trip for you! The certified OPRA instructor will show you the ropes and teach you the skills you need for climbing outside. The day will be packed with fun, excitement, and challenge. No experience is necessary and equipment is provided.
Instructor: Guy deBrun
Cost: Hampshire: Free + $10 deposit. Five College: $15 + $10 deposit.
Participant Limit: 11
Sign-Up Deadline: Friday, April 23 at noon.

Whitewater Rafting
Saturday, April 24; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Prerequisite: Must like water and be able to swim.
Celebrate the coming of spring! Treat yourself to a day of amazing whitewater rafting on a local river.
Instructors: Earl and Glenna Alderson
Cost: Hampshire: Free + $10 deposit. Five College: $15 + $10 deposit
Participant Limit: 10
Sign-Up Deadline: Friday, April 17 at noon.

Wild Edibles Canoe Trip
Saturday, May 1; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Come search for spring wild edibles by canoe. We’ll find wild foods from the riverside and woods and then stop and cook up a feast. No previous canoeing or eating experience required.
Instructor: Karen Warren
Cost: Hampshire: Free + $10 deposit. Five College: $15 + $10 deposit.
Participant Limit: 9
Sign-Up Deadline: Friday, April 30 at noon.

Rock Climbing at Rumney, NH
Saturday-Sunday, May 1 and 2; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Prerequisite: Must have knowledge of the climbing harness, figure 8 knot, and belaying. Students can learn this at the RCC indoor climbing wall.
End your semester with a super fun trip to the rock climbing mecca of Rumney, NH. We will camp out overnight at a national forest and spend two days enjoying some springtime climbing.
Instructors: Earl and Glenna Alderson
Cost: Transportation, food, camping: $25
Participant Limit: 10
Sign-Up Deadline: Thursday, April 29 at noon.

BREAK TRIPS

Whitewater Kayaking in the Sunny Southeast
Saturday-Sunday, March 13-March 21
Prerequisite: Should like the water and know how to swim.
Students with no prior whitewater kayaking experience must attend 2 kayaking pool sessions at the RCC. This trip is appropriate for beginner through intermediate kayakers. If you want to escape New England winter and learn the basics of whitewater kayaking, here’s your big chance!
Pre-trip meeting: Wednesday, February 17; 4 p.m. at the RCC.
Instructors: Guy deBrun and Glenna Alderson
Cost: Hampshire: $275.00. Five College: $375.00 (money due Friday, March 3)

Southeast Sampler
Saturday-Sunday, March 13-March 21
Prerequisite: Should like the water and know how to swim.
All needed skills will be taught.
This trip is appropriate for beginners and experienced. Escape winter to sample a variety of outdoor adventures in the mountains and rivers of the southeast. The trip will include two days of backpacking and camping on the Appalachian trail past mountain laurel and beautiful rushing streams. We will also go rafting on the whitewater rivers of the south where you will learn to guide the rafts yourself. Finally, we will soar and glide on the Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tour through forest treetops on a zip-line course. Don’t miss this chance to experience the magnificent outdoors of the southern Appalachian mountains.
Pre-trip meeting: Friday, February 19; 4 p.m. at the RCC.
Instructors: Karen Warren and Earl Alderson
Cost: Hampshire: $275.00. Five College: $375.00 (money due Friday, March 3)

INTRAMURALS/LEAGUES

Check back soon for details.

FIRST AID AND CPR

Solo Wilderness First Aid
Saturday-Sunday, April 10 and 11; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Accidents happen. People get hurt, sick, or lost. The temperature drops, the wind picks up, and it starts to rain. Would you know what to do? Many backcountry emergencies are preventable, and even when bad things happen, sometimes the wrong care can make things worse. By learning a few basic skills, you can make the difference between a good outcome and a bad one--and maybe even save a life. The WFA is the perfect course for the outdoor enthusiast or trip leader who wants a basic level of first aid training for short trips with family, friends, and outdoor groups.
Instructors: Guy deBrun and Glenna Alderson
Cost: Hampshire: $45. Five College: $75. Public: $145.
Participant Limit: 25
Sign-Up Deadline: Friday, April 10 at noon