|
Volume CXXXII, Number 3 |
 |
Out in full again
CECILY UPTON
COLUMNIST
The Bowdoin Outing Club members were at it again last weekend in full force. We have been blessed by the weather gods over these past weeks, and they smiled on us again both Saturday and Sunday.
The beginner whitewater kayaking class finished up their coursework on Errol River, just over the New Hampshire border, practicing all the crazy skills they learned in the pool. For those of you interested in whitewater kayaking, yet have never tried it before, stay tuned for information regarding next semester's class.
The service trip planned for Baxter State Park last weekend was cancelled by the park, yet that did not stop Aaron Donohoe from leading a great overnight to Gulf Hagas, a former Pre-Orientation trip destination.
The Saturday sea kayakers paddled around Bethel point in the beautiful sunshine, but formidable wind. Sunday's flatwater canoeists spent the day enjoying the river on the last day-trip of the season-luckily there is still one more overnight trip left.
The BOC hosted two speakers in the past week, both of whom had exciting information to share with those in attendance. Alex Laden recounted her solo sea kayaking trip down the Inside Passage between Alaska and Washington State, as well as a trip she made from Portland, Maine, all the way up the coast to Machias. She brought some interesting and inspiring slides and maps, as well as equipment used to keep friendly and not-so-friendly critters away from her food. Gina Low, who spoke last Tuesday, represented APECA, the Association Promoting Education and Conservation in Amazonia. She shared information for students regarding opportunities in health care and conservation in South America. Be sure to mark October 8 on your calendars, when Josh Howell will speak about his adventures in Chile.
This upcoming weekend, two great overnights will be heading out. The last Katahdin trip of the season leaves Friday and returns Sunday. Be sure to wish the tripees luck as they attempt to climb the highest mountain in Maine. The whitewater kayak club will also be sending an overnight to the Rapid River. This beautiful river in northwestern Maine was home to Louise Dickenson Rich, a great woman author writing about the beauty and hardship of life in the Maine woods.
On Sunday, the BOC will send out two day trips, climbing and sea kayaking. The climbers will head to the Camden Hills, where climbs afford exciting terrain and amazing views of Penobscot Bay. Sea kayakers will explore the coast around Bowdoin. Go along to prepare for the upcoming sea kayak overnight!
Just because next weekend is Parent's weekend, doesn't mean you can't go out on a BOC trip. Take your parents along to Morse Mountain on Saturday for a short hike. For all of you whose parents are not coming, we have three student trips on Sunday: the final sea kayak day-trip, the final whitewater rafting trip, whitewater kayaking and a service and ecology trip.
Be sure to sign-up for all of these trips early next week at the OLC. Don't forget about open pool sessions for kayaking (Wednesday, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.), and the climbing wall in Sargeant Gym (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.). Remember, the OLC is open Sunday through Thursday evenings from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. for studying, hanging out and learning more about the BOC. Hope to see you out there!