With such exciting and varied activities near at hand, the Outdoor Program and students at Colorado Mesa University have a lot of choices in planning outdoor excursions.
The Outdoor Program outings are based on the common adventure concept, The basic definition of a common adventure trip
is two or more individuals working cooperatively for common goals, and sharing expenses, decision making, and responsibilities as equitably as possible. In other words all participants contribute in the cost, preparation and responsibilities of the trip. The responsibilities and expenses of the trip are shared among all members. No trip expenses go to pay anyone's salary. Any instruction or advice provided by any member of the group is given gratuitously in the spirit of cooperation. Since there are no guides, everyone on the trip has a lot more work to do such as: helping plan the trip, buying food, loading and unloading equipment, and cleaning up after it's over.
The great majority of trips will have a pre-trip meeting. Much of the trip's planning takes place at this meeting; in the spirit of common adventure, you are required to be there to participate in the planning process. The success or failure of a common adventure trip rests not in the hands of the trip initiator, but in the hands of everyone that participates on the trip.
Members of common adventure groups do not hold one another or others liable for accidents. Please understand that when you participate in activities in the wild outdoors, you are risking your physical being. No one on the trip can assure your safety. Participate at your own risk.
Level 1 Avalanche Safety Course
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Jan 31 - Feb 3 |
If you travel in the backcountry in the wintertime, this workshop could save your life. The Thursday and Friday evening sessions include indoor instruction, Saturday and Sunday will be all day in the snow practicing search and rescue techniques and snow analysis. The Level One Avalanche Safety Course is an introduction to avalanche hazards taught by AIARE (American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education) trained instructors. This is a stand alone course that will teach you how to recognize, prepare for, and minimize avalanche hazards. You'll also learn how to respond in case of an emergency. Students must have the ability to travel in snowy terrain. Costs include instruction, van, information packets and avalanche gear.
Activity Rating: A
Group Size: 12
Cost: $100 CMU Students, Staff and Faculty. $200 everyone else. |
Intro to Ice Climbing |
Feb 2 |
Learn the basics of ice climbing with fellow students outside on world class colorado ice. Rock climbing experience is preferred but not nessessary for this outing because we will use the same harness and safety rope techniques as rock climbers. Stop by the climbing wall for basic rock climbing techniques and belay school.
Activity Rating: A
Group Size: 8
Cost: ~ $30 includes van, ice climbing gear
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Intro to Ice Climbing |
Feb 9 |
Learn the basics of ice climbing with fellow students outside on world class colorado ice. Rock climbing experience is preferred but not nessessary for this outing because we will use the same harness and safety rope techniques as rock climbers. Stop by the climbing wall for basic rock climbing techniques and belay school.
Activity Rating: A
Group Size: 8
Cost: ~ $30 includes van, ice climbing gear
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| Gleenwood Caving Weekend |
Feb 9-10 |
Go deep inside the Earth’s hard to reach caves, one of the planets last unexplored frontiers. On Saturday we’ll dig new cave routes in Glenwood Caverns with experienced Cavers. Glenwood Caverns will provide buffet lunch and dinner, and housing in downtown Glenwood. Saturday evening is yours to explore downtown Glenwood and the Hot Springs! On Sunday, we’ll explore hard to reach caves largely unknown to the public. Get ready to crawl through rocky passageways that open up into huge, hidden rooms decorated with amazing rock formations!
Activity Rating: A
Group Size: 10
Cost: ~ $35 includes transportation, cave fees, food and lodging
 
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Silverton Hostel and Backcountry Skiing |
February 16-17 |
Come Backcountry ski with us all day Saturday and Sunday and stay in Silverton, CO at the local hostel!
Trip Initiator: Tanya
Activity Rating: B
Group Size: 7
Cost: ~75 includes van, hostel, most food, and hot spring fee
 
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Intro to Ice Climbing |
Feb 17 |
Learn the basics of ice climbing with fellow students outside on world class colorado ice. Rock climbing experience is preferred but not nessessary for this outing because we will use the same harness and safety rope techniques as rock climbers. Stop by the climbing wall for basic rock climbing techniques and belay school.
Activity Rating: A
Group Size: 8
Cost: ~ $30 includes van, ice climbing gear
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Intro to Ice Climbing |
Feb 23 |
Learn the basics of ice climbing with fellow students outside on world class colorado ice. Rock climbing experience is preferred but not nessessary for this outing because we will use the same harness and safety rope techniques as rock climbers. Stop by the climbing wall for basic rock climbing techniques and belay school.
Activity Rating: A
Group Size: 8
Cost: ~ $30 includes van, ice climbing gear
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Orvis Hot Springs Ice Climb and Snowshoe |
March 2-3 |
Spend two days exploring the many winter trails in the San Juan Mountains and ice climbing in Ouray Ice Park while camping at Orvis Hot Springs. Orvis has 24 hours of soaking satisfaction.
Activity Rating: A
Group Size: 10
Cost: ~ $85 includes van, camping, food and hot spring fee |
Ski Mountaineering |
March 2-3 |
Spend three days climbing some of the best peaks in Colorado while skiing beautiful lines of fresh powder and staying the night at Natural Colorado Hot Springs!
Activity Rating: B
Group Size: 8
Cost: TBD
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| March Trips |
| Intro to Rafting |
Mar 7-10 |
Want to be a raft guide or row your own boat down a pristine river? Or initiate a trip with the OP. Come learn with the Outdoor Program the basics of whitewater rafting on the mighty Colorado River. You will learn Dutch oven cooking, how to rig a boat, organize a trip, read water, proper oaring techniques and much more.
Activity Rating: B
Group Size: 10
Cost: $75 includes van, permits and food
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Desert Climbing |
Mar 9-10 |
Learn the basics of rock climbing including knots, belaying and movement on the rock.
Activity Rating: A
Group Size: 10
Cost: $45 includes instruction, group gear, food and van
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Mountain Biking |
March 15-18 |
Spend four days three nights mountain biking in Utah. Wram weather, great food, amazing views, stars, and Mountain biking. What else do you need?
Activity Rating: B
Group Size: 12
Cost: $100 |
Intermediate Rock Climbing |
Mar 16-17 |
Are you ready to advance beyond the 5.8 ceiling? Come with us to climb more routes than your fingers can handle and learn to love desert crack climbing! We'll spend the night visit a variety of crags.
Activity Rating: B
Cost: ~ $50 - includes van, group gear, food
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Spring Break Trips
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Cataract Canyon Rafting |
Mar 22-31 |
It's back, the OP's infamous spring break river adventure. Raft over 80 miles through Canyonlands National Park from Moab to Lake Powell. Enjoy spectacular scenery, great food, amazing hikes, and big whitewater. What else do you need?
Activity Rating: A
Group Size: 15
Cost: ~ $310 includes, vans, food, group gear and permits |
Spring Break Climbing in Red Rocks! |
Mar 22-31 |
Experience the best of what Red Rocks has to offer with the OP on an 8-day climbing adventure. We will drive to the hot climate of Las Vegas while basking in the sun and climbing at one of the worlds great climbing destinations! Come with us and climb, camp outside under the stars, surround a camp fire each night and eat delicious food all week long!
Activity Rating: B
Group Size: 10
Cost: ~ $270- includes van, group gear, all food
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Winter Mountaineering |
March 29-31 |
Spend three days exploring the winter wonderland of Colorado.
Activity Rating: B
Group Size: 10
Cost: TBD |
March Trips, Cotinued... |
Rock Anchor Clinic 1 |
April 6 |
Master the basics of building solid anchors to natural features. There will be some indoor instruction followed by outdoor practice. You will learn about gear, knots, and building solid anchors during this course.
Activity rating: A
Group Size: 10
Cost: ~ $30 - includes instruction, transportation , and group gear |
Rock Anchor Clinic 2 |
April 7 |
Continue from Anchor 1 with some more advanced anchor techniques and as always much more practice building anchors!
Activity rating: B
Group Size: 10
Cost: ~ $30 - includes instruction, transportation , and group gear |
Beginner Rock Climbing |
April 20 |
Learn the basics of rock climbing including knots, belaying and movement on the rock.
Activity Rating: A
Group Size: 10
Cost: $25 includes instruction, group gear and van |
Climbing Independence Monument |
Apr 21 |
Spend the day hiking into Independence Monument and then climb to the summit. This trip includes advanced instruction in technical skills needed to be a good “second” climber. Learn how to belay the leader, rappel, remove anchors and communicate effectively with your climb partner.
Activity Rating: B
Group Size: 6
Cost: $25 includes climbing gear, van
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Intro to Kayaking |
Apr 19-21 |
Get out on real, moving water and try out the skills you developed in the pool. You will be a kayaker after this class with the confidence to get out on your own. This time of year is perfect to learn with warm days and warm water. Attending at least 2 pool sessions is required for this class.
Activity Rating: A
Group Size: 6
Cost: ~$75 includes group gear rental, food, and transportation. Personal gear not included in cost, but can be rented separately.
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Stand Up Paddle Boarding |
April 20-21 |
Take in the beautiful canyons while stand up paddle boarding.
Activity Rating: A
Group Size: 10
Cost: TBD |
Swift Water Rescue |
Apr 27-28 |
This workshop teaches recognition and avoidance of common river hazards, execution of self-rescue techniques, and rescue techniques for paddlers in distress. Emphasis is placed both on personal safety and on simple, commonly used skills. Techniques for dealing with hazards that carry greater risks for both victim and rescuer, such as strainers, rescue vest applications, entrapments and pins are also practiced. Scenarios will provide an opportunity for participants to practice their skills both individually and within a team/group context.
Activity Rating: B
Group Size: 10
Cost: $75 includes van, permits and food
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Moab Skydiving |
Apr 28 |
Experience the biggest rush of your life as we free fall from 10,000 feet, reaching speeds of 120mph. We will tandem jump with professional skydiving instructors from Skydive Moab. You will learn all the basics, from exiting the aircraft, free fall techniques and body position during landing.
Activity Rating: A/B
Group Size: 12
Cost: $200 includes, professional instructors, gear and van |
| Desert Backpacking |
May 4-5 |
A two day backpacking trip in the Grand Junction area. Since this trip is so close to home, minimize driving time and maximize time spent outside on the trail. Observe the natural architecture and environmental features of the environment in which we live.
Trip Initiator: Tanya
Activity Rating: A
Group Size: 10
Cost: ~$35 includes group gear, food, and transportation. Personal gear not included in cost, but can be rented separately.
 
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| Stress Relief Raft Trip |
May 12 |
Let go of your worries right before finals and enjoy the day paddling.
Activity Rating: A
Group Size: 12
Cost: $30 includes lunch, group gear and van
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| Wilderness First Responder |
May 20-30 |
This is an intensive, universally recognized certification course taught by professional instructors from the Wilderness Medical Institute. Includes practical skills, case studies and scenarios designed to challenge your decision making abilities. You will leave this 10 day experience with confidence in your ability to act, guaranteed.
Cost: $495 CMU Students, Staff and Faculty with MAVcard. $650 all others
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| Welcome Week Trips - Choose Your Own Adventure! |
August 25-26 |
Raft or Climb or Back Pack and climb a 14er a Fourteener. The decision is yours! Meet new friends and see what the Colorado outdoors are all about. Come by the OP office for more info.
Climbing will be Saturday and Rafting will be on Sunday. 14er BP trip is 2 days.
Trip Initiator:
Activity Rating: A
Group Size: 10 on each trip
Cost: ~$TBD includes group gear rental, food, and transportation.
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| September Trips |
| Ducky River Trip |
September 1-2 |
We will carry our gear and transportation on our backs and spend two days floating down the river sleeping under the stars.
Trip Initiator: Heidi Duce
Activity Rating: A
Group Size: 10
Cost: ~$TBD includes group gear rental, food, and transportation.
 
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| Rock Climbing |
September 1-2 |
Are you ready to learn to climb or do you simply want climb at a new crag? Come with us to climb while we visit a variety of crags and eat delicious food while we camp, climb and be merry!
Trip Initiator: Julie Stump
Activity Rating: A
Group Size: 10
Cost: ~ $TBD- includes transportation, group gear, food.
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| 14er Backpack and Climb |
September 7-9 |
Want to learn how to climb and experience one of Colorados more technical 14,000 foot peaks? Well here is your chance! We will learn proper route finding, 3rd class terrain management, navigation, and much more during our peak ascent. Then we'll relax at camp while sleeping under the stars for 2 nights enjoying delicious food!
Trip Initiator: Julie Stump
Activity Rating: A
Group Size: 10
Cost: TBD- will include transportation, group gear, and food.
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| Downhill Mountain Biking |
September 8-9 |
Join us for a 2 day trip packed with mountain biking shuttle runs. We will be leaving Sept 8 and returning Sept 9, so come out and have some fun!
Trip Initiator: Elijah Neymark
Activity Rating: A
Group Size: 10
Cost: TBD- will include transportation, group gear, and food.
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| Intro to Kayaking |
September 14-16 |
Get out on real, moving water and try out the skills you developed in the pool. Friday and Saturday will be on the Lower Colorado, and Sunday on the Upper Colorado River! You will be a kayaker after this class with the confidence to get out on your own. This time of year is perfect to learn with warm days and warm water. Attending at least 1 pool session is required for this class.
Trip Initiator: Chad
Activity Rating: A
Group Size: 12
Cost: ~$75 includes group gear rental, food, and transportation. Personal gear not included in cost, but can be rented separately.
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| Desert Backpacking |
September 15-16 |
A local two day backpacking trip in the Grand Junction area. Since this trip is so close to home, minimize driving time and maximize time spent outside on the trail. Observe the natural architecture and environmental features of the environment in which we live.
Trip Initiator: Orianna
Activity Rating: A
Group Size: 10
Cost: ~$35 includes group gear, food, and transportation. Personal gear not included in cost, but can be rented separately.
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| Zion Canyoneering |
September 19-23 |
Spend the days exploring the seemingly endless expanse of slick rock, narrow slots and arches of Zion'sl backcountry. This trip will bring you to the down some of the narrowest slot canyons in Utah and have plenty of rappelling.
Trip Initiator:
Activity Rating: A - B
Group Size: 12
Cost: ~$TBD includes group gear rental, food, and transportation, permits.
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| Stand-up Paddleboarding |
September 22-23 |
If you don't know what a paddleboard is, it's like a giant surfboard. Ride one of these beasts down the river in style with the Outdoor Program on this unusual, but awesome river trip.
Trip Initiator: Orianna
Activity Rating: A
Group Size: 9
Cost: ~$TBD includes group gear rental, food, and transportation.
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| October Trips |
| Rock Climb and Via-Ferrata |
September 28-30 |
Camp, Rock Climb, and hike a Veaferatta in the fresh mountain air for the weekend and enjoy the views from 300 feet above the ground!
Trip Initiator: Ryan
Activity Rating: A
Group Size: 12
Cost: ~$TBD includes group gear rental, food, and transportation.
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| Intro to Rafting |
September 28-30 |
Want to be a raft guide or row your own boat down a pristine river? Or initiate a trip with the OP. Come learn with the Outdoor Program the basics of whitewater rafting on the mighty Colorado River. You will learn Dutch oven cooking, how to rig a boat, organize a trip, read water, proper oaring techniques and much more.
Trip Initiator: Chad
Activity Rating: B
Group Size: 12
Cost: ~$75 includes group gear rental, food, and transportation.
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| Intro to Kayaking |
October 5-7 |
Get out on real, moving water and try out the skills you developed in the pool. Friday and Saturday will be on the Lower Colorado, and Sunday on the Upper Colorado River! You will be a kayaker after this class with the confidence to get out on your own. This time of year is perfect to learn with warm days and warm water. Attending at least 1 pool session is required for this class.
Trip Initiator: Chad
Activity Rating: A
Group Size: 12
Cost: ~$75 includes group gear rental, food, and transportation. Personal gear not included in cost, but can be rented separately.
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| Moab Skydiving |
October 7 |
Experience the biggest rush of your life as we free fall from 17,500 feet, reaching speeds of 120 mph. We will tandem jump with professional skydiving instructors from Skydive Moab. This particular weekend is during Boogie days, giving us the opportunity to jump from a Super Otters or the Sky Van. You will learn all the basics, from existing the aircraft, free fall techniques and body position during landing.
Trip Initiator:
Activity Rating: A
Group Size: 15
Cost: ~$200 includes group gear rental and transportation.
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| Intro to Rock Climbing |
October 6 |
Learn the basics of rock climbing including knots, rappelling, and movement on the rock by getting on real rock outside!
Trip Initiator:
Activity Rating: A
Group Size: 12
Cost: ~$TBD includes group gear rental, food, and transportation.
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| Rock Climb Independence Monument |
October 7 |
Spend the day hiking into Independence Monument and then climb to the summit. This trip includes advanced instruction in technical skills needed to be a good “second” climber. Learn how to belay the leader, rappel, remove anchors and communicate effectively with your climb partner.
Trip Initiator:
Activity Rating: B
Group Size: 6
Cost: ~$TBD includes group gear rental, food, and transportation.
 
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| Fall Break Shelf Road Rock Climbing |
October 12-16 |
Are you ready to learn to climb or do you simply want climb at a new crag? Come with us to climb more routes than your fingers can handle while we visit a variety of crags and eat delicious food while we camp, climb and be merry!
Trip Initiator: Ryan
Activity Rating: A
Group Size: 10
Cost: ~$TBD- includes group gear rental, food, and transportation.
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| Fall Break Rafting |
October 12-16 |
Float down through a beautiful canyon, see spectacular redrock, deep canyons, large sandy beaches, and various rapids. A great trip to get away from it all! Lots of sun, water fights, relaxing and fun.
Trip Initiator:
Activity rating: A
Group Size: 15
Cost: ~$TBD includes group gear rental, food, permit, and transportation.
 
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| Women's Rock Climbing |
October 20-21 |
A trip designed for and guided by women in the dramatic canyon country. Learn the fundamentals of rock climbing in a fun, supportive, and estrogen-intense atmosphere!
Trip Initiator: Kayla
Activity Rating: A
Group Size: 8
Cost: ~$20 includes group gear rental and transportation.
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| Goblin Valley Halloween Trip |
October 26-28 |
Do some hiking and enjoy a Pre-Halloween weekend in the great outdoors!
Trip Initiator: Ryan
Activity Rating: A
Group Size: 15
Cost: ~$TBD
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| Mountain Biking |
November 2-4 |
We'll spend 3 days mountain biking the world famous White Rim Trail. this 100 male trail is waiting so get your mountain bike out and get ready to ride.
Trip Initiator:
Activity rating: B
Group Size: 8
Cost: ~$TBD includes group gear rental and transportation.
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| November Trips |
| Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education |
November 7-10 |
The AORE Annual Conference gathers outdoor recreation professionals and students from college and university programs, military recreation and public parks and recreation to come together each year for networking, professional development and information sharing opportunities. The conference includes educational sessions, skills workshops and certifications, keynote addresses and peer networking opportunities in Keystone, CO. The AORE annual conference is the premier place for current professionals, students and vendors to interact and stay on top of this dynamic and growing field.
Trip Initiator: Chad
Activity Rating: A
Group Size: 10
Cost: ~$250 for AORE Member ~$375 for Non-Member + Travel and Lodging
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| Wilderness First Aid & WFR Recertification |
November 17-18 |
If you plan to spend time in the backcountry you need to be prepared. Taught by professional instructors from the Wilderness Medical Institute of NOLS, this fast paced and hands-on, two day course covers a wide range of wilderness medicine topics for people who travel and work in the outdoors. This course is pre-approved by such organizations as: the American Camping Association, the United States Forest Service, and other governmental agencies. It may also be used for wilderness medicine recertification by those with previous training. The WMI recertifies current cards from the following organizations only: WMI, NOLS, SOLO, and WMA.
Trip Initiator: Chad
Activity rating: A
Group Size:
Cost: ~$160 for Students, $210 Non-Students
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