Outdoors Club climbs, hikes, explores caves

The Outdoors Club has recently taken refuge indoors.

Its weekly meeting was held inside as… The Outdoors Club has recently taken refuge indoors.

Its weekly meeting was held inside as it began to rain Tuesday night. Members recapped their trips held last weekend and talked of future excursions.

The club went to a climbing area near Dunbar, Pa., on two separate expeditions Saturday and Sunday, according to club member Sean McBurney. Thirty club members attended Saturday’s trip and 50 members went on Sunday.

The Outdoors Club sponsors trips every weekend. According to senior Christine Osterholzer, caving and hiking are on the agenda this weekend. In addition, white-water rafting and skydiving trips are expected later this month.

Osterholzer is a new member of the club.

“I went [climbing] this weekend,” she said, “and I’ve never done it before.”

Weekly “game-nights” are held every Thursday around 8:30 to 9 p.m. on the Cathedral of Learning lawn. Game options include capture the flag, ghost in the graveyard and red rover for smaller crowds. They also have wilderness first aid classes to educate those who are interested.

The Outdoors Club is also active in the Hand-in-Hand Festival held every year in mid-March. The festival is comprised of many games and events for disabled citizens of all ages. The Outdoors Club also hosts the Annual Scottish Games on the Cathedral lawn. All money made from this event goes to the Access Fund, a nonprofit organization aimed at keeping climbing areas open.

Other items on the schedule include working with the intramurals department to build a climbing wall in Trees Hall, according to co-president Joe Nelson. He said they also hope to start a freshman orientation program, called Panther Treks, next school year. The goal of this program would be to take incoming freshmen out on outdoor programs the week before classes start to build experience and leadership qualities among the members.

Another goal of the club is to obtain office space. Janella New, one of four co-presidents, said that the club is “becoming a lot more organized,” but office space would help facilitate this progress.

The Outdoors Club meetings are held every Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. outside the William Pitt Union. No experience is necessary, and all equipment is provided through funding from the Student Government Board.

For more information, visit the website: www.pitt.edu/~outdoors.