Cycle through Eastern Oregon

If you're interested in riding bikes (road bikes, mountain bikes, cyclocross, uni-cycle!), Eastern Oregon is the place to do it. Check out this great video series from www.pathlesspedaled.com. This couple has cycled thousands and thousandes of miles in locations throughout the USA and the world, and their favorite place is...Oregon! Their website and Vimeo channel are worth seeing for great cycle touring ideas throughout the state.

School starts soon, so does ski season!

The Fall term at EOU is about to begin and the weather is starting to cool (slightly) here in Eastern Oregon. Snow isn't too far away and the Anthony Lakes Ski Area season pass deals for EOU students are just as good as last year. Less than $300 to ski for a whole season at a great resort less than an hour away from the EOU campus. Last year, when other ski areas were struggling to open, Anthony Lakes had a solid base and consistently cold weather. This year we're hoping for an even better year full of powder days!

EOU and Anthony Lakes will again be partnering to offer skiing and snowboarding classes for EOU students. Ask your advisor or contact the EOU Outdoor Program for more information on registering for these classes.

Eastern Oregon University Outdoor Program - Rafting the Grande Ronde River

Thanks to Jeff Alexander for putting together this video of EOU Outdoor Program students rafting the Grande Ronde river on a sunny spring day.

Summer Equipment Rental Hours

The Spring Term is drawing to a close and we are preparing for a great summer here in northeastern Oregon. Our outdoor equipment rental program will be open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays from 12pm - 5pm, starting on Tuesday, June 19th and ending on Thursday, August16th.

If you need to contact the outdoor program outside of regular opening hours, please email outdoor@eou.edu.

Gunsight Couloir & Memorial Day Weekend

Winter is still hanging on in eastern Oregon, up above 7,000' anyway. Gunsight Couloir (photos) was in decent Spring conditions yesterday, May 23, 2012.

This Memorial Day Weekend our Rock Climbing Club is traveling to City of Rocks in Idaho for some hiking, camping and rock climbing. What's your adventure for Memorial Day?

EOU Outdoor Program - Spring 2012 Events

As sunny weather turns the corner here in eastern Oregon the EOU Outdoor Program has scheduled several events  this Spring to get you outside! Listed below are some of the events we have planned (scroll down for more detailed descriptions). In addition to the events listed below, we are in the process of planning: an overnight hiking trip up Bear Creek, a fly fishing clinic, a Hells Canyon camping trip, and an orienteering clinic on the EOU campus. Also, remember Fun Fridays, our weekly Friday afternoon events that leave from the Outdoor Program at 1pm. Check with OP staff regarding the weekly activity.

Please note that all events require participants to sign-up ahead of time, either in person in the Outdoor Program (Hoke 102) or via email response to gisaak@eou.edu.

Friday, May 18th - Ladd Marsh Exploration - (1pm - 5pm, Meet in Hoke 102)
Saturday, May 19th - Introduction to Horseback riding - (1pm - 5pm, Meet at the fairgrounds at 1pm)
May 20th - Rafting Day Trip (details TBA)
May 25-28 - City of Rocks (ID) Rock Climbing Club travel weekend (details TBA)
June 1-3 - Elgin to Troy overnight rafting trip (details TBA)

Friday, May 18th - Ladd Marsh Exploration - (1pm - 5pm, Meet in Hoke 102)

Join EOU Outdoor Program staff on an exploration of the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area.The Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area is located in the southwest corner of the Grande Ronde Valley, about 7 miles south of La Grande, in Union County, Oregon.  Administered by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, it lies at about 2,800 feet in elevation and is just over 6,000 acres in size.  The wildlife area harbors some of the few remaining areas of undisturbed, native valley floor vegetation and constitutes a critical ecological enclave for biodiversity.

Saturday, May 19th - Dutch Oven Cooking Class & Demonstration (9am - 1pm, EOU Campus, Loso steps)

Do you want to learn how to cook with a Dutch Oven? Want to learn new recipes from competition cooks? Looking for a way to spice up your backcountry horse trips or car camping this summer?
The Outdoor Program will be partnering with dutch oven competition cooks John and Kathryn Shorts to host a Dutch Oven cooking class and demonstration. This event will be part of Spring Fling and participants will have an opportunity for hands-on learning (and tasting!). All interested individuals are welcome to participate in the class.

Saturday, May 19th - Introduction to Horseback riding - (1pm - 5pm, Meet at the fairgrounds at 1pm)

This afternoon clinic will take place at the Union County Fairgrounds in La Grande and is jointly presented with the EOU Polo Club. If you are new to horses and want to have the opportunity to learn from experienced riders this clinic is for you. Grooming, saddling and entry-level riding techniques will be presented. There is no cost for this event, but we are limited to 12 participants.

May 20th - Rafting Day Trip (details TBA)

This one-day raft trip will be hosted by EOU Outdoor Program staff and will take place on a local river (water level dependent). Come along and discover the incomparable beauty of eastern Oregon from a new perspective. Places are limited. Sign-up will be available in the Hoke 102 and at the Outdoor Program booth during Spring Fling (May 19th). Find us in front of the 15' bright yellow raft!

May 25-28 - City of Rocks (ID) Rock Climbing Club travel weekend (details TBA)

The EOU Rock Climbing Club is headed east over Memorial Day Weekend to camp and climb at the City of Rocks National Reserve in Idaho. This trip is open to all students, whether you are a beginner or expert climber, or even if you prefer to come along and camp and hike or mountain bike. Talk with Outdoor Program staff or members of the Climbing Club for further details.

June 1-3 - Elgin to Troy overnight rafting trip (details TBA)

This overnight trip travels on the Minam River from Elgin to Troy, a journey of around 50 miles. The trip will be hosted by Outdoor Program staff but will require "hands-on" participation from all participants. The Minam River is designated as a national wild and scenic river, and is one of the classic rafting journeys in the Pacific Northwest.

See you outside!

Earth Day at EOU: Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time

In honor of Earth Day, please join us for a FREE screening of the film Green Fire on Monday, April 23, at 7:00 PM in Huber Auditorium in the Badgley Hall science building at Eastern Oregon University.  This screening is sponsored by the EOU Biology Club and the US Forest Service.  A short panel discussion will follow the film.

Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time is a production of the Aldo Leopold Foundation, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Center for Humans and Nature.  The film shares highlights from Leopold’s life and extraordinary career, explaining how he shaped conservation in the twentieth century and still inspires today. Although probably best known as the author of the conservation classic A Sand County Almanac, Leopold is also renowned for his work as an educator, philosopher, forester, ecologist and wilderness advocate.

The film has being shown in community screenings like this one throughout 2011 and 2012 and will air on public television this spring.

Guests may park in the large lot on 6^th St. between L and K Avenues. Parking is free after 6:00 p.m. and permits are not required.

For more information, please contact Karen Antell at Eastern Oregon University (541) 962-3610 or Joani Bosworth, Public Affairs Officer, Umatilla National Forest (541) 278-3722.  Learn more about the Aldo Leopold Foundation and the Green Fire movie at www.aldoleopold.org .

Wilderness First Aid course with the EOU Outdoor Program

This past weekend (April 14 & 15) the Wilderness Medical Associates instructed a first-class Wilderness First Aid course at Eastern Oregon University, with many of the Outdoor Program staff taking part. WMA instructor Gary Holt ran a great course, with numerous scenarios (including "disaster make-up), and the high quality curriculum that WMA is known for. Below are a few photos from the weekend. See more photos on our Facebook page.



Beginning Rock Climbing PES180 - April 6-8

A few photos from last weekend's Beginning Rock Climbing course. More photos on our Facebook page (search Eastern Oregon University Outdoor Prorgam). 

What do you do?

BioLite Camp Stove - coming to EOU?

Check out this incredible product video. BioLite Camp Stove is a camp stove (obviously!) and highly portable energy producer. This companies other products are similar, though on a larger scale and have the possibility to positively affect the lives of millions of people around the world.

If we purchased one or more of these stoves for use on our courses and trips, as well as for FREE student rental, would you use it?

Send us your feedback at gisaak@eou.edu or stop by the Outdoor Program and let us know what you think.

Spring Break Skiing in the Wallowa Mountains

Here is a great video of our friends at the Wallowa Alpine Huts  and the incredible backcountry ski terrain in the Wallowa Mountains and the Eagle Cap Wilderness. Depending on local avalanche and snowpack conditions (see Wallowa Avalanche Center) we will kick off our EOU Spring Break with an overnight, tent-based, ski tour up towards Eagle Cap mountain.

Then we head on over to Central Oregon to experience some of the best rock climbing in the country. More than just rock climbing, Bend and Central Oregon is home to some of the best outdoor terrain in the state.

Not a bad way to spend Spring Break! Want to join us? Check out http://www.eou.edu/outdoor/ and contact us today.

EOU Climbing Club Competes at BSU Buck-Off

On Saturday, March 10^th the EOU Rock Climbing Club led a trip to Boise State University for the annual “Buck-Off” climbing competition. 4 members of the rock climbing club left at 5:00am for BSU’s campus and climbed until 4:00pm. The climbers included Mark Canavan, Chris Chipman, Scott Hatfield, and Calvin Erickson. The competition was held as primarily top rope climbs and boulder problems with a very easygoing and friendly feel. Specifically, climbers were split into either beginner (5.7-5.9), intermediate (5.10-5.11) or advanced (5.11+) and were given 2 hours to complete as many climbs as possible. The word competition here is used loosely, as often competitors would laugh and exchange beta with one another, and there were always supportive cheers with any successful climb. Winners were declared, but due to the size of this event a sponsored raffle was held were all competitors eventually won something for their troubles, and everyone went away with an excellent experience. This was the first of many trips to come and we encourage people to join the EOU Climbing Club as active members will be sponsored for free entry into many events. Rock on! (All photos Mark Canavan)

Undergraduate Internships at the North Cascades Institute

North Cascades Institute is seeking motivated undergraduate students to be spring or fall interns at its Environmental Learning Center, located on the shores of Diablo Lake in North Cascades National Park. Up to two interns will be selected each season to live and work alongside Institute staff and graduate students. Internships are designed to provide training in environmental education with some practical application of skills; as such, interns will work under close supervision from mentors. Duties include observing and teaching our residential environmental education program, Mountain School, assisting with educational programs for youth or adults, assisting with Learning Center operations, and participating in Institute events, staff meetings, and program debriefs. In addition, the interns will be responsible for completing an independent project related to the experience. This is a full-time position. Interns should expect to work five days (approximately forty hours) each week. Some weekend work is required. There is some flexibility with responsibilities based upon individual university requirements. It is the responsibility of the intern to complete paperwork with his or her university necessary to receive credit for the experience.

Qualifications

Required:

·       Enthusiasm for the mission of North Cascades Institute

·       Junior or Senior status at a university

·       Some coursework in a related field

·       Experience working with children

·       Willingness to live in a rural area

·       Ability to hike four miles with a backpack

·       Possession of current driver’s license; acceptable driving record for past three years

·       CPR/ First Aid Certification (more advanced certifications preferred)

·       Criminal history disclosure form and background check will be required

Preferred:

·       Wilderness First Responder Certification.  Strong preference will be given to applicants with this certification. Interns without this certification will not be able to solo instruct some programs.

·       Experience living in a small community

·       Experience working at a camp or residential education center

·       Familiarity with Microsoft Office

·       Ability to complete the full term of the internship

Responsibilities

Teaching (50%): Attend staff training; shadow, team teach, and solo instruct Mountain School program; assist with planning and teaching of at least two weekend programs.

Administrative and operations (20%): Assist with facility operations and gear maintenance; attend weekly meetings and hands-to-work.

Assessment and Evaluation (10%): Participate in weekly program debriefs, weekly check-in with supervisor, end-of season debrief and exit interview; participate in peer observations and feedback.

Independent Project (20%): Complete an independent project related to natural history, environmental education, stewardship or the operation of an Environmental Learning Center. The project should be approved by the supervisor and submitted to NCI upon completion.  Ideal projects will be relevant to the Institute and in a format that can be utilized after the intern leaves. Past projects have included developing lesson plans to be used at NCI programs, making educational videos, and writing a native plant restoration management plan.

Benefits and Housing

This is an unpaid internship, available for college credit. Interns will be offered housing either at the Environmental Learning Center or in the neighboring towns of Diablo or Newhalem. Interns may be asked to share a room for part or all of the internship. Interns are responsible for their own food, though some meals will be provided when programs are in session. Interns are responsible for their own health insurance and transportation.

Application deadlines

Spring internship deadline: February 1, 2012

Fall internship deadline: May 1, 2012

Internship Dates

Spring internship: February 27 – June 10, 2012 (some flexibility)

Fall internship: August 29 – December 7, 2012 (some flexibility)

To Apply

To apply, please send letter of interest, resume, and names of three references with current contact information to:

North Cascades Institute

Undergraduate Internships

Attn: Katie Chipko

810 State Route 20

Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284

For more information, contact Katie Chipko at 206-526-2562, or mailto:katie_chipko@ncascades.org?subject=Undergrad%20internships%20query%20from%20web.

Snowmobile avalanche survival: Lessons from a near tragedy

This is an incredible video of an avalanche survival produced by the Utah Avalanche Center. If you snowmobile or ski in the backcountry this video is a must see.

EOU Outdoor Program Job Openings

Job Openings

The Outdoor Program has four immediate openings for student staff positions. We are looking for EOU students that are passionate about the outdoors and about eastern Oregon. See details below and apply before Friday, March 23 to be considered.

Job Title:  Outdoor Program staff member

Number of Positions:  4

Salary $8.80 - $9.25

Qualifications Must demonstrate strong leadership potential and active interest and involvement in outdoor activities relating to the Outdoor Program. Typical program activities include: hiking, backpacking, cross country skiing, rafting, rock climbing, backcountry skiing, mountaineering, cycling, ice climbing and winter camping. Applicants do not need to be advanced or expert in these activities (though experts are welcome to apply!). Familiarity or experience leading groups or clubs on outdoor adventure trips, and teaching skills are desirable as is experience with outdoor equipment repair and maintenance. The ideal applicant will be creative, independent and able to think "outside the box". We welcome applications from EOU students with all levels of outdoor experience and ability.

Duties: Serve students and community members through equipment rental and check-out. Clean and maintain the Outdoor Program and outdoor adventure equipment. Attend regular staff trainings. In addition to the above duties, each employee is encouraged to take leadership in at least one area of focus within the Outdoor Program. These areas include: rock climbing, cycling, snow sports, river sports, environmental advocacy, and equipment service. Staff members will work with the Outdoor Program Coordinator to develop their area of focus through, 1. Rental equipment maintenance/acquisition 2. Student-centered recreation activities 3. Student-centered instructional classes 4. Community outreach.

Days Hours: Monday - Friday 12-4 pm (possibly some weekends)

Hours per week: 5 - 15

Beginning Date: April 2

Ending Date: Ongoing

How to Apply: To be considered for a position in the Outdoor Program please send your resume and a brief cover letter to gisaak@eou.edu or drop it off in the Outdoor Program (Hoke 102).

When to Apply: Immediately

Job Posted: 3/5/2012    

Application Deadline: March 26

Telephone:  541-962-3621  

WMA Wilderness First Aid at Eastern Oregon University

Come take a Wilderness First Aid course at Eastern Oregon University from the Wilderness Medical Associates, April 14 & 15th. Click here for more information...

Life Cycles Trailer - Mt. Emily Recreation Area Fundraiser

The EOU Outdoor Program is proud to participate in an upcoming fundraiser on Friday, March 9th for the Mt. Emily Recreation Area trail system. The Blue Mountain Singletrack Trails Club is organizing the event and the Outdoor Program is sponsoring the event location, at EOU's McKenzie Theater. Details of the event are below. Come out and watch an incredible movie for a great cause, and maybe win a mountain bike!

The movie “Life Cycles” will be shown at McKenzie Theater on Friday March 9, 2012 at 7:00 PM.  The special effects and scenery alone make this mt bike movie a must see!    Doors open at 6:30 PM.  We will have door prizes—so hang on to your ticket stub at the door!   Get your tickets at The Mountain Works or at the door at 6:30 PM.  Seating is limited !

We will also sell Raffle Tickets and draw the winning ticket, following the movie, for a chance  to win one of two mountain bikes (Gary Fisher Roscoe FMV $2960) or a Lapierre Technic FS 900 (FMV $2,000), or a $1,000 gift certificate for The Mt Works. See Raffle details below.

100 % of the proceeds from the Movie and the Raffle will go towards construction of new trails within the Mt Emily Recreation Area. 

RAFFLE DETAILS:

Bikes may be viewed and tickets may be purchased at The Mt Works, 1307 Adams Avenue, La Grande, Oregon 97850, Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, 541.963.3220. Tickets are also available from BMSTC Board Members and at the Life Cycles Mt Bike movie showing referenced above (EOU Mckenzie Theater March 9, 2012).

Questions regarding the Raffle? Contact the Blue Mtn. Singletrack Trails Club at 541.963.9740.

Notes:  Blue Mountain Singletrack Trails Club Raffle, PO Box 1227, La Grande, OR 97850. Ticket costs: 1 ticket for $10.00; 3 tickets for $25.00; 7 tickets for $50.00.  A maximum of 500 tickets will be sold prior to the drawing. No limit on the number of tickets one individual may purchase. Ticket sales will terminate on March 9, 2012 at 8:00 PM.  Winning ticket will be drawn on March 9, 2012 at ~ 8:00 PM at McKenzie Theater, Eastern Oregon University, following the showing of the Mt Bike Movie: Life Cycles, donated by lifecyclesfilm.com. You do not need to be present to win.

• Winners of a prize with a FMV of $600 or more must complete an IRS form 1099, including Social Security number.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please contact one of us with questions?

Bart Barlow

Director and Secretary

963.9740 or 786.2036

Terry Blankenship Director BMSTC (541.786.1308), Lance Coburn Director BMSTC (541.786.0372), Whit Hartz Director (541.963.3220)

Mark Larson Treasurer and Director BMSTC (541.963.0338).

Wilderness First Aid course hosted by the Outdoor Program at EOU - April 14-15

The Wilderness Medical Associates (WMA) Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course is the best and most comprehensive course of its kind to offer relevant and realistic first-aid training for seasonal outdoor activities or short term wilderness endeavors and pursuits.

Wilderness First Aid is a two-day introduction to general medical concepts and basic life support skills. It is targeted to the outdoor enthusiast on day trips or short adventures. The course is taught by professional instructors with significant patient care and backcountry experience.

Cost: $200 for EOU students, $225 for community members (Course is limited to 28 students)

Go to the wildmed.com website to register for the course.

Contact the Outdoor Program for further information. See below for a more detailed description of the course.
--
Jerry Isaak
Outdoor Program Coordinator
Eastern Oregon University
(541) 962-3621


Course topics are:
Patient Assessment System; CPR; Circulatory System; Nervous System; Respiratory System; Fractures, Stable Injuries; Splints 1-Extremities; Hypothermia; Hyperthermia and Heat Illness; Near Drowning; Lightning Injuries; Wounds and Burns; Anaphylaxis; Lifting, Moving Extrication; Patient Carries; Backcountry Medicine

Customization

Patient assessment drills and simulations will be specific to the group, the environment, and the context of operations or the activities performed in the field.
Given the short duration of this course, emphasis is placed on hands-on activities, including PAS drills as a major learning tool as opposed to long lectures.
Elective topics to specific environments (altitude, tropical, SCUBA, offshore medicine, etc.) can be substituted in from the course content. Please talk to the office or instructor at time of booking.

Certifications

This course is traditionally scheduled for two days or 16 hours of instructional and practice time. Upon successful completion students will receive certification in Wilderness First Aid and Adult CPR.

Recertification

Certifications are valid for three years.Students should retake the WFA course or consider upgrading to the Wilderness Advanced First Aid and or Wilderness First Responder.
U.S. courses only: Students that take the WFA course will receive a $30US rebate eligible towards any WMA International course 4 days or longer.

Included Materials

All teaching materials will be at no additional cost. Students will receive the following books on this course:

•  Wilderness First Aid Guide
• SOAP Notebook;
• The Outward Bound Wilderness First-Aid Handbook

Equipment

We ask our sponsors and course hosts to provide outdoor equipment relevant and specific gear to their employees when in remote and austere environments. Wilderness Medical Associates International will supply a specific equipment list to cover simulation and classroom needs.

Evaluation

Successful completion with certification is based on 100% attendance, satisfactory performance on homework assignments and written quizzes, demonstrated proficiency with practical skills, and a successful grade on a final written exam. Wilderness Medical Associates International

Prerequisites

Students must be at least 16 years old to participate in this course. Those under 18 years of age require the written consent of a parent or guardian.

Alpine Mentors - La Grande alpinist gives back...

One of the coolest programs that I've seen in a long time is Alpine Mentors. Developed by the world-class mountain climber Steve House, originally of La Grande, Alpine Mentors is designed to promote a distinctive style and value system in young, talented alpinists through training and mentoring from more experienced climbers.

The vision of the program is:

Small groups of young alpinists will train and climb with mentors with the aim of achieving climbs perceived to be beyond their reach. Participants will endeavor to communicate their experience with humility and integrity, will act to redress the environmental impacts of climbing, will respectfully give back to the communities that host them, and will foster an inclusive, supportive environment within local and international climbing communities at all levels.

 

(from the website http://www.alpinementors.org/)

Steve House writes on the website that,

"Alpine Mentors combines experience, a dash of wishful thinking, some timely inspiration, and a dose of organization. It is my vision to bring together small groups of climbers, the seasoned and the not-yet-experienced to train, climb, share and grow....Alpine Mentors is born from my wish to give back to climbing, to provide for today’s climbing-youth a resource I did not have.”

Check out the website and pass on the address to climbers you think might be interested in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from and climb with some of the world's top alpinists.

The Mountain Works of La Grande, Oregon, 1307 Adams Avenue has taken over the ski tuning and waxing services from Blue Mountain Sports. Stop by or give them a call ((541) 963-3220) to get your skis or snowboard in shape for the mountain!

Sunshine and snowshoes

Sunshine and snowshoes were the major components of this past weekend as the Outdoor Program facilitated the Winter Backcountry Travel INTACT class at Horseshoe Prairie and Anthony Lakes. Kim Sorensen led a separate snowshoe trip to Horseshoe Prairie on Saturday. A great weekend to be outside in notheastern Oregon!

EOU's newest art gallery is up and running!

The Outdoor Program (in Hoke 102) is now home to a rotating student photo gallery. At the beginning of each month a new student-artist will be featured, displaying 6 original photos. The themes are chosen by the artist and are, naturally, related to the outdoors.

Our featured artist for the month of February is Jacob Johansen, a full-time Rangeland Ecology & Management Major. Johansen's photos feature local plants and grasses. He is particularly interested in the challenge of taking technically valuable plant photos that have artistic and scenic beauty. 

All are welcome to stop by and check out the photo gallery (and check out some outdoor equipment too!). The Outdoor Programs' staffed hours are Monday - Thursday, 12pm - 4pm. The Outdoor Program Coordinator (Jerry Isaak) office hours are normally Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm.

Explore Oregon with the EOU Outdoor Program

Check out this amazing video of the scenery around the great state of Oregon! At 1:01, a time lapse of Eagle Cap mountain, in the Wallowa Mountain Range (the "backyard of EOU'), is silhouetted against a rising sun and starry sky. If you want to see this in person, stop by the Outdoor Program and ask about upcoming trips to the Eagle Cap Wilderness!

AIARE Level 1 Course

A big thanks to Michael Hatch and George D'Angelo, instructors of the AIARE Level 1 course this weekend. With the recent storm snow sitting upside-down above the sandwich of melt-freeze layers there was lots to look at!

Ski Bus from EOU to Spout Springs Ski Area

Don't miss the bus! The EOU Outdoor Program is sponsoring a 50-passenger bus on Friday, January 20th to Spout Springs Ski Area for Night Skiing! The bus will leave from the Hoke/Loso Parking Lot at 3:45pm. The bus is FREE for EOU students, faculty and staff. Lift tickets at Spout Springs have been discounted to $20 for EOU students.

For more info stop by the Outdoor Program (Hoke 102) or email gisaak@eou.edu.

Winter Storm = Great skiing & high avalanche hazard

The EOU campus is blanketed in new snow that continues to fall. The Elkhorn Mountains (including Anthony Lakes Ski Area) and the Wallowa Mountains (including the Eagle Cap Wilderness) are also getting slammed with snow. The signifigant amounts of new snow makes for great skiing, horrible driving and high avalanche hazard. Use caution when travelling in the backcountry. Check out this SPECIAL BULLITEN from the Wallowa Avalanche Center about the recent snowfall and the current snowpack condition.

Backcounty Skiing at Anthony Lakes

Despite the dry snow year (so far...) there are great backcountry touring conditions in Northeastern Oregon and good turns can still be found. Last week while preparing for an AIARE Level 1 Avalanche course (Jan. 20-22) we found some soft snow in the upper Angel Basin area by Anthony Lakes Ski Area.

Winter at Eastern Oregon University!

Winter has come to northeastern Oregon and to Eastern Oregon University. The season started with a bang in November with early snowfall, followed by an exceptionally dry December. Snowfall late in December has boosted the mountain snowpack, but we are still at below average snow depth.

The good news is that during the break we have been out in the mountains, ice climbing, backcountry and nordic skiing, and snowshoeing. Winter is a great time to be outdoors in eastern Oregon and the Outdoor Program has a full slate of events set for the Winter 2012 quarter.

Upcoming events include:

Jan. 14 (Sat.) - Cross country ski day trip (Andes Prarie)

Jan 17-21 - Winter Wellness Week

Jan. 17 (Tue.) - Snowshoeing (half-day trip)

Jan. 18 (Wed.) - Indoor Rock Climbing Competition (open to all EOU students)

Jan. 19 (Thu.) - Backcountry Film Festival & Avalanche Awareness Presentation
Jan. 20 (Fri.) - Night Skiing at Spout Springs (FREE bus from EOU) 

Jan. 20-22 - AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Course

Feb. 3-5 - Winter Backcountry Travel (INTACT course)

Feb. 4 - Snowshoeing day-trip (Andes Prairie)

Feb. 11 - Valentour Nordic Skiing day-trip

March 2-4 - Intro to Backcountry Skiing (INTACT Course)

In addition to these events we will be planning an overnight snowshoeing trip in the Eagle Cap Wilderness, an ice climbing clinic, and multiple opportunities for backcountry skiing/snowboarding.

If you are looking to take a class for credit, check out our course offerings through the Physical Education and Sport section on Webster. Classes include: downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, advanced skiing and advanced snowboarding.