FAQ
- What's up with the levels?
- Level 1 is the easiest, look at the 'past trips' page for a bit more info about them.
- Level 2 is quite a bit harder, the trips are smaller (<10 people), and being in pretty good shape will help you and the group out a lot and make your trip so much more enjoyable. Also, bring enough water containers (~4 nalgenes or so).
- Level 3 trips haven't happened yet, but if you're interested, you're welcome to plan one.
- What if I've never been backpacking before?
- That's what the Level 1 trips are for! They're also for anyone else who wants to go...
- I really don't know if I can handle backpacking...
- It's good to be at least kind of in shape. The easiest trips are usually 6-10 miles a day. A pack weighs 25-45 pounds, on the lighter side if it's just a 1 night trip.
- If you're not sure you'd make Level 1, come to some of our meetings and then go on a day hike with us. The day hikes might not be that easy, but at least you don't have to bring a pack if you don't want to.
- If you've never backpacked before, ever, and you're not sure if it's for you, maybe someone can let you try out their pack and lead you on a day hike through upper campus.
- What's the difference between you guys and the trips that OPERS plans?
- We're plan everything ourselves and our trips probably cost less. I don't know much about those trips
but it seems like you sign up and then wind up going with random people. With us, you'd get to meet us first,
have a say in where you want to go, have a part in planning trip..
- How much does it cost?
- Not very much! We don't take those expensive university vans or do other weird things to drive up the price,
so the only costs you have to worry about are your own food, gas for your driver, helping pay for permits
(comes out to ~$3 per person or so), and renting gear (from OPERS for 50% off! -- tell them you're with us!)
if you don't have something. Sometimes we rent tents and share the cost if the weather looks crappy.