Outdoor Pursuits

Adventures
ALP
CityScape
Climbing Wall
Rental Shop
OP Online
OP Stories
Research
Student staff
Contact Us

Adventures

Adventures are hard-skills focused experiences including hiking, rock climbing, ice climbing and more.

We provide a variety of programs and activities so there’s something for everyone. If you have suggestions for additional activities, please get in touch.

Click for the 2024 – 2025 schedule

Click for the fall brochure with event descriptions

FALL 2024 Schedule

Hikes

Outdoor Rock Climbing

Thanksgiving Break Trip

Ski Trips

ALP & the ALP Seminar

Adventure Leadership and Play (ALP) provides student leadership development and teambuilding for MSU Denver groups, clubs, classes and offices.

Adventure Leadership and Play Online/Hybrid Certification Content

CityScape

Explore urban settings and discover the beauty and grit of Denver! Tours include art, archeological and historical sites, gardens and museums surrounding campus. Join students for mellow social walks in the city and on the trail. Relaxing, historic, team-building, get-to-know walks for students, faculty and staff.

Custom walks are available!

CityScape Schedule

Climbing Wall

Located in the fitness center, the climbing wall is open when the fitness center is open. Stop by and check it out – we hope you will find it welcoming, interesting and challenging.

To schedule an event, provide feedback/suggestions and to learn more, please get in touch!

At a Glance

Open Belay and Belay Certification

Scheduled Events

Student Groups - custom events

Route Setting

We welcome and encourage students to participate in route setting events. Check the OP schedule or contact us to learn more.

Route Setting on the Climbing Wall
October 10, 11 and 12, 2024

We will be re-setting the routes on the wall. Volunteers are welcome. Come share your skills or learn from scratch about route setting.

Email: [email protected] for info

Climbing Wall Route Setting Policies,
Procedures and Guidelines

Policies

When route setting at bouldering height, setters must be spotted while using a ladder and belayed while setting at a foothold height of two feet and always belayed while setting at or above a waste-height or 6 feet or suspended with backup (ascension device of your choice and a knot backup or two devices)
Route setting impacts on user access is to be minimized
Volunteers are encouraged to participate
Beginner route setters are encouraged to participate as learners
Routes will be maintained on each main climbing wall feature or panel (finger crack, overhang, hand crack and slab) that are appropriate for all participants – beginner to advanced
Use of safety glasses is required of route setters
Holds, tools and supplies must be staged in an area outside of drop zone(s)
Ongoing route setting will occur on an as-needed basis
Route setting volunteers must complete orientation
Hard routes must include a bucket hold at the finish or top of the route
Volunteer route setters must sign participant liability release

Procedures

Do not over tighten anchors
We have many small holds – please populate the wall with “extras”
Place holds between routes to “fill’ panels
Drop zones must be clearly marked
No route setting within drop zone of higher setters
No tossing holds or equipment
Maintain a clean and organized work space and staging area
Use spotters on ladders at and beyond third step is required
The process of removal, cleaning and replacement (down time for wall) will not exceed three days
A combination of soaking, brushing, bleaching and/or pressure washing are used to clean holds
Participants are required to sign rosters and are counted as participants
Easy routes are placed among hard routes in order to facilitate “bailing out”

Guidelines

Diversity of route difficulty – we need everything from 5.0 to 5.13
All levels of climbers are encouraged to set routes
We include “bale holds” adjacent to bouldering routes
Every panel includes a beginner level route

Route Setting Agreement

Welcome to the Outdoor Pursuits (OP) climbing wall route setting gathering. Our goal is to reset routes once each semester. This includes removing all holds, inspecting and replacing damaged holds and resetting the wall with new routes.

Each course setting gathering is intended to provide students of the Auraria Campus with opportunities to create original routes, gain experience and knowledge of route setting and get to know others with common interests.

We recognize that Outdoor Pursuits, including the climbing wall, is a student resource. As such, we make every effort to make the climbing wall as accessible as possible while maintaining a safe and welcoming environment.

Thank you for volunteering!

Risks

Injuries associated with route setting can be serious and can include but are not limited to strains, sprains, spinal injury, eye injury, brain injury and even death. Our policies are intended to mitigate these and other risks.
Mechanisms of injury include falling, being hit by falling (dropped) equipment, debris falling in the eye, spinning power tools,

Route setting volunteer and staff guidelines

Refer to and follow the OP Climbing Wall Route Setting Policies, Procedures and

Safety Requirements

A belay or rope grab system is required when setting holds at or above the 12-foot level
No jumping off – please reverse or lower off
Avoid accidental dropping of holds and equipment.
No intentional dropping of holds or equipment
No tossing holds or equipment
Maintain a clean and organized work space and staging area
Safety glasses are available, and use is required of route setters
Use spotters on tall ladders

Route Guidelines

Diversity of route difficulty – we need everything from 5.0 to 5.12…
Avoid over tightening anchors
We have many small holds – please populate the wall with “extras”

Risks

Route setting is climbing and is subject to all the risks associated with climbing. Wall waivers are required. If you have not read and signed a waiver, please ask for assistance at the desk or from OA staff.

Rental Shop

The Rental Shop is staffed by students for students.
Drop in to talk gear and adventure!

Fall 2024 shop hours – Monday-Friday 10am-3pm

Contact us:
email [email protected]
Find us in PE 002
Call 303-615-1499

Rental List

Yard Games List

Outdoor Pursuits Online

Welcome to the ever growing and evolving Outdoor Pursuits online resources page – OP Online. Included are close-by places to visit, resources and knowledge about safe travel in the backcountry, outdoor skills and ways to engage and connected to the outdoors while staying safe.

Avalanche Discussion and Content

Backcountry Travel

Diversity and Equity in Outdoor Recreation

Including articles, organizations, podcasts, TedTalks, locations to visit and academic sources.

Student research and internship project
Fall 2020

Diversity in the Outdoors Project

Articles

Diversity in the Great Outdoors: Is Everyone Welcome in America’s Parks and Public Lands?
This article talks about the racial inequality of people visiting public lands, and the barriers behind this, as well as strategies for moving forward.

Why National Parks Accessibility Matters
This article talks about the efforts that the National Park Service is making to become more inclusive and accessible, through changing the internal culture, expanding outreach and education, and improving affordability.

Mount Evans Commemorates More Than One Colorado Tragedy
Mt. Evans was named after Governor John Evans who played a large role in the Sand Creek Massacre. Work has been done to change the mountain’s name, but has not yet been successful. Other places in Colorado are named after racist figures as well, such as Stapleton in Denver.

Appalachian Trail Statement on Black Lives Matter

Numerology: Native Rights
This article talks about Native American’s ancestral connection to the outdoors, and how they often get left out of conversations about wilderness, wildlife, recreation, and conservation.

Tracing the Native American Roots of Natural Icons in the US
This article focuses on Jalyn Gough who grew up on the Navajo reservation, and grew up climbing, hiking, and biking on the reservation. After college she realized how much she needed the outdoors in her life, and in 2017 founded the “Whose Land Are We Exploring On” initiative. This initiative was to make the Native American’s historical connection to the land a mainstream part of the outdoor industry.

I Am Not Just Another Hiker
Shilletha Curtis is a Black, queer person who plans on hiking the Appalachian Trail. The article talks about the fears of being a Black hiker in the South, and how white privilege plays into hiking.

Colorado Woman Hikes 485 Miles from Denver to Durango
Patricia Cameron hiked the entire Colorado Trail. She is the founder of Colorado Blackpackers, a nonprofit organization addressing gaps in representation outdoors. They provide gear, outdoor excursions, and education for free or reduced cost, and participants also get volunteer, internship, and job opportunities.

The Blackalachian: First Gold-Mouth Rapper to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail
This article talks about Will “Akuna” Robinson, the first African American man to complete the triple crown of long distance hiking.

Backpacking in America as a Person of Color: Hikers Share Their Experiences
This article discusses different people of color’s experiences backpacking in the US. They talk about both positive and negative experiences during their time on the trail, and barriers that stop people of color from backpacking.

Organizations

Next 100 Coalition
The Next 100 Coalition is an organization with an inclusive vision for the next 100 years of conservation and stewardship in America. National public lands play a big part in protecting the environment and culture, but a lot of people do not enjoy the benefits of them. The Next 100 Coalition’s guiding principles are for the public lands to reflect the faces of the country, respect for all cultures, and the responsibility to engage all people.

Melanin Basecamp
Melanin Basecamp’s purpose is to inspire diversity in outdoor adventure sports with content from Black, Brown, Asian, Indigenous, and Queer People of color. Their website includes featured bloggers, trip reports, gear reviews, and more.

Diversify Outdoors
Diversify Outdoors is a coalition of social media influencers who all want to promote diversity in outdoor recreation and conservation.

Every Kid Outdoors
Every Kid Outdoors is a federal public lands youth initiative to get all 4^th graders and their families to public lands. They provide every 4^th grade family with free national parks passes.

National Brotherhood of Skiers
This organization was founded in 1973 in order to get a black skier on the US ski team. It is now a collection of ski clubs.

Slippers-N-Sliders Ski Club
Slippers and Sliders, located in Denver, was one of the founding clubs National Brotherhood of skiers.

Colorado Blackpackers
Colorado Blackpacker’s mission is to provide outdoor gear, trips, and education for free or for a lower cost, to connect participants with volunteer internship, and job opportunities and resources, and to create economic equity in outdoor recreation. This organization was founded by Patricia Cameron in 2019.

City Kids
City Kids is an organization that bring DC students to Jackson Hole, Wyoming during the summer, after preparing through programs in Rockville, Maryland. City kids don’t necessarily have outdoor opportunities, and many of them are kids of color. This trip is low cost, and is for middle and high school students. The program also has tutoring, support, and job training programs.

Adventures for Hopi
The goal of the organization is to get Hopi kids outside and Hopi guides to take them. This program takes kids on all sorts of adventures, and students can go for free in exchange for community service on the reservation. The organization teaches kids lessons about culture, biology, and job skills. The ultimate goal of the organization is to incorporate outdoor recreation into reservation culture, leading to economic development.

Native Outdoors
This is a Native American owned outdoor apparel and media company. Their mission is to empower indigenous communities through products and storytelling, to work towards a sustainable world. The organization started as a social media project telling stories of Native people in outdoor recreation to address the lack of representation. Now they advise and consult with the outdoor industry on the intersections between tribes, public lands, and outdoor recreation. They work with tribal governments, community organizations, and individuals to increase access to outdoor recreation and connect people to resources and opportunities in the outdoors.

Black Outside, Inc.
The mission of this organization, based in San Antonio, TX, is to reconnect Black/African American youth to the outdoors through culturally relevant outdoor experiences. They aim for their participants to explore themselves, their culture, and the outdoors. They have an overnight camp for black girls, Camp Founder Girls, the Bloom Project, which helps heal youth impacted by incarceration, and more.

Camp Founder Girls
This camp is America’s first Black summer camp for girls, resurrected in 2019.

Wild Diversity
Wild Diversity, based in Oregon, aims to welcome and create a sense of belonging in the outdoors for BIPOC and LGBtQ+ communities. Their programs include outdoor adventures, outdoor education, and community workshops.

LatinXhikers
LatinXhikers inspires more people of color to go outdoors through storytelling and outreach.

Podcasts

Unlikely Hikers Spotify Podcast
This podcast talks about diverse stories from people in underrepresented groups in outdoor media and culture.

She Explores Spotify Podcast
This podcast tell stories of women who are inspired by the outdoors, covering many topics as they intersect with the outdoors.

Ted Talks

How to Overcome Our Biases? Walk Boldly Toward Them
Verna Myers, a diversity advocate, talks about how our biases towards out groups can be dangerous and deadly. She talks about how to acknowledge your biases and move towards overcoming them.

Recolor the Outdoors
Alex Bailey, the founder of Black Outside, Inc, speaks about how the outdoors is not a diverse space currently, and the benefits of spending time in nature. He talks about both the tragic and triumphant histories of people of color in the outdoors.

Your Style of Outdoor
Mercy M’Fon, the founder of the organization Wild Diversity, talks about the history of people of color in the outdoors, and the barriers people of color face in getting outdoors. There are many different ways to get outdoors – not just those defined by the outdoor industry.

Native American Cultural and Historical Sites in Colorado

Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde National Park was established to preserve the heritage of the Ancestral Pueblo people. This park, located in southwestern Colorado is full of archeological sites and cliff dwellings. There is camping and hiking in the park, as well as guided tours.

Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument is in southwestern Colorado. This monuments contains many Native American archeological sites dating back to 10,000 years ago. The Pueblos were one of the tribes that lived there. There is also a visitor center and museum.

Chimney Rock National Monument
Chimney Rock National Monument is a Pueblo archeological site in southwestern Colorado. There are archeological structures, artifacts, and wildlife in this beautiful national monument.

Hovenweep National Monument
Hovenweep National Monument has six prehistoric villages, and is a Native American archeological site for many tribes, especially the Pueblo. You can hike, camp, and stargaze in this national monument located partially in southwestern Colorado and partially in southeastern Utah.

Yucca House National Monument
Yucca House National Monument is located in southwestern Colorado and is an unexcavated Ancestral Pueblo site. There are no signs, facilities, or information, so be sure to print out the visitor guide before you go.

Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park
Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park is an archeological Native American site on tribal land in southwestern Colorado. Various types of tours of this park are available with Ute guides, catering to more active and less active groups, and groups who want to see remote parts of the park. Camping is also allowed, and transportation into the park is provided.

Crow Canyon Archeological Center
Crow Canyon Archeological site is located in southwestern Colorado, and does archeological research and experiential education programs about Native Americans. They offer tours as well as archeology and lab programs. They encourage citizen scientists to participate in the archeological process. Their education programs include one day trips for schools and overnight programs. They also offer summer camps and programs for adults.

Southern Ute Museum
The Southern Ute Museum, also known as the Southern Ute Tribe Cultural Center, is on tribal land in southwestern Colorado. The museum educates about and celebrates Ute Native Americans, Colorado’s longest continuous residents. Tours are self-guided, and behind the scenes guided tours and school group tours are also offered. There are also events and temporary galleries.

Ute Indian Museum
This museum connects history to current Ute life and culture. It is located in Montrose, Colorado.

Trail of the Ancients
The Trail of the Ancients is a 116 mile long scenic byway in southwestern Colorado, goes through Native American historical sites, including Mesa Verde National Park and Hovenweep National Monument. The byway continues to Utah’s Trail of the Ancients.

Academic Sources for Diversity in the Outdoors

The Gendering of Outdoor Recreation: Women’s Experiences on their Path to Leadership
Participation of women in outdoor recreation is growing, but white men still dominant the face of outdoors recreation. One explanation for this could be the effects of gender socialization. Participating in outdoor recreation has physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual benefits, and since there are fewer women involved, there are fewer women benefiting.

Adolescent Girls and Outdoor Recreation: A Case Study Examining Constraints and Effective Programming
In this study, focus groups and individuals were interviewed. There were 34 adolescent girls interviewed, six female outdoor program leaders, and five adult women. The constraints to women participating in outdoor recreation include stereotypical gender roles, differences in opportunities for men and women, peer and family expectations, access, and physical and environmental factors. Outdoor programs help girls to overcome these constraints. This study was meant to show the constraints and how outdoor programming can overcome them.

Home-Grown Racism: Colorado’s Historic Embrace – And Denial-of Equal Opportunity in Higher Education
This paper talks about the history of racism in Colorado, its impacts on the state, including higher education, up until the modern day.

Linking the 2010 Census to National Park Visitors
This study compared visitor characteristics from the Visitor Service Project survey with census data, to find that National Park visitors are more highly educated than the general public, with higher income, and whiter.

National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Survey Results: 2010/2011
This survey was done on 53 wildlife refuges, to understand visitor needs and experiences, in order to design programs and facilities. Visitors to these refuges were largely white, with a higher income and education level than the general public.

2019 Outdoor Participation Report
This report was done by the Outdoor Foundation, the philanthropic branch of the Outdoor Industry Association. This report talked about the growth and declines in diverse groups participating.

Racial Complexities of Outdoor Spaces: An Analysis of African American’s Lived Experiences in Outdoor Recreation
This thesis talks about how African Americans experience the outdoors, and the historical, economic, and cultural factors.

Outdoor Industry

Challenging the Narrative and Amplifying Voices: Resources for Education and Inclusivity in the Outdoor Industry
This link includes a list of videos to watch, and articles and books to read about diversity in the outdoors.

Kayak Skills

Outdoor Pursuits 33 second visual learning assets

To learn to kayak, take lessons and find a partner and learn together
Progress is earned | Kayaking can be dangerous | Take it slow | Be real

These resources are intended to support correct execution of skills – not to teach how to river kayak. Learn from a pro.

Video One – Kayak Parts and Shapes
Kayak video one

Video Two – River Hazards
Man Made Hazards Video
Learn to recognize river hazards, scout before you paddle any section of river. Never practice skill upstream of river hazards.

Video Three – Pollution
Clear Creek pollution foaming up
Urban waterways and boat parks are popular kayak locations – be aware of and scout for pollution. Common pollutants include fertilizers from lawns and golf courses, oil from streets washed in by rain and human waist. All are best avoided.

Video Four – The Paddle
Paddle Video
Offset paddles are the standard for river kayaking. You will notice the offset right away and at first, it is one of the more confounding aspects of learning to paddle. With careful observation, a little practice and after a few errors, you will master the wrist rotation and the offset paddle. At that time you will fully embrace the virtues of offset paddles.

Video five – River Hazards- Low Head Dams
Low Head Dam
Low head dams present very real danger to kayakers. Give them a wide berth, don’t attempt to boat them and don’t practice skills just above a low head dam. What’s going on that makes these so deadly? The fact that there are strong and uniform recirculation that traps people and boats.

Video six – Straight Stroke
Straight Stroke
Making a river kayak go straight is the hardest thing – river kayaks are designed to turn, or more specifically, to spin on a vertical axis. The curved bottom or your kayak does nothing to guide the boat on a straight course (compare to sea kayaks, motor boats and ships with V-shaped hulls that make them go straight, and hence, take a long time to turn). The need to change course while kayaking a river rapid is constant – the curved bottom facilitates that. So, to make your river kayak go in a (mostly) straight line, think about pulling the kayak rather than pushing – this is accomplished by sitting tall in the cockpit, leaning forward and reaching out and starting your stroke near the bow and finishing the stroke near the middle of the kayak. The bow will pitch left and right with every stroke – this is inevitable – so each stroke includes an element of correcting your line.

Straight stroke thoughts:
Think of each paddle placement as a placement into cement and pulling your kayak forward
Use the whole paddle on every stroke
The moment you stop “pulling” strokes, your kayak will spin out (barring other stroke inputs)

So, pivot your kayak and put the bow on an object (tree or rock) proximal to the course you plan to follow, make a stroke, pitching the bow off of the object, then make a stroke on the other side of the boat, bringing the bow back toward and then past the object, repeat, repeat, repeat – each new stroke will require less course correction as speed and momentum is acquired.

Video Seven – Accelerating Straight Stroke
Accelerating Straight Stroke Video
The accelerating straight stroke is used to gain momentum to facilitate entering and exiting and crossing river current features such as waves, holes and eddy fences. All the same principals of the straight stroke (above) apply with the addition of a more aggressive stroke. To add speed in a short distance, as is often needed, lean forward, shifting your weight toward the bow and assuming an aggressive, athletic stance. Make tension in your legs so that you feel pressure in you sit-bones on the seat, knees on the braces, heels on the floor and balls of your feet on the bulkhead or pegs. This “locks” you into the boat, using the boat for leverage and assures the power of each stroke is transferred to paddle. In this position, the kayak response is immediate and there is a feeling of being one with the boat. Remember to offer the bottom of your boat to the current, correct your line on every stroke and make use of the full paddle face.

Video Eight – Bow and Stern Draw (turning the kayak)
Bow and Stern-draw Video
Spinning the boat on the vertical axis is the goal. In this video, the kayaker is stationary, but the same strokes apply to spinning a moving kayak to point in a new direction to propel toward or away from a river feature. As the names imply, bow and stern draw strokes, pull (draw) the front or back (bow or stern) of the kayak toward the paddle face. Always keep in mind, we want to use the power face of the paddle for (nearly) all strokes. Notice the paddle position is changed on each stroke so that the kayaker is using the power face, and as much of the power face as possible to gain the greatest affect from each stroke. The power of the draw strokes comes from the core, so think about spinning the boat while maintaining the position of the paddle in the water. Torque the torso to create potential, place the paddle and uncoil. You should feel pressure in the lower-body kayak-touch-points – hips, sit-bones, knees, heels and feet.

Video Nine – Draw Stroke (moving the kayak left and right)
Draw Stroke Video
The goal of the draw stroke is to move the kayak left and right without rotating on the vertical axis – so the direction of the bow does not change as we draw the kayak laterally. Using the power face, reach out and, using as much of the paddles as possible, pull your hips toward the paddle. Just before the paddle contacts the side of the kayak, either turn the paddle 45 degrees or lift the paddle from the water – then move the paddle to the first position and repeat (or make different stroke to move forward, etc.). You’ll learn to make subtle adjustments to the position and angle of the paddle so that the kayak is drawn sideways rather than turned. It takes practice. Remember to offer the bottom of your kayak to the current – drawing to the right (paddle on the right side), you should feel pressure on your left sit-bone and right knee. The power of this stroke comes from the upper body and the movement of the paddle. A sculling stroke can also accomplish a draw stroke effect.

Videos Ten and Eleven – Sculling Draw Stroke
Sculling draw stroke 1
Sculling Draw Stroke
To draw the kayak laterally with a sculling stroke, the paddle remains in the water and actively moved fore to aft and aft to fore while alternating the angle of the paddle blade so that water is displaced toward the kayak. The sculling position includes the advantage of offering a high-brace position allowing the kayaker to lean toward the paddle creating a stable “tripod” position – once mastered. Sculling on the right side of the kayak, you should feel pressure on the left thigh-brace and heal/foot/bulkhead and on the right seat-bone (mirrored for the left side scull draw).

Knots

OP Knot List and Videos

Figure eight follow-through (retraced figure eight)
Retraced figure eight video
This is the classic harness tie in knot. It is often the first knot learned and is the most commonly used for climbing, canyoneering and mountaineering. At Outdoor Pursuits, we teach this knot on all our rope-access sport courses as an essential and basic skill.

Figure eight on a bight (Flemish bend, figure eight on a loop)
Video link (coming soon)
This knot is useful make a loop attachment point to clip to or to attached a rope to an anchor.

Blocker Knot
Video link (coming soon)
Tied in the ends of the rappel rope, the stopper knot prevents accidental rappelling off the end of the rope. Also, when tied to the belay-side of the rope in top-rope and single pitch scenarios, a blocker knot prevents the break strand from passing through the belay device while lowering thus, preventing dropping the climber.

Overhand (flat overhand)
Video link (coming soon)

Clove hitch
Video link (coming soon)
This is a hitch with many applications. It is quick to create and undo and has the added benefit of being easily adjusted for varying length needs. The clove hitch, while not common in gym or single pitch sport climbing, is common in advanced anchor building, multi pitch and trad climbing settings.

Munter hitch
Video link (coming soon)

Swiss Seat Improvised Harness
video

Butterfly knot
Video link (coming soon)

Square knot
Video link (coming soon)

Sheet bend
Video link (coming soon)

Tensionless hitch
Video link (coming soon)

Optional second knot – double overhand
Video
This knot is often tied after the follow through figure 8 and as a backup for other knots. Referring to this knot as a backup when it is tied after a follow through figure 8 is a misnomer because a properly tied follow through figure 8 does not need a backup. For this reason, the double overhand backup is widely considered to be unnecessary and is no longer taught or used by Outdoor Pursuits rope access activities. It is good to know because many climbers still use the second knot and some climbing gyms still require it.

Trails and Tails

Colorado Mountain Weather

OP Stories

Share your OP story!

If It Wasn't a Send… By Lizza Krell

I follow through on my figure 8 knot, tracing the rope in the opposite direction, shifting every loop so it lines up perfectly then pull it tight. I finish the knot and check my partners belay device while she checks my knot and harness. We assert our readiness with a final verbal check and then I am off.

“I have done this climb many times…”

Hands and feet in place I begin the climb. By now I know the movement and the holds well, I have attempted this climb many times. After a large huck-to-a-crimp on the right, I work my feet up the wall and then move left through a series of small but positive holds. I come to the first draw and let out a long breath. As I reach down I focus solely on that draw, exhaling the fear and distraction. The second the rope is clipped in to the draw I begin to move through in a state of flow.

I have done this climb many times. I know the sequence by hart. I know how to make each move as efficiently as possible to avoid using any extra energy. I know the best places to put my hands and feet on each hold and I know where my center of gravity should be for every move. I float through to the second draw, clip the rope and pause to shake out. I carry on from here, getting my foot to a small hold out right, pulling up with my left arm and rotating my body as I reach with my right to the next hold. A pinch that I grab in the exact location I had intended. From there I move through a series pinches. Straight up from there for a while, and then back to the right on a series of slopers, using a heel hook to stabilize myself. I come to the seventh draw and clip the rope.

“…I know the sequence by hart”

I shake out as best I can, switching from left to right dipping my fingers in the chalk bag on my back. This is the last draw before the anchors, my forearms are burning and I am trying desperately to regain control of my breath. I need to move, I have 2 more meters and 4 more moves to the top and even though I am resting I am still using energy to stay on the wall.

This particular route has saved the best for last, to get to the finishing hold I have to get past the biggest and most powerful move of the climb. From my rest position I cross to a crimp and then bump my hand a bit further to a slightly higher, slightly more positive crimp. From there I work my feet up the wall and move my right hand to a side pull just above the previous two crimps. In what seems like one seamless move I reach my left hand to an undercling at waist height, I walk my feet over to the left and pull in and up with all my strength.

This is it, the last big move, my right finger tips make contact with the bottom corner edge of the hold. I am able to hold myself on the wall for a moment, right hand almost secure on the finishing hold. But then I feel the strength in my hand give way. I fall through the air, then I feel the weight of my bleayer on the other end of the rope and I hear the sound of my knot tighten and then I am dangling.

“I am struck by a feeling of accomplishment”

Suspended in midair, defeated once again. My belayer lowers me to the ground and I am struck by a feeling of accomplishment. No, I didn’t get a clean send this time, but I got closer. I have tried this climb many times. I have fallen and gotten back on and fallen again. Each time I eventually get to the top but never without falling. This is the closest I’ve been, and even if it wasn’t a send, it was still progress.

A Gentle Walk in Nature (without all the hurdles)

Click for the Walk Video

By Bryan Ferguson

All too often (maybe even all the time?) outdoor educators, outdoor leaders and outdoor enthusiasts present a paradigm of outdoor participation that includes a heavy burden of gear, fitness, training and knowledge that makes it impossible for some of us get out there and enjoy nature.

While not everyone will agree with that premise and my proposition, I will suggest that we can and should work with intention to change this message and encourage everyone to go outside and enjoy nature.

As good as getting outside and walking gently through the woods is for me, it would be selfish of me not to share the opportunity with others, and to be intentional about not presenting barriers. Beyond that and most importantly to me is to work within my outdoor education sphere to reduce the barriers for others. It’s within that spirit that I propose barrier-free entre into the world of nature and all it has to offer.

For starters, we can choose to go to places that are close to home, that are not remote, isolated and scary and where no special gear is required. Just going out for a walk among trees, plants, fresh air and open space, a gental walk in nature.

So, with this in mind, here’s a gear list for a gentle walk in nature. Not essential but suggested
Practical shoes
Appropriate warm/cool weather comfortable clothes
Water bottle or bottle of water
Sun screen

Here’s my list of the essentials for a gentle walk in the woods
You
An interest
Critical thinking that supports decision making

Get hooked on movement
I’m hooked on movement and when I got sick a few years ago, that “addiction” saved my life. The notion of being hooked on movement not only provides life-enhancements on the margins but it can literally save our lives and can contribute to a life well lived.

It’s nothing extraordinary
I don’t consider anything I have done in the outdoors to be extraordinary. This despite my entire life’s experience in the outdoors, including a life spent learning and teaching in the outdoors. The only thing that is extraordinary is the profound effect the outdoors and nature has had on me and my life. A gentle walk in nature is not extraordinary, by design.

It’s not about working out, strength or fitness
We want to make sure we don’t confuse a gentle walk in nature with a trip to the gym. While there might be personal health benefits to working out, getting out there does not need to include a cardio workout to be of value. A gentle walk is not a workout, by design.

It’s not about advancing our skills and commitment
Meet yourself where you are and discover how you experience joy in nature. It is not about progressing to mountain climbing – unless that’s what you want, of course. It is about experiencing nature, engaging with nature, touching nature. There are no prerequisites or post-requisites. A gentle walk is not about advancing our skills, by design.

Get nature into our lives
Exploring and being aware of plants, clouds, the surface underfoot, sounds of birds, sounds of our footsteps, shapes and colors of leaves and flowers, feeling the breeze, smelling air that is free of city pollution, walking on a trail while mostly unobstructed by other walkers, cars, streets and curbs. Being aware of our foot placement on irregular surfaces – unpaved surfaces, gravel, rocks and roots.

Principles of a gentle walk in nature
It is a fair weather activity for starters
Moving among nature including flora, fauna, ground and sky
Touching nature, literally touching trees and other plants, but not poison ivy I hope!
Observing and acknowledging plants and how they are similar and different
Becoming the foremost expert on you
Meet yourself where you are
No special gear required

Resources
Outdoor Pursuits

Jefferson County Open Space Parks
http://www.jeffco.us/open-space

Douglas County Open Space Parks
http://www.douglas.co.us/dcoutdoors/trails/open-space-trails/

Castle Rock Open Space Parks
http://www.crgov.com/1985/Open-Space-and-Trails

Denver Mountain Parks
http://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/denver-parks-and-recreation/parks/mountain-parks.html

Stay Low for a Fall Foliage Show

Ten Denver area close-in, Front Range locations for enjoying fall foliage

By Bryan Ferguson

View the Fall Foliage Video:
Fall Foliage

Castle Rock area

Chatfield Reservoir

Clear Creek Trail Corridor Through Denver and Golden

The Colorado Chautauqua

Deer Creek Canyon

Eldorado Canyon State Park

Goldengate Canyon

Jarre Canyon

Spruce Mountain

Waterton Canyon

There is just one short period of time each year when traffic on I-70 rivals the busiest ski days and that is when our beloved quaking aspen turn from green to spectacular shades of yellow – the fall foliage show. While I would never deny the value of a trip to the higher mountains for fall colors, I would like to suggest these excellent alternative (or complimentary, if you prefer) fall foliage experiences. So, stay low for a fall foliage show.

While going higher has its benefits, staying low and close to home saves drivetime, extends the season and helps reduce our carbon output. Staying low and close to home also allows for a quick, one- or two-hour weekday get-away. These options also avoid the weekend crowds and parking hassles at our more popular trailheads.

High in the mountains, we often glimpse the overstory from a distance. By staying low, we still get to see spectacular overstory fall colors, but we can also look low to find special fall colors in the diverse understory. While there is much to appreciate in the vivid yellow overstory, there are many plants with changing fall foliage to appreciate in the understory; dogwood and it’s amazing shades of red, the yellows of rabbitbrush, purples of the late-blooming dotted Gayfeather, bright whites of various bursting seed pods, an amazing range of colors of Mountain Mahogany, Rocky Mountain maple, Choke Cherry, Clematis and the surprising greens of Bearberry. Be sure to pause and look closely for mosses, mushrooms, and lichens.

At the lower elevations of these locations, autumn canopy colors come mostly from cottonwood, willow, boxelder, gamble oak while at the higher elevations of our locations, we can spot the quaking aspen.

Best viewing times are early to mid-morning and early evening. The north-facing slopes tend be more lush, have more diverse plant species and therefore, more variety of fall colors.

It’s important to recognize times passages and to celebrate the passing of the season and the beginning of the new fall season so I hope you get out and enjoy the drama of Colorado’s lower elevation fall foliage.

View the Fall Foliage Video:
Fall Foliage

Links to how to get there and information:

Castle Rock area
http://crgov.com/1985/Open-Space-and-Trails

Chatfield Reservoir
http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/Chatfield

Clear Creek Trail Corridor Through Denver and Golden
http://www.visitgolden.com/things-to-do/outdoors/hiking/?gclid=CjwKCAjwq_D7BRADEiwAVMDdHoNKT0QdXrll3_q7hSZlEsXm46Xe5oq0zfM4qpkT1Y1iCvdqzgjVIRoCh6wQAvD_BwE

The Colorado Chautauqua
http://www.chautauqua.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIt4SP0s6l7AIVhYbACh0f-wKKEAAYASAAEgKoz_D_BwE

Deer Creek Canyon
http://www.jeffco.us/1208/Deer-Creek-Canyon-Park This link is specific to the park but it also provides the location for Deer Creek Canyon

Eldorado Canyon State Park
http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/EldoradoCanyon

Golden Gate Canyon

http://www.jeffco.us/1335/Mount-Galbraith-Park This is a link to Mount Galbraith Park located in Golden Gate Canyon

Jarre Canyon
http://coloradobirdingtrail.com/site/jarre-canyon-road-and-platte-river-road/

Spruce Mountain
http://www.douglas.co.us/dcoutdoors/openspace-properties/spruce-mountain-open-space-and-trail/

Waterton Canyon
http://www.denverwater.org/recreation/waterton-canyon-strontia-springs-resevoir

Web resources:

Colorado State Forrest – http://csfs.colostate.edu/

Colorado State University – http://extension.colostate.edu/

Inaturalist – http://www.inaturalist.org/

Research and The Outdoors

Here at Outdoor Pursuits we are interested in better understanding the field of outdoor education and recreation including the physics of anchors, the value of participation and different leadership styles, to name a few.

We have tested many different anchor systems, load shares, releasable anchors, slings and knots. We have plans to do more of this type of failure testing. We have a few of our test videos on the Campus Recreation YouTube page here

GriGri “blocked” video here and here

As this page develops, we will include more information about our tests and share the results of others’ research.

Thanks for visiting. Please forward your reactions and suggestions to Bryan at [email protected].

Student Staff

Thank you for your interest in employment opportunities at Outdoor Pursuits

Please check the Student Employment Portal for MSU Denver student employment opportunities.

Tips For a Successful Internship/Assistantship

Tips For Facilitating a Successful Internship/Assistantship

OP Individual Staff Meeting Plan
Pre-employment
Getting Started
Goal Setting Meeting
Semester Meetings – end of semester evaluation and next discussion (required)
Meet to address concerns anytime
End of Employment Meeting

OP Group Meeting Plan
OP Semester Kickoff meetings
Trip and Activity Planning (TAP) Meetings
End of Semester Wrap Meeting

Goal Setting
Employment at Outdoor Pursuits presents many opportunities and challenges. Most of us who work in outdoor education have a keen interest in developing new skills while improving our existing skills. To support outcomes related to these interests, OP includes a goals-driven element to the workplace.

Practicing with the PMI Alpine Brake Tube

several students supporting a beach ball with string and a ring

Teambuilding at OP

Descending a canyon

Topping out at the Ouray Ice Park

Belaying at Table Mountain

Community activity on the climbing wall

DCIM100GOPRO

Canyoneering in Arches National Park

Spruce Mountain Trail

OP avalanche "learning pits"

Contact us

Outdoor Pursuits
email [email protected]
Call 303-615-1499

Location:
PE Building Room 002
1255 10th Street
Denver, CO 80204

Bryan Ferguson,
Associate Director
[email protected]

Discover more about MSU Denver

Request Information

Ready to find out what MSU Denver can do for you? We’ve got you covered.

Request Information

Academic Programs

200+ undergraduate, graduate, and non-degree customizable paths to choose from.

Study Options

Apply now

Wherever you’re heading, your road begins here. Let’s go.

Be a Changemaker

Item	Daily	Weekend	Week
Avalanche Beacon	11.00	17.00	28.00
Avalanche Probe	3.00	4.00	7.00
Avalanche Shovel	3.00	4.00	7.00
Backpack	7.00	11.00	20.00
Bear Canister	4.00	7.00	14.00
Cook Kit – (backpacking pan kit)	4.00	5.00	9.00
Crampons	6.00	9.00	14.00
Crazy Creek Chair	3.00	4.00	7.00
Ground Pad	3.00	4.00	7.00
Hammock	3.00	7.00	11.00
Headlamp – (batteries not included)	3.00	4.00	7.00
Helmet – (aquatic, bike & climbing)	3.00	4.00	7.00
Ice Axe	6.00	9.00	14.00
PFD – (aka life jacket)	5.00	7.00	14.00
Rock Shoes	9.00	14.00	20.00
Sleeping Bag	7.00	12.00	20.00
Snowshoes	7.00	12.00	20.00
Stove – (two-burner for car camping)	7.00	12.00	20.00
Tent – (3 – 4 person)	12.00	18.00	32.00
Tent – (2 person)	7.00	12.00	20.00
Traction Spikes	3.00	4.00	6.00
Trekking Poles	3.00	4.00	6.00
Yard Games	Free	7.00	11.00

Adventures

FALL 2024 Schedule

ALP & the ALP Seminar

CityScape

Climbing Wall

Rental Shop

Outdoor Pursuits Online

Backcountry Travel

Diversity and Equity in Outdoor Recreation

Articles

Organizations

Podcasts

Ted Talks

Native American Cultural and Historical Sites in Colorado

Academic Sources for Diversity in the Outdoors

Outdoor Industry

Outdoor Pursuits 33 second visual learning assets

OP Stories

Share your OP story!

“I have done this climb many times…”

“…I know the sequence by hart”

“I am struck by a feeling of accomplishment”

Click for the Walk Video

Ten Denver area close-in, Front Range locations for enjoying fall foliage

View the Fall Foliage Video: Fall Foliage

View the Fall Foliage Video: Fall Foliage

Research and The Outdoors

Student Staff

Contact us

Discover more about MSU Denver

Request Information

Academic Programs

Apply now

View the Fall Foliage Video:
Fall Foliage

View the Fall Foliage Video:
Fall Foliage