Freshmen Pre-Orientation Trips
To apply please go to: www.clarkson.edu/cuandme
The Outing Club would like to cordially invite you to participate in this year’s pre-orientation trips. The trips are four-day, three-night backpacking or canoeing trips in the nearby Adirondack Park. They are an excellent way for freshmen and transfer students to get involved and meet other freshmen and upperclassmen. Each trip is led by two experienced and enthusiastic upperclassmen.
This year’s trips will run from August 17th-20th. Orientation trip participants will arrive on Sunday, August 16th to move into assigned residence halls and settle in. A picnic that evening will help everyone get acquainted. The trips leave early on the morning of Monday, August 17th and will return Thursday, August 20th. On the afternoon of the 20th there will be a second barbeque where you can hear about other trips and pick up your t-shirt. The rest of your fellow freshmen will arrive the next day, August 21st, when regular orientation begins. There will be approximately eight people (including leaders) per trip.
No special experience is required for these trips. There is a trip for the first-time camper, experienced outdoors person, and everyone in between. It would be advantageous to be in good physical condition. Those wishing to go on a canoe trip must be able to swim. Hiking trips require a pair of well-fitting, broken-in hiking or work boots with good support, as all participants will be carrying large backpacks. All trips will be a primitive camping experience. No special equipment is necessary, but due to anticipation, anyone wishing to bring his or her own gear is highly encouraged to do so.
Below is a brief description of each trip - there is at least one here for everyone. You may also look at the archives and check out other freshman trips that have beeen lead in the past. We look forward to meeting all of you this fall. Happy trails!
Application Info
Available Trips
Hiking Trips
- Je suis un Bear!
- How long is Long Lake?
- High Peak Ridge Runners
- Where are Ian, Fletcher, Potter and Fip?
- [High PeAk Madness]: Get Lost in the Adirondacks with Eddie and Josh
Canoeing Trips
- Sweeter than the Sweetest Trip Ever!
- Who stole our cranberry pie?
- A traditional expedition III
- Pirates of the Adirondacks II: Curse of the Mighty Bog
Trip Information
Hiking Trips
Je suis un Bear!
Leaders: Paul Eichas and Pete Edwards
Difficulty: moderate to difficult (all mountains are hiked without heavy packs)
Day 1: From the drop off at Corey.s Road, hike to ward brook lean-to, drop gear and summit Seymour.
Day 2: Climb Seward, Donaldson and Emmons, returning over Donaldson and Seward.
Day 3: Hike to Henderson Lake, stopping for plenty of swimming time at Duck Hole on the way.
Day 4: Hike the short distance to our pick up spot at Upper Works.
Description: ust kidding. We aren.t bears, but there.s no guarantee you won.t see one on our trip! What we can guarantee you though is that this trip will be a blast! Come join Pete and Paul as they head out in search of adventure in the Seward Range, some of the most remote of New York.s tallest mountains. Great views, rugged yet satisfying hikes, and more marshmallows than you can shake a stick at (on a real fire, unlike some of the other hiking trips). Come join us!
How long is Long Lake?
Leaders: Rob Verbridge and Tim Dammann
Difficulty: easy (some bushwhacking)
Day 1: Drop off at stony creek along Corey.s Road, hike to Calkin.s Brook lean-to.
Day 2: Hike to the Cold River and take Northville Placid trail to Long Lake and camp at Plumley point lean to.
Day 3: Hike to Kelly Point, drop packs and bushwhack Blueberry Mountain, continue to Catlin Bay at end of Long Lake
Day 4: Short hike out to pick up point.
Description: Starting at the stony creek we make our way towards hemlock hill. Form here we attempt to cross the traitorous cold river. Down the trail a way we will stumble upon the Northville Placid trail. From here a scenic stroll along long lake, as well as dip in the lake. Nearing the bottom of the lake we will hop off the trail and bushwhack to the summit of Blueberry Mountain. Once finished we will know exactly how long, long lake is.
Grate Range Ridgerunners
Leaders: Sawyer (Huck) Sutton and Jon Coppi
Difficulty: Difficult (MOST mountains are hiked without heavy packs)
Day 1: Carry packs over Rooster Comb and Lower Wolf Jaw; camp at the Wolfjaw brook lean-to.
Day 2: Day hike the range from Upper Wolf Jaw out to basin and loop via Shorey's shortcut. Camp at Wolfjaw Brook lean-to.
Day 3: pack over to JBL, drop packs, day hike Yard and Big Slide, then pick packs up and hike into Keene Valley
Day 4: Get picked up at the Noonmark Diner in Keene Valley
Description: Join Huck and Jon on this most magnificent excursion around the Great Range. While rummaging around the lower range, we'll obtain Lower and Upper Wolf Jaws, Armstrong, Gothics, Saddleback and Basin. Does anyone play the banjo? On the way back into Keene valley for some Noonmark pie, we'll engulf Yard and Big Slide with raucous pleasure. Some quality Vermont cheddar, honey and ramen may be served along the way, and a Tabasco challenge is not out of the question.
Where are Ian, Fletcher, Potter and FIP?
Leaders: Jessica Dzara and Ashley Isabell
Difficulty: Moderate (all mountains are hiked without heavy packs)
Day 1: Enter at South Meadows and hike through Klondike Notch to Johns Brook Lodge for lunch and continue to Bushnell Falls lean-to.
Day 2: Leave packs in the lean-to and hike up the tallest mountain in the .Dacks, Marcy.
Day 3: Leave packs in the lean-to and climb Haystack for the best views. Return to the Lean-to for our packs and hike to Bear Brook lean-to.
Day 4: An easy hike out to the Noonmark Diner for pie!
Description: Are you ready for the most wicked awesome time of your life? Want to knock off a few high peaks with good friends and amazing views while we search for Ian. Or was if Fletcher? Has anyone seen FIP? And does anyone know where the deep fried Oreos went? To find out join Jess and Ashley.s most excellent adventure. Topped off with pie at the Noonmark Diner!
[High PeAk Madness]: Get Lost in the Adirondacks with Eddie and Josh
Leaders: Eddie Petrak and Josh Bell
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult (all mountains are hiked without heavy packs)
Day 1: Departing from Adirondack Loj, hike through Avalanche Pass and past Lake Colden. Depending on time, possibly Summit Colden. Spend the night at the southern end of Lake Colden.
Day 2: Leave full packs at Lake Colden. Summit Iroquois, Boundary, Algonquin, and Wright. Return to Lake Colden for the Night.
Day 3: Hike back through Avalanche Pass. Drop full packs at Marcy Dam. Summit Phelps and Table Top. Return to Marcy Dam for the night.
Day 4: Hike a short distance out to the Adirondack Loj.
Description: Wanna get Lost in the Adirondacks and take on the ultimate High Peak experience? Get ready to summit six of the Adirondack.s high peaks in 3 days! No, were not insane, but we.re not going to lie, by the end of this trip you might be a little tired. Nonetheless it.s an experience you don.t want to miss! Algonquin Peak , the second highest peak in the state of New York, has one of the best views the park has to offer. We.ll also be summiting Wright, Boundary, Phelps, Table Top, and Iroquois, all with their own captivating views. And still, if that.s not enough, we.ll also be navigating Avalanche Pass. Wait..Did you say Avalanche?! Don.t worry it.s not actually an avalanche! However, the grandeur through the pass of the sheer rock face walls surrounding Avalanche Lake, navigating a few catwalks, and the mountains in the distant horizon create an unprecedented experience. In addition, since we.ll be spending two nights at Lake Colden, if after a long day of hiking you feel like jumping in.go for it! We.re not going to stop you. Heck.we might join you! Finally, finish off the four days with a fantastic breakfast at Adirondack LOJ. And.we promise.we won.t get you too lost in the Adirondacks!
Canoeing Trips
Sweeter than the Sweetest Trip Ever!
Leaders: Tyler Wooden and Kayla Kuzmich
Difficulty: Moderate (short portage)
Day 1: Launch about a third of the way up Long Lake and canoe to the end of the lake. Stay in the shelters at the tip of Long Lake.
Day 2: Canoe down the Raquette. Portage at Raquette Falls. Continue down the river for the rest of the afternoon and spend the night at Axton Landing
Day 3: Continue down Raquette until Tupper Lake. Find a place along the shore to spend the night and reflect on the trip
Day 4: Canoe across the lake to our ride home after a peaceful night.s sleep.
Description: This is a great trip. The river is peaceful and secluded for most of the trip making for a simple paddle and a pleasant atmosphere. This is a great way to start off the year right - with a good group of friends and with a glimpse of what the Adirondacks have to offer you during your time at Clarkson.
Who Stole Our Cranberry Pie?
Leaders: Laura Keene and Brian Frederick
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Canoeing and Easy Hiking
Day 1: Enter at Wanakena and paddle down the Oswegatchie River into Cranberry Lake setting up camp at Janack.s Landing.
Day 2: Leaving the heavy stuff behind hike Cat Mountain before canoeing to the main island.
Day 3: Hang out at the island. Explore, swim and play games.
Day 4: Paddle out to the boat launch in Cook Corners
Description: "Cats, cranberries, canoeing, and cake? Spend four days canoeing at Cranberry Lake and hiking with Brian and Pie. There.ll be plenty of water and fun. We.ll be following in the footsteps of the famous Mountain Man Marshal while hiking Cat Mountain at the end of the lake, and doing lots of swimming. If you wish to have fun and get the best of both land and sea this is the trip for you. Plus, only canoe trips can bring roasts of ham!"
A Traditional Expedition III
Leaders: Kevin Lake and Tim Prichard
Difficulty: Difficult Canoeing and some hiking (long distance canoeing and some portaging)
Day 1: Put in at Raquette Lake, paddle down the Raquette River through Forked Lake and to Long Lake, setting up camp at Catlin Bay.
Day 2: Paddle to Kelly Point where we will bushwhack Blueberry Mountain and have some lunch before continuing to the end of Long Lake.
Day 3: Continue down Raquette River to Saranac Lakes portaging around Raquette Falls. Camp in a lean-to along Saranac Lake.
Day 4: Short Paddle to our exit point in the city of Saranac Lake.
Description: Get ready for the longest and most awesome trip of them all! Follow in the paddle strokes New York.s pioneers with this historic route through the wilderness of the Adirondacks. We.ll be covering 70 miles (not as bad as it sounds, we will be going with the current) of scenic waterways taking us deep into the wilderness before emerging in that gem of the Adirondacks, Saranac Lake. Portages, bushwhacks, campfires, this trip has it all. If you.re looking for good times and a feeling of how things were done .back in the day., this trip is for you. And don.t forget that canoeing trips always get the best food.
Pirates of the Adirondacks II; Curse of the Mighty Bog
Leaders: Hannah Callahan and Jenna Heffernan
Difficulty: easy
Day 1: Put in at Low.s Lower Dam paddle to campsite 16 near Low.s Lake
Day 2: 4 mile day trip around Low.s Lake before returning to campsite 16
Day 3: Paddle back most of the way back to the dam
Day 4: Exit at Low.s Lower Dam
Description: Put in at Low.s Lower Dam and paddle 8 miles to our first campsite. The next day we will head out for a nice easy trip around low.s Lake. Once back to camp we will enjoy games, good food, swimming, and each others company. For the third day we will paddle most of the way back to our last campsite where we will spend our last night together. In the morning it will be a very short paddle back to our put in point.
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Application Info
The cost of each trip is $180. This covers food, transportation, permit fees, trip t-shirt, and equipment. The cost also includes both barbecues mentioned above. Payment is due with your application. Your fee will be returned to you if you cannot be accommodated on one of our trips. Please make checks payable to Clarkson Outing Club.
These trips will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so mail your application early. Applications must be postmarked by July 15th. Acceptances and regrets will be mailed before July 25th, along with a packet of more specific information about your arrival in Potsdam, your trip, your leaders, and the gear you should bring.
If you have any questions about the trips, feel free to contact Kevin Lake (lakeks@clarkson.edu)through e-mail. You can also check out our website and forum at www.clarkson.edu/clubs/cuoc. The Outing Club hopes to see you in August!
Students can find more information at www.clarkson.edu/orientation/mini.html
To apply please go to: www.clarkson.edu/cuandme
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Top 5 Reasons to Go On an Orientation Trip:
- Get an awesome T-Shirt.
- Move in early (get all the good stuff in the room).
- Have fun in the ‘Dacks and get settled before work sets in.
- Meet interesting people and make new friends even before classes start.
- Become part of the coolest club on campus!
Welcome to Clarkson! Now that you.re officially part of our student body it.s time for you to decide what you want to do with your free time. Clarkson is conveniently located within only miles of the Adirondack Park. Clarkson University Outing Club (CUOC) offers a climbing wall within a short walk of the main campus, a boathouse by the river with canoe rentals available, and a gear room on campus. Our gear includes tents, sleeping bags, packs, stoves, snowshoes, and much more. Whether it.s a warm fall night or a cold winter day, we have the gear, the knowledge, and the trips available.
- Hiking is endless in the North Country; we have access to the entire Adirondack Park. There are trails right off campus for hiking around, mountain biking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, or whatever you like to do. Some of you may experience a few of the many locations for hiking during the freshman orientation trips we offer the week before classes begin. This gives you a chance to meet cool people and move into your room before the rest of your class.
- Your browser may not support display of this image.Climbing, whether ice or rock, is serious business for CUOC. In the fall and spring we rock climb at Keene Valley, McKenzie Pond, Chapel Pond, and South Colton. When the weather gets cold we ice climb at some of the best spots in the East. The Adirondack Park is quickly being recognized as a premiere ice climbing destination and it is a mere twenty minutes away. Year round we open the climbing wall six days a week from six o.clock to ten.
- One of the more unique sports that the Out Club has to offer is caving. During the fall months the members of the club spend a significant portion of their time underground. Schoharie County, NY becomes like a second home. CUOC provides instruction and equipment in vertical rope work, which comes in handy for a few caves.
- Recently we have invested money in and created a chair for backcountry skiing. If you want cushy lifts and in-bounds action, ski club has you covered. If the solitude and challenge of backcountry skiing beckons, the Outing Club is the place for you. In the backcountry you will take your skiing to the next level as you explore the outdoors, yourself, and your trusted companions. We have the gear and the expertise to help you learn this sport as a new passion, and a dedicated core group happy to entertain even the most seasoned.
- The Outing Club has over a dozen canoes, including two solos and a whitewater canoe. They come in all flavors, so whether you.re a fiberglass aficionado, or an aluminum nut, CUOC has it. The Outing Club also has plastic canoes, including two lightweight Daggers which work beautifully on any river. The North Country contains a wide variety of rivers and lakes, flatwater and whitewater. The Raquette River is just one of the possibilities, which flows about 30 feet from the canoe house. If you feel like traveling within an hour radius, that opens you up to roughly half of the Adirondack Park and endless possibilities.
- If you're into whitewater kayaking and/or river running, we frequent the Rt. 3 wave on the Black River in Watertown and Stone Valley. Never kayaked before? No problem! We hold rolling sessions both in the Raquette River and in the pool, so you can learn to roll yourself back up, should your kayak flip. ~~~~ Whether you.re learning just for fun, or to join our chairs on trips, you.ll have a great time.
"Take nothing but pictures, Leave nothing but footprints, Kill nothing but time"
See our website for more information and our forum to ask questions: http://people.clarkson.edu/clubs/cuoc/