This spring semester you could find yourself cross-country skiing, learning how to build an igloo or hiking in snowshoes under a full moon.
Binghamton University’s Outdoor Pursuits is offering these activities, workshops and more — and most cost less than $15.
In warmer weather, adventurers can also choose from larger trips such as a weekend fly-fishing trip and a spring break backpacking expedition in Kentucky’s Red River Gorge.
Last weekend, graduate students Josh Teeter and John Moore led a snowshoeing expedition in the Nature Preserve.
“We like to let students choose their routes on a hike like this one, in addition to highlighting some of the key areas of the Nature Preserve, such as the ponds,” Moore said.
Teeter added that they teach newcomers as they go along if they have little or no experience snowshoeing.
Over winter break, BOP assistant director Teresa High instructed students during a week-long cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trip in the Adirondacks. The group of students and instructors rented a cabin together in the High Peaks region.
“We started out on the first day, teaching everyone skiing in the parking lot and on the trails around the cabins,” High said.
Daily schedules were sometimes improvised, as one day the group decided to snowshoe-hike up a small mountain to catch the full moon after a day of skiing.
During the nighttime hours, the group discussed outdoor skills and the instructors taught lessons, such as proper wilderness nutrition.
Although the students made it back home safely, the week had its share of interesting experiences.
On one of the days the group tried to ski down Whiteface Mountain, but got separated.
“Several of the students went too far ahead, so we sent an instructor to reach them and tell them to slow down so the rest of us could catch up,” High said.
While waiting to come in sight of the leading group, the back group faced 40 mph winds rushing toward them.
High said the group had talked about hypothermia earlier in the week and how cold winds can steal body heat.
“I told a student of mine to take a coat out of her pack and to put it on for warmth,” she said.
The student replied, jokingly, “It’s too cold to put it on!”
Many of BOP’s activities fall inside a two-hour radius of campus, and the department is constantly looking at new areas for suitable trips.
“Providing outdoor education is a natural fit for the environment we have around here,” High said. “Since most students come from downstate or urban areas, they may not get to experience the outdoors like this.”