Take a Hike!
Though I have always genuinely enjoyed the outdoors, I haven’t had much of an opportunity to properly enjoy everything that the great outdoors has to offer. That’s why when I saw the advertisement for the Beginners Backpacking course, I knew I had to take it. I literally signed up within minutes of seeing the ad, and I am SO glad that I did!
Initially, I was pretty nervous about taking this class. I haven’t camped in years, and haven’t ever been on a real hike; so, I was concerned as to whether this class would be for me. Instantly upon entering the classroom, I knew I was not going to regret signing up! Clemencia Caporale, the instructor, was incredibly friendly. She did an amazing job at creating an environment that catered to both people who had some experience outdoors, and those who had no real experience outdoors.
This short course is part of Western’s new Outdoor Program, where they offer various ways to educate the community about our surrounding areas. Throughout the time of this course, my classmates and I learned so many helpful things! We explored the appropriate gear that is necessary for a backpacking trip in Wyoming; we learned about the meals that would benefit us the most while we were in the back country; we discussed the importance of layering clothing properly for warmth.
After learning the basic necessities behind a backpacking trip, we took off to the mountains for a weekend! That was undoubtedly my favorite part of this class. Not only was it a real, hands-on experience, but it was the perfect mixture of challenging and fun! We hiked four miles into the mountains and set up camp at Teepee Lake. There we had a brief lesson about topography (details on a map that describe landscapes), safety measures when it comes to lightning storms, and the impacts that litter can have on the environment.
Not only was this class full of beautiful scenery and rewarding hikes; but it was also incredibly educational, and I finished it feeling much more confident about exploring the outdoors on my own time.
Personally, I am really looking forward to the many courses that the Outdoor Program has to offer! I plan to take one per semester. It will be a great way to add some excitement into each semester while learning how to properly and safely enjoy Wyoming’s wilderness. I want to encourage every student and community member to register for one of the many courses that the Outdoor Program has to offer. These courses are not only fun and engaging, but they’re also beneficial because they teach safety and preparedness; which is something that every Wyoming resident should take seriously!
