There is always something going on with Puget Sound Outdoors (PSO) on and off campus.
November tends to be PSO’s time to wind down because it becomes harder to take out trips due to weather conditions. Chris Eichar, a senior from Hartford, Connecticut and one of the PSO coordinators, believes PSO’s last trips will go out Nov. 21 and 22. However it is up to the leaders whether to extend this until Dec. 5 and 6. PSO will not be holding trips during the reading period of this semester. If getting outdoors is your way of coping with stress, plan a trip—either solo or with friends—to make sure you get your outdoor fill.
The Banff Film Festival is coming to Tacoma on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. Tickets will be available at The Expeditionary for students, faculty, staff, and Edgeworks and Mountaineers members can get tickets for $16.00 each, or $29.00 for both nights. Tickets for community members will be $20.00 each, or $37.00 for both nights. The Edgeworks Climbing and PSO are both hosting the event. The films will be shown at the Rialto Theater in downtown Tacoma.
PSO is getting ready for winter with the Ski Shop opening this week starting on Thursday. The shed will offer hours between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. as an opportunity to wax, sharpen and tune skis, cross-country skis and snowboards. There will also be p-tex available to repair boards and skis. There will be volunteers to do the busy work for you for a $5.00 donation. This donation will go towards supporting the ski shop.
“[Donations fund] anything from buying new wax, new tools or hosting events focused towards the Ski/Board community,” Eichar said.
Nick Sweet, a senior from South Freeport, Maine, has just moved into the position of ski coordinator and Eichar claims he is excited to show some ski films on campus this winter so keep your eyes peeled! After last year’s snow bust, the films will only help to fuel your excitement to get on the slopes in hopes for great snow conditions.
PSO will be offering the opportunity to earn certification in Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and Wilderness First Responder (WFR). The course will be held at the university and conducted during winter break, 10 days before the second semester begins. WFA and Wilderness Cardiopulmonary Resurrection (WCPR) courses will be held Jan. 16 through Jan. 18 and will cost $200.00 for students, faculty, staff and family until Jan. 1, 2016 and $250.00 after this date. WFR and WCPR courses will be held Jan. 9 through Jan. 17 and will cost $500.00 for students, faculty, staff and family until Nov. 15, 2015 and $550.00 after this date. Students who partake in the certification course get pre-approved for early housing, says Eichar. The course is run by a Washington-based company called Wilderness Medical Training Center (WMTC).
The PSO spring break opportunities have not been set in stone as conversations about possible locations are just beginning to take place. Eichar believes there will be at least one desert trip going out, “Whether that’s Death Valley or somewhere in Utah.” Eichar went out on the Death Valley trip last year and would like to see it happen again. Another possible location might be Lost Coast in Northern California.
As the semester comes to an end, we don’t have to wave goodbye to PSO. They are offering many opportunities to continue to be involved. Find your way!
