Fall 2023 Trips
Sign up at our office in the Student Recreation Center, online via myNookRec or over the phone at 907-474-6027. Registration for fall 2023 trips will open in August.
Please click on the linked Itineraries or scroll down to the bottom of the page for more information about any of the trips you are interested in.
| Event | Day | Date | UAF Student price | Faculty and staff price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August | ||||
| Wilderness Welcome | Friday-Tuesday | 18th - 22nd | $395 | N/A |
| Nenana river rafting | Sunday | 27th | $50 | $55 |
| September | ||||
| Gulkana Glacier hike | Monday (Labor day) | 4th | $40 | $45 |
| Blueberry picking on Murphy Dome | Friday (afternoon) | 8th | $10 | $10 |
| Upper Chena river fishing trip with ADF&G | Saturday | 9th | $20 | $25 |
| Climbing at Grapefruit Rocks | Sunday | 10th | $45 | $50 |
| Chena river through town float | Wednesday (evening) | 13th | $15 | $20 |
| White Mountains day hike | Saturday | 23rd | $30 | $35 |
| October | ||||
| Cabin trip to Little Donna Lake | Sat-Sun | 7th-8th | $100 | $115 |
| Ice skate Adventure | Saturday | 28th | $10 | $10 |
| December | ||||
| Ice climbing | Saturday | 9th | $50 | $55 |
| Ice fishing with ADF&G | Sunday | 10th | $10 | $25 |
*Prices include: transportation, trip leaders, and use of Outdoor Adventures equipment. Prices for overnight trips include food. Contact us for additional information.
** Active Alumni Association members may join the event at the faculty/staff price
*** OA's trips program is not open to the general public
All information subject to change!
Average Monthly temperature recorded in Fairbanks Alaska from WeatherSparks.com
*Trip Offered through Outdoor Adventures in the summer and fall semesters*
Next scheduled offering is Monday September 4th, 2023. Sign up HERE!
Description:
This trip explores the Gulkana Glacier in the often overlooked Eastern Alaska Range. Mountain glaciers are plentiful in this area and act as highways in and out of the mountains. The terrain they leave behind is characterized by large, steep moraines (piles of loose, sharp rock) often with ice underneath which can be challenging and frustrating hiking terrain. For this trip, bring your sturdy (broken in) hiking boots, and a positive attitude. The views of this terrain are breathtaking and make the hike well worth it. Winter can come early in the mountains so encountering snow and wintery conditions is not possible in the fall season.
Typical Itinerary:
7:00am - Meet at the OA office in the SRC. Gear up, and depart
11:00am - Arrive at trailhead (plenty of time to sleep in the car)
5:00pm - Return to truck, load up & head back
9:00pm - Arrive at OA and unpack
What to bring:
● Sturdy hiking boots or light winter boots (OA has plastic double boots available)
● Crampons
● Two pairs of thick wool socks (we will be doing a creek crossing)
● Trekking Poles (Optional)
● Daypack - to carry food, water, and extra clothes for the day
● Synthetic base layers , top and bottom
● Fleece or wool sweater (NO COTTON)
● Water/wind proof rain jacket
● Water/wind proof pants (rain pants or light snow pants)
● Puffy Jacket
● Hat and gloves
● Sunglasses
● Water bottles (2 quart/liter)
● Lunch and snacks for a long day out
Items in bold can be provided by Outdoor Adventures
Safety & Risk management:
Due to the nature of outdoor travel there are certain inherent risks in all of Outdoor Adventure’s trips. Acceptable risks include but are not limited to: hiking over rough uneven terrain with a heavy backpack on, hiking up and down steep inclines with muddy and loose footing, crossing creeks and swampy ground, walking on glacier ice with and without crampons on, and having wet feet and clothing. Conditions may include below freezing temperatures, thunderstorms, rain, sleet and high winds. Driving risks may include slick roads, poor visibility and wildlife. Alaska is a wild place - you need to take ultimate responsibility for your own safety as only you can. For your protection we require you to carry health insurance. You can sign up for trip insurance at no cost to you from the University (ask for details). All info is subject to change due to safety, weather, current conditions, etc.!
*Trip offered in Spring Semesters*
Description:
Exploring the Castner glacier has recently become one of the most popular outdoor activities for people visiting the interior to do and for good reason. This hike is ideal for any individual's fitness level and the trail is generally well traveled for easy hiking on flat terrain. In the event that there is fresh snow, snowshoes can be provided for the hike. The ice cave is located at the beginning of the Castner glacier roughly 2 miles from the trailhead and has phenomenal scenery of the surrounding mountains and hills of the often overlooked Eastern Alaska range.
Typical Itinerary:
8:00am -Meet at Outdoor Adventures
11:00am -Arrive at Castner creek trailhead and begin hike
2:30pm -Return to vehicles and head back to UAF
6:00pm -Arrive at UAF
Things to bring:
- Sturdy warm boots (OA has Mountaineering Boots)
- Snowshoes (provided)
- Daypack
- Synthetic or wool long underwear tops and bottoms
- Fleece jacket or wool sweater and/or vest
- Snow pants, hiking pants or shell pants
- Puffy coat
- Warm winter gloves
- Warm (wool or synthetic) socks
- Warm wool or fleece hat and neck gaiter, buff or facemask
- One liter water bottle
- Lunch and snacks for full day of travel and hiking
Safety and Risk Management:
Due to the nature of outdoor travel there are certain inherent risks in all of Outdoor Adventure’s trips. Acceptable risks include but are not limited to: hiking up and down steep inclines with muddy and loose footing, hiking in winter conditions. Conditions may include below freezing temperatures, thunderstorms, rain, sleet and high winds. Driving risks may include slick roads, poor visibility and wildlife. Alaska is a wild place - you need to take ultimate responsibility for your own safety as only you can.
*This trip is offered in both Spring and Fall semester"
Next scheduled offering is Saturday, December 10th 2023. Sign up HERE
Description:
Ice climbing at Dragonfly or Fox Creek outside the Denali National Park boundary. These classic waterfalls are a great introduction for those new to the sport or a wonderful opportunity to improve your ice climbing skillset if you have already ice climbed. We will be climbing on top-ropes using ice tools and crampons to scale a beautiful frozen Alaskan waterfall.
Typical Itinerary:
7:00am -Meet at Outdoor Adventures
10:30am -Arrive at the climbing site and hike to the climbs
4:00pm -Return to vehicles and head back with a possible dinner stop
7:00pm -Arrive at UAF
Things to bring:
- Double Plastic boots(Provided by OA)
- Crampons (Provided by OA)
- Helmet (Provided by OA)
- Harness (Provided by OA)
- Warm Wool Socks
- Daypack - to carry food, water, gear, and spare clothes for the day
- Warm (non-cotton) clothes
- Synthetic or wool Base layer; top and bottom
- Fleece jacket / pants
- Hard shell pants and jacket to repel water and wind
- Puffy jacket for chilly belays
- 2 Hats, 2+gloves and mittens
- Neck gaiter and/or face mask
- Lunch and snacks for a long day out
- Water bottles (1-2 quarts/liters total)
Safety and Risk Management:
Due to the nature of outdoor travel there are certain inherent risks in all of Outdoor Adventure’s trips. Acceptable risks include but are not limited to; hiking over rough uneven terrain with a heavy backpack on, hiking up and down steep inclines with icy and loose footing, using sharp tools and crampons with the potential for personal injury and ice and rock fall while climbing. Climbers will be roped in and wear helmets during all climbing which may be as high as 70 feet. Conditions may include temperatures-20F or colder, snow, sleet, high winds and very low wind-chill. Driving risks may include slick, icy roads, poor visibility and wildlife.
*Trip is offered in both spring and fall semesters*
Next scheduled offering is Sunday, September 10th 2023. Sign up HERE.
Trip description:
Climbing at Grapefruit Rocks in the White Mountains to the north of town is an awesome way to enjoy fall or spring in the interior. Beginners are encouraged to try some climbing with us. Veteran climbers will have the opportunity to learn more about the local crag. All equipment provided, no experience required, but show up willing to work hard on the hike up to the rocks.
Typical Itinerary:
9:00am - Meet at the OA office in the SRC. Gear up, and depart.
10:30am - Arrive at trailhead and hike to Grapefruit Rocks
11:00am-4:00pm - Climb
4:00pm - Drive back to campus
5:00pm - Arrive back at UAF
Things to bring:
- Daypack- backpack to carry all of your gear for the day that you can hike with
- Warm (non-cotton) clothes- dress in layers so you can adjust your temperature throughout the day.
- Boots or trail shoes for hiking with sturdy soles, no sandals. Prepare for snow on the trails.
- Climbing shoes, harness, and helmet (We will provide for those who need them.)
- Light puffy coat for between climbs
- Shell jacket, warm hat and gloves
- Lunch and snacks for a long day out
- Two liters of water (2 Nalgenes/ reusable water bottles)
Safety and Risk Management:
Due to the nature of outdoor travel there are certain inherent risks in all of Outdoor Adventure’s trips. Acceptable risks include but are not limited to: hiking over rough uneven terrain with a heavy backpack on, hiking up and down steep inclines with muddy and loose footing and rock fall while climbing. Climbers will be roped in and wear helmets during all climbing which may be as high as 60 feet. Conditions may include freezing temperatures, thunderstorms, rain, sleet and high winds. Driving risks may include slick roads, poor visibility and wildlife. Alaska is a wild place - you need to take ultimate responsibility for your own safety as only you can. For your protection we require you to carry health insurance. You can purchase insurance for $2.60/day from the University (ask for details). All info is subject to change due to safety, weather, current conditions, etc.! Rock climbing in the rain is not functional so the trip will be cancelled if it is wet and rainy.
Information coming soon
Information coming soon
Outdoor Adventures Trip Rules
- No drugs, alcohol or tobacco is allowed in the field on any OA trips.
- OA trips are for UAF Students, Staff and Faculty. People who sign up for trips may bring one guest who is not affiliated with UAF.
- OA trips are not intended for minors unless it is a specifically arranged for them.
- No pets may be brought on OA trips.
- No guns may be brought on OA trips.
- OA actively encourages participants to minimize their use of technology on our trips. This includes not: texting, making phone calls, posting on social media, or playing music aloud on devices while in the field.
- Everyone on OA trips will treat others respectfully. At OA, everyone fits in: We are diverse, attracting people of all ages and backgrounds, and everyone on our trips deserves to be treated respectfully.
- Participants on OA trips will strive to minimize their impact, and adhere to the Leave No Trace principles.
Outdoor Adventures Trips Refund Policy
Payment in full is required to sign up for a trip. A 100% refund is available if you notify the Outdoor Adventures Office of the cancellation more than two weeks (14 days) before the first day of the trip. Cancellation one week to 3 days (13 to 3 days) before the trip entitles the participant to a 50% refund. No refund is provided if the participant does not show up or cancels 2 days prior to the trip.
Contact us
Phone: 907-474-6027
Email: uaf-oa-staff@alaska.edu