Meeting minutes 263 days after Groundhog Day

Hey folks,

No sign ups this week, but there's still cool stuff going on!

PIST is having their rail jam tomorrow Friday the 16th at 6pm on Cathy Lawn, it's your chance to huck it real hard in front of all your classmates and professors.  

If surveys are what get you out of bed in the morning I've got a fucking treat for you:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe-1GBSjt7t52N2O-N_pkqh4XkBF0PhbRuLch8w_hHUkGeiOg/viewform

It's something about gear buying preferences

And now a message from your favorite local Breanne: "If you're interested in getting involved in a cause that raises funds and awareness for the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, then check out Pitt Dance Marathon!  Some committee members came to our meeting this week to give us information about the event and we've attached the presentation (https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1CByBai_ZJpvhJF-mlZ5yaUfcXNdmObpnDiEsCLj08pc/edit?usp=sharing) to this email if you'd like to learn more. If you're stoked on raising money for the kids and want to be more involved email Breanne (brm168@pitt.edu) if you'd like to be a team captain for PDM!"

Hope everyone has a good week.

Best,

Jon

Meeting minutes 256 days after Groundhog Day

Hey folks, 

Hope everyone was bequeathed good times by the spooky spirit of second Halloweekend.

This Saturday we're heading down to one of Pittsburgh's best hometown crags, Breakneck.  Channel the collective stoke of all the yinzers that have gone before you and throw down on some sweet sweet sport routes.  If you get stuck on a move, just picture Hines Ward, Bill Peduto, and Andrew Carnegie cheering you on and the ghost of Mr. Rogers will come down and guide you to a super positive undercling.  Sign up here to commune with the spirit of everyone's favorite neighbor: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf9ZHr2hMNz6nl8RwE1nq-wBp937dh670D_e-ocXRYQKvCuCw/viewform?usp=sf_link

Next weekend, the 16th -18th, there's going to be a hiking trip to Mt. Davis.  If getting high on hikes is your idea of a good time, you can't have more fun in Pennsylvania.  The top of Mt. Davis is the highest elevation in the Commonwealth, so as long as Wiz Khalifa is out of town you have a chance to be the highest person in PA.  Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdhmrXhBv-fjyjwlh9Cx2vdkrZCgtoJqrHnfUpESkyNm1abbg/viewform?usp=sf_link

If you have a couple minutes, it would be super awesome if you filled out this survey to help Megan get a little info about the community's awareness of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy: https://pitt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_87VfypEZm23POHH

Hope everyone has a better than normal week!

Best,

Jon

Meeting Minutes 263 days after Groundhog Day

Hey folks,

Last night we had sign ups for Cherry Springs and Seneca Rocks.  Both of these spots are so cool I had to put a coat on just to type this email.  

Cherry Springs is a PA state park in the Susquehannock State Forest and has some of the darkest skies on this side of the Mississippi River.  On clear nights when the moon is down you can see the Milky Way and the stars are so bright they cast a shadow.  I really can't stress enough how beautiful it is out there.  If you want to take a peak at space in a way few people get an opportunity to, fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScz8hAaDqYU9sDL7f8Kk86MJuiorzcO_yMrSulTe8zLoqrqzg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Seneca Rocks is our advanced climbing trip, so if you've been climbing before and want to do multi pitch trad routes with some of the coolest exposure on the east coast, this is your ticket.  There's also some super cool caving down in that part of West Virginia so if you want to get underground and think subways are dumb, this is the best way to do it.  You can sign up for climbing and caving here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfvrMOqjXNGWDeJZAJ1BNmadLoszlf0wf7rdLLDc12hvoBTGQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

Best,

Jon

Meeting Minutes 256 days since Groundhog Day

Hey folks,

I'm going to let you in on a little secret.  I'm real bad at my job, sorry this email is so late.  

We had sign ups for the Lewisburg Kaving trip, this boi is the advanced caving trip so if you're ready to crawl real hard throw your info at this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdzaHSQATQWdeAQuvtn5SQonDlGwos11xrES-AD3RhRcfDB4w/viewform?usp=sf_link

Also at the meeting Tuesday the man, myth, and legend Bryan Schultz came by to talk about an opportunity to study leadership in the Himalayas this summer.  This is the message he wanted us to pass along:

Hi Pitt Outdoor Club,

 

Thank you for inviting me to speak at your meeting this week about our new summer 2019 study abroad program, Leadership in the Himalayas. This email contains additional information about the program, which may interest you, given your membership to the Pitt Outdoor Club!

 

Leadership in the Himalayas is a 4 week, 6 credit program in May 2019. The focus of the program is on developing and utilizing your leadership skills and personal leadership style. The program combines classroom seminars, where you will learn about leadership theory, as well as the opportunity to apply your classroom learning on leadership in the field. The highlight of the program is a 10 day trek in the Indian Himalayas, where you'll be able to hone your skills in a real-world setting.

 

For additional information, pricing, and to apply, visit the program page: https://www.abroad.pitt.edu/leadership or contact Hillary, the program manager, athkoller@business.pitt.edu

 

Finally, we invite you to attend an information session on Tuesday, November 6 at 6pm in the Gold Room of the University Club. You'll hear from program faculty and staff, and come prepared with your questions! Refreshments will be served. Space is limited and registration is required – you can sign up by emailing Hillary.

 

 

 

Bryan Schultz
Director of International Programs

University of Pittsburgh | College of Business Administration
2112 Sennott Square, 210 South Bouquet
Pittsburgh, PA | 15260

bryanschultz@business.pitt.edu | 412.383.7321
www.cba.pitt.edu

We love you Bryan.

In other news, we got word from an Outdoors Club alum the other day about a cool opportunity in the mountains.  Sean Yew was a club member from 2002-2007 and is now a Computer Science professor at Montana State in Bozeman, Montana.  If anyone is psyched to work on a PhD in Computer Science or Math and live in the outdoors capital of the Northern Rockies he has funding for grad students and wanted to extend an offer to club members.

This is a link describing his work: https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cs.montana.edu%2Fyaw%2F&data=02%7C01%7Crsk35%40pitt.edu%7Ceafcca8b74c84ca8c70e08d62fbc980e%7C9ef9f489e0a04eeb87cc3a526112fd0d%7C1%7C0%7C636748884421805621&sdata=YKfQSRUa5G9SwOfXpc3LP%2B7%2BhNFtZk%2BYuKgrOV4H%2Fqc%3D&reserved=0

And this is his contact info: Sean Yaw

Assistant Professor
Gianforte School of Computing, Montana State University
(406) 994-4791
sean.yaw@montana.edu

https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=www.cs.montana.edu%2Fyaw&data=02%7C01%7Crsk35%40pitt.edu%7Ceafcca8b74c84ca8c70e08d62fbc980e%7C9ef9f489e0a04eeb87cc3a526112fd0d%7C1%7C0%7C636748884421805621&sdata=3r%2FjJ0DdetWMaktv%2B%2BLHSFNV3nSP4DTNz%2BX8vqmWXW8%3D&reserved=0 

It's important to give back to your community and working to have a positive impact on the spaces around you is always fulfilling and worthwhile.  If you've got some spare time, consider checking out volunteer opportunities with the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy at this page: https://www.pittsburghparks.org/volunteer

You guys are the best,

Jon

Meeting Minutes 249 days after Groundhog Day

Hey folks,

Do you like walking really far?

Are you a fan of scenic vistas?

Does everything you need for a weekend fit in a backpack?

Do gophers scare you?

You should try DOLLY SODS™!

Dolly Sods is our intermediate backpacking trip to this super cool spot in good ol' West Verganeeyuh.  Y'all'll be hoofin it right round 20 megafeet over the weekend so this is the kind of trip where you want some experience packing with your back before you go.  The trip will be from Friday the 19th to the 21st, sign up here if you're stoked: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSetgWVFaQx5zmxLbWBmjCED4KIh7a53gOAH-kJmB5t6GOTDIQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

Grab your most fortuitous cookware and get ready for some wholesome gosh darn camaraderie because Nicole is having a potluck Wednesday night.  Bring food and your beautiful selves.  

And now a message from everyone's favorite local Breanne: 

If you're interested in some handy dandy volunteering for our parks, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy offers tons of opportunities! This week, there's garden volunteering at Schenley Plaza on Thursday. Check out the website for more information! 

https://www.pittsburghparks.org/volunteer

Good luck an midterms!

Best,

Jon

P.S. Pitt doesn't recycle

Meeting minutes 242 days after Groundhog Day

Hey folks,

Don't tell my mom, but this is what went down at the meeting yesterday.

There were sign ups for the fall break trip to the New River gorge.  Personally I'm a big fan of the Old River gorge but I guess their new stuff is good too.  The New has some incredible rock climbing, world class whitewater, beautiful hikes, and sweet caves.  If you have a mountain bike we might be busting those out as well.  If you're interested in climbing and don't already know how to belay, you need to go up to the climbing wall in Trees Hall for a belay lesson.  There should be someone from the outdoors club there Monday-Thursday 4:30-7p and Monday after 8p.  

Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdq-upQe3dPY5harSp9Z2EpdjMb1MWFQIDIEGqb7KqnMX8ogw/viewform?usp=sf_link

I think that's pretty much it. Seriously, don't tell my mom.

Best,

Jon

Meeting Minutes 235 days after Groundhog Day

Hey folks,

We put the ee back in meeting last night and here's what went down.

  

There's a trip next weekend the 6th and 7th to Rothrock and Raystown lake for some super sweet mountain biking.  If you have your own bike, we'll be heading out to Rothrock the first day, there are some incredible ridgeline trails and the chunkiest of gnar out there just waiting to be sent.  If you're renting a bike I think the game plan is to drive out Sunday and ride the Allegripis trails at Raystown Lake.  These trails are some USDA approved grade A beef just begging to be grilled up and slapped on the next great american shredburger.  If you're ready to channel your inner Sendrannosaurs Rex then toss your info at this here form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSei59DWXwXFBcO851H2DQ6jTquOSonLxlncI4Cs_ILl3DITuQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

If you've got any club gear from the last couple trips, it would be real swell if you let us know so we can get all that stuff sorted out.  

And now a brief message from the wonderful Steve Milov,

 If you're interested in some handy dandy volunteering for our parks, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy offers tons of opportunities! 

This week, there's garden volunteering at Frick Environmental Center, Schenley Plaza, and Sheradan Park.

Check out the website! Or don't.  But still do. 

https://www.pittsburghparks.org/park-events

Hope everyone has a surprisingly good week.

Best,

Jon

Meeting Minutes 221 days after Groundhog Day

Hey folks,

The meeting yesterday was awesome, but admittedly, uneventful. 

If you've got any borrowed gear from the Ohiopyle trip, it would be super cool if you let us know or bring it to the next meeting.  You can get in touch with our illustrious gear master, Michelle, at 703-577-1556.  

If you're psyched on mountain biking, slacklining, or any combination of the two, shoot us an email with your phone number and we'll get you added to the group messages.  

I think that's pretty much it, hope everyone has a great week. 

Best,

Jon

Meeting minutes 214 days after Groundhog Day

Hey folks,

Last night we had a meeting.  It was a good meeting.  People signed up for things.  One of those things was backpacking in Laurel Highlands.  It is a good trip.  You should go.  The trip is September 14-16.  It's the beginner backpacking trip.  No experience or gear needed.  It's good times.  Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeQDmQJJVRQrbVx08Mk7EJUoJz3-fh2bigVC-i0m16Xo_x91Q/viewform?usp=sf_link

The club got some slack lines.  They're good slack lines.  If you want to slackline you should join the slacklining groupme.  If you want to do that email us with your phone number.  

There are a lot of mountain biking trails in Pittsburgh.  They're good trails.  If you want to ride them with cool people you should join the mountain biking groupme.  If you want to do that email us with your phone number.  

Have a good week.

Best,

Jon

Tuesday Meeting and Laurel Highlands Signups!

Hi all, 

Come out tonight for our second meeting of the semester! (9:15 pm on the WPU patio). We've had a lot of new members join in the past week, so will be extending signups for this weekend's Ohiopyle trip (September 7th-9th) until the end of tonight's meeting. If you're interested in going on a trip, please make sure you've paid your dues and signed a waiver! Dues are $10 for the semester or $15 for the year, and can be paid to Nicole or Thayjas in cash at our meetings. 

The roster for Ohiopyle will be released by Wednesday morning, so if you've signed up make sure to check your inbox as we'll be following up with more details on the trip. If you aren't able to get on the trip this time around, don't get discouraged as we have a lot planned for this semester! If you're curious I've attached a tentative schedule of where we'll be going and when. Our next trip will be backpacking in the Laurel Highlands on the weekend of September 14th-16th. Signups for that open tonight! 

All the best,

—Kieran 

First meeting minutes (208 days after Groundhog Day)

Hey folks,

It was super awesome to see new faces and old friends back on the patio tonight!  Hope everyone's ready to start this semester off at a run, because we have 30 trips planned and more collective psych than is safe for human consumption.  

If you haven't yet, you'll need to fill out this waiver (http://www.pittoutdoors.com/waiver.pdf) and bring it to the next meeting with your dues.  Dues are $10 for the semester or $15 for the year.  Once you've punched that golden ticket you're set to send every weekend until there's snow on the ground.  

This year the sign up process for trips is going to be a little different.  On trips where there are multiple activities, folks are going to sign up for the activity that they want to do, and we'll determine cutoffs based on that.  Basically it means that if you get on a trip, you'll get to do what you came there to do instead of getting your stoke stifled because there aren't enough seats in the raft.  

That being said, get ready to tie in, lace up, or grab a paddle because the first trip this year is to Ohiopyle.  This little local wonderland has some super sweet whitewater, awesome hikes, and grade A climbing.  We'll be down there September 7-9.  That's the weekend of the Pitt-Penn State game, so you are going to have to make a tough decision.  In these trying times I would just like everyone to remember that nature and trees are way cooler to be around than people from State College.  

Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd9OC8IZvo0t8bs8xI28hM02wEOU1RkKUNBzJLvORoXgtH7oQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

If slacklining is what stokes your psych head over to the trees by Dippy the Dinosaur in front of the Carnegie Library this Friday at 6pm where the slackline chairs Finley and Steve will be setting up lines.  If you want to be added to the slackline GroupMe shoot us an email.  

Mountain bike group rides are going to be starting up again as well, so if you have a mountain bike and want to shred some fair-trade cage-free organic locally grown gnar give us a heads up and we'll add you to that group chat.  

Hope everyone's first week of classes are going well, and that you're all ready for some long Thursday nights in the library so we can go hang out in the woods all weekend.  

Best,

Jon

Potluck 74 days after Groundhog Day

Hey folks,

It's been a great semester, so before we all sell our souls to finals come down and kick it with all your friends at an awesome potluck.  Cook, buy, or steal your favorite food or drinks and bring them down to G24 Cathy Tuesday night at 9pm.  It's guaranteed to be good times with great people!  Hope to see everyone there!

Best,

Jon

Meeting minutes 67 days after Groundhog Day

Hey folks,

The meeting tonight was great.

We had sign ups for backpacking at Dolly Sods April 20-22, it's our intermediate backpacking trip and if you're psyched for that you can sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeyeXCt_2yoHzwZ6TVoMZzB5blH4r61IzA_SrS4hx7OJMBAZw/viewform?usp=sf_link

Also on April 21 there's a kayaking day trip going up to Slippery Rock Creek, if that floats your boat you can sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd1dKNo8pkQ-6mrwEfipei8b1F14GtKyyFrw3DsKxcbUowxEA/viewform?usp=sf_link

If you're going to be around over the summer and want to get outside with some cool people throw your info in this form and we'll get a group chat going or something. 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSckwIwiW3cPqVg-1l9ke5Tn5TR32BAjhDvE8U1_e_VJfqKnnw/viewform?usp=sf_link

Best,

Jon 

Meeting 67 days after Groundhog Day

Hey folks,

We're meeting in Cathy G24 tonight at 9pm, come on down and have a great time with great people.  There will be sign ups for backpacking in Dolly Sods and kayaking on Slippery Rock Creek.  

Dolly Sods is our intermediate backpacking trip, it's going out April 20-22 and it's an awesome trip to an beautiful area.  The views are stunning and if you look real hard you might be able to find a landmine!

The Slippery Rock Creek trip is a day trip on April 21st, it's an intermediate kayaking trip and it's going to be frickin sweet.  

Today is the last day to jump in on the La Sportiva group order.  If you want to get some super swanky shoes for real cheap, this is the ticket.  The available items are listed here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1g4G_WpgIp9czVaTeGrFJe5XlNxHXV3Sx4u_Tuc1tXgY/edit?usp=sharing 

Here's a link to the order form: https://goo.gl/forms/EBVkMFqMpdDlZLZ63 

If there's anything you want, fill out the order form and bring cash or a check made out to the University of Pittsburgh to the meeting tonight. 

We're selling t-shirts tonight as well.  They'll be $15 and they come with instant positive self image and the admiration of your peers. 

Hope to see everyone there tonight!

Best,

Jon Nigra

Fwd: Fw: PittServes Volunteer Opportunity this Weekend

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Nigra, Jonathan <JTN19@pitt.edu>
Date: Thu, Apr 5, 2018 at 12:24 PM
Subject: Fw: PittServes Volunteer Opportunity this Weekend
To: Pitt Outdoors <outdoorsclub.pitt@gmail.com>

---

From: Rita Keil <rita.s.keil@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 5, 2018 10:23 AM
To: Nigra, Jonathan
Subject: Fwd: PittServes Volunteer Opportunity this Weekend

 

Could you forward this to the club, please?

Thanks!

Rita

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Capella, Abigail Rose <arc119@pitt.edu>
Date: Thu, Apr 5, 2018 at 9:04 AM
Subject: PittServes Volunteer Opportunity this Weekend
To: "Keil, Rita Shanon" <rsk35@pitt.edu>

Dear Rita,

I am a senior working in the office of PittServes with a volunteer project this Sunday that may interest the Outdoors Club. We will be going to Repair the World (transportation provided) to do some gardening work. We have a backup plan for indoors in the case of bad weather. It will go from 10:30am - 2pm. If you could, please pass this on to your organization. We still have many spots left!! 

Here is the link to sign up: https://volunteer.pitt.edu/opportunity/a0C3600000BoG2VEAV 

Please let me know if you have any questions. 

Abby Capella

Student Civic Engagement Council

University of Pittsburgh 2018

arc119@pitt.edu | scec@pitt.edu 

April Brand of the Month - La Sportiva... Again!

Hi Folks!

Back by popular demand, we have La Sportiva as our Brand of the Month! Thanks to the nice people at College Outdoors, we are able to order shoes wholesale, and pass along the discount to yinz!

A bit about La Sportiva: they make quality climbing, hiking, and running shoes.

Here is the link to the items:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1g4G_WpgIp9czVaTeGrFJe5XlNxHXV3Sx4u_Tuc1tXgY/edit?usp=sharing 

Here is the link to the order form:
https://goo.gl/forms/EBVkMFqMpdDlZLZ63 


If you would like to be a part of the group order, please fill out the order form, and give me cash or check (made out to the University of Pittsburgh) for the correct amount (as listed in the items spreadsheet). Here is when you can turn in your orders or ask me questions: 

TODAY, April 4th  4-7 pm 

Trees Hall Climbing Wall 

Tuesday, April 10th  9 pm 

Outdoor Club Meeting 

All orders are final, so be sure you pick out the right size/style/color! All orders and money are due no later than Tuesday, April 10th (next weeks meeting). I will place the order Wednesday, April 11th, and the gear should arrive the following week. 

If you have any questions, comments, or ideas, let me know!

All the best,

Nicole Thompson

net26@pitt.edu / nthompson2298@gmail.com / (909)395-6364

P.S. Have a great day!

Meeting Minutes 305 days before Groundhog Day

Hey folks,

Today's meeting was super productive so get ready for a novel.

Tonight Nicole gave an awesome presentation about getting employed in the outdoors, and she put together this great list of places you can apply if you're trying to get paid to hang out in the woods.   https://docs.google.com/document/d/19BcPdvg4EfJnSJ6K-X05sS6oO4qLzfyDfqs6ohIILxk/edit?usp=sharing

We had sign ups for Seneca tonight, which will be from Friday the 13th to Sunday the 15th of April.  Seneca has amazing multipitch climbs that are sandbagged all to hell but tons of fun, and some super sweet caves to crawl around in.  If you want to climb at Seneca and don't have a ton of experience following on trad climbs or working systems for multipitch you'll need to come to a workshop on that stuff.  They'll be up at the climbing wall in Trees Monday and Wednesday from 4-7pm and Thursday 7:30-10pm. 

Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeFZFbfyJD3b5wPzB2ScTYuGQ-oVoiiRl6gKU_OMeyPA5gKzA/viewform?usp=sf_link

That same weekend (April 13-15) there's going to be a beginner backpacking trip in the Laurel Highlands.  The hike isn't super long or challenging so it's perfect if you haven't done a backpacking trip before and want to give it a try!

Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfexJC3TFp_u_uWn7nkWM7zVl40CxjJxCZ2iFDLCiCqPFOuwg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Friday the 13 we're going with the Archery Club out to Boyce Park to get medieval and shoot some arrows at stuff.  The trip will be heading out at 2pm and will get back to Oakland around 7.  Naturally you get bonus points if you dress up like Katniss or Robin Hood.  

Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfvr28B_Uz-wATznmh_A0m7LrqfHVtjpsKdCVBICtsfZ1h7Qg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Here's a short message from your friendly neighborhood trail running chairs:

"Hey runners! We're looking to schedule a few runs before the end of the semester and need to gauge interest and see when y'all are free. We're trying to plan 2 trail runs a week for the last few weeks and are also investigating the feasibility of a day trip out to North Park or somewhere to run lots of trails over the course of a day.

If you're interested in the weekly runs let us know your availability here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdIkrwBbUZCZz_CW7ouPBBdLELGGnyTJ0iY8LKnJnP-5OgRrA/viewform?usp=sf_link

If you're interested in the day trip let us know here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc5jsx3YkhcAV_sPPobLGd_6rWZ9MeIqFeNsiFY0SYmue1XQw/viewform?usp=sf_link

See you on the trails!

-Alex and Nathan"

Frick Park is having an awesome Earth Day volunteering event Saturday April 21st from 8-11am.  Come out and help to good work to make the park a better place!  If you're the cynical sort who doesn't care for volunteer work, still come out because there's going to be food!  If you're interested in going to that head to the park's website and register so they know how many people are coming. 

Park's website: https://www.pittsburghparks.org/earth-day

Next week we're selling t-shirts to whoever wants them, they'll be $15. 

There's going to be another group order of La Sportiva gear pretty soon too, so if you want to get some sweet gear at a deep discount shoot us an email to let us know.  

I think that's everything, hope everyone's having a solid week!

Best,

Jon

Meeting 305 days before Groundhog Day

Hey folks, 

There is a meeting tonight in Cathy G24 tonight at 9pm.

We will have a presentation about getting jobs in the outdoors this summer. This is definitely something worth listening to because we all like the outdoors and we all want money so we can do more things outdoors. 

Sign-ups for the Seneca and Laurel Highlands trips are happening tonight also. Seneca is an advanced climbing and intermediate caving trip that is always a fun one. If you like tall climbs, small caves and staying in cabins, this trip is the one for you. Laurel highlands is our beginner backpacking trip. Its nothing too challenging and is open to anyone who is interested. Both of these trips are next weekend so there is really no way to do both. 

We will also be doing sign-ups for an archery event Friday with the Archery club. This event is open to everyone, so whether you've never shot arrows into targets before or if you do it on the regular, this event is for you. There will more details about this at the meeting. 

We may have lost to Pitt Women's Frisbee in the Pitt News bracket but that wont stop us from doing what we do best: camping, hiking, climbing, mountain biking, caving, white-water-ing and biscuit eating down at the New this weekend. 

Hope this rain isn't slowly ruining your will to live and that you still find time to do some cool things outdoors. 

Best,

Sofia 

(your next year's secretary)

Meeting Minutes from 53 days after Groundhog Day

Hey folks,

Tonight we had sign ups for the New River Gorge trip going out April 6-8.  It's going to be awesome and you should try to come if you can! Here's the link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdMnOUCuXwIJQZRUXkmpMd9LgvoDsOwD19O7nribCt38DoVtQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

We made it to the next week in the Pitt News' bracket!  We're up against the Women's Ultimate Team this week so we've got to pull out all the stops to get those sweet sweet sandwiches.  Go to pittnews.com and vote, not just because it'll get you free food, but also because it's been scientifically proven that eating food you didn't pay for makes you climb like three grades harder.

Also, some folks from the Sierra Club are working on a Clean Rivers Campaign here in Pittsburgh that aims to do something about the city's sewers.  Pittsburgh has this awesome sewer system that combines stormwater and sewage management.  That means that every time it rains for more than like 15 minutes the sewers overflow and dump gallons upon gallons of literal shit into the rivers, which is really great for the environment and human health.  If you want to support that campaign and hear more about it, sign up on this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12t_bEg_iuZRn2uYR2MaatcvJ3HMjrR-BnxMHON99AOg/edit

Best,

Jon

Meeting 53 days after Groundhog Day

Hey folks,

We're meeting in G24 Cathy tonight at 9pm, it's going to be great times and everyone should come through.  

Sign ups for the New River Gorge trip will be tonight.  This trip is super swanky, with some world class climbing, hiking, mountain biking, caving, and white water.  More than that though, right across the bridge from where we'll be staying there is a magical place full of happiness and carbs called Biscuit World, and going down to the New affords us the chance to bask in its wonderful artery-clogging light.  

Speaking of food, we beat the Oakland Zoo and made it to the next round of the Pitt News' student org. bracket!  We're one week closer to free lunch!  This week we're up against the Women's Ultimate team, so everyone should head to pittnews.com and vote for us.  It's food folks, everyone needs it, paying for it is lame, and stealing it is kinda illegal, but voting for it is always a good idea. 

Best,

Jon

Democracy

Hey folks,

Sorry for the double email, but I forgot to say we're cooler than the Pitt band. We beat them in the Pitt News' March Madness bracket thing last week! This week we're going against the Oakland Zoo, so go to pittnews.com and vote to bring us one step closer to free food and happiness. 

Best,

Jon

Meeting Minutes 3/20

Hey folks,

Last night we had the sign ups for Ohiopyle.  The trip is from March 30 to April 1 and will have climbing, hiking, and whitewater.  If you're psyched on that you can sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc5VMn0fDoiWfx93JTBJmlbW7FgpXtD6h64Xxws70vqxDabMw/viewform?usp=sf_link

The Outdoors Club T-shirts are in so if you ordered one bring $15 to the next meeting to pick it up.  

This Sunday we're hosting a bouldering comp for Pitt students at the climbing wall in Trees Hall from 12:30 - 4:00.  There's a suggested donation of $10 that will go to First Waves, a Pittsburgh non-profit that teaches under-served youth about paddle boarding, film making, and waterway conservation.  Here's a link to the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/978164162341520/

Also Sunday WPTS is having their Radio Ride bike race.  The race is an alleycat that starts at the Bike Cave under Posvar and ends at OTB in the Southside.  Registration starts at 11:30 and the race starts at noon.  For more info or to pre-register check out this link: http://wptsradio.org/radioride./

Best,

Jon

Meeting 47 days after Groundhog Day

Hey folks,  

We're meeting in G24 Cathy at 9pm tomorrow, March 21.  

T-shirts are in, so if you ordered one bring $15 and be sure to emotionally prepare yourself to be the most fashionable son/daughter of a gun on campus.

Sign ups for Ohiopyle will be tonight, the trip is March 30 to April 1 so bust out your bunny ears and unleavened bread because you'll be Passover and Easter in the woods with all the coolest kids at Pitt.  There will be all kinds of psych stoking stuff to do on this trip, including whitewater rafting, climbing, and all that sweet sweet hiking. 

Hope everyone's having a bearable Monday!

Best,

Jon

Meeting minutes for 39 days after Groundhog Day

Hey folks,

Here's the sign up for the March 24 trip to Raystown Lake for some awesome mountain biking.  

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeJ5ZjCbcf8IjKjGUuwGMmIP0VMIk0QzAjlFjTidOHB3439eg/viewform?usp=sf_link

If you don't have a mountain bike don't despair, we're renting a bunch for the day so if want to ride all you need is your self and a willingness to shred.  

On March 25th, from 12:30 - 4 the Pitt Climbing Wall is holding a friendly bouldering open house for Pitt students, there will be a bunch of cool new problems set for people to send and chances to win some sweet sweet prizes.

Last but not least, the Pitt News is doing a March Madness bracket thing with all the student orgs on campus, and the winner gets a whole bunch of free food from Hello Bistro.  To win we just have to go to https://pittnews.com once a week and vote for ourselves, we're up against the band this week though so all that free food isn't going to come without a fight.  People are already getting psyched for midterm elections, but their a long ways off.  Think of this as voting practice, but instead of effecting political change you're voting for free lunch.  Everyone likes lunch.  Lunch is bipartisan as hell.  So get out there and prove Friedman wrong, vote Free Lunch 2018.

Best,

Jon

Meeting 39 days after Groundhog Day

Hey folks,

We're meeting tonight at 9 in G24 Cathy.  Tonight there will be sign ups for the mountain biking day trip to Raystown Lake on March 24th.  We'll be renting bikes so you don't need a mountain bike to come, but if you have one by all means bring it.  Hope to see everyone tonight!

Best,

Jon

25 days after Groundhog Day

Hey folks,

I'm sorry to bum you out like this right in the middle of midterms, but we're not having a meeting this week.  

If you need a super fun study break though, you should fill out this awesome survey.  It'll brighten your day and help us make the Outdoors Club better! 

 https://goo.gl/forms/JV5F0v2TPRrnQtXi2  

Hope everyone kills it on their midterms and has a great spring break!

Best,

Jon

Brand of the Month - Steep Deals on La Sportiva Shoes

Hi Folks!

You might have already heard, but....  the Outdoors Club is establishing a sweeet Brand of the Month deal through College Outside! Every month we will highlight a particular brand, which we are able to get products at steep discounts (think wholesale prices here) and extend those savings to you through a group order (s/o to College Outdoors, the real MVP).

Our first Brand of the Month is La Sportiva, a company that makes quality climbing, hiking, and running shoes. If your looking to hit the crags once PA finally dries out and hit the gym in the meantime, this is definitely something you should take advantage of.

Here is the link to the items:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1g4G_WpgIp9czVaTeGrFJe5XlNxHXV3Sx4u_Tuc1tXgY/edit?usp=sharing

 

Here is the link to order items:

https://goo.gl/forms/Wke1VBQIzvRduhoo2

 

If you would like to be a part of the group order, please fill out the order form, and give me cash or check (made out to the University of Pittsburgh) for the correct amount (as listed in the items spreadsheet). I will be at the Tree's Hall Climbing Wall the following dates and times to collect money and answer questions:

Friday, Feb. 23 2-7pm

Saturday, Feb 24 1-6pm

Monday,  Feb 26 8-10pm

Wednesday, Feb 28 4-7pm

 

There are no returns or exchanges, so make sure you choose the appropriate size/style/color of whatever you want. All orders and money should be turned in no later than Thursday March 1st (1 week from today). The gear should arrive just after Spring Break!

 

If you have any questions, comments, or ideas, let me know!

All the best,

Nicole Thompson

net26@pitt.edu / nthompson2298@gmail.com / (909)395-6364

P.s. Have a great day!

P.p.s. To all the folks trying to unsubscribe to our mailing list, we will miss you dearly, but here is how: http://pittoutdoors.blogspot.com/p/faq.html

Meeting minutes 18 days after Groundhog Day

Hey folks,

We didn't really do much tonight, there was some awesome slacklining and Olivia and Steve showed off some dope talents.  Everyone should check out the email Nicole sent out to snag some gear at a nice steep discount.  The Student Office of Sustainability is showing a sustainability film festival this Friday from 7-10 on the fifth floor of the Union, it looks pretty sweet.

Hope everyone has a nice night and a great spring break!

Best,

Jon

Meeting tonight location change

Hey folks,

Sorry this is coming so late, but it's way too nice to stay inside so we're not going to.  The meeting tonight is moving from g24 cathy to the William Pitt Union Patio.  It's still at 9pm, just outside now.  

Best,

Jon

Meeting 18 days after Groundhog Day // The Outdoors've Got Talent

Hey folks,

We're meeting in G24 Cathy at 9pm this Tuesday, 2/20.  There aren't going to be any sign ups or anything, because we've got something cooler than spreadsheets, a Glam Rock talent show.  Grab some facepaint, platform shoes, and all the sequins and glitter you can find and get ready to rock Cathy like it's the 1970's.  If you've got a talent that's not related to Bowie, Twisted Sister, or anything in-between, by all means show it off too, and if you want to play some audio or video instead of doing your thing live that's cool too!

Best, 

Jon 

Meeting Minutes 2/13

We've created a survey to make it really easy for you to give us feedback we can use to plan more of the trips you want to see and make the club better this semester and next year. None of the fields are required so feel free to leave as many or as few comments as you'd like
https://goo.gl/forms/JV5F0v2TPRrnQtXi2

Sign up for Lewisburg caving 2/23-2/25. Staying in cabins, should be swanky
https://goo.gl/forms/5P8Tge7lDfe8byqk1

Email Berg if you want to go mountain biking at LewisBerg. You'll need your own bike and to be an intermediate to advanced rider

The club is volunteering on a clean up and tree planting downtown this Sunday 2/18 from 9:30am - 2pm.
https://volunteer.pitt.edu/opportunity/a0C3600000Bnnq7EAB

Go Ape high ropes and zip lining in North Park is  hiring outdoors club members for spring and summer
https://goape.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=56

Our friendly Redbull rep invited us to race across Europe April 10-17 using only Redbull as currency. Deadline to apply is today at 5:59pm
https://canyoumakeit.redbull.com/en/details/

Dates for the big spring trips are finalized. We may add a couple smaller trips along the way. Check dates out here
http://pittoutdoors.blogspot.com/p/calendar.html?m=1

Finley is getting a slacklining groupme  going, fill out this form to get in on that sweet balancey action

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdxdPc-4kbjY3BPCuLqzla59o-1kanC2MyplW_2kZNkZDEziw/viewform?c=0&w=1

Steel City Slackers is having a slacklining workshop Saturday 2/17 at Ascend, check that goodness out

https://www.facebook.com/events/200320480549279/

And lastly, a Valentine

Meeting 2-13!

Hey folks, 

We're meeting in Tuesday at 9pm in 236 Cathy this week!  There are going to be sign ups for the Lewisburg caving trip that's going out February 23rd to the 25th, so if you're psyched on crawling through some caves swing by and get yourself on that list.  

 We're getting some sweet t-shirts so if you want one of those for like $10-15, fill out this form: 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeFThhPeKiw31bEBFzLa4GjShGhn9heGnzZtv7LN-y-KHNWvw/viewform?usp=sf_link

If you've got some free time, check out this survey.  This dude is designing some sweet outdoor gear and is looking for input from people who like to spend their time out in the woods. 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Z3LK5XL

If you're staying in Pittsburgh this summer and are looking for some friends to go backpacking on weekends with, shoot Nicole an email at nec53@pitt.edu.  She's looking to get a squad of summer psyched backpackers and campers together.

Best,

Jon

2/6 Meeting Minutes

Hey folks,

     Elections tonight went super well, there was no Russian meddling or anything!  Congrats and good luck to everyone who was elected to the POC board for next year! 

For everyone who's psyched on sending and tearing up some climbing competitions, Sophia is starting Pitt's first ever Competitive Climbing Team!  If you're interested, read and fill out this survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScMiFqEGuNNB8z_hbrjmDBH4BI1lMyKxb9Ob_7tBakBTTBTRA/viewform

If you have any other questions, shoot Sophia an email at skl20@pitt.edu.

POC t-shirt forms are going out again.  If you want to spend $10-15 on the coolest shirt you've ever owned fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeFThhPeKiw31bEBFzLa4GjShGhn9heGnzZtv7LN-y-KHNWvw/viewform?usp=sf_link

If you've signed up for a shirt already you don't have to fill the form out again.  

Best,

Jon

Pro-deal for the people

Hey folks,

Sorry about the double email, but Nicole got everyone in the club hooked up with a rad pro deal!  This is the message from College Outside:

You guys are about to be so stoked. The POC is now a member of College Outside, a pro-deal site exclusively for students. This means that as long as you are a student and a part of the Pitt Outdoors Club, you get access to 25-50% discounts on top outdoor brands. College Outside has gear for all activities - anything from camping to skiing to ice climbing to mountain biking - from the biggest brand names (Black Diamond, Gregory, Marmot, to name a few). All active members will receive an email with your own personal login information soon. This gives you access to the online store. Go check out College Outside on Facebook & Instagram for the latest updates, discounts, and competitions. 

If you are new to the club and looking to join for the spring semester, dues are only $10. Waivers will be available at the meeting or on the POC website.  Membership gives you access to our trips and free gear for borrow from our gear room. 

This is a sweet deal and definitely something worth taking advantage of while you're still in school.  Gear can get expensive, but the stock market is rigged, banks are ponzi schemes, and bitcoin is made up, so really the only financially responsible thing to do is invest in cams.

Best,

Jon  

2/6 Meeting, now with elections!

Hey folks,

We're meeting at 9pm in 313 Cathy tomorrow, February 6th, for everyone's favorite political process, POC elections!  Its a crazy and wonderful thing to be a part of.  Anything could happen, Ralph Nader could win, we could decide to disband the club and sell all of the tents and kayaks to buy scratch-off lottery tickets, the sky is really the limit.  If you want to run for a position on the board just shoot us an email, and start writing the most moving, heartfelt speech you can muster, because if you make me cry I promise I'll vote for you.  

Also, t-shirt orders are going out again!  They'll probably end up being $10-$15.  If you want in on that super fashionable goodness just fill out this form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeFThhPeKiw31bEBFzLa4GjShGhn9heGnzZtv7LN-y-KHNWvw/viewform?usp=sf_link

Ascend is having another Big Free Yoga this Saturday, so if you're stoked to get stretchy there's more info on their Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/events/141417643184241/

Best,

Jon

Marketing and Elections

We are teaming up with a marketing class to do a focus group on outdoor gear this Wednesday 1/31 at 6pm in Mervis Hall room 119. It should take about an hour to an hour and a half. There will be free pizza and drinks! Please RSVP to Jon Rusoff at jmr219@pitt.edu or 914-648-0330 if you want to attend. They need about 4-5 outdoorsy boys and 4-5 outdoorsy girls. Come spray about why your gear is supreme! 

We'll have board elections on 2/6 at 9pm, so come out to pitch why people should vote for you, ask hard questions of each other, and decide the club's fate next year. Joining the Outdoors Club board is a great way to gain leadership experience, grow the club, make really close friends, and give back to a club that has given so much to you. Coming to vote gives you a voice in the club's tone and objectives for next year. The candidates will not see who voted for them, so you needn't worry.

If you wish to run, please email Rita (rsk35@pitt.edu) with the position you're interested in. Attached is a document with descriptions of all the positions, but in short, there are the board positions of president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer, and the chair positions of climbing, hiking, caving, whitewater, slacklining, mountain biking, trail running, and social/service/special events. There's also the extremely important gear master position, which rumor has it, is a one-way track to becoming president. The club is open to having co-chairs so if you don't want to run against your best friend, fear not, you could both share a position. 

People voted in in February will assist the current board and learn how to do their duties through the rest of the semester, and then take full control starting in the fall.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GXmb6IQyEeeBzoE3x5t2FEpDmcuUDzLKKqOvNdpJnVo/edit?usp=sharing

No Man's Land Film Festival

Hey folks,

Is your stoke tank running a little low in the bleak midwinter?  Well get ready to brim that sucker, because we're having a free showing of the No Man's Land Film Festival this Saturday, January 20th in 107 Lawrence.  

No Man's Land is a super cool film fest that highlights some of the badass women who are out there crushing it and pushing the boundaries of outdoor and adventure sports.  The doors open at 6:30pm and films start at 7:00.  

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/389625101487292/

No Man's Land site: http://nomanslandfilmfestival.org

Hope to see everyone there!

Best,

Jon

1-16 Meeting Minutes

Hey folks,

Bryan Schultz was in tonight talking about a super cool study abroad opportunity in the Himalaya.  It's a four week course that will take place in the spring of 2019.  The course material will be in outdoor leadership and there will be a two week long trek in the mountains.  If you're interested and want some more info get in touch with him at brs115@pitt.edu. 

Hope everyone has an awesome week.

Best,

Jon

1-16 Meeting

Hey folks,

      Welcome back to school, hope everyone had a good time over winter break.  Our first meeting of the semester will be tonight at 9pm in room 204 of the Cathedral.  Bryan Schultz will be by tonight to talk about an Outdoor Leadership study abroad program in the Himalayas. 

If you've got any gear to return get in touch with Kieran at the meeting tonight, or send him a text at (617) 584-3505.

Hope everyone's staying warm!

Best,

Jon