Taking a break
Sites for campers vary Some prefer the sun, others choose snow
by Marian Weeks Kansan staff writer
Some campers love the sun and head south, and some head for the highlands to catch the tail of winter.
Bill Downey, Neodesha junior, said he had done both snow and desert camping in an Outward Bound program in Spring 1896. The class was offered through Oklahoma State University.
university.
Canyon Lands, Utah, where the class spent the first month of its outdoor training is his favorite vacation spot, Downey said.
Downey said he liked to watch the desert sunsets reflected on the cliffs.
"It's one of the most sensuous places I've ever been in my life. It has huge smooth sandstone rocks. It changes colors as it comes down. Huge slack cliffs.
"Any opportunity I have for a vacation it's camping," he said.
Come spring break, Downey plans to go to
Canyon Lakes if he can get off work, he said.
In addition to the Canyon Lands desert experience, the class climbed Mount Elbert
in the Colorado Rocky Mountains for winter camping
camping.
They made ice huts by packing snow mounds and scoping out the center like an atlou. Downey said.
1900. Downey also
they lived in the snow huts two days.
They lived in the snow huts two days.
He has a fondness for back country in
Mexico.
"No one can get to you. You're all alone, but it's a lot of work," he said.
but it's a lack of
Downey said he would not lead a group into the mountains for snow camping with a man expert on hiking, but he had led groups on hikes in warmer regions. He emphasized that training in cold-weather dressing, hypotherma prevention, nutrition and avalanche awareness was needed for mountain camping.
Perry Lake and Clinton Reservoir are good places to camp locally, Downey said.
He said he liked Rock Haven on the side of Clinton because it was as close to us as to pitch a tandem.
Marie Kelly, Tulsa, Okla., senior, said she was looking forward to backpacking and
camping in Colorado this semester
She said she liked the feeling of independence from school and bureaucracy she had at home.
when camping. “When you’re part of nature, you’re being challenged. There’s a different kind of order that you have to be part of,” she said.
She likes spring and autumn camping because it's not too cold and not too hot, she said.
sab.
For those who like it hot, or at least warm,
a river raft trip to the Rio Grande at Big
Bend National Park in Texas, sponsored by
Student Union Activities, may offer just
that.
than.
Dan Miller, Platte City, Mo., senior, said he was looking forward to a nice, warm and relaxing time on the water.
There will be white water as well as long stretches of smooth calm water on the trip, he said.
The first 16 people to sign up at the SAU office will have the opportunity to go on what Miller says he hopes becomes an annual event.
Camping equipment
Equipment available at Wilderness Discovery, located in the Burge Union. Price is for use per week.
Two-person tent (7) $11
Four-person tent (9) $15
Five-person tent (5) $22
Sleeping bags $10
Sleeping pads $4
Backpack $7
8 gal. cooler $5
12 gal. cooler $6
Water jugs $3
Water bottles $1
Cooking kits-two person $1
Cooking kits-six person $3
Lanterns $9
Camp stoves-one-burner $6
Camp stoves-two-burner $9
() number available
Dave Eames/KANSAN
Source: SUA
The river trip will cost $185 and includes food for the two days on the river, camping equipment except for sleeping bags, a guide in each raft, two nights in a hotel in Lajitas, Texas, safety gear and first aid equipment, to
Miller said he planned for participants to catch the 28-hour trip to Big Bend, starting on Friday.
KANSAN Taking a break/March 1, 1989 27