By: Corinne Speckert, The Spartan Daily
Posted: 11/4/08
Students hiked the steep trails of Big Basin on Sunday and although the rain kept more than half of them from attending, those who did turn out got a learning experience and a workout exploring the Santa Cruz Mountains, said Ivan Ledesma, a junior civil engineering major.
"The hike was really nice. Most of the time it seemed like it was steep, but it was good exercise and a good view," Ledesma said. "We saw a couple animals and then we saw the waterfalls, which were the highlight of the trip."
Twenty-six students were registered to attend the 10.5-mile hike from Big Basin to Barry Falls, said Kristine Kirkendall, assistant director of fitness, in a phone interview. But because of uncertain weather, less than half of the expected students turned out, Ledesma said.
"It had been raining the night before so everyone thought it would rain again. The rain, it kind of discouraged people from going," he said. "(But) I thought it was a great trip. It was just a small group of 10, so I met everyone and you got to know the other students."
The hike was made available through an Associated Students Campus Recreation program called Outdoor Adventures. The program gives students and faculty a chance to explore different outdoor sports such as white water rafting, snorkeling and shopping, Kirkendall said.
Kirkendall said along with these adventures, she always tries to add an educational component. With the hiking trip, students learned how to purify water from three different waterfalls.
"It was actually fairly simple," Ledesma said. "(The purifier) was a little machine with a hose connected to the main base. You put in water, and put your water bottle under it and purified water would come out."
Kirkendall said purifying water is a good trade to know.
"You really can't carry enough water to keep you (hydrated) at the same time. It's just too heavy," she said. "A lot of it is awareness that it's really not safe to drink that water. There could be animal scat (in it)."
Although the program has been successful with large turnouts this semester, Kirkendall said the program didn't have much success in the past.
"We had (the program) a few years ago, but it fell off and started again in Fall '07," she said. "I think (participation) is getting a lot better compared to last semester. We've struggled sometimes to get the word out, but this semester nearly all events have been filled to capacity."
In attempts to draw in more students, Associated Students advertised the program around campus through posters, banners and the Internet to contact students via Facebook and MySpace, said Bradyn Blower, a marketing associate of A.S.
"We also target housing students through posters and the Campus Village digital screens in order to give students an opportunity to get out of their rooms," said Clifton Gold, the A.S. marketing and events coordinator.
Kirkendall said one of the goals of the program is to get students and faculty outside to explore the land.
"It's always an adventure," she said. "I think students and faculty really need to take the time to get out there and just really enjoy the area. It's a wonderful way for faculty, students and staff to get to know one another and have an experience outdoors. There are always things that challenge students and that's our goal."
Some of the trips Outdoor Adventures program has planned for next semester include a backpacking trip and a two-day camping trip to Yosemite, Kirkendall said.
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