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Volume CXXXII, Number 5 |
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Outing Club Notebook
CECILY UPTON
COLUMNIST
While most of us were relaxing at home or catching up on work over Fall Break, many BOC members braved the wilds of New England in search of adventure, or at least a break from the grind of Bowdoin. Rafters and kayakers headed to the Deerfield River in western Massachusetts for two solid days of paddling, followed by some non-BOC- sanctioned revelry in Montreal, the real city of sin. Hikers spent a few days tackling Mahoosuc Notch, a notoriously difficult area, yet no apparent challenge for our super- strong mountain men and women. Those more dedicated to the common good spent some time in Baxter building trails and giving back to the enormously generous wilderness community. Finally, the Leadership Training group boarded their sea kayaks for their expedition to Boothbay Harbor.
Besides these exciting trips, the Outing Club is looking forward to this Friday, when the new Schwartz Outdoor Leadership Center will be officially dedicated. The furniture is here, the plaques are up, the fireplace has been broken in, the building is ready for the donors and trustees, as well as the larger Bowdoin community to ooh and aah. Today, the dedication takes place, highlighted by a visit from the knowledgeable and experienced Jill Fredston. Besides completing numerous eight to ten week rowing trips in the Arctic, Jill is also the premier avalanche specialist in North America. She will be here all day to run clinics for BOC leaders and to speak at Common Hour for the rest of Bowdoin students. Don't miss this amazing woman!
After Jill fires you up to get out and experience the outdoors, there are two trips to take you away this weekend. Saturday, you can fly-fish on one of Maine's most beautiful and notorious rivers, the Kennebec. Sunday, the final sea kayaking trip of the season will head out around Bethel point. If you can't make it this weekend, then be sure to sign-up early for next weekend's trips. The canoe season will wrap up with a final overnight guaranteed to be relaxing and filled with the beautiful colors of fall. There will also be a day hike and a service trip next Saturday.
In the meantime, stop by the building to hang out and relax in our brand new, comfortable furniture. Maybe there will be a roaring fire in the huge hearth. The building is open at night from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. (with baking on Tuesdays). Hope to see you there!