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Outdoor Club Coming Attractions

club bunny in snow: a stuffed rabbit sitting on a snowbank, banging a drum that says Outdoor Clubphotographersrainbow120 pxls: enthusiastic group on Mount Hoffman by William Chan 120 pixels: two paddlers on Leigh Lake morning 120 pixels.: two paddlers in a canoe on a lake in the morning with mountains behind

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do." Mark Twain

quite pink sunset 120 pixels: paddlingintomistysunriseTet 120 pxl: NASA earth western hemisphere 120 pixels: NASA photo of earth western hemisphere from space

HOW TO FIND US to get info you can't find at this website or sign up for an event:

animated worm in hole disappears gif: The Outdoor Club is a completely volunteer organization, neither the officers nor the advisor are paid. As a result you will not get the same 'service' from us as from a professional group. We do not have the time to return phone calls or emails from people asking questions that they could have found the answers to by simply looking through this website. We can't always find a way to sign up people who can't make it to our regular meetings, to a class when we are there, or to a table we have on campus. If none of the times we have available for signups are convenient for you, we don't have enough people to be able to meet personally with you and sign you up. People who wait until the last minute to sign up are sometimes left out. Please don't e-mail the club advisor (this website) as I don't have the time to answer club info requests, just look around the pages.

Places /times to find us:

You always need to bring proof you are a De Anza student to be able to sign up for an event. Please read details of events at this webpage before you come to sign up.

Officers meetings are held as needed as the officers learn their work schedules, sometimes on the days listed below.

Winter quarter, the dates below and more days/times to be announced when the officers know their schedules.

At a table in the main quad, Thursday, Jan. 12 at 12:20.

At the equipment storage under the stadium bleachers on the soccer side, Monday, Jan. 16 (yes, a school holiday) at about 9 a.m. We will be moving equipment and doing an inventory and you can sign up for the Yosemite Jan. 27-29 trip then.

LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP FOR THE 2012 YOSEMITE TRIP... is at the pre-trip meeting/equipment rentals and world's ugliest long-johns contest, Friday, Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. to about 7 p.m. OR maybe 8 p.m. in the lower level of the Campus Center just outside the Le Cafe.

In room 137 in the lower level of the Campus Center at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3. This will be the equipment returns for the Yosemite trip as well as a club meeting.

AGAIN please note: You always need to bring proof you are a De Anza student to be able to sign up for an event. Please read details of events at this webpage before you come to sign up. You can't sign up without paying for an event. We do not have waitlists.

couple on tetons trail: couple walking together on a trail with hills in backgroundraftbelowyosefalls 120 pxls: thinkingaboutswimminginMayLake 120 pxls: nps photo full moon and hills 120 pixels: full moon and three rows of hills

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Mary Ann snow camp 2008 120 pixels: sidegroupviewlembertdome120pxls: helping hand ocean kayak 120pixels:

spring2006flyingoffthesurfb120 pixels: ernesto surf 120 pixels: fourgirlssurfing120pxls:

Pictures from recent events:

lifeguards at the 2011 Silicon Valley Kids Triathlon

De Anza College Outdoor Club winter Yosemite trip 2011

De Anza College Outdoor Club Grand Teton trip 2010

lifeguards at the Escape from Alcatraz Alcatri 2010

lifeguards at the Silicon Valley Kid's triathlon 2010

2010 ocean kayak trip group photo 400 pixels: a row of kayakers on Monterey Bay with scuba divers boats in the background spring break, March 2010 Outdoor Club Monterey kayak trip 2010 group photos

swimmer image: line drawing of an image of a swimmercycling image: line drawing of a image of a cyclistrunner image: line drawing of an image of a runner

2009 Senior Games triathlon lifeguards Sunday, August 2 we volunteered at the 2009 summer National Senior Games triathlon. De Anza trained lifeguards staffed the 400 meter swim.

volunteer lifeguards at the Silicon Valley Kids' Triathlon 2009

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most summers, a three night weekend, camping, hiking, (maybe kayaking) at Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite . (Thursday, August 11 to Sunday, August 14, 2011.) The persied meteor showers (100s of shooting stars) occur during this time, but since there is a close-to-full or full moon, we will have to time our meteor shower watching carefully.

Tenaya Lake group 2004:

The book Yosemite Wildflower Trails says this about Tuolumne: "Those who know it best will tell you that here the Sierra attains its ultimate perfection of mountain grandeur. Near the source of eternal snows on the peaks, icy streams flash down the mountain slopes to linger a while in the grassy meanders or lush meadows, trailing garlands of wildflowers along their banks. Many lakes, from the smallest of rocky tarns to those filling ancient glacial valleys, lie in grass-rimmed splendor reflecting the sky, the clouds and the crags."

We plan to take a day (Saturday) go to the top or near the top of Mount Hoffman (10,850'), the geographical center of the park. This does not require rock climbing skills, but does require an early start to miss possible afternoon thunderstorms.

We will be bringing the De Anza owned kayaks and plan to be out on Tenaya Lake for Friday morning sunrise sightseeing, races, or...? (No kayaking experience is needed.) We also plan to continue the lifetime quest for the perfect swimming hole. (The Dana and Lyell forks of the Tuolumne River come down from the peaks and meet near the campground, then the river winds through the meadow.) The Tuolumne Rangers do very good nature walks and the climbing school is based in Tuolumne in the summer. There's a stable with two-hour, half day and all day trail rides, but please try to get a reservation in advance, people on previous trips have been disappointed who tried to sign up when they got to Tuolumne. Stargazing at Tuolumne is great.

People must sign up in person in advance . We have a limited number of kayaks, so it's first-signed-up, first dibs on a kayak. Unless we have a small turnout, you must share a kayak.

Trip costs and lots more details are at: Tuolumne trip

Tuolumne river water polo Alan Ahlstrand.:

HOW TO FIND US to sign up for an event

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blue right arrow gif: Only currently enrolled De Anza students can go on club events. Even though Foothill is in the same district, enrollment or employment at Foothill does not qualify anyone to go with us. People who want to go on an event between quarters must have been enrolled the previous quarter, or already be enrolled in the following quarter. For example, to go on a late summer trip you need to have been enrolled summer quarter or be already enrolled in fall quarter. Faculty are subject to various rules depending on whether they are full time, ten month, part time, on sabbatical or Article 19 and should contact the club advisor well in advance of an event they want to participate in.

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Saturday, Sept. 17 men's soccer versus West Valley 11 a.m.

Saturday, Sept. 24 at 1 p.m. Football versus Foothill College, De Anza Classic Volleyball, 11/1 p.m.

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The Karate Club plays paintball, outdoors, regularly and Outdoor Club people join them.

October 8 Up in the Santa Cruz mountains, off highway 17, only 3.8 miles up Bear Creek Road, at Los Gatos Pursuit Paintball. Directions are at the link below. Please read all of this as there are things you have to do before the trip if you want to go.

Carpools and caravans are on your own, neither the Karate club nor the Outdoor Club arranges carpools.

This info is from the Karate Club:

"Gates open at 8:30am, reservations are held until 9:30am and they close at 3 p.m.

Fees & other info:

Rental players will pay $45 per person which includes the admission, a rental mask, a rental harness to carry extra paintballs, rental of the paintball gun, 500 paintballs and all day air fills. Each of the guns has an air tank on the back which needs refills throughout the day. The 500 paintballs may last some of the players all day. It varies with each individual so there is no positive way to know. If any one runs out of paint they may purchase more at our field. All rental players are required to shoot paint purchased at our field.

Self-equipped players will pay $25 for their admission. They will need to pay for all of their air refills throughout the day (or pay $10 for all day). Self equipped players may bring their own paint as long as the fill of the paint is not pink or red.

LGPP accepts cash as well as Visa, Mastercard and American Express.

Players under the age of 18, are required to have their parents sign their waiver. If parents will not be present on the day of play they may print a waiver from the LGPP website http://losgatospursuitpaintball.com and send it signed with their child.

All players are required to go through a safety orientation in the morning (even if they have played before). There is typically break a for lunch somewhere between 12:30pm and 1pm. Players may either bring their own lunch or purchase lunch from the field. Players are not allowed to bring grills barbecues. NO ALCOHOL. There are hot dogs, polish dogs and chicken for sale as well as water, candy, chips, soda and gatorade (items range in price from $1 to $4 each).

Players should wear old, comfortable clothing such as old jeans or sweats and a long sleeve shirt or shirts. Some people wear sweatshirts or long sleeve t-shirts. Wear hiking boots or cleats or tennis shoes as well as baseball hats turned backwards to protect the back of the head.

All De Anza students need to fill out a field trip waiver prior to the game. Details of how to get one are at: release form .

If you are planning on attending you MUST contact Karate Club advisor Pete Rabbitt no later than Oct. 5 to reserve your spot. Email: rabbittpete@deanza.edu "

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Free flu shot clinic (show your De Anza Student Body card) Oct. 12/13 and 19/20, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. outside Student Health services.

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on-campus massage clinics offer hands-on massages by De Anza students, including a free chair massage in the main quad near the library and big fountain, usually a couple of times each year, including Thursday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m.to 1 p.m. http://www.deanza.fhda.edu/pe/massage/clinic.html

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Friday/Saturday, Nov. 4-5 the Coast Conference Water Polo Championships will be held at De Anza!

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Nov. 10-13 a replica of the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial (the traveling Vietnam Wall) will be on display at the Cupertino Veterans Memorial in the park across Stevens Creek Blvd. from De Anza

http://www.cupertinoveteransmemorial.org

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Saturday, Nov. 12, 1 p.m. the Golden Gate Conference Championship football game! De Anza versus Chabot.

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(almost every quarter) Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011 at 12:30 p.m.: first-timer's kayaking/canoeing lesson

Olympic sized pool with kayaks from above:

at the De Anza pool, for a couple of hours, with the actual kayaking (and races?) for an hour or so. $15 members, $25 non-members. $15 will be credited towards a future trip within one year for those who help with the chores until all the work is done (re-loading kayaks/gear on to the trailer, swimming back lane lines, etc.) which can take until and hour or two or even three after the lesson if it coincides with a swim class.

Alexander balances as Troy climbs in:

read details at: kayaking / canoeing lessons

See HOW TO FIND US to sign up.

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The Red Cross swimming teacher certification class, Water Safety Instructor (WSI) will be offered on Sundays at De Anza College winter quarter 2012. You will become certified to teach swim lessons for all ages, Safety Training for Swim Coaches and Basic Water Rescue courses. P.E.28G has details.

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When a club member can be found to organize it, and the weather is good enough that the trails are not too muddy and a faculty member can be found to attend, horseback riding in Saratoga, a few minutes from the campus. A "guided horseback ride through Cooper-Garrod Vineyards and the Fremont-Older Mid-Peninsula Open Space Preserve on the eastern slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains facing San Jose... trails wander through vineyards and oak chaparral forests teeming with wildlife ... at a thousand foot elevation, featuring the spectacular views of San Francisco Bay and Santa Clara Valley."

riding by Wendy Sato:

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Most national parks will offer free admission for Martin Luther King Day weekend, starting Saturday, Jan. 14 through Monday, Jan. 16. Please confirm at the website of the park you want to visit!

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Friday, Jan. 20 women's basketball versus Mission 5 p.m.and men's basketball versus West Valley, 7 p.m.

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On campus Blood Drive Feb. 9, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

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Friday, Feb. 17 women's basketball versus San Jose City 5 p.m. and men's basketball versus San Jose 7 p.m.

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March 1 to March 31 will be the time to apply for the preseason lottery for permits to climb the cables to go to the top of Half Dome will be available for May to October 2012.

Permits will be required every day of the week, with each person needing their own individual permit. Up to four permits can be obtained under one reservation. There are non-refundable $4.50to $6.50 application fee and a $5 service charge for each permit. Reservations can be made through www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.

There will be some permits available closer to your hiking date.

For the most current details go to http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hdpermits.htm

Why the permits? In summer of 2009 on Saturdays and holidays Half Dome hikers averaged 840 per day (estimated at a peak of 1100 to 1200) and people have had to wait up to an hour to go up.

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The best lunar rainbows (moonbows) (depending on snowmelt and weather) in 2012 at Lower Yosemite Fall will probably be April 5-8, May 3-7, and June 4-6 the best at upper Yosemite Fall (try taking photos of them from the Sentinal Bridge parking lot) will be April 7, May 5-7 and June 2-6.

More predictions of when the best Yosemite lunar rainbows will be are at: http://uweb.txstate.edu/~do01/

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blue right arrow gif: Only currently enrolled De Anza students can go on club events. People who want to go on an event between quarters must be enrolled in the following quarter. For example, to go on a spring break trip you need to be already enrolled in spring quarter. Faculty are subject to various rules depending on whether they are full time, ten month, part time, on sabbatical or Article 19 and should contact the club advisor well in advance of an event they want to participate in.

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on a Saturday during spring break, 9 a.m. Monterey Bay Ocean Kayak Day Trip.

Outdoor Club Monterey kayak trip 2010 group photos

Regular price is $30, in 2011 we went for $27 for Outdoor Club members, $30 other students. A great beginner's trip, with a lesson beforehand.

We launch at a beach on Cannery Row and go at least a mile to in front of the aquarium. We've always seen otters and seals. Optional hikes at spectacular Point Lobos reserve afterwards.

Most people use a single (one person) kayak, but there are also tandem (two person) kayaks. These are the kind of kayaks you sit on top of, not the kind you get your legs stuck in, so no special training or experience is required. People who know in advance who they would like to share a tandem with should sign up for one; if there are others available that day you can form partnerships when you get there.

ocean kayak april 2007 group photo 168 pixels: ocean kayakers in Monterey:

After kayaking: we can have a group picnic at the shoreline tables in the park down towards the Coast Guard wharf if we bring food. There are restaurants, but they take awhile to get food, and then we'd run out of time for other activities. Many years we plan a short walk and a moderate hike at spectacular Point Lobos State Reserve, about 7 miles south.

Point Lobos cypress cove:

Or you could bring/rent bikes or roller blades and use the shoreline city trails made especially for pedestrians and bikes.

We have been doing this trip for over twelve years. We've had a few people fall out of their kayaks in Monterey Bay. It's okay, because they were wearing lifejackets and there are always other kayakers, and maybe even a lifeguard, nearby on our trips to help. They all figured out how to get back into their kayak.

But it would have been easier to handle this if they had practice getting back into a kayak. So now we are offering everyone who signs up a chance to come down to the De Anza pool in their swimsuit, put on a lifejacket and under the watchful eye of a lifeguard, figure out how to climb back into a kayak from the water. (The pool is heated, Monterey Bay is not.) It's not that difficult with helpful people in another kayak. Our quarterly kayaking/canoeing lesson is the main time to try this.

Please be on notice that the Outdoor Club will NOT be responsible for getting you back into your kayak if you fall out in the ocean during the Monterey trip. YOU will be. The Coast Guard can charge $500+ for a rescue. If you fall out of your kayak and can’t get back in and need a Coast Guard boat to come get you, De Anza will not pay for it, you will. There will be people nearby who will help steady your boat, but it would be smart to try it in the warm De Anza pool before it happens in the cold ocean.

It would be wise to read a bunch of other details (including what to wear) and rules about the trip before signing up.

They are at:

Monterey ocean kayak day trip

The page includes a link to more ocean kayaking pictures.

See HOW TO FIND US to sign up. Please bring proof of enrollment in a De Anza College spring quarter class.

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Lifeguard Training FAQs American Red Cross Lifeguard Training is offered at De Anza spring quarter.

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Most national parks will offer free admission for National Parks week, April 21-29. Please confirm at the website of the park you want to visit!

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Saturday, May 12, 2012, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. We will have a table at the New Student & Parent Open House at the Student and Community Services building, featuring on-site application and placement testing, counseling 100 registration, free parking, info packet, class schedule, guided campus tours, academic advising and counseling. http://www.deanza.edu/outreach/openhouse.html

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mid May, graduation open house- apply for graduation at the counseling office, upstairs above the bookstore in the Student and Community Services building. (Graduation will be June 30, 9 a.m.) You must apply to receive a degree, and you must apply by May 18 to get your name in the ceremony program. Final deadline is Friday, June 29.

http://www.deanza.fhda.edu/counseling

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We aim for once a year if people are interested, some tight-squeeze caving, 4 to 5 hours of squirming, for a small number of people, first signed up gets to go. $15 club members, $20 other students.

Trip leader Dr. Marek Cichanski of De Anza's Geology Department says this about the trip:

"IXL is the standard 'beginner's cave' in the Bay Area, but this does not mean that it will be an easy trip. If you've ever visited a 'show cave', such as Crystal Cave in Sequoia National Park, Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, or one of the privately owned caves in the Sierra foothills above Stockton, this will be a different experience. There will be essentially no walking in the cave. It will consist of scrambling and crawling, sometimes in tight spaces. The cave contains two notably tight spots, dubbed the Mantrap and the Corkscrew. The trip leader (6'2", 200 lbs) was able to fit through them on his first trip, but you wouldn't want to be much bigger than him, and you won't want to attempt the trip if you don't enjoy tight spaces.

You'll want to wear clothing than can be thrown away after the trip if necessary. You may be able to get the mud out, but it's not guaranteed. Caving will give new meaning to the phrase 'ground-in dirt'. You'll want volleyball-player-style pads for your knees and elbows (NOT hard-shelled construction-worker-type pads), and gloves. Long pants, a long shirt, and some additional insulation like a sweater or fleece jacket will be a good idea, although keep in mind how dirty they will get. Coveralls are a great way to go; used mechanics coveralls can sometimes be found at auto parts stores. Lightweight hiking boots would make good footwear.

The Outdoor Club will be arranging for rental of helmets and headlamps from the San Francisco Bay Chapter of the National Speleological Society. Participants should each bring 2 additional flashlights each, for a total of three independent sources of light. The trip is estimated to last between four and six hours."

The size of the group for this trip is small and the event is first come, first served. You must sign up with Dr. Marek Cichanski of De Anza's Geology Department and then pay the Outdoor Club. His office hours will be posted here nearer to the next caving date.

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Probably Sunday June 3, 2012, volunteering at the Silicon Valley Kid's Triathlon, held at De Anza. The race is a fundraiser for the Silicon Valley Children's Fund, which benefits local foster children. (In 2009 the event raised $12,000.)

Most of our volunteers are for the lifeguarding/swim portion staff, but others are always needed.

We set up at 6:30 a.m. First wave probably goes at 8 a.m. Youngest (6 and under) probably go at a little after 11 a.m.

Event policies are at: http://www.svkidstri.org/event_policies

Precautions are at: http://www.svkidstri.org/rules_and_precautions

Pictures of volunteers at the 2010 event are at:

lifeguards at the Silicon Valley Kid's triathlon 2010

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Most national parks will offer free admission for Get Outdoors Day, June 9, 2012. Please confirm at the website of the park you want to visit!

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Once or twice or more a year (spring quarter, June 17, 2012) surfing lesson by professional instructors. Soft long board and wetsuit rental included. Almost everyone who takes the lesson has never surfed before and has a blast.

surfing practice on beach june 2008: surfing practice: We practice standing up on boards on the beach before we go out.

Details and lots of pictures are at: surfing lessons

Cost: 2012 price is the same as 2011, 2010 and 2009.

$85 for club members or other students, the usual rate for a group lesson, with

1) a credit towards a future trip within one year of $10 for members if we get 6 or more paid signups who attend the event on time,

OR 2) a credit towards a future trip within one year of $15 for members or $5 for other students if we get 11 or more paid signups who attend the event on time

OR 3) a credit towards a future trip within one year of $20 for members or $10 for other students if we get 16 or more paid signups who attend the event on time (The trip will be canceled if we don’t get at least 3 signups.)

No refunds for no-shows or people who arrive after the lesson has started, or who are late and can’t find us if we need to move to another beach because of water conditions or lack of waves. Interesting weather (rain, etc.) does not cancel Outdoor Club events.

You must sign up and pay in advance. Cost includes instruction, wetsuit and soft long board rental.

We've done this at least yearly for over ten years. Some people really don't stand up and surf, but everyone at least gets a few rides kneeling. The instruction is excellent and a lot of laughs. We start with a full lesson on the beach, including surfing right-of-way, etiquette, surf break awareness, wave formation, and practice standing up/proper stance on the boards.

Then the instructors go out in the water with us and help people who need it.

Christine Schuhe Cecilia Lee surf:

Yes, you will fall off the board numerous times, but so will everybody else.

girlwipeoutoct2003 120 pixels:

If you can't figure out on your own how to stand up on the board, some of the instructors are able to balance on a moving surfboard while helping you to stand up on your surfboard:

surf lesson help standing:

To participate in the surfing lessons you must pass a swim test, details are at: surfing lessons

Times to take the swim test (at the De Anza pool, ask for Mary Donahue) and sign up for the surfing lesson will be announced here closer to the date. (The club advisor's swim classes will be in session so you might have to wait for a few minutes.)

HOW TO FIND US to sign up for an event

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Most national parks will offer free admission for National Public Lands Day, Sept. 29, 2012. Please confirm at the website of the park you want to visit!

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55 pxl moose silhouette: moose silhouette maybe late August but at least September 1 to 11 +/- 2012, Grand Tetons, Wyoming trip

sign canoe launch: We will have four or five or six official kayaking days suitable for beginners and plan to do a short to major all-day (your choice of distance, with or without a Ranger Naturalist), hike into Cascade Canyon. Most trip participants usually do all the standard Grand Tetons sightseeing and museum tours. Some have gone white-water rafting or on a horse-back ride on their own.

We plan for the kayaks and gear to be transported to the park. (Rentals are $50 for 24 hours. If we kayak part of four days we save $200 per boat.)

The official days of the 2012 trip will probably be September 1 to 11, but we might start in late August. Participants can stay for a short, long or much longer trip; for a long weekend or two weeks. Usually people go to Yellowstone National Park as well.

Very early morning flat water kayaking, with no experience necessary for at least one of the destinations. Some early starts (up at 5 a.m.) to be able to see animals.

tetons sunrise reflection in ripples misty: canoeists see moose on island:

Unlike most mountain ranges which have foothills, the Grand Tetons are fronted by vast expanses of land dotted with intimate-sized or massive lakes, then the mountains abruptly rise from the plain. They are rugged and craggy with some snow and glaciers on top year 'round.

The first aspen will be turning yellow, enough for some great pictures. Hawk and other bird migrations going through.

Probable sightings of elk, moose (7 feet tall, 9 feet long with 5 feet wide antlers), Canada geese "v"s. Possible sightings of great blue herons, trumpeter swans (8' wingspan; mate for life), American white pelicans, northern river otters (we saw seven while out kayaking in 2002 & 2003, four stealing a fish from a Bald Eagle in 2004 a different three on a 2008 hike and yet another four playing along the river while we paddled in 2010), pronghorn (can run 30 mph for 15 miles with spurts up to 70 mph), deer, coyotes and beavers or muskrats.

Elk bugling (a low bellow followed by a higher-note-than-the-first-soprano-faculty-advisor-can-reach whistle that carries a long distance) will be at its peak, with the largest bulls amassing harems and the younger ones trying to. We've heard coyotes and even wolves when out in the morning or evening.

People must sign up in person in advance . We have a limited number of kayaks, so it's first-signed-up, first dibs on a kayak. Unless we have a small turnout, you must share a kayak. If we have a huge turnout, everybody can't be out at once unless the late signups rent craft there.

swimminginStringLake400pixel: a group of people in swimsuits and wetsuit standing in a mountain lake, reacting to a joke

Think you can't afford this trip? Think again, and read Grand Tetons trip cost, it has examples of

The cheap trip,

The not-so cheap trip,

The slightly more costly trip, but less driving time,

also known as the I-can't-get-much-time-off-work trip,

and The Expensive Trip.

Grand Tetons trip pages index has brief descriptions of most of the pages about the trip.

Grand Tetons is the main trip page, including links to other (not club sponsored) activities, such as climbing, galleries, white water rafting, trail rides, restaurants, rodeo, backpacking...

HOW TO FIND US to sign up for an event

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Most national parks will offer free admission for Veteran's Day Weekend, Nov. 10-12, 2012. Please confirm at the website of the park you want to visit!

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January 25 to January 27, 2013, TWENTY-THIRD ANNUAL Yosemite Valley Winter Camping trip.

Usually one of our biggest trips. Rain? Snow? Sleet? Sunshine? Raccoons (quite possibly IN the tents), Coyotes! Campfires! Night hikes, early morning hikes, long hikes to viewpoints above the valley, snowboarding, skiing, Ranger walks, Ranger snowshoe walks, ice skating, snow sculpture building. Many years we have people who have never been camping before and/or have never been in the snow. (So they've never been in a snowball fight, either.)

Snow camp group photo 2005 120 pxls: yosemitewinter2007106 pix: groupphotowinter2004106 pxl: snowgroupwhatyear106pix: snowcampgroupphotoone106 pxl: group photo winter 2010: group photo in a snowy Yosemite campsite winter 2010

Who will go on this trip?

For example, the 2007 trip:

Rose, Michael, Somayeh, Shannon, Keith, Thuy-Duong, Dinh, Bhavishya, Hoda, John, Suzy, Sandi, Tiffany, Mona, Maryam, Sandeep, Joe, Pradeep, Jessica, Manoj, Yvonne, Chance, Philip, Catherine, Iain, Aaron, Howard, Alice, Eileen, Edgar, Mike, Tamara, Alan and Mary.

Our ages were 12, 18, 18, 19, 19, 21, 22, 22, 25, 25, 26 26, 27, 27, 27, 28, 28, 28, 28, 29, 30, 31, 31, 34, 36, 36, 40, 42, 56, 58, 58 and 62. (You probably have no excuse that there will be no one your age going.) Eight had been on the trip before. Four had never been camping and two of them had never seen snow. Three of us were Red Cross first aid/cpr instructors.

Hordes of others said they were going but did not sign up.

We will post the 2013 cost here closer to the trip dates, but here are the 2012 prices.

2012 WINTER YOSEMITE TRIP COST was the same as 2006 & 2007 & 2008 & 2009 & 2010 & 2011: (As cheap as $7 if you are a member, you form a large carpool and sign up fall quarter.)

Campsite cost for two nights for club members ranges from $10 to $23 per person. Non-club members pay $10 extra. The cost depends mostly on parking space needs since the sites hold six people but only two cars (free day-use parking is a short walk or a free daytime bus ride).

Here is the price breakdown for members, other students add $10.

(Membership is $15 for 365 days, and you get free equipment rental with an additional $15. The club owns great winter tents and insulating sleeping pads.)

Early signups during fall quarter can take $3 off the price.

$23 --drive by yourself and want a parking space AT the campsite (no problem--you just pay more)

$13 per person--for two people, one car in a campsite parking space

$10 per person--for three or more people, one car in a campsite parking space or for any number of people who will drop off their stuff at the site and park at day use.

p.s. We will not make arrangements for motor homes, and please no pets.

clearingsnowofftable120 pxls: Deepakpitchingtentsnowcamp: snowboarding2004120 pxls: snowcampfire2005byColinUnderwood 120 pxls:

Example: Two people want to travel together and bring tons of stuff (extra clothes, futons, firewood, and a large-capacity battery powered capuccino machine), so they need their own parking space. Cost: $13 per club member. ($23 other students.)

Example: Carpool in a big van with three or even eight or more people in it OR example: Three people each drive their own cars because they have different arrival and departure times. They plan ahead and make spare door keys for the biggest car and park it at the site, with all their gear in it, and park the extra cars at day use. Cost: $10 per club member. ($20 other students.)

Other costs to plan for, not covered in your payment to the club, include FOOD, GAS, potential meals eaten at restaurants, a little change for the laundromat to dry some damp clothes, ski/snowboard costs (there are rentals and lessons at the Yosemite ski resort), skate rentals and/or ice rink fee, postcards, t-shirts and other souvenirs. You can rent winter boots at home before the trip. Film is usually cheaper at home; bring more than you think you'll want. If you are an Outdoor Club member and you rent equipment from us (great tents, insulating sleeping pads) you'll need to make refundable cleaning/late fee deposits.

Park entrance fees are: (as of late 2011) $20 per vehicle, good for seven days, or a year-long Yosemite Pass for $40, or a year-long National Parks pass $80. The longer passes might be a good buy if you are going on other adventures. If you are riding in a carpool bring your share of gas, park entrance fee, etc. money.

The club has a large firewood supply, dining canopies and more IF people will transport them.

Half Dome Jan 14 2005 NPS:

photo above of Half Dome and meadow in January is from the National Park Service.

For details about the trip including links to ski/snowboard/ice skate/photo walk info, lists of gear to bring, first-timer's instructions, carpool info/chains/driving directions go to: Snow Camp

Don't forget - when you sign up you will need to show us your rain gear and explain what you are doing about boots, tent and sleeping bag.

People must sign up in person in advance .

HOW TO FIND US to sign up for an event

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some summers: camping at D. L. Bliss State Park at Lake Tahoe and kayaking in Emerald Bay.

em bay kayaks: In the foreground, club kayaks and kayakers on beach at Emerald Bay. In the background, paddlewheel tourboat on the water.

The main activity on this trip will be an all day eight-mile round trip kayak along the lake shore and into Emerald Bay. You must have long distance kayaking experience with the club to participate, which even beginners can get on our spring break ocean kayak day trip to Monterey. OR you can go on a shorter orientation to the kayaks and pass a swim test of 20 twenty-five yard laps of freestyle or breastroke in 15 minutes or less.

For Tahoe kayaking we all paddle in one large group that stays together.

People must sign up in person in advance . We have a limited number of kayaks, so it's first-signed-up, first dibs on a kayak. Unless we have a small turnout, you must share a kayak.

We can fit 50 people camping, but only have kayaks for 20. Cost in 2005 was $35 for members who kayak and camp, $45 for other students who kayak and camp, $15 for members who only camp and $25 for other students who only camp. $20 of the kayak and camp fee will be credited towards a future club trip, within one year, for those who help with any needed kayak loading/unloading before, during and/or after the trip.

This price compares well to local Tahoe companies that offer kayak day trips for $65 to $85 (3 1/2 to 5 1/2 hours).

We have space for eight vehicles at the site, so the eight largest carpools can park at the campsite, all others must park at day use (a short walk from the campsite). Each vehicle must pay a park entrance fee ($5 daily??).

For more information (and pictures) about this trip go to Tahoe trip

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Dec. 13 - 14, 2012, no moon during the Geminid meteor showers, up to 60 multicolored meteors per hour.

August 13 - 14, 2015 no moon during the Perseid meteor showers, up to 60 meteors per hour.

August 21, 2017 total eclipse of the sun visible in north america

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Answers to most questions about how the club works are at: Outdoor Club Basic Info

The main rules common to most of our trips, including who is eligible to go, are at: Outdoor Club trip rules.

Carpools are arranged among the students going on the trips, not by the club or the college. For info on how to get/give a ride and links to advice on how to do basic maintenance to get your car ready for a club trip go to Carpool FAQs

Road trip advice and etiquette

De Anza College home games also has links to student recitals, dance performances, art exhibitions and more.

The club owns lots of equipment that can be used by members on club events with refundable cleaning and late fee deposits. Details about equipment can be found at: Outdoor Club Equipment. Rentals will go much more smoothly if you have read Outdoor Club Sample Rental Agreement

Any club member can propose and plan a club event. For details click on this link: Club Trip Leader Job Description

The search box below will search the WWW or only De Anza faculty websites, so you could use it to find something particular about the Outdoor Club at this website:

Google
Search WWW Search faculty.deanza.fhda.edu

footprintsinsand 240 pxls:

animated worm in hole disappears gif: The Outdoor Club is a completely volunteer organization, neither the officers nor the advisor are paid. As a result you will not get the same 'service' from us as from a professional group. We do not have the time to return phone calls or emails from people asking questions that they could have found the answers to by simply looking through this website. We can't always find a way to sign up people who can't make it to our regular meetings, to a class when we are there, or to a table we have on campus. If none of the times we have available for signups are convenient for you, we don't have enough people to be able to meet personally with you and sign you up. People who wait until the last minute to sign up are sometimes left out. Please don't e-mail the club advisor (this website) as I don't have the time to answer club info requests, just look around the pages.

 Updated Monday, January 30, 2012 at 12:25:33 PM by Mary Donahue - donahuemary@fhda.edu
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