Recreation

First Year Adventures

Welcome, First Year students!

In collaboration with First Year Programs, UWild (pronounced “you wild”) hosts a number of adventures for incoming University of Washington students.

Who participates in First-Year Adventures?

These trips are ideal for the incoming student with an adventuresome spirit who’s looking to meet others with similar interests and who wants to learn new outdoor skills, all while experiencing the amazing wilderness areas around our beautiful state.

Please follow the link near the bottom of the page to indicate you are interested in participating in a First Year Adventure Program this summer.

Summer 2021 pandemic considerations

Due to the dynamic situation COVID-19 has presented, right now we are assessing the level of interest in this year’s First Year Adventure programs. We are watching the situation very closely and will continue to update our program offerings if new restrictions are put into place.

Some of the most notable precautions include:

  • Separate sleeping spaces for all participants.
  • Meals will not be cooked communally (we will be eating individually packaged dehydrated meals that only require hot water).
  • We will ask that all participants take a covid-19 test before the course and receive the results prior to the course.
  • Everyone will wear a mask indoors, in vehicles, and any time social distancing is not possible.
  • We will continue our practice of hand washing and sanitizing.
  • Policies and procedures will be updated as the CDC and Washington State provide new guidelines.

Please contact Bryan Anderson at uwild@uw.edu for information about additional COVID-19 precautions, policies, and procedures.

Scholarships

Inclusion is at the core of our mission and values. We want all students to have the opportunity to experience Washington’s wild and beautiful spaces. UWild offers a limited number of scholarships. Please contact Bryan for more information.

Who leads First Year Adventures (FYAs)?

Fellow UW students trained in wilderness education lead most of UWild’s FYA trips; professional staff will be co-leading with students on a few courses. These educators will guide you through the development of outdoor skills and provide insights on their experience as a UW student and introduce campus resources.

Schedule of adventures

We design these adventures to provide flexibility for participation throughout the summer. Trip duration, destinations, and start day vary throughout the summer.

Where do trips start and end?

Your trip starts at the best spot on campus, the Waterfront Activities Center, the home of UWild Adventures. Located east of Husky Stadium, and just a few steps away from the University of Washington Light Rail Station. When you arrive the first morning of your trip you’ll meet your trip leaders and the other participants while you get outfitted and ready to go; there are locker rooms for you to store stuff that won’t go on the trip, and we provide locks. Upon completion of the trip, we will end back at the building. Pick up is easy as there is plenty of parking, light rail to the airport, or we can drop folks off around the U District (local drop-off must be pre-arranged).

2021 Trips

Backpacking

Mount Rainier National Park Backpacking

Mount Rainier is the most iconic destinations of the Pacific Northwest. If you are interested in seeing the mountain up close, this is for you. You’ll have the opportunity explore some of the remote corners of the park in the shadow of the mountain. On this trip you’ll visit old growth forests, cool river trails, and rocky alpine vistas.

Transportation, meals, and all group gear (backpacks, shelters, cookware, etc.) will be provided. Individual gear (sleeping bags, sleeping pads, headlamps, clothing, footwear) must be provided by participants. Some individual gear can be rented from the UWild’s Gear Garage Rental Center. After registration, you’ll receive a packet with detailed information about meeting times and places, preparation suggestions, a packing list, and other important information.

Session A: Trip Dates: July 12 – 15     Cost: $350 (plus tax)

Session B: Trip Dates: August 24 – 27     Cost: $350 (plus tax)

 

North Cascades National Park Backpacking – Easy Pass Backpacking

If big days on the trail is your thing, this trip is for you. Our most strenuous backpacking trip is rewarded with unreal scenery and views of the North Cascades. The Easy Pass Trail offers up the best traits of the North Cascades, old growth forests, cool river trails, and rocky alpine vistas.

Transportation, meals, and all group gear (backpacks, shelters, cookware, etc.) will be provided. Individual gear (sleeping bags, sleeping pads, headlamps, clothing, footwear) must be provided by participants. Some individual gear can be rented from the UWild’s Gear Garage Rental Center. After registration, you’ll receive a packet with detailed information about meeting times and places, preparation suggestions, a packing list, and other important information.

Trip Dates: July 19 – 23     Cost: $425 (plus tax)

 

North Cascades National Park Backpacking Expedition

On this course you’ll have 10 days to get to know the North Cascades National Park, and your fellow first year Huskies, like very few people do. You will hike along lakes, streams, and among old growth forest, you may even have the opportunity to get above tree line to see the vast expanse of the North Cascades… What could be better??

Transportation, meals, and all group gear (backpacks, shelters, cookware, etc.) will be provided. Individual gear (sleeping bags, sleeping pads, headlamps, clothing, footwear) must be provided by participants. Some individual gear can be rented from the UWild’s Gear Garage Rental Center. After registration, you’ll receive a packet with detailed information about meeting times and places, preparation suggestions, a packing list, and other important information.

Trip Dates: August 3 – 12     Cost: $700 (plus tax)

 

Climbing & Mountaineering

Sea to Sky – Deception Pass and Mt. Erie Rock Climbing

A three-day camp and climb trip to Washington State’s most picturesque rock climbing destination, Mount Erie. With 360-degree views of mountains and the coast, climbing at Mount Erie puts you in a spectacular position and will be a memorable experience. This trip is ideal for both those with no previous rock climbing experience and those who have some prior experience. You’ll learn the basic climbing skills including knots and top rope belaying. We’ll be car camping at a nearby state park and drive to the rock-climbing site each day. You can expect to hike .5 to 2 miles per day on trails that can be uneven and muddy. Climbing will begin on easy and moderate terrain and will progress depending on the group.

Transportation, meals, and all group gear (shelters, cookware, etc.) will be provided. Individual gear (sleeping bags, sleeping pads, headlamps, clothing, and footwear) must be provided by participants. Some individual gear can be rented from the UWild’s Gear Garage Rental Center. After registration, you’ll receive a packet with detailed information about meeting times and places, preparation suggestions, a packing list, and other important information.

Session A:  Trip Dates: July 27 – 29     Cost: $275 (plus tax)
Session B:  Trip Dates: September 21 – 23     Cost: $275 (plus tax)

Sea Kayaking Trips

Ross Lake – Sea Kayak Tour

Explore Washington’s most remote National Parks by kayak in this six-day First Year Adventure with UWild!  You’ll sea kayak on Ross Lake to remote campsites, some that are only accessible by boat, where you’ll spend the next five nights camping and exploring. This trip is wonderful for active participants who may not have sea-kayaking experience.

Transportation, meals, and all group gear (kayaks, shelters, cookware, etc.) will be provided. Individual gear (sleeping bags, sleeping pads, headlamps, clothing, and footwear) must be provided by participants. Some individual gear can be rented from the UWild’s Gear Garage Rental Center. After registration, you’ll receive a packet with detailed information about meeting times and places, preparation suggestions, a packing list, and other important information.

Trip Dates: August 15 – 21     Cost: $650 (plus tax)

 

San Juan Islands – Sea Kayaking Expedition

Explore deep into the remote corners of the northern San Juan Islands by kayak. Start the trip with a ferry ride to Friday Harbor, before we get right out on the water. You’ll sea kayak to remote islands only accessible by boat where you’ll spend nine nights camping and exploring.

You’ll wake up the final morning of the trip to a short paddle and a relaxing ferry ride back to the mainland. This trip is wonderful for active participants who have some kayaking experience or a desire to be on the water for an extended trip!

Transportation, meals, and all group gear (kayaks, shelters, cookware, etc.) will be provided. Individual gear (sleeping bags, sleeping pads, headlamps, clothing, and footwear) must be provided by participants. Some individual gear can be rented from the UWild’s Gear Garage Rental Center. After registration, you’ll receive a packet with detailed information about meeting times and places, preparation suggestions, a packing list, and other important information.

Trip Dates: September 8 – 17     Cost: $800 (plus tax)

Click here if you are interested in participating

Contact Bryan Anderson at uwild@uw.edu with questions.

Questions About Accessibility?

The University of Washington makes every effort to honor disability accommodation requests. UW Recreation encourages everyone to participate in our department offerings; please contact us at (206) 543-4590 or at recinfo@uw.edu for more information on how to get involved. Requests can be responded to most effectively if received as far in advance of the event as possible, preferably at least 10 business days.

Request Disability Services Office

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Request Disability Resources for Students

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