Ouray Ice Climbing Winter Break

Join us for a week long winter break trip to Southwest Colorado to ice climb in Ouray, CO. This experience will start with a flight to Montrose, CO, which is where we will officially kick off our adventure and finish outfitting our trip. From here, we will make the ~1 hour drive to Ouray, CO.

The first day of this trip will be dedicated to a full orientation to ice climbing, including an introduction to the equipment, rules and regulations of the ice park, and a tour of the town of Ouray and ice park. The following four days will be filled with ice climbing in the Ouray Ice Park; a human made ice climbing park built and operated in a spectacular natural gorge located within walking distance of the city of Ouray. This public park is home to over 100 named ice and mixed climbing routes, almost all located within a 15 minute walk of the park entrance. This trip is designed to introduce participants to the fundamentals of ice climbing and build upon those skills over the coming days. Prior experience is not required, but an enthusiasm for the outdoors and for trying new things is heavily encouraged. After the conclusion of the ice climbing portion of the trip, we will make our way back to Montrose, where we will pack up and return to campus to kick off the Spring 2023 semester.

Activities

• 4 days of ice climbing including instruction
• 1-2 night(s) natural hot spring soak
• 1-2 days of exploring in Southwest Colorado

Schedule

1st Pre-Trip Meeting, Mon 10/24/2022 @ 8:00-9:00 PM (In person on campus)

2nd Pre-Trip Meeting, Wed 11/30/2022 @ 7:00-9:00 PM (In person on campus)

Day 0, Fri 1/6/2023

• Final pre-trip meeting and dinner at Bucknell University

Day 1, Sat 1/7/2023

• Early morning bus ride from Bucknell University to departure city (Washington Dulles or similar)
• Fly from departure city to Montrose, CO
• Spend the afternoon gathering supplies, drive to Ouray, CO
• Dinner and overnight at group style lodging near Ouray

Day 2, Sun 1/8/2023

• Leisure wake up and breakfast at group cabin
• Drive to gear rental shop in Ouray to pick up ice climbing gear and explore town
• Return to lodging site, student lessons and equipment prep for next day's climbing

Day 3, Mon 1/9/2023

• Early morning wake up
• Breakfast and depart for the Ouray Ice Park
• Full day of ice climbing with instruction
• Return to lodging site, dinner, relax, bed

Day 4, Tues 1/10/2023

• Early morning wake up
• Breakfast and depart for the Ouray Ice Park
• Full day of ice climbing with instruction
• Return to lodging site, dinner, relax, bed
• *Optional natural hot spring pool soak

Day 5, Wed 1/11/2023

• Early morning wake up
• Breakfast and depart for the Ouray Ice Park
• Full day of ice climbing with instruction
• Return to lodging site, dinner, relax, bed
• *Optional natural hot spring pool soak

Day 6, Thur 1/12/2023

• Early morning wake up
• Breakfast and depart for the Ouray Ice Park
• Full day of ice climbing with instruction
• Return to lodging site, dinner, relax, bed

Day 7, Fri 1/13/2023

• Leisure wake up, breakfast
• Optional activities and site seeing in the area based on student interest (e.g. more time in Ouray, going for a hike/site seeing on Red Mountain Pass, visiting Silverton or Telluride, etc.)
• Return to lodging site, dinner, pack up, relax, bed

Day 8, Sat 1/14/2023

• Early morning wake up, breakfast and check out of lodging site
• Drive to the Montrose Airport
• Fly back to original departure city
• Bus pick up and return to Bucknell University
• Arrive at Bucknell University, return gear
• End of trip! 

Inclusions

• Transportation to/from Bucknell University and departure airport
• Roundtrip airfare from departure airport and Montrose, CO with X1 50lb checked bag
• All vehicle transportation while in CO
• 7 nights of lodging in Ouray, CO
• 3 main meals and snacks per day during main trip, excluding airport travel
• Pre-trip (Friday, 1/6/2023) dinner and end of trip (Saturday, 1/14/2023) dinner at Bucknell
• All group and personal ice climbing gear (boots, crampons, ice tools, helmets, harnesses, belay device, etc.)
• Additional clothing available (puffy warm jacket, base layer clothing, shell pants and jacket, etc.)
• Park fees and permit expenses

Exclusions

• Excess baggage charges and airport taxes
• Personal gear and items
• Alcoholic beverages
• Transportation back to Bucknell University from student's location over winter break*
• Meals during travel between Bucknell University and Montrose, CO
• Any food purchased separately from group meals (e.g. gas station snacks, additional meals beyond pre-planned group meals, ice cream, etc.)
• Any souvenirs, shopping, or optional, non-predetermined experiences
• Trip cancellation insurance
• Medical and/or evacuation insurance 
• All expenses incurred in the event of early or late departure (evacuation fees, transportation, extra hotel night, etc.)

*We acknowledge that this trip occurs over the final week of winter break, with a return date of Saturday, 1/14/2023 and spring semester classes starting on Tuesday, 1/17/2023. As such, students participating in this extended break trip will be required to return to campus by no later than 3:00pm on Friday, 1/6/2023 (arrangements with Student Housing for early move-in can be made by OEL). Students needing to return to campus earlier than Friday 1/6 should reach out to OEL far in advanced to make necessary accommodations. All expenses/logistics associated with the student's return to campus will be the responsibility of the student.

Cost

• Full Cost = $1,750.00 per person
• Deposit = $350.00

*Deposits are non-refundable & non-transferable

Register

Registration for this trip will open on 10/5/2022 at 12:00 PM Eastern. Spaces for this trip are limited and will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. 8 spots are available for this trip per permit regulations. 

Registration Notes

• Registration for this trip is available on a first come, first serve basis.
• An option to join a waitlist is provided at the time of registration if the trip is full.
• A full deposit or full payment is required by 4:00 PM Friday 10/14/2022 or within 7 days from the time of registration to confirm placement on this trip.
• The remaining balance payment is due by 4:00 PM Friday 12/2/2022. 
• All payments must be made by electronic check (preferred) or credit card via a designated payment link provided by our office. 
• The Bucknell Outdoor Education & Leadership Program (OEL) may adjust aspects of the pre-proposed itinerary associated with this trip.
• If participating in this OEL Winter Break Trip, you will be required to attend pre-trip meetings. Failure to participate in these meetings may affect your eligibility to attend the trip. 

Cancellations & No Shows

OEL Trips & Outings provided to Bucknell students have limited capacity. If a student signs up and doesn’t show for the program, it’s disruptive for everyone involved and takes away from other student’s experience.

We understand that things come up and life happens. We get it. We simply ask that you notify us as soon as possible and let us know of your cancellation. You can do this by communicating directly with the professional staff who are attending the trip (Nate Smith & Sarah Morris).

Students who notify us of their need to cancel before or on the due date/time of the remaining balance (12/2/2022 4:00 PM) will receive a refund of fees paid minus their deposit. If no additional payment has been made beyond the deposit, no refund is provided as the deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable. Refunds will not be issued for those who choose to cancel beyond 12/2/2022 4:00 PM.