FB Pixel Skip to Main Content

Wilderness Pursuits hosts annual Gear Swap

Wilderness Pursuits hosts annual Gear Swap

Everyone can come to Wilderness Pursuits’s annual Gear Swap to find great deals on any kind of gear they may need. On Nov. 28 in a ballroom at the University Center, there were skis, boots, clothes and rafts—all at low prices. Some of the gear was brought in by students or people in the community, and some of the gear was old WP gear.

“I think that it is cool students can let go of their gear and find nice, cheap, cool gear,” said Kate Stern about the Gear Swap. “It’s also a great way to get the community involved as well.”

The Wilderness Pursuits office can be found in the University Center and allows students to come in and rent gear at affordable prices for almost any outdoor activity. They also host camping trips, hiking trips, ice climbing trips and so much more. Every trip price includes food, gear and transportation.

“We’ve got everything from ice/rock climbing, and if you want to do skiing, we have backcountry and cross country skiing,” said Tara Allman, the Assistant Director of Campus Recreation and the Director of Wilderness Pursuits. “We also have whitewater activities, whether that’s whitewater rafting or whitewater kayaking.”

Each trip is led by students who are hoping to go into the professional field of whatever activity is planned. There is no experience needed for most trips, as they serve as training and learning opportunities.

Wilderness Pursuits started as a club on campus. The club then got big enough to turn into an actual office, where it has continued to grow and flourish.

Wilderness Pursuits has planned the Wilderness Based Orientation for incoming first-year students during their Orientation Week for the last 19 years. They offer different outdoor excursions during Orientation to showcase the many different activities in the Gunnison Valley.

The Wilderness Pursuits office also has a ski/snowboard tune and bike shop. They offer cheap supplies to wax skis, and if anyone is new to waxing their skis, they offer free clinics each semester. The bike shop is available for anyone who needs to do repairs on their bikes. Wilderness Pursuits also offers free clinics to show students how to do simple bike repairs.

“Wilderness Pursuits is here to help outfit people’s adventures,” Allman said. “The more people we can get plugged into our trips I think just trying to make it as inclusive as possible.”

Wilderness Pursuits encourages anyone and everyone to come in and participate in any trip or rent gear. Have any questions? Don’t be afraid to ask, as there is someone always there to help in the Wilderness Pursuits office on Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Story by Western junior Taya Olson.

Take the Next Step

Apply to
Western
Students pose for a photo on top of Mount Crested Butte in the summer

Apply to
Western

We understand that applying to a university can be daunting, which is why we make our admission process as simple and straightforward as possible. Learn more about applying to your program of choice at Western.

Visit
Western
Colorado Hall with the Palisades in the background on a bluebird day.

Visit
Western

The best way to find out what makes Western such a special place is to experience it for yourself. Our student-led tours give you an insider’s perspective on everything from academics to student life.

Alumni
Community
A group of four alumni look at an old photo that one of them picked up from a selection of photos that were printed and laid out for the Ski Team Social event.

Alumni
Community

We keep the Mountaineer spirit going strong within our alumni community. Whether getting together with friends at an annual event, making a donation or mentoring a student, graduates continue to play an important role in the Western community.

Request
Information
A few students pose for a photo behind the Multicultural Center table at the Admitted Student Day Club Fair.

Request
Information

Want to discover more about Western? Request information today to get in touch with the admissions team.