The University of Idaho is known for many things, but the trademark rural location and beautiful surroundings are the greatest perks to attending school in northern Idaho.
There are very few places where it’s possible to drive in any direction and end up in the mountains within a few hours. The Clearwater River to the south and a number of nearby lakes and reservoirs make the Idaho panhandle the perfect home for outdoor enthusiasts.
The university recognizes this quality and provides a number of opportunities to get outside and experience the wilderness through its Outdoor Program at the Student Recreation Center, but it’s up to students to take advantage of this resource.
Growing up in Idaho, I spent many weekends camping and enjoying the outdoors. But at the end of this summer, I went on my first overnight backpacking trip and was completely unprepared. I didn’t have a backpack, tent, suitable sleeping bag or shoes that fit correctly. My friends helped me with the majority of the equipment, but for the backpack I went to the Outdoor Program Office. I got the backpack I needed and the 20-mile hike through the Eagle Cap wilderness of eastern Oregon was worth every penny of the $10 I spent to rent it.
Outdoor experience isn’t required to live in northern Idaho, but it’s a great place to learn and take in the beauty of the region. Students, particularly those from urban areas, should try something new and take advantage of the opportunities provided to them at UI.
For those new to the outdoor scene, a simple day hike on Moscow Mountain is a great place to start. Although many parts of the mountain are privately owned, maps can be acquired online and the area is easy to navigate. Moscow Mountain is also a popular recreation area for downhill bikers.
Those who are looking for more intense escapades can get away with weekend hikes throughout the region. The Wallowa Mountains in Eastern Oregon, the Bitterroots to the east and various places in Canada offer great weekend trips for adventure-seekers.
The Outdoor Program office offers equipment rentals, trip-planning advice and a number of guided wilderness activities throughout the year. Students can learn to surf on the Pacific coast, take a weekend hike through mountain wildernesses and participate in weekly activities such as Mountain Bike Mondays on Moscow Mountain. This experience is valuable in preparing inexperienced outdoorsmen for their own undertakings.
Take advantage of the resources available in college because they won’t always be there. The ability to take a weekend to wander through the wilderness is one of the privileges to being a college student in the Pacific Northwest. Don’t waste it.
Kaitlyn Krasselt can be reached at [email protected]