Below you'll find a listing of MOP courses through J-Term, 2010, as well as upcoming Break Expeditions. Check back in soon for a listing of Spring Semester 2010 MOP offerings!
Climbing & Mountaineering
Indoor Climbing
Beginning this J-Term, MOP will be offering introductory indoor rock climbing courses, with both co-ed and womens courses available. Details are presently being finalized, so check back soon!
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J-Term Offerings
Introduction to Dog Sledding Weekend
This overnight trip provides a fun and exciting introduction to the world of dog sledding. Participants learn the art, skill and magic of this wonderful
winter sport. Explore the winter landscapes of Maine and/or New Hampshire, while trying your hand at driving actual sleds and dog teams! No experience is
necessary. Financial aid is available for eligible participants upon request. Contact extension 3105 for details. Dates: Friday, January 9th 4:30-6:00 (Pre-trip meeting all MUST attend) in the MOP Gear Room (FIC). Saturday, January 9th-Sunday January 10th (Sect. A) OR Saturday, January 16th & Sunday, January 17th (Sect. B). Cost: $195
Introduction to Ice Climbing
Armed with crampons, ice tools and a helmet, you will learn the slippery skills needed to climb frozen waterfalls. Our first class session, held at the Nelson Climbing Wall, will cover basic rope work, as well as equipment and clothing selection. We’ll then venture out to a climbing site in the Adirondacks or Green Mountains for a full day of real ice climbing. No experience is required, and all technical equipment is provided. 1/17 (evening session) & 19 (all day) or 1/21 (evening session) & 23 (all day). Course fee: $60.
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Avalanche Awareness
Avalanches can and do happen in the east. This course provides a complete introduction to avalanche awareness and avoidance skills. Topics addressed will include avalanche terrain recognition and assessment, decision making and judgment in avalanche terrain, and rescue. Use of transceiver, shovel, and probe is included. Dates: 1/16-17. Course fee: $195.
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Wilderness Medicine
SOLO WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER (WFR)
Created to provide outdoor leaders and guides with the skills and knowledge to deal with crises in remote settings, this 80-hour course is the benchmark standard in the outdoor industry. The curriculum includes (but is not limited to!) the Patient Assessment System, shock, soft tissue injuries, environmental emergencies, fractures/dislocations, and splint improvisation. Particular emphasis is placed on long-term patient care, improvisation with the resources at hand, and varying environmental conditions. The curriculum is delivered through a combination of lectures, practical assessments, and scenario-based learning. Students who successfully complete the SOLO Wilderness First Responder course will receive a SOLO Wilderness First Responder card and an American Heart Association Adult Heartsaver CPR card (or equivalent). Course dates: 1/3-2/8 (Feb Break). Course Fee $475. Maximum of 20 participants.
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Expeditions
Feb Break Dogsledding Expedition
You’ll spend Break expeditioning in a remote backcountry region of western Maine or eastern New Hampshire, learning the many skills necessary to travel by dogsled, ski tour, and camp in the winter mountains. There will be ample opportunity for you to practice and apply your new skills on your own. You’ll mush dogsleds, care for the dogs, ski, and camp in beautiful and rugged North Woods. This perennial MOP favorite fills very quickly. Register soon! February Break. Expedition fee: $595.
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Spring Break Gaspe Backcountry Skiing
The Parc National de la Gaspésie is a veritable sea of mountains located on the Gaspé Peninsula in eastern Quebec. The Chic Choc mountain range is the heart of the Parc, and offers huge annual snow fall and significant vertical relief with 25 peaks over 1000m. These factors make for a truly phenomenal backcountry skiing destination. Conditions permitting, we will spend our days skinning up, and then cranking turns down bowls, glades and couloirs, before returning to our heated cabin to cook hot meals and rest our tired legs. This is a true backcountry environment, and particular emphasis will be placed on appropriate travel techniques and sound decision making in avalanche terrain. Will not required, MOP strongly recommends that Gaspe trip participants take the upcoming J-Term Avalanche Awareness workshop. This trip is suitable for solid intermediate skiers capable of skiing blue-square runs in complete control in all snow conditions. It requires backcountry ski gear equipped with either telemark or alpine touring bindings, and climbing skins. The course fee includes all meals (except those in transit), avalanche gear rental, instruction and guiding fees, transportation, and lodging. It does not include ski rentals, if needed. If you have questions about the suitability of this trip for you, please contact us at MOP@middlebury.edu. Dates: 3/21-3/27. Course fee: $595.
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Spring Break Rock Climbing in Joshua Tree National Park
MOP is heading to the world class climbing destination of Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California, where we’ll spend our days climbing on the stellar walls and domes scattered across this stunning desert landscape. Splitter cracks, delicate face climbing, and a magical setting: Joshua Tree has it all. Best of all, while weather is always fickle, Joshua Tree has a well-deserved reputation as a Spring climbing destination. Average March high temperatures are in the mid 70s: Absolutely perfect for rock climbing! This trip is instructional in emphasis, and well suited to climbers of all ability levels. The ideal participant will have a strong desire to learn the skills necessary to become a self-sufficient rock climber, or improve existing skills. Routes of all grades abound, and include both single and multipitch options. There will be ample opportunity to work on both your movement and technicalskills. We will tailor each day to meet your needs as a developing climber, and maximize learning and fun. Dates: 3/21-27. Course fee: $695 (includes airfare).
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