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Show PAC.E 10 UNIVERSITY JOURNAL FOCUS ON: SOUTHERN UTAH OUTDOORS • THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 2001 Mountain Biking Club takes ·to ·the trails Area parks are a playground BY MELISSA NIELSEN J9URNALSTAFFWRITER Climbing Club president Matthew Barley makes any • • m1ss1on possible BY MARY HAMMON behind, while avid bikers are offered the chance to explore more difficult trails. "Dude, I w ill teach you how to bike," "I know a Joe of beginning people are Tim Roelofs, president of the SUU intimidated by mountain biking, but Mountain Biking Club, tells students. it's not that hard. We have people that Roelofs, a senior business education will help you ,~ Roelofs said. major, helped organize the Outdoor The club meets each Saturday with Club last semester and is soliciting the local Color Country Cycle Club to membership for the 'Mountain Biking see southern Utah through its back Club at this week's Club Fair. trails and mountain views. Members Mountain biking offers a unique meet throughout the year, even in the opportunity for a slower, closer winter. experience of nature. Club members Although the mountain biking club find mountain biking to be an was started just last year, Roelofs enjoyable, relaxing way to exercise. estimates there are at least 30 club Wit's a great way co get out there and members and hopes to increase that enjoy the beauty, enjoy the weather number this week. a nd enjoy nature, whether you are just · "I see a lot of bikes on campus, so I out there to relax o r you are an avid know there's bikers out there," Roelofs biker," Roelofs said. said. He adds that Southern Utah The c lub currently receives no University is right next door to some of funding from SUUSA but is supported the most through • beautiful membership scenery in the fees. Members country. receive The club rides discounts on through Zion biking Nat ional Park, equipment , Bryce Canyon repair and rental and Brian Head and information and also on local to the best trails trails. It meets in the area. The once during the club's adviser, week to take Brian Jeppson, advantage of also owns Cedar bike trails in Cycle and Cedar City and teaches a around St. continuing George as well. education WThe views are course in gorgeous," said mountain Roelofs. biking. Riders ofaU Roelofs says levels are m9untain biking encouraged to is for anyone join the club, who enjoys the regardless of Mountain Bike Club president nm Roelofs outdoors. It experience. bikes his way to the top and enjoys the offers a welcome Beginning riders majestic beauty of the mountains in break after are encouraged southern Utah spending the day to ride at a in the classroom. comfortable The challenge of making it to the top level, and "there is no thing w ro ng w ith of the mountain or the thrill of rushing walking when you have to." back down allows bikers to leave The rides are organized according to sch ool behind and e njoy the majestic exper ience so that no one is left beauty that is southern Utah. PAC.E 11 JOURNAL STAFF WRJT.ER Climb Club starts first year BY LIBERTY CASE education major from Lancaster, Pa. Barley encourages FOCUS EDITOR students of all skill levels to join the dub because "everyone has to start sometime." Southern Utah is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. 'There are many types of climbing including sport, Rock climbing is a favorite outdoor activity for many bouldering and traditional climbing. students. "The club will work toward what students want," Barley said. "Southern Utah has.so many great places to rock climb that are really easy to get to," Laura Griffiths, a Sport climbing is when preestablished routes are junior communication major from Cedar climbed and the bolts are already placed in City, said. the rocky mountain side. Th.is hassle.free Zion NatioJ)al Park, Snow Canyon and method is popular for students who only Cedar Canyon are popular rock-climbing have a few hours after school to climb. destinations. <limbers also find "bouldering" a fun There are several things co keep in mind challenge. Bouldering doesn't require any before buying new equipment and a guide special equipment because it is a short book and climbing canyon walls. Chris climb while traverSiog the rock-free hand Heideman, a sophomore biology and Students in the Cimbing Qubcan chemistry major from Hurricane, Utah participate in an upcoming bouldering said, "Safety is really important to competition the last weekend of climbing because you put 100 percent of September at Bunker Creek near Panguitch, Utah. . your trust into your equipment 100 percent of the time." Chris Heideman, a Traditional climbing is for a more 'Illcre is no substitute for experience. sophomore experienced climber. Traditional rock Mose avid rock climbers got started in the biology/chemistry climbers set bolts into the rock and maj6rfrom sport when they went with friends who establish a new route. knew what they were doing. Hurricane, Utah. Hiedeman, an award-winning climber, Megan Griffiths, a sophomore biology has been climbing the mountains of major from Cedar City, said, "I got started by going southern Utah for nine years and still finds it exciting and enjoyable. rappeling w ith friends and after a couple of times I got bored, so I started rock climbing too." He advises double checking everything, every time. Students seeking the thrill of rock climbing are Accidents will occur when novices jump into the sport without proper instruction and when invited to join the new Climbing Club. The club's equipment is not double checked. president is Matthew Barley, a senio r technology welcome to·drive down Highway 9, which connects the park e ntrances, and through the Zion Tunnel. Bryce Canyon National Parle is also open year round. Summer is the busiest season and activities such as hiking, ~ightseeing and horseback riding are aJJ popular. Spring and fall at Bryce Canyon are quiet with cooler, more pleasant temperatures. Popular activities at Bryce during the w inter months include cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Driving, bicycling and riding the shuttle Southern Utah University is in the middle of one of the most amazing recreational areas in the country. People travel thousands of miles to see places such as Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Kolob Canyon, Brian Head Resort and Dixie, Fishlake and Manti-La Sal national forests. Zion National Parle is open year round with the new shuttle system running tours March through October. Private cars may explore the canyon the other four months of the year. The summer months are the busiest, which is the reason for the shuttle. Spring brings waterfalls spilling over the canyon rock formations and comfortable temperatures. Winter and faU are quieter, but camping areas are often closed because of unpredictable weather. · There are several ways to tour the canyon: driving, bicycling, horseback riding or faking the tram. Cedar City's Web site, Cedar City is located near many natural www.cedarcity.org, recommends hiking for wonders including beautiful cliffs like these. those who really want to explore the canyon. Hikes through Zion National Park range from cour through the park are three ways to easy to challenging. V1Sitors to the park who explore Bryce Canyon. The ultimate don't mind wading through the water of the experience, of course, is hiking one of the Virgin River may enjoy the 16-mile hike many trails that descend into the canyon. througl} the Narrows. Advanced preparation These trails wind around oddly·shaped red rock formations and trees. and permits available from the visitor center Water is scarce along the Bryce Canyon are required for this hike. Zion National Park is a one and one.half hour trails, so hikers should take along plenty of drive from Cedar City. Tourists who stop in water. Also, overnight trips are not allowed Springdale, a town near the entrance of the without a back country permit. park,_ may see the film Treasures ofthe Gods Camping and picnic sites are another on the Zion Canyon Giant Screen. convenience available at the park. Camping opportunities are plentiful at Zion, Located just a few miles offSR-14, Cedar since campgrounds are found throughout the Breaks National Monument is another place park. Those who are just passing through are where hiking opportunities abound. Two New outdoor recreation program in place SUUSA creates a new program that allows students to rent recreation.equipment and expeirence the beauty of southern Utah moderate-to-easy trails are located at the monument, along with campgrounds and exciting bike trails. Four breathtaking viewpoints are also along the road that winds through Cedar Breaks. Kolob Canyon, located 20 miles south of Cedar City, offer:s a scenic drive lasting about 10 miles. A $10 entrance fee is required, but this fee is waived for those who purchase a Zion National Park seven-day permit. No camping is allowed in Kolob Canyon, but picnic tables are provided throughout the area. . Cedarcity.org recommends three hikes in Kolob Canyon. The Timber Creek trailhead is located at the Kolob Canyons picnic area. The distance for this hike is approximately one mile and takes about half an hour. Taylor Creek trailhead is two miles from the visitor's center and takes three co four hours to hike. ,.: Kolob Arch trail is the most difficult of the three tr'.lils. It is 14 miles long and is located - three and a-half miles from the visitor's center at Lee's Pass. Kolob Arch is a strenuous hike and is not recommended for summer months, when temperacures often exceed 100 degrees. Brian Head Resort, located 45 minutes from Cedar City, offers several recreational activities including mountain biking in the summer and skiing and snowboarding during the winter months. Rentals are available at the resort. Dixie, Fishlake and Manti·La Sal National Forests are all within a short driving distance from Cedar City and have fishing, hiking and camping opportunities. The Virgin River Rim trail, the newest in the Dixie National Forest, is a beautiful trail for hikers, bikers and horseback riders. Snowmobiling and cross country skiing are allowed in the Dixie National Forest. outhero Utah University Student initiative for the offers a great campus, program is evidence of widespread interest in outdoor friendly teachers and now, camping equipment . The new sports. "Videos from Southe rn Utah outdoor recreation program will offer "anything students can use University advertise the beauty of the area," Pitcher said. outdoors, " Justin Pitcher, "Until now, students haven't p rogram director, said. really had a way to get out and The program was c reated last enjoy the outdoors." spring with a surplus in SUUSA funds . Pitcher, a senior English 'This really is a m ecca major from Riverton, Utah, or outdoor activities proposed using and the .s tudents the funds to purchase olltdoor should be applauded equipment for or taking advantage students. of the opportunities As a result, students may rent surrounding the everything from university,' said Neal volleyball nets, - fishing equipment Cox, dean of students. and snowshoes to sleeping bags, Although the program is in its backpacks and Dutch ovens for a infancy, Pitcher hopes it will small fee. "This really is a mecca for grow to include all t ypes of outdoor activities, and the outdoor sports equipment students should be appla uded for students that studen ts may need. "We're looking to get a c roquet taking advantage of the set because some students opportunities s urrounding the university," said Neal Cox, dean wanted to play o ut on the lawn," Pitcher said. of students. S "We' re really out to s upply the demand of students and get them using the equipment." Rental fees for equipment are used to purchase more equipment a nd for cleaning and repairing the current inventory. Ideally, Pitcher says the program will be a "self.supported entity" and operate entirely from the revenue it generates. "Our goal is to not take money away from ocher clubs," he said. The program s ponsors educatiorr and training fo r different outdoor sports. A bicycle safety demonstration, fo r example, is scheduled for September. Pitcher said he is in the process of getting equipment co supply various continuing eda cation courses. Students who are interested lo the program may visit its office, located in the photo l.D. booth near the SUUSA offices in the Sharwao Smith Center. -Mary Hammon "'' - |