Activities Post

[Update]:: If you are bringing a spouse, spousal equivalent, or other family member and would like to set up something on one of the conference days for them, please let me know and I will see what I can do. At the moment, I have one person interested in horseback riding on Saturday.

This is an activities post for the upcoming SEP Conference. In order to co-ordinate individual interests and get everyone the best price possible for the various activities, it would be helpful if people who are interested in engaging in one of the "free day" activities would post their interests in the comments.

Thus far, I have the following requests:

1 person for the scenic float trip

2 people for the evening horseback ride w/dinner.

Here is a list of the activities on offer:

1. SPECIAL OUTING: Snowshoeing the High Country: Libby Creek Trail, Snowies

Thirty minutes to the west of Laramie lies the Snowy Range. This is the northernmost point of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The Snowy Range is part of the 3 million acre Routt-Medicine Bow National Forest and sports impressive alpine peaks ranging over 13,000', glacial lakes, and lots of wildlife.

We’ll hike up along the ridgeline of Libby Creek canyon and break for lunch, overseeing a spectacular view of the Laramie valley. The trail descends into Libby Creek and ties into Barber Lake Trail. The whole loop is roughly 6 miles with some moderate elevation gain. No prior snowshoeing experience is necessary. Transportation, lunch and equipment are provided. A personal equipment list and detailed pre-trip information will be provided after registering. Limit: 10 participants.

• Departure date: Friday, May 16, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Meeting location: Half Acre Gym, front lobby (west side of building)
• Price: $69

Registration for this special outing is required: Call Dan McCoy, Coordinator of the Outdoor Adventure Program at (307) 766-6488. Please specify that you are part of the UW philosophy conference. Full payment will be required to reserve a spot. Cancellation policy: Fifty percent is refundable if five-business-days notice is given prior to the trip departure date. For more info call (307-766-6488) or e-mail (oap@uwyo.edu).

2. SPECIAL OUTING: Introduction to Rock Climbing in Vedauwoo

Vedauwoo (pronounced vee-da-voo) is a world renowned rock climbing area. Vedauwoo is a beautiful labyrinth of granite rock formations just about 10 miles east of Laramie and is well worth visiting just for the scenery. This outing is primarily for beginning or intermediate climbers, though experienced climbers might find it worthwhile.

Join the UW Outdoor Adventure Program for an outing to southeast Wyoming’s premiere climbing spot. This is a great opportunity to learn basic climbing safety, belay technique and movement from our knowledgeable and friendly instructors. No prior experience necessary, though a good level of physical fitness is important. Persons with prior climbing experience are also encouraged to attend. All climbing equipment, instruction, lunch and transportation provided. A personal equipment list and detailed pre-trip information will be provided after registering. Limit: 10 participants.

• Departure date: Friday, May 16, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Meeting location: Half Acre Gym, front lobby (west side of building)
• Price: $69

Registration for this special outing is required: Call Dan McCoy, Coordinator of the Outdoor Adventure Program at (307) 766-6488. Please specify that you are part of the UW philosophy conference. Full payment will be required to reserve a spot. Cancellation policy: Fifty percent is refundable if five-business-days notice is given prior to the trip departure date. For more info call (307-766-6488) or e-mail (oap@uwyo.edu).

3. Local Area Birding trips

If, like Marc, you happen to be a bird-geek, we can set up a local birding expectation through Bird Brained Expeditions. (No price yet, but fairly cheap overall.) If you are not from the West, this is a good opportunity to increase your lifetime bird list by 10 or 12 species. Post interest in comments.

4. Horseback Riding on Sheep Mountain

Snowy Mountain Lodge offers horseback riding trips out of Centennial, Wyoming (home to Pulitzer Prize winning author Annie Proulx) about 30 minutes from Laramie. They offer 1, 2 and 3 hour rides, as well-as an 8 hour ride. The three hour ride is done in the evening and includes a chuck wagon steak dinner (total cost $90.00). Post interest in comments.

5. The Old West

Western history buffs might enjoy a day trip out to one of the many historic sites within a few hours of Laramie. One natural spot is Fort Laramie; about a two and a half hour drive. Locally, a trip to the Territorial Prison is a good way to spend a few hours. For a sense of the West, a two hour horseback trip plus a turn around the Territorial Prison would be a good, not too strenuous, option.

6. Fishing/Floating the North Platte

Four Season Anglers provides both guided fishing trips and scenic floats on the Platte River. Cost for each will be determined by the number of participants, but a rough estimate is about $150.00 per person for the scenic trip and $210.00 for the fishing trip.

At that time of year, the scenic trip will be run down the North Platte River near Saratoga. This is a beautiful float of about 13 miles. Lots of waterfowl, bald eagles, deer (mule deer and white-tail; sometimes moose), beaver, mink and other wildlife. Service to and from the shop in Laramie to the raft point, lunch, drinks, gear.

The fishing trip would be along the North Platte near Casper, an area known as Gray’s Reef. Gray’s Reef is one of the two or three premiere fishing waters in the country for large trout (cutthroat, rainbows, browns, cuttbows). An experienced angler would typically land about 15 fish over 18” with a real chance of catching something over 5lbs. A novice angler will probably hook-up, but the size of the fish will lead to a lot of break-offs. If need be, FSA can provide rods, etc. The scenery here is not outstanding (more like a high desert), but you will see plenty of antelope and deer. Post interest for either fishing or scenic float trip in comments.

Comments

[Mark Brown]

As I previously mentioned, I'm interested in the 3-hour version of the horseback riding event.

[Paul Weirich]

The group from University of Missouri, Sara Chant, Zac Ernst, and Paul Weirich are planning a three-hour horseback ride (without the evening dinner).

[James Beebe]

Is anyone else interested in snowshoeing the high country? I'm thinking about going, but I would prefer not to be the only philosopher.

Also, I would be interested in basketball on Wed. at 5:50 (Half Acre Gym, UW Campus), but again I do not want to be the only philosopher.

[marc moffett]

I'll definitely want to play ball wednesday. I'm not sure about snowshoeing. I think Mike Pelczar wants to do some flyfishing, so I might join him on that.

[James Beebe]

Marc,

Should those of us who want to play basketball on Wed. simply show up at the gym at the appointed time? Or do we need to get something from you ahead of time that authorizes us to enter the gym? I'm asking now because my wife won't let me arrive in WY until Wed. afternoon.

James

[marc moffett]

Hi James,

I will arrange things so that individuals registered w/the SEP conference can simply show up. I will also be available that day so that people who are ready can walk over to the gym with me.

[Nick Treanor]

James, I like the sound of snowshoeing too. Count me in.

[marc moffett]

Nick & James (& others),

If you haven't already done so, please contact Dan McCoy at the above contact information to sign up for the outing.

[Mike Pelczar]

Anyone else want to go fly-fishing on Friday 5/16?

[Nicole Wyatt]

Count me in for the 3 hour horseback ride as well.

[James Beebe]

The snowshoeing outing will really be a lot of fun. But as of right now, we don't have enough SEP participants signed up. If there aren't enough, the outing will not take place. So, if you would like to join us, please go ahead and sign up.
Thanks,
James

[Tony Dardis]

I'm game for the float trip on the Platte.

[Kirk Ludwig]

Hey, I'm for the horseback ride, the three hour one. Definitely a green horn here. The last time I was on a horse was in high school. But better a green horn than a sore foot, I always say.

--Kirk

[Adrian Bardon]

I will be going snowshoeing if my back problem improves enough in time. I will have to make a last-minute call on that. I told Dan the situation already.