Pre-Orientation Trips
Trip Options | Trip FAQs | Meet Your Trip Leaders
An Experience of a Lifetime
Rather than spending your last few days before Freshman Orientation at home, biting your nails, packing and repacking, we strongly recommend attending a Pre-Orientation Trip. On the Clarkson University Outing Club (CUOC) Pre-Orientation Trips, our trained student leaders will guide you through the beautiful wilderness of the Adirondack Park in northern New York for four days and three nights. We have backpacking and canoeing trips for every skill level and interest, and you are certain to make lifelong friends, learn about the Clarkson experience from upperclassmen, get a head start on the college experience, and even move into your residence hall room early!
Students attending trips move into their rooms early on Monday, August 19th and arrive back to campus on Friday, August 23rd in time for Orientation. We even provide a special orientation for your parents and family members when you arrive on the 19th so they do not need to make a separate trip to Clarkson.
Each trip costs $180 which includes an on-campus dinner for you and two family members, a free t-shirt to commemorate your trip, all transportation and food costs during the trip, an on-campus barbecue exclusively for trip attendees, and extensive Wilderness First Responder training for your student trip leaders. Sign up for a trip by completing your checklist items on PeopleSoft. Login with your Clarkson username and password (same as your email) at www.clarkson.edu/peoplesoft.php.
NOTE: Students who are a part of the Clarkson School or Honors Program are NOT eligible for these pre-orientations experiences due to their own Orientation trip taking place at the same time.
Trip Options
Each trip is led by two experienced leaders, and there are eight people (including leaders) per trip. Those wishing to go on a canoe trip must be able to swim. Hiking trips require a pair of well-fitting, broken-in hiking or work boots with good support, as all participants will be carrying large backpacks. All trips will be a primitive camping experience. No special equipment is necessary, but anyone wishing to bring his or her own gear is highly encouraged to do so.
Difficult Hiking: Participant must have experience. Participant must be in good shape. Carrying heavy packs (35-50lbs) for 4-7 miles and day packs (10lbs) for 7-12 miles per day. Rough Terrain. 5-10 peaks.
Moderate Hiking: Participant should have some experience. Participant should be in good shape. Carrying heavy packs for 3-5 miles and day packs for 5-10 miles per day. Rough Terrain. 3-6 peaks.
Easy Hiking: Participant doesn't need experience. Participant does not need to be in good shape. Carrying heavy packs for 2-4 miles and day packs for 3-7 miles per day. Moderate Terrain. 1-4 peaks.
Difficult Canoeing: Participant must have experience. Participant must be in good shape. Canoeing 10-15 miles per day and carrying canoes 2-4 miles. Also, carrying heavy packs 2-4 miles.
Moderate Canoeing: Participant should have some experience. Participant should be in good shape. Canoeing 6-12 miles per day and carrying canoes .5-3 miles. Also, carrying heavy packs .5-3 miles.
Easy Canoeing: Participant doesn't need experience. Participant does not need to be in good shape. Canoeing 2-7 miles per day and carrying canoes up to .5 miles. Also, carrying heavy packs for .5 miles.
Difficult Rock Climbing: Experience not necessary, but helpful. Participant must be in good shape. Should be able to do at least a few pull-ups and hike 1-3 miles a day with heavy packs.
Additional Rock Climbing Info: There is one technical rock climbing trip (Screamin’ Fingers and Buddy Gumbo Go Climbing!). This trip will involve roped, vertical rock climbing of cliffs and slabs that are up to about 100 ft. tall. It is a beginner/introductory rock climbing trip, so it does not require previous experience. For safety reasons, all freshmen will be top-roping while climbing. This is where the climber is attached to a rope which runs up to an anchor at the top of the cliff. All ropes will be set up by the experienced leaders, who will also teach and closely supervise the participants while they are climbing. It is very important that you do not attempt to go on this trip if you have a fear of heights or are unsure about having a fear of heights. It is also important that you are in good shape. The climbing will be easy, but even easy climbing can be difficult for most people. Climbing technique can be learned after a couple of climbs, but you won’t get much stronger in the four days of the trips. All participants that are signed up for this trip will receive a call from Brett and/or Will in order to answer any questions that they might have and make sure they know what they are getting into. The Outing Club can provide all of the climbing gear needed (harness, helmet, climbing shoes, etc.). Some basic information on rock climbing can be found here http://www.climbingtechniques.org/basics-of-rock-climbing.html . This might help give some insight into what rock climbing is all about. If you have any questions about the rock climbing trip, please contact me, Brett Myers (myersbr@clarkson.edu) I will be happy to answer any questions that you have.
Trip 1: Watch Out for that Cliff!... and Redfield, Marcy, Haystack and Colden
Leaders: Chris Frewin and Colin O'Brien
Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult (Hiking)
Day 1: Hike in from the ADK Loj to our lean –to, then drop packs and hike Cliff and Redfield
Day 2: Leaving packs at camp again, we’ll summit two of the biggest in the state, Marcy and Haystack.
Day 3: We’ll pick up and move camp to Marcy Dam with a detour up Mt. Colden’s slides for lunch.
Day 4: An easy couple miles in the morning to the Loj for pick up to head back to Clarkson.
Description: Five Adirondack favorites in four days! We’ll be exploring some of the most visited and least visited areas of the Adirondacks, which interestingly are very close to each other. We’ll be climbing Marcy, the tallest mountain in New York state, and Haystack, the third tallest! We’ll also bag Cliff, one of the least visited summits in the High Peak region, and Colden via one of its impressive slides, which will be a blast. If you want to see great views, see amazing geography, and go on a hike that will be a fun challenge, this trip is for you!
Trip 2: Major in Topography Required
Leaders: Chris Carlton and James Ward
Difficulty: Moderate (Hiking)
Day 1: Hike in to Marcy Dam, set up camp and then leave heavy packs behind to head up Phelps for dinner.
Day 2: Pack up and leave early in the morning to hike through Avalanche Pass to Beaver lean-to to drop our packs and tag Iroquois. Hike back down and then head for Cliff Mt. and be back to camp for dinner.
Day 3: Hike up Marshall and then out to Marcy Dam for the night.
Day 4: An easy couple miles back to the ADK Loj for pick up.
Description: Come join us on an intense hike through the beautiful Adirondacks starting our hiking adventure in Marcy Dam. Be ready to wake up at dawn to eat and pack up to move around from one location to another to have dinner on top of a mountain, while also putting four of the best peaks under your belt and getting to see the awe inspiring cliffs of Avalanche Pass!
Trip 3: What a Long, Strange Trip It’s Been
Leaders: Sam Jortberg and Will Clapis
Difficulty: Difficult (Hiking)
Day 1: Hike in from the Garden to Slant Rock and set up camp.
Day 2: Hike a loop with Marcy and Haystack and possibly Skylight if there’s time.
Day 3: Pick up camp early and move to Ore Bed Brook, then tackle Saddleback, Gothics, Armstrong, Upper Wolfjaw and maybe even Lower as well.
Day 4: Pack up and head out to the pick up location and get pie at the Noonmark Diner if there is time.
Description: Get ready to take on the most dramatic terrain the High Peaks has to offer, covering up to 8 peaks. This trip will put you to the test, but will reward you with some of the best views and most importantly some of the best pies ever from the Noonmark Diner.
Trip 4: Cranberry-Go-Round
Leaders: Chris McKinney and Chris Laubisch
Difficulty: Easy (Hiking)
Day 1: From Wanakena, hike to High Rock for lunch, then hike to High Falls and stay for the night.
Day 2: Hike to Cat Mountain and reach the summit, then head to Cowhorn Pond Lean-To.
Day 3: Hike to Janacks Landing Shelter, do some swimming and spend the night.
Day 4: Leave Janacks Landing early and return to Wanakena for bus pickup.
Description: Want to explore a different side of the Adirondacks but not exhaust yourself doing it? Join the Chris’s in checking out Cranberry Lake, climbing a peak, swimming, and pond-hopping through the largest wilderness area in the Adirondacks. The hiking is flat and easy, and we’ll be covering about 23 miles total, so come looking for a leisurely exploration of the Adirondacks with great company!
Trip 5: Greatest Trip of All Time!
Leaders: Doug Staples and Evan Bilsback
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate (Canoeing)
Day 1: Paddle around Upper St. Regis to get a feel for canoeing
Day 2: Explore St. Regis, Ochre and Fish Ponds.
Day 3: Paddle around St. Regis and Grass Ponds
Day 4: Paddle out to Little Clear Pond
Description: We will canoe into St Regis Pond via a series of small ponds and short carries. Once we arrive at St. Regis Pond, we will set up a campsite out of which to base all of our sweet adventures. We will spend the duration of the trip exploring nearby ponds, swimming, and generally having an awesome time.
Trip 6: Chilled Saranac
Leaders: Charlie Sliger and Erin Hughes
Difficulty: Easy (Canoeing)
Day 1: Put in at Floodwood pond. Paddle to Upper Saranac and camp on an island there.\
Day 2: Paddle a little ways to the carry point. Short carry to Middle Saranac. Paddle to the mouth of Lower Saranac,camp there for the night.
Day 3: Paddle to an island on Lower Saranac, hang out explore and swim for the rest of the day.
Day 4: Paddle to the pick up point at Ampersand Bay.
Description: So much fun it’s back for another year! Join Charlie and Erin for a relaxing and fun canoe trip through all three of the Saranac Lakes. A great way to chill before classes start, with plenty of opportunities for swimming and some cliff jumping here and there, not to mention some great campsites on islands.
Trip 7: Hitchin’ a Ride to Lows
Leaders: Chris Callinan and Tyler Arsenault
Difficulty: Easy (Canoeing)
Day 1: A short portage and some paddling will be a good introduction to canoeing and will get us to our first campsite
Day 2: Pick up camp and head over to our campsite on the other end of the lake and explore the lake.
Day 3: Relax, swim, explore and head to our third campsite
Day 4: A short paddle out with potential for exploring Hitcher’s Pond if there’s time.
Description: Come explore a remote area of the Adirondack Park. An easy paddle through bogs and streams leads you to Lows Lake. We’ll be taking out time canoeing, swimming and taking in the sights. Join us and relax before the semester starts and the time for relaxation is over.
Trip 8: Eric and Kaitlin’s Wilderness Epic
Leaders: Eric Mallery and Kaitlin Hayes
Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult (Canoeing)
Day 1: Put in at Long Pond and spend the day exploring the pond and hiking up Long Pond Mt.
Day 2: Test our canoeing prowess with a long loop that travels through a beaver flow, streams, 8 ponds and a couple portages (up to about half a mile)
Day 3: Depending on how we’re feeling, we can make a trip up to the remote and beautiful Fish Pond which involves some long carries (up to 2 miles) or relax and explore nearby areas like Ledge Pond.
Day 4: Pack up at our leisure and make a short paddle out to get picked up.
Description: Looking to go on a righteous adventure? Look no further. Join Eric and Kaitlin on this quest to explore the southern part of the Saint Regis Canoe Area. We’ll summit mountains, navigate creeks and sleep under the stars (or in a tent if you prefer). This trip will give you the best of everything the ‘Dacks has to offer; camping, hiking, swimming and canoeing through ponds without motor boat traffic. And let’s not forget some of the best camp food you’ll ever have.
Trip 9: Screamin’ Fingers and Buddy Gumbo Go Climbing!
Leaders: Brett Myers and Will Leith
Difficulty: Difficult (Rock Climbing)
Day 1: Hike into the Beer Walls area and set up camp. This day will be filled with easy climbing to get everyone acquainted with the fundamentals of rock climbing.
Day 2: Hike to the Jewels and Gems climbing area, climb somewhat more difficult routes depending on the group comfort level. Head back to base camp at the Beers Walls for dinner followed by swimming in chapel pond.
Day 3: Get a semi-early morning start, head into the King wall and climb some of the easier routes. Have lunch, and hike up the canyon to get a good view of the King wall and explore the waterfall area at the top of the pass. Head back to camp for dinner and possibly more swimming.
Day 4: Get some last minute climbing in at the Beer Walls while we wait for the bus to pick us up.
Description: Join certified guide, Will, and professional climbing bum, Brett, on CUOC’s first ever rock climbing pre-orientation trip. We’ll show you the ropes (yes, pun intended) to make sure you’re safe and then climb some of the best single pitch climbs in the Adirondack Park. Be ready to challenge yourself and have the time of your life on this trip. Climbing every day followed by swimming in Chapel Pond will make for a truly unforgettable experience.
Meet Your Trip Leaders
Name: Will Leith
About me: I fly fish, play guitar, piano, mountain bike, ski, camp, and I am in the process of becoming a certified climbing guide.
Major: Chemical Engineering and Physics
Class year: 2014
Training: Wilderness First Aid, completed courses on climbing safety, mountaineering safety, and avalanche training.
Experience: Have climbed in Colorado, Kentucky, Vermont, and New York (ice and rock). Have hiked in California, New York, Vermont, Colorado.
Name: Erin Hughes
Fun fact: I work at a band camp!
Major: Environmental Engineering
Class year: 2016
Training: I've been in the Girl Scouts for 13 years, I have three years of experience white water canoeing, one year experience whitewater kayaking, and I'm Wilderness First Responder certified.
Name: Chris Carlton
Fun fact: I play bass guitar.
Major: Digital Art & Science (Yea I'm that guy at an engineering college that switched majors from mechanical.)
Class year: 2014
Training: I've hiked 15 out of the 46 peaks and am planning on getting all 46, but am in no rush to do them all quickly. I've been trained as a lifeguard for three years and state guard for one year and will soon be recertified as a Wilderness First Responder. I know when to play it safe but I love to go on some adventures and have fun where there are those memorable moments you'll never forget.
Name: Evan Bilsback
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Class year: 2015
Experience: I dabble in pretty much every aspect of outdoor adventure, but at Clarkson I spend most of my time on the weekends skiing, climbing, and white water kayaking. I like finding new and exciting ways to explore nature.
Name: Chris McKinney
Fun fact: I graduate in May, but am coming back to lead a Pre-O trip because they are awesome!
Major: Chemical Engineering and Physics
Class year: 2013
Experience/training: I enjoy doing all sorts of things outside, though I primarily hike, ice and rock climb, and ski. I have Wilderness First Responder and Level 1 Avalanche certified training, and have also had training in mountaineering and single pitch instruction.
Name: Charlie Sliger
Fun fact: I am a volunteer firefighter.
Major: Environmental Science and Policy
Class year: 2016
Experience/training: I enjoy rock and ice climbing in the Adirondacks as well as skiing at Whiteface (even when I have class). Also, I love whitewater kayaking with CUOC. I am certified in Search and Rescue.
Name: Chris Frewin
About me: I enjoy lots of different types of music, drawing, mountain biking, and I play guitar. The picture you see is me about half way through the Great Range day hike, at our 5th peak of the day. It was an awesome trip I did during the summer of 2011 with a fellow Outing Club member. I’ve made good friends and had many fun experiences with Outing Club, and I hope your freshman pre-orientation trip will be just the first of many adventures Outing Club and at Clarkson University!
Major: Mechanical Engineering and Physics
Class year: 2014
Experience/training: I’m an Adirondack 46-R, #7694 (working on my winter 46 – I’m at 16 peaks so far) and I’ve got plenty of experience hiking in all seasons. I’m Wilderness First Responder and CPR certified.
Name: Brett Myers
Fun fact: I actually spent an entire summer being a rock bum, teaching myself how to climb.
Major: Aeronautical/Mechanical Engineering
Class year: 2014
Experience/training: I do a little bit of just about everything with Outing Club: skiing, ice climbing, hiking, canoeing- but my main interest is rock climbing.
Name: Colin O’Brien
About Me: I’m an avid outdoorsman that enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking, and skiing to name a few. I have been in CUOC for my entire two years at Clarkson and currently serve as a CUOC Ski chairman. I serve as a Firefighter and First Responder in the towns of Phillipston and Petersham Massachusetts.
Major: Environmental Engineering minor in Environmental Health Science
Class year: 2015
Experience: I achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, Search and Rescue Certified, CPR and AED certified, and am currently working towards my EMT certification.
Name: James Ward (left)
About me: I joined Boy scouts for the camping trips up to the Adirondack park, but when the trips through them become too infrequent I later joined an explorers group that had trips going out at least once a month. I liked Clarkson because it was so close to the Adirondack Park and I went on a freshman trip when I got here as a freshman. One of my trip guides got me to join CUOC, which was basically exactly what I wanted. Ever since then I have led freshman trips and I look forward to them every year.
Major: Chemical Engineering with a concentration in materials engineering
Name: Chris Laubisch
Fun fact: Been to Ecuador, it was awesome!
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Class year: 2015
Experience/training: Wilderness First Aid Training. Like to hike, ski, bike, and fish!
Name: Doug Staples
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Class Year: 2014
Experience/training: I mostly whitewater kayak and snowboard, but I also rock climb and fly fish. In the past I have been very into hiking and canoeing. I am trained in basic swiftwater rescue techniques and will be certified as a Wilderness First Responder.
Name: Austin Black
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Class Year: 2014
Experience/training:I have Wilderness First Responder Training. I do pretty much every outdoor activity that I can; hiking, biking, rock climbing and ice climbing and probably a couple that I’m forgetting, too.
Name: Bob Pelletier
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Class Year: 2013
Experience/Training: I have Wilderness First Responder Training and I’m from Vermont.
HOW TO APPLY: Sign-ups for pre-orientation trips happen from April 15 to July 15. Sign up for a trip by completing your checklist items on PeopleSoft. Login with your Clarkson username and password (same as your email) at www.clarkson.edu/peoplesoft.php.
CUOC Pre-Orientation Trip Travel Policy and Release, Consent, and Waiver Form
Have questions we didn't answer? Try our Trip FAQs. Still didn't find your answer? Email studentengagement@clarkson.edu.
Mini Orientations: A mini-orientation on Monday, August 19th is available for families of students who are participating in pre-orientation trips. This session is held for your family’s convenience so two trips to Potsdam for Orientation events are not necessary.
IMPORTANT: Due to the nature and location of many of these trips it is direly important that you bring any medication that you could possibly need on your trip. This is even more important to students with conditions such as asthma or allergies to bee stings. If you have ever needed an inhaler, BRING IT, if you have any reason to need an Epi-pen, BRING ATLEAST ONE, we cannot provide this type of medication. If for any reason you normally wear a medical alert bracelet due to drug allergies you MUST wear it the WHOLE trip. Please come prepared with all medications you could need, and inform your leader personally of any possible medical complications you may have.
Top 5 reasons to go on a pre-Orientation trip:
5) Get an awesome T-Shirt.
4) Move in early (get all the good stuff in the room).
3) Have fun in the ‘Dacks and get settled before work sets in.
2) Meet interesting people and make new friends even before classes start.
1) Become part of the coolest club on campus!
