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DOC First-Year Trips / About the Trips / Types of Trips Types of TripsCabin CampingCabin camping involves a limited amount of hiking to one of the DOC's cabins and staying there both nights in the wilderness. Light day hikes are optional, but encouraged. Cabin camping is ideal for relaxing and enjoying the New England wilderness regardless of outdoors experience and physical ability. Packing List CanoeingCanoeing Trips are flatwater trips led by experienced members of the Dartmouth Outing Club. Canoes, life jackets, and paddles will be provided. Students will be expected to bring their own packs or duffel bags. Waterproof equipment is desirable. Canoers will be required to take a swim test upon their arrival in Hanover. Packing List ClimbingClimbing Trips involve both rugged hiking and introductory climbing. On the first day, this trip will go on a strenuous 12 mile hike. After camping out in shelters or under tarps, the trip will spend one day learning to rock climb. This trip is ideal for experienced hikers who wish to be introduced to the world of rock climbing. Packing List FishingFishing Trips spend the first two and a half days in the Dartmouth College Grant, a 27,000 acre wilderness area in northern New Hampshire. Due to the uncooperative nature of the fish, many students come away disappointed by their fruitless attempts to catch fish. The Grant does, however, provide ample opportunity for hiking and nature study in addition to fly fishing. We urge you to consider this activity in your choice of trip options. Students must supply their own fly-fishing gear and you will be required to purchase a short-term New Hampshire fishing license for $18 upon your arrival in Hanover. Packing List Hiking 1 - EasyEasy hiking trips are ideal for getting an outdoor challenge without invoking an extreme amount of struggle upon an impossible mountain slope. You will be hiking on the DOC trail system and staying in shelters or cabins. You can expect to hike five miles or more per day, but since you are in a less mountainous region of New Hampshire, the trail will not be too rugged. There are some fine views along the way and you might expect to earn a few blisters in getting to them! Elevation gain: 0 to 1500 feet. Packing List Hiking 2 - ModerateModerate hiking trips involve some hiking and provide fine views of the White Mountains. You should be prepared to hike five to ten miles a day over moderately difficult terrain. These are great trips for those who are willing to accept a challenge, but don't care to unduly punish their bodies. You will stay in shelters or under tarps. Elevation gain: 500 to 2500 feet. Packing List Hiking 3 - HarderHarder hiking trips involve 2,000 to 5,000 foot elevation gains. Much of the hiking will be above treeline involving distances of up to ten miles. These trips are designed to provide similar views to those of the psycho hiking trips but without all of the physical strain. Packing List Hiking 4 - ExtremeExtreme hiking trips are for experienced hikers only. This type of trip involves some of the most rugged hiking conditions in the East. Most of the peaks you will climb will be above treeline and must be reached by steep ascents. Distances average ten miles a day. You will spend the night in shelters or under tarps supplied by the DOC. Be prepared to sweat a few quarts and be familiar with the application of moleskin for blisters! These are tough trips but those who have hiked them in previous years insist that the spectacular scenery makes them well worth the effort. Packing List Horseback RidingHorseback Riding Trips take advantage of Dartmouth's beautiful riding facilities at the 180-acre Morton Farm. Intended for riders with some experience, riding trips feature long trail rides and a chance to enjoy all aspects of English riding. Horseback riders will camp on a remote portion of the farm property, and rise early to tend and tack the horses. Sturdy boots are a must for this trip, but all other riding equipment (including horses) will be provided. Packing List Kayaking FlatwaterFlatwater Kayaking Trips take sea kayaks along the tranquil Connecticut River. You will get to see the scenic Upper Valley and learn basic sea kayaking skills. No equipment is required and warm, non-cotton clothing is strongly encouraged. The trip helps students get acquainted with the countryside nearby Hanover! Kayakers will be required to take a swim test upon their arrival in Hanover. Packing List Kayaking WhitewaterWhitewater Kayaking Trips begin with instruction in the basics of how to kayak, including strokes and basic boat movement. From there prepare for a taste of whitewater as you practice on real (small) rapids. No kayaking experience is necessary or expected, but you must be a strong swimmer. We provide all kayaking equipment, but you should bring warm clothes and long underwear which you don't mind getting wet (no cotton!). Kayakers will be required to take a swim test upon their arrival in Hanover. Packing List Nature PaintingOutdoor Watercolor Painting Trips are a chance for those of you with an interest in art to spend a few days living in some of the most scenic landscapes of Northern New England. Student-leaders will guide you in day hikes and watercolor techniques. Basic watercolor supplies will be provided. Packing List Nature PhotographyNature photography trips provide a great opportunity for students with an interest in photography to explore and photograph New Hampshire's White Mountains. You will stay in a cabin both nights and you will take day hikes into the mountains guided by student-leaders with a background in photography. The difficulty of the hikes will be easy to moderate. If you don't have much hiking experience and enjoy photography, this is the trip for you! Packing List Nature WritingNature writing trips are led by students with a background in writing about nature. You'll stay in one of the DOC's cabins, and explore the area through day hikes and pleasure walks. Then you'll be invited to use your surroundings as inspiration for creative writing. You can write, share, and discuss as much or as little as you want. Packing List Organic FarmingOrganic Farming Trips involve a leisurely canoe followed by a two day stay at Dartmouth's very own Organic Farm. At the farm you will learn the basics of organic farming while helping out during the peak of harvest season. The farm's location on the bank of the Connecticut River makes it an ideal location for swimming and enjoying the river. Organic farmers are guaranteed to have a good time and eat like royalty. Packing List TrailworkTrailwork Trips are based in the Dartmouth College Grant, a 27,000 acre wilderness area in northern New Hampshire. In addition to hiking, time is spent building new trails and repairing/clearing old ones. Not only is this a great adventure in a beautiful place, but it is an opportunity to give back to the DOC. We teach you everything you need to know about trailwork, and these trips provide an excellent introduction to some of the work that is done by the Cabin and Trail division of the Outing Club. And keep in mind that after a hard day's work, you will definitely feel burly. Packing List |
