Columbus Outdoors - Columbus Outdoor Pursuits

A monthly publication of Columbus Outdoor Pursuits
February 2016
Columbus Outdoors
www.outdoor-pursuits.org
Volume 56, No. 2
Learn+Do
Columbus Outdoor Pursuits is a volunteer-based, participatory organization created to provide opportunities and education for outdoor recreation and activities
TOSRV GOBA XOBA Bicycling Backpacking Flat & Whitewater Boating Hiking Climbing Education Wilderness First Aid Leader Training
Columbus Outdoor Pursuits
1525 Bethel Road, Suite 100
Columbus OH 43220-2054
(614) 442-7901
fax: (614) 459-8044
www.outdoor-pursuits.org
[email protected]
Tour of the Scioto River Valley: www.tosrv.org
Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure: www.goba.com
Across Ohio Bicycle Adventure - www.Ride-XOBA.org
Columbus Fall Challenge - http://outdoor-pursuits.org/CFC
Columbus Outdoors is published online every month at www.
outdoor-purstuits.org.
Columbus Outdoor Pursuits is a non-profit, non-political
organization organized exclusively for charitable and educational
purposes and is dedicated to providing outdoor education and
recreation to all people, regardless of race, creed, or religion.
MEMBERSHIP
For membership information, contact the office at the phone
number or email address shown above. Membership forms are
periodically printed in this newsletter and are also available on
our website.
Commercial advertising is accepted, with some exceptions. Your
ad must be approved before it is submitted. Contact the Editor
for more information.
President - Jerry Capehart - 216/202-5557
[email protected]
Vice-President- position Open
Secretary – Eben Kent - 614/299-2153
[email protected]
Treasurer - Doug Beebe [email protected]
South Trip 2016
Keith Finn
Once again, intrepid paddlers Dave Seslar and Keith Finn are leading
one of their acclaimed southern paddle trips down, er, ...south. Yes!
This year, we plan to spend 5-6 days on the bee-u-t-ful St Mary’s River.
It has been several years since we visited the St Mary’s, which forms the
eastern border between Florida and Georgia. This is a very pretty, yet
unthreatening stretch of classic blackwater river. We will be camping
on pristine white sandbars while wending our way downriver under the
shade of live oaks, Ogeechee lime and water oaks. This trip would be
appropriate for beginning paddle campers - the river can be winding, but
is a non-technical paddle. Advice is always freely given!
We plan to leave late in the afternoon of March 14. We will drive Friday
night, and stay in a motel in southern West Virginia. Saturday the 15th
will be a travel day, we will arrive in the vicinity of the put-in Saturday
evening, and we plan to put on the river early Sunday afternoon (if all
goes according to plan!). The stretch of river we plan to paddle is from
the Rte 121 bridge near McClenney, FL to the St Mary’s River fish camp,
near Hilliard, FL.
ADVERTISING
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Join the online conversation and follow
@ColumbusOutdoor on Twitter today!
ELECTED MEMBERS
Keith Finn- 614/381-9483 [email protected]
Kate Koch - 614/ 946-6463 [email protected]
Tim McNish - 614/ 873-9331 [email protected]
The St Mary’s is one of my favorite rivers. Reliable flow, reliable
camping, and beautiful views are the attraction. We have paddled this
river at very low flows - only very high water would force us to choose
another destination. This trip will be good for novice paddle campers the benign aspect of the river, combined with my paddling limitations
(arthritis woes have limited how far, and how intensely I paddle...) - this
keeps our distance paddled each day to under 10 miles.
continued on page 3
Walt Taylor - 614/519-8633 [email protected]
ACTIVITY LEADERS
Backpacking - Keith Finn, 614/381-9483 [email protected]
Bicycling - Suzanne Birk 614/581-4316 [email protected]
Bicycle Development Fund – position open
Budget Tours - J Andrew Clayton 513/ 934-3657 [email protected]
Boating - [email protected] Lisa Daris 614/ 4218187 and Nic Sanna 910/381-3110
Camping - Stephanie Card 989/ 284-0328 [email protected]
Climbing - Dan Ziska 6149/ 998-696 [email protected]
Hiking - Bruce Smith 518/878-2921 [email protected]
Risk Manager - position open
Running - Morgan Stanton 602/ 320-3482
[email protected]
XOBA - Maureen Capehart - 330/333-XOBA [email protected]
Winter - Glenn Beachy 614/268-4904 [email protected]
ORGANIZATION STAFF
Senior Event Director - Bill Gordon 614/ 370-9121 [email protected]
Editor & -Office Manager - Ann Gerckens 614/442-7901
[email protected] [email protected]
Event Coordinator - Julie Van Winkle, 614/273-0805
Julie.VanWinkle@outdoor- pursuits.org
2 • February 2016 • Columbus Outdoors
Come be a fan and get the latest news, trip reports and event information.
See the fun our members are having and share with us your thoughts.
Here are “Official” pages, created by COP Board or Staff
COP Main page: www.facebook.com/Columbus.Outdoor.Pursuits
Backpacking https://www.facebook.com/groups/1374854726178558/
COP Boating is at www.facebook.com/groups/295898643839210/
Camping: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1553532071596326/
Climbing https://www.facebook.com/pages/Columbus-Outdoor-Pursuits-Climbing/1390318264622536
The Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure: www.facebook.com/gobatour
TOSRV: www.facebook.com/TOSRV.1962
The Across Ohio Bicycle Adventure: www.facebook.com/AcrossOhioBicycleAdventure
Steve Barbour Memorial Tour: www.facebook.com/Steve.Barbour.Memorial.Tour
Here are Facebook “groups” started by COP members. These were not created
by staff or board, and can be regarded as “fan” sites.
COP Bicycling is at www.facebook.com/groups/53811046325/
Hiking https://www.facebook.com/groups/ColumbusOHhikers/
Fans of the Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure (GOBA) www.facebook.com/groups/21599037582/
Tour of the Scioto River Valley www.facebook.com/groups/61493140982/
Class/Event Information:
Full Information for all events and classes is available on our website: www.outdoor-pursuits.org
Volunteers for COP table at the Adventure Summit - February 12 & 13, http://
www.outdoor-pursuits.org/event-2081787 or see page 7.
Roll Class - February 14 -http://outdoor-pursuits.org/event-2150365. See pg 8.
Kayak1 Class (K1)-February 14- See page 8
Leader Update Session - Feb. 24 http://outdoor-pursuits.org/event-2112159
Or see page 10.
Leader Training-Saturday, February 27, www.outdoor-pursuits.org/event-2112145
Or see page 10.
Wilderness First Aid - March 5 & 6, http://www.outdoor-pursuits.org/event-2081794.
Printable Registration Form was in the November 2015 issue, pg 10. online at
http://www.outdoor-pursuits.org/event-2081794.
K1 Class - March 27 - See page 8.
Find Your Park Cbus -April 30th 10:00am-3:00pm Scioto Audubon Metropark.
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED For more information, see page 10 . https://
www.facebook.com/childrenandnature Info.and Online Registration will be
available by late February at www.outdoor-pursuits.org/event-215620
TOSRV - May 7 & 8 2016 - online registration should be up and running the
end of December. Check www.tosrv.org.
GOBA 2016 - June 18-25, Now: online reg/info at www.goba.com; Brochures
mailed mid-January. gobainfo (AT) goba.com, 614-273-0811
XOBA 19 – July 23-30 –The Transportation Tour. http://outdoor-pursuits.org/
event-2139469
Learn+Do
continued from page 2
The St Mary’s is a classic blackwater
river, with its’ source being the famed
Okefenokee Swamp. The water is clear,
but the color of iced tea from the tannins
leached from leaves and peat from the
swamp.
Dave and I have been doing these
trips for many years - we have a pace
and rhythm developed over years of
experience. If your ideal trip consists of
getting up before dawn, cold breakfast,
pack up fast and hit the water for some
hours of hard paddling - avoid our trip.
We have developed, shall we say, a more
leisurely pace.
What’s Inside
Volume 56 •No. 2
2 South Trip 2016
3 Classes/Events taking Registration
On the Cover
4 Find Your Park Cbus!
5 Good News Follow Up
6 How I Became a Bicycle Commuter
7 2016 Bike Tour Fridge Poster
8 How I Got This Way- WFA
9 Activity Schedule
14 Membership Form
On the Cover
Roughly left to right from the top
Trip Leader John Lunn on the trail as it approaches
Cedar Falls.
Jim & Cheyenne Maurer on the artistic bridge.
An upland area on the way to Cedar Falls
The group at Old Mans Cave Upper Falls
2016 Roll Session photos by Lisa Daris
Meredith, Rick and Bruce stop to admire a woodpecker
during the December High Banks Hike. Photo by
Ann Gerckens.
Descending trail passes through a cleft carved in the
rock.
Jim gets a photo of Cheyenne at the Devils Bathtub
St Marys River campsite photo by Keith Finn
Trip Leader John Lunn leaving the Upper Falls.
New Years Hocking Hills Hike 2016 photos by Ann
Gerckens.
Submission Guidelines
This newsletter is no longer offered in print format. Information that we have been carrying in print can
now be found on our website, www.outdoor-pursuits.org.
GENERAL ARTICLES , PHOTOS and CLASSIFIED ADS
These submissions must be received by the Editor by 11:59PM of the 15th day of the preceding month.
ACTIVITY CALENDAR ITEMS
Send to the Schedule Coordiantor for the activity, as listed below. Schedule Items must be received by the
Schedule Coordinator by 9:00PM of the 12th day of the preceding month. Some Schedule Coordinators
set earlier dates. Missed the deadline? Your Schedule Coordinator can often get your trip onto the web
calendar and facebook for you.
Backpacking
Keith Finn
backpackingAToutdoor-pursuits.org
Bicycling (due on 9th) Donna Bush
bikenews AT outdoor-pursuits.org
Boating
Nic Sanna, Lisa Daris [email protected]
Camping Bruce Smith hikingAToutdoor-pursuits.org
Climbing
Dan Ziska
[email protected]
Hiking - Bruce Smith hikingAToutdoor-pursuits.org
Running - Morgan Stanton runningAToutdoor-pursuits.org
Winter Activities
Glenn Beachy
[email protected]
WEB CLASSIFIED ADS
We are not able to post these on the COP website for you. Fortunately, posting a classified is something
a member can do for themselves. To do this: Login to www.outdoor-pursuits.org. Go to More Stuff/
Classifieds (far right on the menu bar). Click on Create topic. Fill in subject and the body of your ad.
Click Create.
COMMERCIAL ADS
Contact the editor about this, [email protected]. Info at www.outdoor-pursuits.org/Advertising
1 EMAIL [email protected]
2 MAIL Columbus Outdoor Pursuits, Attn: Newsletter, 1525 Bethel Rd Ste 100, Columbus, OH 43220
SEND MATERIAL TO (in order of preference)
Columbus Outdoors • February 2016 •
3
Find Your Park Cbus
Powered by Columbus Outdoor Pursuits
on workshop focusing on using a
from the US Forest Service.
compass. Ann Gerckens, Instructor.
Find Your Park is a youth-inspired,
We’ll want to make this 1 or 2 specific Fishing skills will be taught by the Ohio
Department of Natural Resources.
youth led Children & Nature Network
time periods-1 hour each, suggest it
initiative to rally people of all ages to Play,
precedes a map reading class.
Birding will be led by CNN
Serve, and Celebrate. We’re encouraging
inter-generational groups of people Intro to Map reading. We’ll take a Kayaking on the Scioto River will be
walk around the park learning to
to get outside, be active, have fun and
run by Olentangy Paddle
correlate features on the ground
connect with nature. Families, teachers,
with information we see on a map. COP Information booth.
students, mentors, grandparents and
Ann Gerckens, Instructor. We’ll
friends – especially children and youth
want to make this 1 or 2 specific COP Hotdog Stand – hungry people
– are invited to participate.
are hard to get along with.
time periods-1 hour each, suggest it
This year’s event is taking place at Scioto
follows a compass workshop.
Audubon Metropark on Saturday,
April 30th from 10:00am-3:00pm! Geocaching, an introduction. Learn Volunteers Are Needed
the sport of geocaching. Jim Maurer. For general volunteering needs
Please fill out the form below if you’re
Time: We’ll want to make this a including the COP Information
organization is assisting in the planning
specific time period-1hour
Booth and the COP Hotdog Stand,
of this community event.
contact Lisa Daris Lisa.Daris@outdoorClimbing. Try your skills on the Scioto pursuits.org 614/ 421-8187.
Audubon Park climbing tower.
But Wait...There’s More!!!!
Volunteers will be there to belay and Climbers should contact Dan Ziska,
Don’t forget to take the Find Your Park
assist.
[email protected]
Pledge...
Learn to ride a bike. Don’t know how To help with the compass workshop,
Find Your Park kicks off in January with
to ride a bicycle? We can teach you! map hike or geocaching, contact
a year-round pledge campaign. Are you
We’ll have a small collection of bicycles [email protected],
ready? Take the Pledge on Facebook
and a few volunteers who can open 614/442-7901
or say “Yes” on Twitter by using the
up a world of exploration, sport and
hashtag #FindYourPark. The Find Your
transportation for you. Columbus To help people learn to ride a bike
Park Pledge provides a way for each of
Outdoor Pursuits volunteers. Time: or with a bike rodeo, contact Ann.
us to publicly express our commitment
,
on request except during the bike [email protected]
to connect ourselves, our families and
614/442-7901
rodeo (same volunteer crew)
our communities to nature–all year
long. You take the Pledge. We provide Hiking. COP will be leading short Can’t help, but you can lend a
bike?contact Ann.Gerckens@outdoorthe resources and inspiration.
hikes throughout the day
pursuits.org , 614/442-7901
www.facebook.com/childrenandnature Bike Rodeo? Put your riding skills to
the test! Columbus Outdoor Pursuits To help with the hikes, contact Bruce
volunteers.
Time: We’ll want to Smith, [email protected],
Draft Program List
make this a specific time period-1-2 614/ 566-1789
hoursLearn to use a compass. Sure you
Online Registration will be available by
know the needle points north, but
late
February at www.outdoor-pursuits.
Wildflower
Hikes
will
be
lead
how do you actually use the tool to
org/event-215620
throughout
the
day
by
a
volunteer
navigate? This will be short, hands
April 30th 10:00am-3:00pm
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4 • February 2016 • Columbus Outdoors
Good News Follow Up
Following up on the Welcome Change Concerning Small Trips and Insurance
Ann Gerckens, Office Manager
Well, I really shot myself in the foot on
this one. I hoped to avoid problems
by printing our insurance agents reply
verbatim rather than translating.
The issue we were dealing with had to
do with “Special Events” as defined by
the insurance company. Specifically,
If money changed hands and nonmembers were involved, it was a “Special
Event”. This required us to
A. report it as a special event and
B. pay additional insurance premiums
on every participant, even the
members. Bicycling didn’t have a problem with this
but Boating, Hiking and Backpacking
have been struggling since we often
car pool to the trail/river. As I said in
the newsletter, “This has been onerous
for COP because to follow the policy
and be welcoming to new people, trip
leaders (and the COP office) had to
do more paperwork and COP needed
to pay additional insurance premiums,
not just for the non-member, but for
every person on the trip. So if you were
a member on the trip, in addition to
the part of your membership fee that
goes to insurance, you got dinged a few
additional dollars. This could add up
over the course of a year.”
So the change “As long as they (trip
participants) are paying their expenses
directly and you are not sharing them
for any services this would be a club
activity and would not need to be listed
as a special event” is very welcome for the
affected activities.
I should have stopped there and edited
out the rest of his response. Most of the
organizations that Dan covers are single
activity clubs so they can and do go the
route of having members sign a blanket
release. He knows we get releases from
everyone, but evidently wasn’t thinking
about that while writing his response.
One leader said, “One could draw the
conclusion that you are getting ready to
forbid COP non-members from joining
COP Weekly Rides.”
AAcckk! No! There is no plan to go
that route! The subject does come up
every few years but gets beaten back
down. Excluding non-members, well,
I know clubs do it, but I don’t know
how they get new members with that
attitude. And yes, it would be a difficult
policy to enforce. Enforcing it would
fall to our leaders and even if they did
buy in (and I don’t think many would)
it would require more work on their part
to confirm participants membership
status and we both know no one wants $10 plus tax
more work.
The leader went on to say, “And please
define the specific “skills” that McKay
is referring to above. So that I know
what he means by “...leaders should be
comfortable…” “
As a ride leader, you need to be
comfortable with the participants bike
handling skills. Do they ride steadily
enough to ride in a group? Are they
going to be able to ride at the advertised
pace? Are they amenable to learning ride
etiquette and the rules of the road? These
kind of questions are common among
boating and hiking leaders. We don’t
get quite the same group week after
week as the bike rides appear to get.
Got Your COP
Socks Yet?
http://www.
outdoor-pursuits.
org/StoreFront
received grants from ODNR in 2005
and 2007) is that the application
process will require a lot of information
about our participants - membership
status, participation rates, age, race,
income level, etc. Membership status is
relatively simple information to gather,
so I’ve started.
As for the spreadsheet
I sent in November,
it seemed germane
to a discussion we
were having at the
time. I thought from
your comments that
you were unaware
that while your
Friday ride is almost
entirely members,
the Tuesday Dublin
and Thursday New
Albany rides are
50% non-members.
So why waste
my time trying
to get an idea
of our member/
non-member
participation? The
Board talks
more and more
about becoming
dependent on
grants as a main
source of our
funding. My
limited experience
with grants (COP
Columbus Outdoors • February 2016• 5
How I Became a Bicycle Commuter
Wilson Bridge Road, then on to Huntley
and Schrock roads into Westerville.
Even the bike lane on Schrock - formerly
By Barry Schumann, Rerun from October 2004
notorious for plenty of potential tireflattening debris - proved more bikeIt all started with the demise of the not because of the mileage, but because friendly, with the lane apparently being
battery in my 1991 Honda Civic in of the ride time, the heavy traffic and swept clear of debris periodically.
early August. A car in the garage for the need to shower or at least freshen up
I arrived home that first August evening
service on past occasions usually meant upon arrival at the ffice.
feeling physically invigorated, mentally
a day or two of round trips between
Westerville and downtown Columbus Now COTA offered a way to get mellow and totally excited about bicycle
downtown in a timely manner, without commuting.
on the COTA express.
dealing with rush-hour traffic and ready
But this summer Columbus Outdoor to start work with only a change of The free rides have ended, but with fuel
ranging up to $3-a-gallon the 1.75
Pursuits and COTA combined to offer shoes.
one-way fare is still less expensive than
a resh alternative: free Bus ‘n Bike rides
through Labor Day. I had read in the My first trip was gleefully uneventful. driving my 40-mpg Civic roundtrip.
COP newsletter how COP and COTA The bike racks were extremely easy to Plus I get a moderate to intense - my
had collaborated to obtain a grant to use and held the bike securely. Bike on choice - workout every time I bicycle
mount user-friendly bicycle racks on the rack, me on the bus, then 40 minutes home that clears my mind and tunes
the front of every COTA bus and to later me off the bus, bike off the rack muscles and riding skills.
cover fares of all bicyclists who used the and a short, two-block ride to work.
With 17 one-way rides over the 44
Bus ‘n Bike service to itigate traffic and No traffic, no sweat, no problem.
workdays in August and September, I
improve air quality.
Well, OK, there was the matter of on’t consider myself a full-fledged bike
The pitch was simple: show up at a bus adapting my Land’s End “courier bag” commuter. I don’t ride when afternoon
stop with a bike, ride free all summer. for actual on-the-bike use. It became rains are probable, and the shortening
The idea was intriguing, but until I clear that a chest strap would be needed days make the homebound ride a
found myself car-less I hadn’t found the to hold the bag securely in place while lights-required trip when the weather
riding. So I fashioned one from some cooperates enough during the “dark”
motivation to give it a try.
surplus nylon straps and Velcro fasteners months to take advantage of the flex
Now the bicycle wheels in my mind - not flashy, but effective.
in my work schedule. But come next
began spinning in anticipation. The
spring, I’ll be itching to “get on the
The
ride
home
was
a
breeze
along
the
20-mile one-way trip into work in the
bus” so I can experience the joy of bike
morning had always seemed daunting - familiar Olentangy Bike Trail from commuting regularly again.
downtown Columbus to the trailhead at
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6 • February 2016 • Columbus Outdoors
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2016 C.O.P. Bicycle Tours Fridge Poster
For Details and Registration visit us at www.Outdoor-Pursuits.org unless otherwise noted
April •
44th WOODSTOCK
Saturday, April 9th 7:30-9 AM Budget Tour
Westerville Central High School. 7118 Mt. Royal
Ave., A GREAT start to your Spring TOSRV training.
The roads have light traffic and are relatively flat in
counties N of Columbus. Multiple routes between of
35 to 100 miles with roads marked, maps provided.
48th SPOT
Saturday, April 16th. 7:30-9AM Budget Tour
CyclistConnection, 200 Cemetery Rd., Canal
Winchester, OH. The 2nd of 4 TOSRV training rides
in the counties SE of Columbus. Fairly flat course
with a few small hills. Multiple routes between of 30
to 100 with roads marked, maps provided.
42nd Mid-Ohio Century
Saturday, April 23th. 7:30-9AM Budget Tour
Mingo Park Shelter, NE of downtown Delaware.
Back to the counties N of Columbus for Beautiful
Ohio and a new route north along the Scioto River
and around Marion.TOSRV is 2 weeks away, so this
is a must to determine your riding shape. Multiple
routes between of 35 to 100 miles with roads marked,
maps provided.
May •
TOOH - Top of Ohio Hundred
Sunday, May 1st7:30-9 AM Budget Tour
Most routes start at Hilliard Community Center.
Roads will be marked and maps provided.
For TOP 60 loop, start in Milford Center (Fairbanks
Elementary School), 8:00-9:00AM.TOSRV is next
week, so last time for a tune up ride. NE of Columbus
with varied terrain, flat to hilly. Multiple routes of 25
to 100 miles with the 60/70/100 miles routes taking
riders past highest point in Ohio.
55th TOSRV: Tour of the Scioto River Valley
Sat. and Sun. May 7&8th Full Service Tour Columbus to Portsmouth and back.
Start at the Statehouse in Downtown Columbus
or HALF TOSRV starting at Yoctangee Park in
Chillicothe. Finally the purpose of your Spring
training. People come for all over the country to
reconnect with a community of bicyclists and share a
common love. There is a celebration at Tracy Park in
Portsmouth on Saturday.
Register at www.TOSRV.org
June •
42ndHOOT-Heart of Ohio Tour
Sat. June 4th . 7:30-9 a.m. - Budget Tour
Gloryland Nazarene Church off Coonpath Road
in Carroll. Time to see trees and flowers in the full
bloom of Summer in the surrounding hills and farms
around Lancaster and Fairfield County. Multiple
routes between of 38 to 100 miles, longer routes are
hilly.
Bicycle Tour in benefit of
“Embrace the First Step”
Saturday June 11th, Full Service Tour 7:30 am
– 9:00 am Start TBD in Dublin
Routes of 10, 25, and 50 mile rides with food and
entertainment included.
Embrace The First Step - “To identify and organize
athletic events for the benefit of deserving charities,
while motivating individuals to get involved and
create new fundraising opportunities by helping them
not only TAKE the first step…but embrace it!”
www.embracethefirststep.org
28th GOBA:
Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure 2016,
Saturday to Saturday, June 18-25
GOBA-28: It’s Outta This World!Fly away with
GOBA on an other-worldly experience in the
beautiful rolling terrain of Southwest Ohio. Sign
on now! Don’t let yourself become an Unidentified
Biking Object. Route details & online registration
are on goba.com. Early registration discounts.
Pre-registration required; May 18 deadline. 3,000riderlimit. goba.com, 614/273-0811,
[email protected].
July •
23rd Annual Upper Sandusky Family Tour
Sat., July 9th Full Service for the whole family
Upper Sandusky, Ohio. This is family friendly ride
touring the “Blue Stone Ridges” formed during the
Ice Age. We have multiple routes from 10 to 100
miles. Longer routes will have designated rest areas.
We will have hot pulled chicken sandwiches at the
end. www.Outdoor-Pursuits.org/Upper_Sandusky
28thRidge Runner Ramble in benefit of
Homeless Family Foundation
Saturday July 16th, Full Service Tour
New Albany High School. Ride NE of Columbus
on scenic roads knowing you are offering hope for
a better future for the children and families in the
Columbus area who are homeless or at risk of
becoming homeless. FULL SERVICE tour with
multiple routes of 20, 50 & 80 miles.
XOBA 19– The Transportation Tour
Sat. to Sat.July 23rd-July 30th, Full Service Tour
Seven days of riding at 60-65 miles per day. We are
traveling from Kentucky to Lake Erie. Along the way
we will be visiting museums that celebrate how we
get around. Planes, Trains and Spaceships by Bike! A
camping tour with two dinners provided during the
week. 250 Rider limit.See www.Ride-XOBA.org or
call 216-272-7436 for more information.
August •
30th Ride The Darby
Saturday, Aug. 2nd 7:30-9 a.m. Budget Tour
Buckeye Grove Shopping Center at the corner of
Hoover Road and Route 665, Grove City, OH.
Parking in north-east corner of lot only. Ride
the scenic flat to rolling area of the Big Darby
River and nearby watershed. Multiple routes of
30 to 100 miles.
6th Steve Barbour Memorial Tour
Sat., Aug. 20th. 7:30-9 a.m. FULL SERVICE Tour
Glacier Ridge Elementary School, Dublin. Steve
Barbour was a beloved Ride Leader, son, brother and
COP member that was struck by a car on his way to
lead a ride and died too young. This ride “Celebrates
a Year of Safe Cycling” with moment of silence for
cyclists that no longer ride with us. Routes of 62 to
100 mile routes.
September •
28th Covered Bridge Tour
Sat., Sept. 10th 7:30-9:00 a.m. - Budget Tour
Cyclist Connection, 200 Cemetery Rd., Canal
Winchester, OH. As the name states, ”Covered
Bridges” and beautiful roads south of Columbus. The
1st Columbus Fall Challenge (CFC) training ride to
start working on your climbing legs. Multiple routes
of 45 to 105 miles.
23nd Knox County Bicycle Challenge
Sat., Sept. 17th 7:30-9:30 am-Full Service Tour
Gambier Community Center, 115 Meadow Lane
across from new Kenyon College athletic facility. This
is a Tour not to miss with the beautiful hills of Knox
County. Slow down for Amish buggies! Longer loops
and Century route are challenging. Shorter routes
have fewer hills using the Kokosing Gap Trail for the
return to Gambier. Final warm up for the Columbus
Fall Challenge! Multiple Routes of 33 to 100 miles.
40th Columbus Fall Challenge
Saturday,Sept. 24 & Sunday, Sept. 25th 7-8:30
am Full Service Tour
NEW Format! Will still offer the Challenge of 2 days
– 100 mile each and 16,000 ft. of total climbing. In
addition a one day option of 100 miles or 100 KM
with climbing. This is the ultimate reason for the year
of training and a bonus to see SE Ohio in all the Fall
colors.
October •
29th Fall Hoot
Saturday, October 1st, 8-9:30 am - Budget Tour
Bloom Carroll High School,Rt. 33 between Canal
Winchester and Lancaster. Take US33 East from
Columbus to the stoplight at Carroll, turn left and
follow the paw prints to the school. Final Budget ride
of 2014 with Multiple Routes of 35 to 80 miles. All
routes have some hills, the number and size increase
with distance.
2nd Foster Hope Joyride in benefit of
The Bike Lady
Sat., Oct. 8th, 7:30 – 9 am Full Service Tour
Start at theTrek Store Columbus, Located in the
Northgate Plaza in Westville Store,
The Bike Route is 50 mile in NW of Columbus with
food and water stop and Family ride of 10 miles.
Proceeds benefit Bike Lady, Inc. a Columbus 501(c)
(3) ALL-VOLUNTEER charity that raises money
and provides NEW bikes, helmets, and locks to
Ohio foster kids during the holidays. The bikes
are assembled by offenders in three different Ohio
prisons. Your registration will provide one foster kid
a new bike this holiday season, and you’ll be giving
an inmate an opportunity to do a little something
good. #ride2give
Note:
This does not include our weekly, weekend, weekday
or Saturday Roving rides. This is reflective of the COP
Budget and Full Service Tours. Check www.outdoorpursuits.org for weekly and roving ride series.
Also, check the websites posted or the Columbus
Outdoor Pursuits website regularly for any changes
on the tours for the 2016 season, as some ride start
locations may change.
•Full Service Tours include marked roads, maps, food
stops and more. Fees are posted on theColumbus
Outdoor Pursuits website. Please check the
website for updated information and registration
information.
• Budget tours include maps and marked roads. Fees
are Put actual fees here. Registration is online in
advance or day of ride and between posted times.
Riders registered more than 24 hours in advance
will receive emailed links to GPS routes.Please go
to website for updated information and fees.
Columbus Outdoor Pursuits. 1525 Bethel Rd, Ste.
100, Columbus, Ohio 43220-2054. (614) 442-7901.
www.outdoor-pursuits.org
Columbus Outdoors • February 2016• 7
How I Got This Way - WFA
Ann Gerckens, Long Time COP Trip Leader
A fellow
backpacking
leader
commented
the other day
that her hiking
buddies don’t
understand why
she is interested
in taking classes
like Wilderness
First Aid and Wilderness First Responder.
After listening to me moan for a few
minutes about this new culture of “We
don’t need to learn anything, we saw a 5
minute video on YouTube”, she responded
that they probably had been lucky and
never needed first aid skills.
So let me tell you how I became interested
in Wilderness First Aid. I did see the 1985
Backpacker Magazine article on the new
Wilderness Medicine Classes that SOLO
was pioneering up in New Hampshire,
but I filed the information away in the
back of my mind.
In 1988, I closed my housecleaning
business and went for a long hike on the
Appalachian Trail. I sometimes refer to
this as my tour of Appalachian Hospitals.
Over the course of three months, I found
myself in need of medical help not one,
but three times.
The first was in Virginia. I managed to cut
my lower leg crossing a barbed wire fence.
Bleeding freely, I did not stop to wash it
out, but continued on another mile to a
road crossing with a restaurant. Taking
advantage of the facilities, I cleaned the cut.
It didn’t look bad and I thought nothing
of it for the next 4 days. On day 5, I woke
to red, puffy edges. Twice a day I applied
a warm, wet cloth and applied neosporin.
Day 7, the red took on a purplish tinge
& started to spread up my leg. A rest
day seemed in order. By day 9, the purple
covered a solid 2 inches from the cut. Not
feeling very well, I decided that I would
find a doctor when I reached Pearisburg.
I didn’t get that far on foot. Day 10, I was
having breakfast at Woodshole Hostel
when Tilly noticed how little I had eaten.
Mentioning I wasn’t feeling well resulted
in a thermometer in my mouth. And that
resulted in my arriving at the Pearisburg
Hospital by car. A shot, Rx for antibiotics
and instructions to take several weeks of
rest later, I was on the bus home. Lesson:
In the backcountry, take every wound
seriously.
But hey! I’ve quit my job and cleared my
schedule for a hike. It was only a week
before I was back in Virginia with my car,
8 • February 2016 • Columbus Outdoors
working out slackpacks with other hikers
so I could continue up the trail by day
hiking. After three weeks of this, I drove
back home and left the car, returning to
the trail ready to backpack.
Having lost too much time to make it
to Maine before winter, I picked up the
trail in northern Pennsylvania. I figured
I could cover the gap on weekend hikes
from Columbus.
My second medical adventure happened
in New York. I assume that I slipped and
fell but for all I know, a space ship might
have landed, kidnapped me and thrown
me back to the ground. One minute I was
walking along a ridge, gauging my pace could I keep it up? Could I reach the next
spring before dark? Next thing, I’m on
the ground with no idea of where I am,
what happened and what is that thing in
front of me. The thing turned out to be
my arm. I was fortunate to be hiking with
a friend, and fortunate that the friend was
behind me at that point because we had
no formal system for meeting up/keeping
track of each other. If he had been ahead
of me, I probably would have still been in
the same spot on the ground the next day.
Lesson: have a plan for when/where to
meetup, what to do if/when the other
person doesn’t show.
Unfortunately, he had less first aid training
than I. All he knew to do for swelling
was to put ice on it. He was quite upset
and I eventually sent him on a mission
to a nearby lake community to find some
ice. I needed some peace to think of
what needed to be done and how. At my
direction, he covered me with my wool
sweater, down sleeping bag and put my
hat on before leaving. Lesson: Know what
skills your companions have, encourage
them to have more.
So. There I am, lying on the ground, cold
beneath my layers on a 97 degree day. In
the time it took for my friend to cover 1/4
mile of steep trail with ladders and back,
knock on a door and get ice, three thruhikers passed me. The first mentioned
seeing my buddy and said she was a nurse
and we should not bother trying to splint
my arm for the hike out. It wasn’t very far
to the road. The next hiker took a moment
to criticize my choice to take a rest smack
dab on the trail before hurrying on toward
Maine. The third didn’t hesitate, but
told me to walk it off. Lesson: You can’t
depend on a stranger helping you, or
even sitting with you until help arrives.
When my friend returned with a glass jar of
ice, I told him it was time to find a doctor.
I sent him on to the road with instructions
to hide his pack and come back for me.
Returning, he put on my pack, and helped
me up. I was pretty unsteady and he had
to spot me the whole way.
We were fortunate that the first car to come
along stopped. Even more fortunate that
recognizing that we needed a hospital,
he did a U turn to go back from where
he’d come. Lesson: know where the area
hospitals are.
The intake process was difficult. I was
pretty loopy. Among other things, when
they asked me for information about my
nearest kin or friend, I pointed to my
buddy. They meant someone who could
sign me in because I was not competant,
but I didn’t understand. I mean, he’s
right there in front of them! Everyone
else is back in Ohio. Lesson: Do you and
your buddies have emergency contact
information for each other?
The verdict at the hospital was that no
bones were broken, but I’d lost a lot of
blood. Lesson: Just because it isn’t on
the ground doesn’t mean you aren’t
bleeding. Apply direct pressure!
The hospital send me off with a
prescription for ibuprofen and a sling. A
nurse intercepted me and pointed out that
I could do over the counter ibuprofen for
a lot less money. She also sent me out a
side door so I could leave with out paying
onthe spot. I found out later that it never
occurred to the doctor that I would be
stupid enough to keep hiking.
Three weeks later, after a day off in Kent
Connecticut. I woke sick in the wee hours.
Losing it at both ends, I stayed several days
at Bond Shelter. Looking back, I think
that if there had been no privy, I might
have sought medical help sooner. I knew
I was passing blood, but had no idea just
how much until I reached facilities with
porcelain. Lesson: if you are passing
blood, you need a doctor!
This was the beginning of the end for my
hike. It took another 2 weeks or so for
me to accept it, but I was out of money,
running out of time, and still being weak,
not enjoying myself.
At home again, I began looking into
alternatives to the ususal Basic First
Aid. In 1992. I persuaded COP to offer
Wilderness First Aid. Over the years, I’ve
had plenty of occasion to use my skills.
Fortunately, most of the use was on the
assessment end, i.e. does this person need
EMS, or can I sit him in the shade with
a bottle of water and keep an eye on him?
We have a Wilderness First Aid Class
scheduled for March 5&6.
I encourage you to take advantage of the
opportunity.
Bicycling
[email protected]
Suzanne Birk
614/581-4316 and Andrew Clayton 513/934-3657
Special One Time Events
55th TOSRV: Tour of the Scioto River Valley
Saturday, May 7th and Sunday, May 8th FULL
SERVICE Tour - Columbus to Portsmouth and
back.
Start at the Statehouse in Downtown Columbus
or HALF TOSRV starting at Yoctangee Park
in Chillicothe. Finally the purpose of your Spring
training. People come for all over the county to
reconnect with a community of bicycles and share
a common love. This is a tour with a celebration at
Tracy Park in Portsmouth on Saturday. Register at www.TOSRV.org
28th GOBA:
GREAT OHIO BICYCLE ADVENTURE,
Saturday to Saturday, June 18-25,2016.
GOBA-28: It’s Outta This World! Fly away with
COP RIDER GUIDELINES
Please review these guidelines if you are new to COP rides. By
choosing the correct pace and arriving prepared, you will help
ensure our rides are as safe and fun as possible for everyone.
SAFETY
A CPSC, ASTM, or SNELL approved helmet is required on
all COP rides. Other recommended safety items include a
rear-view mirror, a rear flasher, and bright, visible clothing.
Cyclists under age 18 must have written permission and the
liability waiver release signed by a parent or guardian. For
safety reasons, children two and under are not permitted on
COP rides. Please respect the laws of the road and rights of
other road users.
PACE
All COP bicycle tours are “open” paced events, with maps
and road markers provided; however, the tour organizer does
not specifically accompany the riders. COP day rides have
designated leader(s) at one or more paces, and only maps are
provided. The ride leader will accompany the group in the
manner that best supports the entire group, not an individual
rider. COP highly recommends that you contact the ride
leader if you have any questions about the ride/tour.
Pace classes are intended to give a rough idea of the common
“riding” speed of the group, rather than the average speed.
Completing a century ride (100) miles in 5 hours indicates
a mathematical average of 20 mph, but the common riding
speed to required to complete this ride in 5 hours can easily be
in the mid-20s. Variables such as wind, hills and time off the
bike can greatly detract from an average, as it is a time-based
figure. The speeds listed to the right refer to common “riding”
speeds.
Weekly Rides
Corn Stubble Ride
ActivitySchedule
STARTING TIMES: Times listed indicate when the
ride rolls out of the parking area. Please arrive early
enough to depart at the prescribed time. Note that
rides are listed in three categories below:’
• Annual Budget & Special Tours Listed by Date
• One Time Group Rides Listed by Date
• Weekly Recurring Group Rides Listed by Day of Week
GOBA on an other-worldlyexperience in the
beautiful rolling terrain of Southwest Ohio. Sign
onnow! Don’t let yourself become an Unidentified
Biking Object. Routedetails & online registration
are on goba.com. Early registrationdiscounts. Preregistration required; May 18 deadline. 3,000riderlimit.
www.goba.com, 614/ 273-0811, gobainfo AT goba.com
Fridays, 12:00 PM Class B+
November 6 through February 26
Will meet at the Hayden Run Trail Head on Hayden
Run Road in Hilliard.) http://tinyurl.com/pjar4u3
You haven’t lived until you have experienced the cold,
flat, wind-swept corn stumbled fields at the base
of the Appalachian foothills in the dead of winter.
The reward is warming up to hot coffee and great
meals at cycling friendly restaurants such as Castle’s
in Mechanicsburg (Cash Only), Rock’n Robin in
Urbana, or Der Dutchman in Plain City. Main
goals: Stay warm, socialize and eat well. These rides
are between a 12 mile round trip to Der Dutchman
on really nasty days or up to a 72 mile round trip to
Rock’n Robin on global warming affected days. For
B+ riders who want to relax, stop for a meal, and get
outside instead of riding a trainer for a change. Will
ride at a 17+ mph average pace when roadway is dry
and temp is above 15 degrees.
Tim Malone 614/419-2598 [email protected]
A 19-23 MPH: our fastest pace. Licensed racers frequently
attend these rides, which might be listed as A+ rides in this
schedule. Be prepared to maintain this pace over 30-50
miles on a weeknight ride, and 60-100 on a weekends. Stops
typically are few and short. Average speeds can be over 20
mph.
B 16-19 MPH: a fast recreational clip. The ride distances will
be somewhat lower than the “A” group, and the stops can be
longer and more frequent. Opportunities for regrouping will
be more frequent.
C 13-16 MPH: an enthusiastic pace. Many of our longer-
distance riders ride in this pace range. The mood will be less
competitive and more social. Groups will tend to stay together
more, but the riding will still be consistent. The routes often
avoid the hilliest options.
D 10-13 MPH: a very social pace. Riders can be experienced,
or fairly new, but are usually familiar with the basics of cycling
on the open road and in groups. Distances are modest, and
often a meal stop or sight-seeing is involved.
NR: no designated speed. These rides are specifically oriented
around introducing new riders to the sport. The pace will
be dictated by those who attend, and often these rides are
intended as an introduction to cycling. NR rides can use bike
paths or roadways.
Depending On Weather and Riders, usually for
winter rides. This note in any ride listing indicates an “open”
condition, and will usually be included with a pace class. The
leader may choose to leave the pace, distance, and destination
to be decided by the group, so maps may not be included for
these impromptu rides.
DOWR:
Columbus Outdoors • February 2016 • 9
Canal Winter Rides
Hiking
Activity Schedule
Saturdays, 9 AM, Class B
Ride distances of 30-60 miles. No ride when raining,
snowing, snow/salt-covered roads, or temps below
Bruce Smith 518-878-2921 [email protected]
about 25 degrees. Meet at Cyclist Connection Bicycle
Shop, 200 Cemetery Road, Canal Winchester. http://
Columbus Metro Parks Winter Hike: tinyurl.com/qakdpss
Blendon Woods!
Dave Miller dave.miller011(at)gmail.com
Sat. Feb. 6, 2016 at 9:00 am
A COP group will join this Metro Parks event. Enjoy
a 2, 4, or 6-mile hike through the forests and fields,
on and off trail. Food served afterward thanks to
Metro Parks. Blendon Woods Metro Park is at 4265
E. Dublin-Granville Road, Westerville, OH 43081.
Morgan Stanton [email protected]
Start at the Cherry Ridge Program Area. The Metro
Slate Run Run
Parks hike starts at 10:00 but we are starting at 9:15
2nd and 4th Saturdays, noon
to help avoid the crowd and parking problems. Please
Come and run the trails with others in the NW arrive by 9:00 so you have time to park, find our
Fairfield/NE Pickaway County area. We will usually group, and sign in. Details: http://ow.ly/U5sYq.
be running 3-5 miles at a moderate to slow pace (over Stephanie Card [email protected]
8 min/mile). Meet at Slate Run’s Buzzard’s Roost area.
989/ 284-0328
If you have any questions or just want to say you are
coming, contact me.
Columbus Metro Parks Hike & Campfire!
Scott Smoot [email protected]
Sat. Feb. 20, 2016 at 5:45 pm
A COP group will join the Columbus Metro Parks
Thank you Morgan Stanton for stepping up event called Hike and Heat. Take a brisk 2-mile walk
to be the Running Activity Leader!
and return to a cozy campfire. It’s at Blendon Woods
Metro Park, which is at 4265 E. Dublin-Granville
Road, Westerville, OH 43081. Meet at the Nature
Center. The Metro Parks hike starts at 6:00 but please
arrive by 5:45 so you have time to park, find our group
and sign in. Details: https://reservations.metroparks.
net/programs/35330.
Glenn Beachy 614/268-4904 [email protected]
Bruce Smith [email protected]
Impromptu Winter Activities
518/ 878-2921
When the snow falls give us a call for x-c skiing or
snowshoeing. Rentals and instruction available. A Unimproved Trail Hike at Blendon Woods
few potential destinations: Glacier Ridge, Highbanks, Metro Park
Prairie Oaks, Battelle-Darby, or Blendon Woods Sat. Feb. 27, 2016 at 12:20 pm
Metro Parks, Lobdell Reserve in Licking County, Enjoy a 2-mile hike on Blendon’s unimproved trail
Deer Creek State Park, Malabar Farm State Park or through fields and forest. Explore winter on this
Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
leisurely stroll through the park. Meet at Blendon
Contact Glenn Beachy email gbeachy2000(at)
Woods Nature Center parking lot at the trail head.
yahoo.com or 614/268-4904 or Terry Smith at
Follow park signs to the Nature Center. We will start
[email protected], 614/396-6500.
hiking at 12:30 but please arrive at least 10 minutes
early to find parking and our group, and to sign the
release. In case of snow adequate for cross-country
skiing, we will hike an alternate trail but we will still
meet at the Nature Center parking lot. Please dress
appropriately for weather conditions. Hiking boots
Members only, unless you are on a COP trip. are recommended.
Costs $8/day for skis, boots and poles. $6/day Blendon is located at 4265 E. Dublin-Granville Road,
Westerville, OH 43081.
snowshoes and poles. No excuses, get out there!
For all these group hikes, you participate at your own
Contact Glenn Beachy at 614-563-1146 risk.
or [email protected]
Columbus Outdoor Pursuits member Kevin
Oldaker will lead this hike.
Running
Winter Activities
COP has cross-country skis
and snowshoes for rent
Not Seeing the Trips You Would Like to See?
Please consider becoming a COP Leader. One of the advantages of leading is that you get to go where you
want to go, when you want to go and how you want to go. See the Meetingss section for the next Leader
Training Class.
10 • February 2016 • Columbus Outdoors
Boating
Lisa Daris 614/ 421-8187 [email protected]
Nic Sanna 910/381-3110 [email protected]
Boaters! Another change to scheduling! Send
your trip write ups to:
[email protected].
February 14
Learn the roll with an expert. Check back for details
soon!
“With the proper instruction, I was rolling in 5
minutes! I never thought it would be this easy!” ~last
year’s participant
All sessions held at the Groveport Rec Center 7370
Groveport Rd, Groveport, OH 43125
February 14: Groveport, Time 10:00 - 12 noon
http://outdoor-pursuits.org/event-2150365 $10 members - $15 non-members
Many of these pool sessions are open for roll practice
with no formal instruction but there will be many
folks available to help. Exceptions are indicated with K1 Class
Feb 21 Groveport, Time: 10:00 - 12 noon
an asterisk* March 27: Groveport, Time: 10:00 - 12 noon
Pool Rules:
• Please keep street shoes of the pool deck other
than when dropping off boats. We recommend
dropping boats at back door first, then enter
through front door to pay, then enter locker
rooms to change. • Helmets must be worn in the pool.
• Help each other - Have fun - Be courteous - Thank
the pool staff - Thank the COP leaders
• Seal launches are not allowed at Westerville.
• No Swimming or non-boating related pool usage
• Please pay for the pool session at the front counter
before entering the back door with your boats
and gear. Boats and gear can be set on pool
deck , but please be courteous to not block the
walkway. Make sure your boats and gear are
clean. Please remove your float bags and wash the
inside of your craft making sure to get all the sand
and leaves from under the seat, in front of the
foot braces, and out of the storage holds. • It’s important to bring clean equipment (boat,
paddle, clothing) free of sand, mud, and debris
to the pool in order to maintain our relationship
with the pool.
Bottom line: Bring your own clean gear or request
equipment in advance of Sunday.
Need equipment? COPs has equipment available to
rent (@$15/day), which includes boats, skirts, paddles,
and life jackets. Transportation of equipment is available
for a small fee, which is determined by how many
people sign up for this service. Reserve your equipment
and transport via [email protected]
Schedule:
February 21: Westerville, Time: 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Arrive after 5:30pm to stage and dress
Februar y 28: Groveport, Time:10:00am 12:00pm
March 6,13, 20: Westerville, Time:6:00pm - 7:30pm
Arrive after 5:30pm to stage and dress
March 27:No roll class(K1 class, Groveport,
Time:10:00 - 12 noon)
Swift Water Rescue Course
ActivitySchedule
Winter Roll Sessions
Roll Class
Saturday, June 4 - Sunday, June 5 This is open to members only. Event registration will
be open soon!
The ACA “level 4” rescue class with Charlie Walbridge
is intended for intermediate paddlers, comfortable
making ferries and eddy turns in Class II-III water.
Good swimming ability is also needed. We cover
whitewater swimming and wading, throw bag use,
rescue life vests, boat unpinning, entrapment rescue,
and scene management.
Students will need all paddling gear, including a PFD,
helmet, wetsuit, and foot protection. The wetsuit
is needed because we spend a lot of time in the
water and you’ll get cold even in the warm months.
? Need a Boat ?
You can rent one from Columbus Outdoor Pursuits!
Whitewater kayaks, sea kayaks, canoes, duckies, and rafts
are available. However, only COP members are entitled to
rent our boats, and first priority is given to boating schools
and trips. Per new liability insurance requirements, COP
membership is required for ALL individuals using our boats on
Class III or greater whitewater. Rental rates include necessary
accessories. PFDs must be worn at all times while on or near
the water; helmets are required to be worn at all times on
Class II and greater whitewater. Renter paddling skills will
be assessed as part of our safety process.
Rental Rates
Old canoes (aluminum) $10 per day
New canoes (plastic)
$15 per day
Whitewater kayaks
$15 per day
Rafts (per seat) & duckies $10 per day
Sea Kayaks (solo or tandem)$25 per day, $45 per weekend
Recreational Kayaks
$25 per day, $45 per weekend
Contact Volunteers
Rental requests need to be made well in advance (at least a
week) of needing boats.
For recreational/sea kayaks: John Lane 614/486-4548
For Canoes & inflatables: WaltTaylor 614/ 519-8633
[email protected]
For whitewater kayaks: Dave Seslar 614/334-9352 [email protected]
COP Boat Rentals are available to COP members only!
Columbus Outdoors • February 2016 • 11
Activity Schedule
Everyone should bring a throw bag, 2 carabiners, and
a webbing belt or 8’ of 1” tubular webbing. Bring a
comfortable chair for land sessions, sunscreen, and a
water bottle.
Classes run 8-5 Saturday, 9-4 on Sunday. The morning
is classroom work, afternoons are on the water.
Location: Albright, WV - Cheat Narrows or other
available river depending on water levels
Essentials of River Kayak
May -Please check back with us in the spring
Want to explore river paddling, but not quite ready
for whitewater? Curious about back ferries and eddy
turns but too shy to ask? Essentials of River Kayaking
(ERK) is for you! This class introduces the skills you
need to take charge of your boat and travel safely on
Class I rivers. Before taking this class, students must complete COP
Kayak I, COP QuickStart Kayak, or an equivalent
class. Students should be comfortable performing a
wet exit and should have some very basic kayaking
experience. The cost for the class is $65 for COP Members, $75
for Non-Members. Kayaks are provided, along with
other essential gear. The 28th Southern Paddle Trip
April 1st to April 10th, 2016
Once again, intrepid paddlers Dave Seslar and Keith
Finn are leading one of their acclaimed southern
paddle trips down, er, ...south. Yes! This year, we
plan to spend 5-6 days on the bee-u-t-ful St Mary’s
River. It has been several years since we visited the
St Mary’s, which forms the eastern border between
Florida and Georgia. This is a very pretty, yet
unthreatening stretch of classic blackwater river. We
will be camping on pristine white sandbars while
wending our way downriver under the shade of live
oaks, Ogeechee lime and water oaks. This trip would
be appropriate for beginning paddle campers - the
river can be winding, but is a non-technical paddle.
Advice is always freely given!
Keith Finn or Dave Seslar. orcafinn (at) gmail.
com, david.seslar (at) gmail.com. Keith’s phone
is 614.560.3558, Dave’s phone is 614.334.9352
Note: Keith is much better at responding to email,
he continuously misplaces his cell phone. Dave is
known to respond better to text messages!
Keep watching the calendar for
more 2016 classes.
International Scale of River Difficulty
Adapted from American White Water. Thanks for their permission to use. This is the American version of a rating system used to compare river difficulty throughout the world. this system is not exact;
rivers do not always fit easily into one category, and regional or individual interpretations may cause
misunderstandings. It is no substitute for a guidebook or accurate first-hand descriptions of a run.
Please visit www.americanwhitewater.org for additional information.
Class I: easy. Fast moving water with riffles and small waves. Few obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training. Risk to swimmers is slight; self-rescue is easy.
Class II: Novice. Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are evident without scouting. Occasional maneuvering may be required, but rocks and medium sized waves are easily
missed by trained paddlers. Swimmers are seldom injured and group assistance, while helpful, is
seldom needed
Class III: Intermediate. Rapids with moderate, irregular waves which may be difficult to avoid and
which can swamp an open canoe. Complex maneuvers in fast current and good boat control in
tight passages or around ledges are often required; large waves or strainers may be present but are
easily avoided
Class IV: Advanced. Intense, powerful but predictable rapids requiring precise boat handling in turbulent water. Depending on the character of the river, it may feature large, unavoidable waves and
holes or constricted passages demanding fast maneuvers under pressure.
Class V: Expert. Extremely long, obstructed, or very violent rapids which expose a paddler to added
risk. Drops may contain large, unavoidable waves and holes or steep, congested chutes with complex, demanding routes.
Class VI: Extreme and exploratory. These runs have almost never been attempted and often exemplify the extremes of difficulty, unpredictability and danger.
12 • February 2016 • Columbus Outdoors
Meetings,
Classes,etc.
Leader Training
ActivitySchedule
Saturday, February 27 10AM-5PM
COP Office, 1525 Bethel Road, west side door,
Columbus 43220
COP Leader Training covers: Risk Management,
Paperwork & COP Policies, Trip Planning, Participant
Board Meeting
Screening and Leadership. Cost is $15 for the day
Tuesday February 2nd, 7pm
and includes lunch. Please bring $15.00 in cash, exact
At the COP Office, 1525 Bethel Road, west side door change, to class. Register online at:
and downstairs. All are welcome; however, if you http://outdoor-pursuits.org/event-2112145 by
have business to bring before the Board you need to
Thursday, February 25th.
contact the President one week in advance to get on Ann Gerckens [email protected]
614/442-7901
the agenda. Planning to join us? Please register to let
us know, so we may have a chair ready for you. http://
www.outdoor-pursuits.org/event-2144757
Board Meeting
Tuesday March 2nd, 7pm
Jerry Capehart [email protected]
At the COP Office, 1525 Bethel Road, west side door
Volunteers are Still Needed to staff the
and downstairs. All are welcome; however, if you
have business to bring before the Board you need to
COP table at the Adventure Summit
contact the President one week in advance to get on
February 12 & 13, 2016
the agenda. Planning to join us? Please register to let
Wright State University, Dayton OH
us know, so we may have a chair ready for you. http://
www.outdoor-pursuits.org/event-2144764
Tasks include:
•stand near our table (booth) and talk up COP to Jerry Capehart [email protected]
passersby.
•Hand out literature,
Wilderness First Aid
•answer questions,
March 5 & 6
•keep a slide show going on the computer screen
6 hour first aid class for people who travel more than
A lot of these people will be from the Dayton area, so one hour from definitive care. Leaders are eligible for
we’ll try to sell our bike tours plus activities that already a subsidy.
involve driving like backpacking and boating.
Information is on page 7. Register online at http://
www.outdoor-pursuits.org/event-2081794, no later
Time Commitment: a minimum of 2 1/2 hours,
The more, the merrier. Plan to spend more time than Thursday, March 3rd, 11:59pm
there so you can take in some of the great workshops Ann Gerckens at the COP Office [email protected] , or 614/442-7901
and activities.
Adventure Summit information is available at March Program Meeting
http://theadventuresummit.com/
Tuesday, March 15th
To volunteer for the COP table, register at http:// Bicycling will host.
www.outdoor-pursuits.org/event-2081787 or
Find Your Park Cbus
contact the COP office office@outdoor-pursuits.
org, 614/ 442-7901
April 30th 10:00am-3:00pm
Online registration for this volunteer opportunity Scioto Audubon Metropark
Powered by Columbus Outdoor Pursuits, .Find
ends at 11:59pm on Wednesday, February 10th.
Your Park is a youth-inspired, youth led Children &
Nature Network initiative to rally people of all ages
There will be no Program Meeting in
to Play, Serve, and Celebrate. We’re encouraging
February
inter-generational groups of people to get outside, be
active, have fun and connect with nature. Families,
Update Session for Long Time leaders
teachers, students, mentors, grandparents and friends
Wednesday, February 24th, 2016, 7-9:00 pm
– especially children and youth – are invited to
Been a while since you took leader training? Please participate. www.facebook.com/childrenandnature
join us for an evening to make sure we are all on the Draft Activities List includes: Learn to use a compass,
same page. Well review Risk Management, paperwork Intro to Map reading, Geocaching, Climbing, Learn
and COP Policies, and discuss issues that effect us as to ride a bike, Hiking, Bike Rodeo?
Wildflower
leaders out on the roads, trails, and waters.
Hikes, Fishing skills , Birding, Kayaking on the Scioto
River, COP Information booth & Hotdog Stand –
You must be a member of COP to take this class.
VOLUNTEER ARE NEEDED See info. on page 4.
register at http://outdoor-pursuits.org/event2112159 by 11:59pm on Tuesday, February 22nd,
Info./ Online Reg. will be available by late February
or by emailing [email protected]
at www.outdoor-pursuits.org/event-215620
Columbus Outdoors • February 2016 • 13
February 2016
Columbus Outdoor Pursuits
1525 Bethel Rd Ste 100
Columbus OH 43220-2054
Address Service Requested
2016 Roll Session photo by Lisa
Daris
Why Join Columbus Outdoor Pursuits?
- Choose from an extensive schedule of activities year-round.
- Receive this monthly emailed newsletter, filled with trips, events, and articles.
- Learn by doing in workshops on canoeing, bicycle maintenance, rock
climbing, backpacking, wilderness first-aid, leadership skills, and more.
- Develop your leadership and organizational skills with volunteer opportunities.
- Take advantage of low-cost outdoor equipment rentals for members
- Make new friends who share your interests and have fun.
Volunteer!
Columbus Outdoor Pursuits success record is in large the result of many people
donating their time. If you have some time and want to be a bigger part of this
organization, please check off the items below where you could help:
Bike tours-foodstops Computer support
TOSRV
Bike tours - reg
GOBA
Publications
Bike tours-arrows
XOBA
Trip Leader (training Office (weekdays) Bike tours - sag
provided)*
Mailing
Publicity
Activity?__________
Telephoning
Data entry
Membership Application
YES! I want to become a member of Columbus Outdoor Pursuits. I understand I
will receive a full 12-month membership and all other benefits of membership.
Renewing? The expiration month on your renewal will remain the same.
Student $ 25.00 (16-26)
Adult $ 30.00
Senior $ 25.00 (65 & over)
Family $ 50.00 (2 or more people in the same household)
Life
$500.00
I would like a plastic Membership Card $3.00 in addition to the emailed version
that I print off myself.

Tax deductible donation __________
Total Amount Enclosed: $______.____
Make check payable to: Columbus Outdoor Pursuits
Mail to: Columbus Outdoor Pursuits
Activity Interests
Circle ”1” for primary interests and “2” for secondary interests. Circle “L” if you are willing to lead trips.
Rafting
1 2 L
Backpacking 1 2 L
Hiking
1 2 L
Rock Climb
1 2 L
Bicycling
1 2 L
Running 1 2 L
X-C Skiing
1 2 L
Mt. Biking
1 2 L
Trail Running 1 2 L
SnowShoeing 1 2 L
Whitewater kayak 1 2 L
Camping 1 2 L
Other Canoeing
1 2 L
Sea Kayak
1 2 L
___________________
Rec Kayak 1 2 L
How did you find out about COP?____________________________________
What made you decide to join?______________________________________
________________________________________________________
1525 Bethel Rd Suite 100
Columbus, OH 43220-2054
or join online with a credit card at www.outdoor-pursuits.org
Name: _________________________________________________________
Address:________________________________________________________
City:____________________________ State:__________ Zip:____________
Home Phone: (____) _____________ Email Address:_____________________
Birthdate: _______________
Previous Membership #: _______________