From canoe trips and backpacking excursions in the fall, to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter, Outing Club members explore the country through wilderness excursions.
The Hoofer Outing Club is an outdoors education and recreation club with a diverse membership of students, faculty, staff, and community members. Members plan and lead trips in Wisconsin and around the country, instruct lessons, oversee purchase and upkeep of club equipment, and coordinate all aspects of club operations.
When you join the Outing Club, lessons are free and most equipment use is included; trip costs are usually only gas, food, and camping expenses. You can join in on a trip or lead one yourself! Trips are announced on the website calendar, through our email list, or at one of our weekly meetings at the trip leader’s discretion.
How to Join
1. Create your Account!
When you're ready to join, head over to our member site at https://members.hoofers.org to create your account! You must be a Union Member to join. Note that UW-Madison students are automatically granted Union membership.
2. Sign Up for Events!
Once you've joined the club, you can search for events and sign up from the member site. Pick your favorite event, sign up, and get ready for an adventure!
For more information, click the button below!
Contact Us
Hoofer Outing Club
Memorial Union, Lower Level
800 Langdon St.
Madison, WI 53706
(608) 262-1630
info@hooferouting.org
Contact Us
News
Hey Hoofers! Come join Isabel Rojas-Viada and your fellow Hoofers in sparking a dialouge about big mountain climbing. She will be showing photos and telling stories of her climbing experiences on Aconcagua - the highest summit in South America! Bring your most adventurous self!
Upcoming Events
Camping hiking biking & swimming at Point Beach on Lake Michigan
Join Chris and I for some camping at the Point Beach state park in Two Rivers Wi. Point Beach has a large beautiful beach on Lake Michigan just north of Two Rivers Wi. We plan to bring our bikes, there are several trails both along the waterfront and in the wooded Point Beach Forest. We also will spend time on the beach and water. There is also the West of the Park Garden in nearby Manitowoc that we plan to visit. Club has camping gear if you need it. The cost will most likely be about $40 to $50 per person. Plus the cost of food. More details will follow as we get closer to that date. This is a Tuesday thru Friday trip.
No ratings of any type are needed for this trip. Anyone is welcome.
2019 Great Lakes Sea Kayak Symposium - July 17-21, 2019
2019 Great Lakes Sea Kayak Symposium - July 17-21, 2019
2019 Great Lakes Sea Kayak Symposium - July 17-21, 2019 (Grand Marais MI)
https://www.greatlakesseakayak
Grand Marais was picked as the location for this symposium for its protected harbor with easy access to the open waters of Lake Superior and it’s proximity to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The town also has an amazing beach in the harbor and on the exposed Superior shore. The historic village of Grand Marais is at the eastern gateway to Pictured Rocks National Lake Shore.
This is a chance for to paddle sea kayaks on Lake Superior in a beautiful setting and to get quality mentorship/training outside of the club and to bring their skills back to the club. I have paddled here before as have many other club members. Pleae feel free to ask us about our experience. If you intend to register and attend, please contact me to coordinate boat and gear. Given the scheduling and costs involved, I am posting early to enable folks to plan and coordinate boat, gear, and lodging. I am also hoping that this will motivate you to develop skills through the club to enable you to make the most of the experience.
Great Lakes Sea Kayak Symposium Website:
https://www.greatlakesseakayak
When: July 17-21, 2019
General Schedule:
https://www.greatlakesseakayaksymposium.net/great-lakes-sea-kayak-symposium/schedule/
Where: On Lake Superior in Grand Marais MI (Upper Peninsula along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore) ~ 6hrs drive from Madison.
Rating Required:SK1 and up (If you need help deciding if this is a good fit for you, please feel free to contact me directly by email.)
Why's it so great: This symposium offers several courses organized by skill level. It is run by ACA and BCU certified instructors and covers every aspect of sea kayaking. You choose your own class schedule based on skill level. There are land and water-based instructional courses as well as guided expeditions around Lake Superior. Some examples of instructional classes are Navigation, and Surf & Waves. Guided trips are both full and half-day. You have the choice of skill-builder trips where rescue scenarios are mixed with the expedition, or you can strictly do touring.
https://www.greatlakesseakayaksymposium.net/great-lakes-sea-kayak-symposium/courses/
If you intend to register and attend, please contact me to coordinate boat and gear and if you would like help choosing classes/trips.
Cost: You are responsible for symposium and lodging costs (below) and food (some meals are provided by symposium).
You will need to register through the symposium’s website and pay registration fees (more info below). If you intend to register and attend, please contact me so I can help coordinate boat and gear. Using Hoofers Club Gear makes this much more affordable.
When you look at the variety of guided expeditions and instructional opportunities the value goes a long way. If you need sea kayak equipment we are approved to use Hoofer equipment. This saves the expense of having to rent boats/paddles/skirts.
REGISTRATION/FEES
Symposium Details and Registration
https://www.greatlakesseakayak
$395.00
Includes: 4 days of coaching, welcome dinner Wednesday, Grand Marais High School fundraising pasty dinner Saturday and all evening social gatherings.
LODGING: There are indoor lodging options and outdoor camping right near Lake Superior. You can also camp at Woodland Park Campgound and bring a tent (your own or through the club). Links are below.
https://www.greatlakesseakayaksymposium.net/great-lakes-sea-kayak-symposium/lodging/
https://www.grandmaraismichiga
http://www.grandmaraismichigan.com/WoodlandPark/woodland-park.php
Sea Kayak Lake Lesson Combo
Friday 6:00PM - 8:30PM Kayak/Sea Kayak Combo Lesson - July 19, 2019
(If another sea kayaker, leader, or instructor wish to team up or assist me, please email me. We could then open up to more participants.)
Please only sign up if you are certain you will show up. Otherwise, please leave room for others. Thank you.
Please meet at the Mendota Lodge in the Memorial Union promptly at 6:00PM. We will review the plan for the day. Please arrive promptly wearing a swimsuit and warm-when-wet clothing (no cotton) and water shoes or sandals that will stay on your feet when swimming. There may be an opportunity for the standard swim test after the lesson.
***Please bring sunscreen, a warm change of clothes and a towel, (please also eat well before arriving), and 1 liter or more of water to drink.
We will use sea kayaks for this Kayak/Sea Kayak Combo lesson.
In this lesson, we will learn the following.
(a) Boathouse and Lake Procedures and Rules
(b) Construction/Operation of Sea Kayaks
(c) How to efficiently hold the paddle and basic/intermediate paddling strokes to move the boat forwards, backwards, sideways (draw strokes), turning (sweep strokes), how use your hips/thighs to edge the boat to move the boat more efficiently (edging), and how to use your paddle to prevent capsize (bracing).
(d) How to exit the boat safely in the event of capsize (wet exit - you will get wet).
(e) How to upright your boat with assistance from a fellow paddler (the bow rescue - also called the Eskimo rescue).
(e) How to re-enter and empty water out of your boat with assistance from a fellow paddler (The T-rescue)
(g) Depending on the wind, we may likely paddle out beyond the mooring field.
Successfully completing this lesson will earn the following ratings.
1. Kayak Lake Rating
2. SK0 Rating for Sea Kayak
This lesson will prepare you to enjoy many sea kayak trips and introductory white water trips.
See you Friday!
General Meeting
Summer meetings will be a rather informal oppurtunity for Outing Club members to get together and talk about recent trips, upcoming trips, and other general announcments. We will also proabably spend some time dreaming up the next big andventures the club will tackle in the coming weeks/ months. See you in the Mendota Lodge on the first floor of Memorial Union!
Sea Kayak Trip Leadership Training - July- Apostle Islands Lake Superior
Sea Kayak Trip Leadership Training - Apostle Islands Lake Superior
Tentative Dates: July 26-August 1, 2019 (This is a general window to be finalized soon.)
Pending interest and water safety approval, I plan to co-lead a training trip opportunity to earn:
(A) ACA Sea Kayak Trip Leader Certification.
(B) ACA Knowledge/Skills Assessment (prior to the trip)
My goal is to develop skilled paddlers, instructors, and leaders.
The American Canoe Association (ACA) is the industry standard for paddle sports in North America and is a recognized standard worldwide.
Why: ACA training/certification in paddling, teaching, safety, and leadership skills is essential and highly valued for those who intend to work and/or play in the outdoors.
Here is your opportunity close to home in one of our favorite Great Lakes. This training trip will occur on Lake Superior in the Apostle Islands National Shoreline.
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***Focus of Leadership Training:
This opportunity is in conjunction with a multi-day trip in the Apostle Islands. The Trip Leader Training/Certification provides more focused training on trip planning, risk and incident management, safety, weather, navigation, and trip/group management. This is the industry recognized training designed for sea kayak guides on the Great Lakes and beyond.
Leaders: I will be co-leading this training trip with an ACA Instructor Trainer.
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Please sign up on the wait list if you are sincerely interested. Final participant list will be at the leader's discretion. Space is limited by island campsite capacity and by leadership safety considerations.
**Make sure to answer each of the questions.**
Required Gear: Those who participate would have access to club sea kayaks and club gear. I will review these details with the final participants.
Required Skills: Strong SK1 skills (or better) and standard swim test are required before the trip. For those seeking ACA certification, you must also pass an ACA skills assessment before the trip. You will need to practice skills. Pool sessions and other training opportunities are on the calendar to help you develop those skills. Personal fitness is very important for a multiday trip like this.
Costs: Will be determined based on number of participants. Given the training component, this will cost more than a typical club trip. I expect those who participate will also commit to teach and lead others in the club. You must deminstrate a commitment to lead and serve others.
This is a terrific opportunity to learn and earn in one of the sea kayaking national treasures. Let's go!
General Meeting
Summer meetings will be a rather informal oppurtunity for Outing Club members to get together and talk about recent trips, upcoming trips, and other general announcments. We will also proabably spend some time dreaming up the next big andventures the club will tackle in the coming weeks/ months. See you in the Mendota Lodge on the first floor of Memorial Union!
Camping High Cliff state park & MILE of MUSIC festival Appleton Wi.
Camping, hiking, boating, and the best free music festival ever. Dennis Mossholder, Chris Jacobsen and I are leading a trip to the High Cliff state park on Lake Winnebago during the same time period as the 7th annual Mile of Music festival in nearby Appleton Wi. August 1st – 4th 2019. We have a group campsite reserved for 3 nights and 4 days. The plan would be to canoe or and kayak on Lake Winnebago or the nearby Fox river in the mornings and early afternoons and then go the Mile of Music fest. The music fest is along a one mile stretch of College Ave. Last year’s event had over 200 original artists playing at 70 different venues and over 900 sets over the 4 days. Music included 19 genres from Alternative to Folk, Bluegrass, Soul, Punk and Pop Rock etc. The event highlights homegrown talent and recruited the best emerging artists from all over the U.S. and even internationally. Come for all 4 days or part of the weekend. Cost for some food and gas and camping site will most like be around $75 per person. You will need additional money for food at the festival. Bring your own camping gear or use club gear. We currently have plans for 3 cars going but let me know if you can also drive if needed. Thursday, Aug 1st through Sunday, Aug 4th 2019. Sign up today. Trip deposit will be collected in July 2019.
General Meeting
Summer meetings will be a rather informal oppurtunity for Outing Club members to get together and talk about recent trips, upcoming trips, and other general announcments. We will also proabably spend some time dreaming up the next big andventures the club will tackle in the coming weeks/ months. See you in the Mendota Lodge on the first floor of Memorial Union!
General Meeting
Summer meetings will be a rather informal oppurtunity for Outing Club members to get together and talk about recent trips, upcoming trips, and other general announcments. We will also proabably spend some time dreaming up the next big andventures the club will tackle in the coming weeks/ months. See you in the Mendota Lodge on the first floor of Memorial Union!
Ice Age Trail Building
Ice Age Trail Mobile Skills Crew Trailbuilding Event
Ringle Segment-Marathon County
Training is provided by certified volunteer crew leaders and all participants get free meals and (for those working with us for multiple days) a free place to pitch a tent.
No experience is necessary. All Abilities are welcome.
We will leave from the Park Street Circle, Friday, August 16th at 3:00 pm*. and return to the Park Street Circle by 4:00 pm on Sunday, August 18th. (The Park Street Circle is located at the end of Park St., next to the Memorial Union.)
Please sign up on this website and also at https://www.iceagetrail.org/event/mobile-skills-crew-trailbuilding-event-ringle-segment-marathon-county-august2019/
Camp setup option is tent. Task is trailbuilding. Meals-Check Friday Dinner, all Saturday and Sunday meals. Arrival time is 6 pm Friday. In the comment box write "Hoofer Outing Club".
We will need to bring our own camping equipment (tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad). Please let me know if you have your own equipment you would like to use, or whether you will need to borrow these items (from me or the club).
*3:00 pm is the preferred departure time for this trip. However, if you would like to attend and cannot make it until 5:00 pm (as on previous trailbuilding trips), please let me know. If there is sufficient interest in this, I can push pack the departure time.
Cost: $15 for gas.
If you have any questions, please email, text, or call me.
If you can drive, please email me and I will open up the event to more participants.
Brett Follett
bafollett1@gmail.com
608-422-1459
General Meeting
Summer meetings will be a rather informal oppurtunity for Outing Club members to get together and talk about recent trips, upcoming trips, and other general announcments. We will also proabably spend some time dreaming up the next big andventures the club will tackle in the coming weeks/ months. See you in the Mendota Lodge on the first floor of Memorial Union!
Wind River Range Wyoming Backpacking!
Hello folks! We are embarking on an expedition of the wonderful wonderful Wind River Range of Wyoming! We will be doing a ~75 mile loop over the course of 8 days and 7 nights, hopefully baggin’ a peak along the way!
We will be driving 2 days each way (~19 hr drive each way) and hiking for 8 days, for a total of a 12 day trip. We will be leaving on Wednesday, August 21 bright n early, and returning the afternoon/evening of Sunday, September 1 (classes start the 4th).
We are taking 4 PARTICIPANTS. (opening sign up at a later date)
Trip deposit is $330 per participant. If this inaccessible for you, please reach out to us leaders for assistance! This cost will very likely go down quite a bit and you will be partially refunded. However, this deposit is subject to change in the case that we end up with less than 4 participants. If someone has a personal vehicle that we can use, the deposit will shrink.
A BP2 , BP3, or BP4 rating is necessary to go on this trip. However, if you have sufficient backpacking experience and you are interested in being “fast tracked”, still fill out the Google form and there is a possibility that we can work something out!
Fill out this Google form if you are interested in going for a nice stroll through Wyoming!
Contact us with any questions you have! (Aidan has very limited service this summer in Utah, so I (Leah) will be better about responding)
Leah: LRosenblum2@wisc.edu
Aidan: ARoberts9@wisc.edu
Here is a detailed itinerary for interested folks:
Day 1 drive out August 21
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Leave memorial union bright n early
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Drive ~11 hours to Badlands National Park, spend the night
Day 2 drive August 22
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Drive to Boulder, WY! ~9 hours
Day 1 HIKE
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Follow Boulder Canyon Trail, camp by Lake Susan; 9.5 mi, 3500’ gain
Day 2
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Meet up with CDT, camp by Middle Fork Lake/Lee Lake; 9.4 mi, 1700’
Day 3
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Head over pass between Pronghorn and Nylon Peak, camp by Skull Lake; 9 mi, 2700’
Day 4
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Follow Washakie Pass Trail, summit Washakie via northwest ridge, camp by Valentine Lake; 6.5 miles, 2400’ (including peak)
Day 5
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Washakie Pass Trail, Bears Ears Trail, Lizard Head Trail, Big Sandy Trail, camp in the Cirque du Towers; 12 mi, 2600’
Day 6
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Follow CDT over Texas Pass, camp short of Cross Lake; 10.5 mi, 2500’
Day 7
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Continue on CDT, camp by Lake Vira; 10 mi, 1100’
Day 8
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Hike back to car; 8.57 mi, 1000’ (3300’ loss)
TOTAL: 75.5 miles, 17,500’ gain
2019 Sea Kayaks & More at Door County - Labor Day Weekend - Save the Date
2019 Sea Kayaks & More at Door County - Labor Day Weekend - Save the Date
Friday, Aug 30, 2019 - 4:00 pm through Monday, Sep 2, 2019 - 5:00 pm
The next episode of the great annual Hoofer Labor Day Trip to Door County!
So we will have a 3-day weekend coming up and Labor Day Weekend is summer at its peak. So that means one thing. We are spending the weekend doing what the Outing Club does best: playing outside on the water and on land. It will be a smorgasbord of outdoor activities. We will have sea kayaking, biking, hiking, campfires and day trips into local lakeside towns. Some highlights of the trip:
-Cycle and take the ferry to beautiful Washington Island
-Hike in Penninsula and Newport State Park. Beautiful coastline and forests.
-Sea kayak Lake Michigan. Do some surfing at Whitefish Dunes.
-We camp in Newport State Park. There is a beach where we have morning coffee. It is close to Door County's lakeside towns and has tons of hiking going through the campsite.
-Spend time around the campfire, on the beach, and it’s all with great people.
-And did I mention the food? There’s always good food.
The trip will cost $100. A $100 deposit will be required to hold your spot.
We will leave Friday August 30st and return Monday September 2nd. Departure time on Friday will be around 5 pm. The plan is to return to Madison on Monday night around 7 pm.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday night will be spent camping at Newport State Park. Each day sea kayaking trips will be lead along the coastline of Lake Michigan. You will need at least an SK1 rating. Other groups will either bike or hike the beautiful back country of Door County. And if you want an easier day, Door County is the ideal place to tour small towns and main street.
The club sea kayaks and some tents will be used for this trip. Food will also be provided. You may want to bring snacks.
Price: $100
Deposit of $100. (The sooner you place your deposit the sooner your spot will be held).
Generally speaking deposits will be non-refundable if there is not someone available to take your spot.
If trip costs are less than expected (gas prices fall) you will be refunded your share of the surplus.
We will be staying at the Newport State Park.
Please let us know if you are able/willing to:
Lead a portion of the trip (SK Leaders)
Drive (and carry boats/bikes)
Please note that signing up for this trip online does not confirm you a spot, submitting your deposit does.
Once Robert receives your deposit he will confirm your spot the trip.
Sea Kayak - Gales Storm Gathering - October (10), 11-13, 2019
Gales Storm Gathering - October (10), 11-13, 2019
When: October 11-13, 2019 (October 10 is optional but excellent, and is focused on paddling in current.)
What: A migratory Great Lakes sea kayaking event for advancing, intermediate and advanced paddlers. Paddlers will benefit from training with top sea kayak coaches from the the US and Canada.
Here is a recent video: https://vimeo.com/202539741
Where: Lake Superior near Munising, Michigan, and the St. Mary’s River at Sault St. Marie
Read: Details at the link below.
http://www.galesstormgathering.com
Cost: $495 (4 day); $425 (3 day) (These were the costs from last year.)
Who: SK2/SK3 rating, recent paddling in rough conditions, and standard swim test required. If you are sincerely interested, available for the specific dates, and are aware of the costs (not cheap) and rough/cold conditions involved, feel free to contact me.
Boats/Gear: Given the training of this event, most of the needed boats and gear can be made available through the club. Please email me directly to make arrangements.
Please Note: This is not a Hoofers trip, but an independent event that some members may have interest in attending. This posting is to facilitate planning and logistics for those who may wish to participate.
If you are solidly moving towards the SK2/SK3 and are interested (but not quite there yet), we can discuss on a case by case basis. I attended two years ago. I would be happy to discuss my experiences with you.
Future: I am hoping this type of training event provides an incentive for each of us to increase/improve our paddling and leadership skills.
Paddle Golden Gate in 2020 (San Francisco Bay)
Paddle Golden Gate in 2020 (San Francisco Bay)
https://www.paddlegoldengate.com
February 7-9, 2020 (next year)
Preliminary Announcement
This event is intended to motivate new and experienced paddlers to spend the next months and year increasing knowledge and skills to prepare to take paddling to the next level in 2020. If this is of interest to you, please email me directly. There is usually a small group from the Great Lakes region who attend. I am hopeful that a few of us might consider going.
The mission of Paddle Golden Gate is simple; to offer high-end professional paddlesports instruction and a quality event experience in a truly unique location. This remarkable venue provides a challenging coastal environment with strong currents and powerful swells for advanced skills training alongside protected water appropriate for novice and intermediate paddlers to develop their skills. With a focus on skills training, this unique event offers participants the opportunity to paddle with some of the world’s best instructors and athletes, in one of the finest teaching locations in the world.
In addition to the main 3-day event, there will likely be ACA and BCU Trainings and Assessments being run consecutively with the event.