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Backpacking
Backpacking in the Great Smoky Mountains
Why should I go on this trip?
Need to take a mental break from the semester? Come join Outdoor Pursuits on a spectacular trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park where we’ll summit Rocky Top, one of the most popular peaks within the park! We’ll finish the trip exploring historic downtown Gatlinburg and the newest section of the Foothills Parkway! Join Outdoor Pursuits on a trip of a lifetime – Sign up today to reserve a spot!
Where: Gatlinburg, TN
Trip Date: October 25-27
Fees: Students – $110
Non-Students – $125Deadline: October 18
Pre-Trip Meeting: Tuesday, October 22nd @ 6pm in the Outdoor Pursuits Office
Trip Difficulty:
ITINERARY Friday, 10/25 - Depart Birmingham for Cades Cove in Smoky Mountain National Park (~ 5-hour drive) plus time change.
- Eat lunch along the way
- Arrive at Smoky Mountain National Park
- Start hiking at Anthony Creek Trailhead to Campsite ~3.5 miles
- Arrive at Camp, setup tents, & Cook Dinner.
Saturday, 10/26 - Eat breakfast at campsite (Hot water provided)
- Day hike to spence field ~ 2.7 miles
- Arrive at Spence Field & eat Packed Lunch
- Hike on to Rocky Top
- (Optional) Hike an additional 1 Mile to Thunderhead mountain.
- Hike back to camp ~3 miles back.
- Arrive at Camp & Cook Dinner
Sunday, 10/27 - Eat breakfast at campsite (Hot water provided)
- Pack Camp and Hike Back to Cars (~ 3.5 miles)
- Arrive at car, possibly check out some of Cades Cove entrance.
- Go through Gatlinburg and get a good lunch (Maybe the Park Grill). Check out some of the Downtown (Maybe ride an Alpine coaster).
- Head back to Birmingham taking the new Foothills Parkway.
- Eat Dinner at Fast Food along the way.
- 8:00 PM – Arrive in Birmingham
* Itinerary is subject to change
What is Provided What You Need to Bring All necessary equipment Food Transportation Toiletries Guides Clothing + Towel Hot Water for Breakfast and Dinner Water Bottles
Or Call 205-996-4913
Outdoor Climbing
Climbing at Sand Rock
Why should I go on this trip?
Join the Outdoor Pursuits team on an expedition to one of the most popular crags in Alabama! Climb on beautiful sandstone bluffs. Whether you are a beginner climber or a regular at the rock wall, this trip is for you.
Where: Sand Rock, Alabama
Trip Date: Saturday, November 9
Fees: Students – $40
Non-Students – $45Deadline: November 2
Pre-Trip Meeting: Tuesday, November 5 @ 6pm in the Outdoor Pursuits Office
Trip Difficulty:
ITINERARY Saturday, 11/9 - Meet in Outdoor Pursuits Office no later than 8:00am, get fitted for helmet/shoes and depart for Cherokee Rock Village (~ 1.5-hour drive)
- CLIMB!
- ~5:00pm, leave for Birmingham
- 7:00, arrive at Campus
* Itinerary is subject to change
What is Provided What You Need to Bring All climbing equipment Food Transportation WATER! Guides Clothing Necessary First Aid Sense of adventure
Or Call 205-996-4913
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Snow Skiing at Beech Mountain
Snow Skiing at Beech Mountain
Why should I go on this trip?
Join the Outdoor Pursuits team on an expedition to one of the most popular skiing destinations in North Carolina! Step right out of the group lodge onto the skiing slope! Whether you are a beginner skiing enthusiast or a regular on the slopes, this trip is for you!
Where: Beech Mountain, North Carolina
Trip Date: Friday, January 17 – Monday, January 20
Fees: Students – $575
Non-Students – $600Deadline: January 13
Pre-Trip Meeting: Tuesday, January 14 @ 6pm in the Outdoor Pursuits Office
Trip Difficulty:
ITINERARY Friday, 1/17 - Eat or pack lunch before you come
- Meet in Outdoor Pursuits Office and depart for Boone, NC (~ 7.5-hour drive)
- Eat Dinner along the way at Fast Food (Not Included)
- Arrive at Boone, NC and Eat Dinner
- Check into Lodge
Saturday, 1/18 - Eat Breakfast at lodge (Included in cost of trip)
- Be Dressed for skiing and ready to leave by 9:00 AM
- Pickup ski equipment (skis, boots, poles) and ski for full day (9:00 AM – Close).
- Other clothing equipment is available for rent for an additional charge.
- Ski lessons are also available through Resort, for an additional charge.
- Eat lunch at lodge or surrounding restaurant. (You may also pack a lunch – Not Included)
- Meet and eat dinner at lodge (Included in cost of trip)
- 10:30 PM return to lodge for the night
Sunday, 1/19 - Eat Breakfast at lodge (Included in cost of trip)
- Ski for full day (9:00 AM – Close).
- Option to go snow tubbing at an additional charge.
- Eat lunch at lodge or surrounding restaurant. (You may also pack a lunch – Not Included)
- Meet and eat dinner at lodge (Included in cost of trip)
- 10:30 PM return to lodge for the night
- Arrive on campus around 8:00 PM
Monday, 1/20 - Eat Breakfast at lodge (Included in cost of trip)
- Do local sight-seeing (Possibly Visit Elk River Falls)
- Drive back to UAB Outdoor Pursuits Office
- Eat at fast food restaurant along the way for lunch (Not Included)
- Eat at fast food restaurant along the way for dinner (Not Included) – Possibly Gardner’s Market in Cleveland, TN
- Arrive on campus around 8:00 PM
* Itinerary is subject to change
What is Provided What You Need to Bring Skiing equipment Food Transportation Toiletries Necessary First Aid Clothing Breakfast Included (Saturday – Monday) Water Bottles Dinner Included (Saturday & Sunday) Skiing Bibs
(Can be Rented for Additional Cost)
Or Call 205-996-4913
Swim with Manatees
Trip Trip Date Registration Deadline Swim with Manatees January 24 - 26, 2020 January 17, 2020
More details coming soon!
Tumbling Rock Caving
Trip Trip Date Registration Deadline Tumbling Rock Caving February 22, 2020 February 14, 2020
More details coming soon!
Backpack the Grand Canyon
Trip Trip Date Registration Deadline Backpack the Grand Canyon March 15 - 21, 2020 March 6, 2020
More details coming soon!
Walls of Jericho
Trip Trip Date Registration Deadline Walls of Jericho April 18, 2020 April 10, 2020
More details coming soon!
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Water Wall Tour
Trip Trip Date Registration Deadline Water Wall Tour May 29 - 31, 2020 May 22, 2020
More details coming soon!
White Water Rafting
Trip Trip Date Registration Deadline White Water Rafting June 13 - 14, 2020 June 5, 2020
More details coming soon!
Bear Creek
Trip Trip Date Registration Deadline Bear Creek July 18, 2020 June 10, 2020
More details coming soon!
Backpack the Acadia National Park
Trip Trip Date Registration Deadline Backpack the Acadia National Park August 16 - 22, 2020 August 7, 2020
More details coming soon!
Trip Refund Policy: 75% of payment will be refunded 14 days or more prior to trip departure. 50% of payment will be refunded 13-4 days prior to trip departure. NO refund will be granted less than 3 days prior to the trip departure.
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Outdoor Pursuits's Trips Series
If you've never been on a trip through Outdoor Pursuits with UAB University Recreation, then you are seriously missing out! Our trips range in time and location, including activities such as biking, hiking and boating, just to name a few. Stop by the Outdoor Pursuits Rental Center so you don't miss out on these amazing adventures throughout the United States!
Where would you like Outdoor Pursuits to go?Trip Difficulty Scale
Outdoor Pursuits trips are geared toward the beginner and intermediate participant. We will focus on teaching skills through experiential learning and foster a supportive and enjoyable environment. While all skills levels are welcome on any of our trips, this difficulty scale is used to provide an upfront idea of what to expect.
1 Mountain = Beginners welcome! No previous experience needed.
2 Mountains = Some previous experience recommended, but not necessary if you are up for the challenge.
3 Mountains = Previous experience strongly recommended.
Trip Logistics
All trips will vary in length. Specific logistical details and trip itineraries will be discussed in the pre-trip meeting. Trip locations and itineraries are subject to change.
Trips leaving on Friday will leave as soon as possible. A departure time will be agreed upon by the group during the pre-trip meeting to accommodate all participants CLASS schedules. -
Trip Registration
Outdoor Pursuits trips fill up fast, so make sure you reserve your spot today! All of our trips are open to anybody who wants to go. You can register in person at in the Outdoor Pursuits Rental Center or at the Membership Desk, over the phone by calling 205-996-4913, online through our Membership Portal, or on our membership app.
Registration is only secured after full payment for the trip has been made. Partial deposits can only reserve a spot on the trip until it has completely filled with full-paying participants.
Trip Forms
Please complete and submit the below forms for each trip for which you are registering.
Trip Refund Policy
75% of payment will be refunded 14 days or more prior to trip departure. 50% of payment will be refunded 13-4 days prior to trip departure. NO refund will be granted less than 3 days prior to the trip departure.
Trip refund policy may vary on larger trips that require logistics to be secured in full in well in advance of the trip. Check with the Outdoor Pursuits staff if you feel like you may need a refund.
Trip Cancellation Policy
University Recreation's Outdoor Pursuits reserves the right to cancel a trip or program due to inclement weather, natural disasters, or extenuating circumstances. In the event a trip or program must be cancelled, a full refund will be issued to all registered participants.
Fitness Tests
Want to get a good gauge of your fitness level before embarking on one of our trips? Sign up with one of our personal trainers today! Bring in your assessment, and we'll give you $10 off your next trip!
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Outdoor Pursuits's Custom Trips
Our experienced staff will lead your group of ten or more on a fun adventure including: caving, canoeing, climbing & more! Custom trrip prices vary based on location, length and equipment needed. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.
A custom trip request does not guarantee a custom trip. Dates and participant numbers depend on trip leader availability.
Our Outdoor Pursuits staff is happy to help you plan your next trip! Our staff can help discuss potential trip locations and ideas to help you go on your own adventures.
