Hike & Surf the Oregon Coast

(actual itinerary will be adjusted to the weather and group)

• Wednesday: Arrive to campus in the morning, meet your group and collect any outdoor gear you are borrowing from College Outdoors. Eat lunch on campus, then drive about about 2 hours to Camp Kiwanilong.
• Thursday: Hike 4-6 miles through the lush temperate rainforest to views of the ocean. Evening games with the other Hike & Surf group.
• Friday: Surf Lesson! Learn to surf, and spend time on the beach. Evening games with the other Hike & Surf group.
• Saturday: Hike 4-6 miles through the lush temperate rainforest to views of the ocean. Evening games with the other Hike & Surf group.
• Sunday: Surf Lesson! Build your surfing skills, and spend time on the beach. LC Night to learn about Lewis & Clark from current students.
• Monday: Explore more of the Oregon Coast with a 4-6 mile hike. Evening games and reflection.
• Tuesday: Pack up camp, return to campus, move into residence halls.

The Oregon Coastline features some of the most spectacular scenery in the state, with dramatic cliffs, towering old-growth trees, waterfalls, ferns, sandy beaches, crashing surf, coastal lakes, and, if the time is right, tide pools. We’ll learn to surf the ocean waves, and hike some of the Northwest’s many coastal trails, where you’ll see some of the most productive temperate rain forest on earth. Keep an eye out for newts, sea lions, and numerous birds including the dinosaur-like cormorant! The coastal forests and waterways are the traditional lands of the Chinook, Willapa, Lower Chinook, Clatsup, Kathlamet, and Nahalem tribes, whose traditions are interwoven with this vibrant ecosystem of abundance. You’ll stay near the mouth of the Columbia River, which is where the Lewis & Clark expedition first reached the
Pacific Ocean. 

We’ll drive about 2 hours from Portland to a camp near Astoria, Oregon late in the afternoon on the day you arrive for your trip. You’ll spend 2 of the days learning to Surf, and the other days hiking nearby trails. The trails we’ll be hiking are rated moderate, with more strenuous trails and longer mileage as options for people who’d like the challenge. Not everyone in the group will want to hike at the same speed, so we’ll do what is best for the group when it comes to routes. The camp we stay at features rustic cabins with bunk bunds and restrooms with flush toilets. Genderneutral bathroom facilities are available. The main lodge of the camp features a commercial kitchen where we will work together to prepare meals and a large fireplace to gather around in the evenings. During the day you will have the chance to connect with other new students in your small group while hiking, and surfing, and in the evening, you will get to know even more new students, since other NSTs stay at the same camp. After a day exploring, we’ll have plenty of time in the evenings to hang out, get to know each other, and participate in some fun games and activities.

The weather on the coast is very temperate in August and is usually around 67OF during the day and 55OF
in the evening. It is not uncommon for it to rain on the coast, so we recommend bringing good rain gear. 

• Break in your boots: Since we’ll be day-hiking remember that new boots can cause painful blisters. It is very important to break in your boots by wearing them with appropriate socks for extended periods prior to your trip. If you borrow hiking boots from College Outdoors, our boots are synthetic leather, fairly lightweight, and tend not to cause many blisters.
• Get moving: It’s a great idea to walk or run this summer to get yourself into shape

We eat well on the coast! Some examples of typical meals include: curry, pizza, mac & cheese and much more. This trip can accommodate most dietary restrictions and allergies, as long as you let us know about them ahead of time. For vegan and other non-medical specialty diets, there is an additional $5/day meal charge. There is no extra cost for vegetarian diets or medical diet restrictions.