The NMU Recreational Sports Department has a number of events planned this semester to help recreation pass members, as well as nonmembers, take full advantage of winter all over the Upper Peninsula.
Both indoor and outdoor activities are planned with various day trips hosted by the Outdoor Recreation Center (ORC) and intramurals hosted by NMU Recreational Sports.
On Friday, Jan. 25, the ORC will be holding its annual Nighttime Madness, which will take place on the climbing wall in the PEIF from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. The wall will be open after climbing and bouldering hours, and those who are belay certified are welcome to climb as DJ Thaddeus Bloc plays music through the night. This event is free for rec pass holders and $6 for visitors.
The ORC will also be partnering with Switchback Outfitters to hold backcountry cross-country skiing and winter flyfishing lessons, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 27 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m on Sunday, Feb. 10, respectively.
The backcountry ski trip will take place at the Hairpin Turn near Big Bay, and will include tips on skiing in the backcountry as well as a winter picnic. Flyfishing will include the basics of the sport, such as insight on how to choose flies, cast and where to fish during the winter.
For those looking to explore the Eben ice caves, a snowshoeing trip will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday Feb. 9 to explore the caves and hike along the top of the sandstone cliffs.
Those wishing to ice climb can take part in the ORC’s trip to Munising from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 16. With the help of Bill Thompson from Downwind Sports, participants will learn the basics of ice climbing and be able to challenge themselves on the many frozen waterfalls that dot the Superior shoreline.
To wind up the winter season trips, the ORC will be hosting the Superior Climbing Competition on Saturday, April 13. This event will bring climbers from across the Midwest to compete at the PEIF’s climbing wall.
Other activities put on by the ORC include belay certification classes from 4 to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays, where climbers get the necessary certification to be able to climb freely at the wall.
Students will also have the opportunity to become a certified lead climber. Lead climbing is a style of climbing that is rarely offered and is done by climbers “leading” the rope up the wall, instead of the common top-rope style.
Along with the events at the ORC, Informal Recreation/Fitness Manager Katrina Theut urges students to try new classes and intramurals at the PEIF.
“The more people get involved, the more they will realize that this is a place where everyone comes to recreate and to get to know one another,” she said. “It’s a great release and break.”
A Battleship tournament is one of the newest additions to the Intramural Sports program, as it is in its second semester in the program. According to Tricia Bush, programming manager of the recreational sports department, Battleship takes place in the pool. Four canoes holding four people each are given buckets to throw water into other canoes to make them sink. The last canoe floating wins, and several rounds are played each game. There are no shields in this style of Battleship, but goggles are recommended protection.
Innertube Water Polo is another popular intramural sport that follows the same rules as basic water polo, except each player sits in an innertube and paddles their way around the pool.
The deadline to sign up for Battleship and Innertube Water Polo is Feb. 6. Intramural basketball and volleyball deadlines are on Wednesday, Jan. 30, while soccer is on March 13.
“Run around and get a little competition in,” Bush said. “Most intramurals are (co-ed) and are a great way to socialize, not to mention the exercise you’re getting in while you’re doing it.”
To sign up for events and intramurals through the recreational sports department, call (906) 227-2519 at least 48 hours in advance. To sign up for events through the ORC, call (906) 227-1369 or stop by the ORC desk.
More info can be found at NMU.edu/recreation
