University Recreation
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 First Ascent - Wilderness Orientation Program 

First Ascent Hiking pictureFirst Ascent Paddling Pic

First Ascent: We are offering a series of day trips this summer! The day trips will revolve around hiking and paddling. The trips will end around 2pm so you can have ample time to explore the rest of Boone and the campus of Appalchian State University! Our day trips will cost $10, with the option of purchasing a visitor pass for parking on campus from us for an additional $3. For registration information, see the section in blue below.
How to Register: Click on the following link to be sent to our registration website for First Ascent - New Student Wilderness Orientation . From here, you will need to log into your account. If you do not have an account yet, click “sign up” in the top right corner and follow the instructions to create an account. From here you will see all of the available options for First Ascent listed in order by the date their being offered. From here, you will need to register and pay for your trip/s. We will periodically send you emails leading up to your trip about what you should bring, where we are meeting, and other trip-related information, so keep an eye out for those!

Dates and Times for First Ascent: Listed below are the dates/times for our First Ascent day trips!

  • Day Hike - 6/4/22 - 9:30am to 2pm
  • Day Hike - 6/11/22 - 9:30am to 2pm
  • Paddling Trip - 6/15/22 - 9:30am to 2pm
  • Paddling Trip - 6/22/22 - 9:30am to 2pm
  • Paddling Trip - 6/25/22 - 9:30am to 2pm
  • Day Hike - 6/29/22 - 9:30am to 2pm

Who is eligible for First Ascent? Those who have been accepted to Appalachian and will be a new student in Summer 2022 or Fall 2022. If you have been accepted to Appalachian and enrolled for an upcoming semester, you can still participate even if you are under the age of 18.

Where to meet: We will be meeting at the Student Recreation Center (SRC) in the Outdoor Programs base camp. (150 Bodenheimer Dr, Boone, NC 28608)
As soon as you walk into our building, we'll be directly to your right!

Optional parking pass: You can purchase an optional on-campus parking pass for $3 as you sign up and register for your course if you would like to park your car at the SRC parking lot. Campus parking is free on Saturdays. Parking Permits are not needed for Saturday trips.

Required paperwork: You must print off and mail in the following paperwork at least two weeks in advance before your trip starts. Please make sure to include any dietary needs that you may have so we can purchase food that fits your individual needs! 
Please mail all course paperwork to: Student Recreation Center C/O Alyssa Casey, ASU Box 32081, Boone, NC 28608 

Download: General UREC Participant Waiver for First Ascent

Download: Medical Form for First Ascent 

Adverse Weather: All trip activities and locations are subject to adjustment based on weather/needs.
Refund Policy: If for some reason UREC needs to cancel your First Ascent trip, we will offer you a full refund. We will inform you of this decision two weeks in advance. Due to our commitment to serving as many first year and transfer students as we possibly can, we will not be able to offer you a refund if you have to cancel within a 30 day period of your trip date.

For more information, contact Alyssa Casey at caseyaa@appstate.edu or (828) 262-7388.

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