Willamette’s Outdoor Program hosted a day trip Nov. 3 to Pumpkin Ridge for a zip lining tour. Student attendees spent the day bonding while zipping from one course to another.
The Pumpkin Ridge Tour, a zip course south of Portland, is typically $85 to $95 per person. However, behind-the-scenes efforts by ASWU and the ODP brought the price down to just $60.
ODP Logistics Manager and trip leader Blue Kalmbach (ʼ27) stated that for the zip tour, along with all other trips, research was done on zip lining companies around the area and their costs. Then, a budget proposal was sent to ASWU.
ASWU provides the funding for trips and covers up to a certain cost, allowing excursions to become a little more affordable. “We get to take students on experiences that they would not normally get,” Kalmbach remarked. “Providing that experience is one of the core reasons for ODP.”
At Pumpkin Ridge, the zip lines are connected from tree to tree. As students zipped one after the other, the ground got lower and the trees taller, each at a higher altitude than the one before. Sometimes, students had to cross wobbly suspension bridges to get from one tree to another, with the “Twilight-esque” forest expanding out before their very eyes as they reached the platforms.
Anya Olsson (ʼ28) found “the different levels of ziplining and the suspension bridges to be really fun,” while Chloe Maki (ʼ28) enjoyed being able to see the beautiful view of Pumpkin Ridge from the trees. “You don’t normally get to be on top of such a tall tree and see the valley from that perspective,” she said.
ODP Media Manager and trip leader Rya Hirsch (ʼ27) pointed out the significance of the tour. “It shows that ODP is not just hiking and camping but we do a variety of outdoor recreational activities as well.”
This point, “zip lining, not camping,” is the exact reason why Becca Bryan (ʼ28) decided to go on the trip. She is not much of a hiker or camper but still wanted to enjoy the outdoors. She found that because “you don’t have to walk in between each course,” the trip was more convenient.
After the zip lining course, the students gathered to drink hot chocolate and chat. Kalmbach’s goal for this trip was to provide a “community atmosphere,” which participants confirmed was successful.
Morgan Watenpaugh (ʼ27) reflected, “I get nervous with who I’m going to interact with, but every time I go [on a trip], those worries are quelled because everyone in ODP trips have been really nice. It's nice to just have pleasant interactions with people.”
As for doing another trip to the Pumpkin Ridge Zip Tour in the future, Hirsch said that it “depends on the feedback we get but … it seems we will do it again.”
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