Thursday, April 3 - 7:00pm Summer's Coming! Get Outdoors with the Minnesota Rovers
Summer is just around the corner, and there is no better time to start planning your summer getaways. The Minnesota Rovers, a Twin Cities-based outdoor recreation club, organizes low-cost opportunities for you to play outside -- locally, regionally, and more. Activities include climbing, backpacking, camping, biking, and hiking in warmer months and skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, and winter camping in the winter months. See a slide show of recent activities, hear about our summer plans, and pick our brains about places you'd like to explore. mnrovers.org Expedition Room, Midwest Mountaineering
Tuesday, April 8 - 7:00pm - Yellowstone: More Valuable than Gold
Presented by the 2014 Sigurd Olson Lecture Series. Mike Clark, as the head of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, has led a successful decade-long effort to halt a proposed gold mine on the edge of Yellowstone National Park. Clark will talk about how this campaign was organized, the challenges of protecting public lands, and how public lands provide the economic engine for many rural communities. Expedition Room, Midwest Mountaineering
Wednesday, April 9 - 6:30pm - Bouldering Divas
The second Wednesday of every month is now the all women, ONLY women, evening of bouldering in the Cave! Carolyn Hansen will be on hand to answer questions and help provide a fun and relaxing atmosphere. All abilities welcome from the, "I've never done this before", to those who want to set routes, and everyone in-between. Pre-registration recommended – limited to 10 participants. Minimum age 15. Climbing shoe rental is $3. 612–339–3433 Climbing Cave, Midwest Mountaineering
Wednesday, April 9 - 7:00pm - Whitewater Kayaking
Discover why kayaking is one of the fastest growing sports in the country. Our very own employee and whitewater expert, Phil Raymond, will cover the basics of kayak and equipment selection and also share suggestions on places in Minnesota and Wisconsin to paddle. Expedition Room, Midwest Mountaineering
Monday, April 14 - 6:30pm- Divas Climbing
Women, take yourself to new heights and learn the ropes through hands-on experience in our Climbing Cave. Wear comfortable clothing and get ready to soar! All equipment provided. Instructed by Carolyn Hansen. Sign up early because these classes are popular! Pre-registration recommended – limited to 10 participants. Cost $5, no refunds. Minimum age 15. 612–339–3433
Climbing Cave, Midwest Mountaineering
Thursday, April 17 - 6:30p - Climbing 101
Take yourself to new heights and learn the ropes through hands on experience in our Climbing Cave. Learn the basics of bouldering, top roping and what you need to know to get started in this invigorating sport from our very own expert climber Carolyn Hansen. All equipment provided. Wear comfortable clothing! Pre-registration recommended – limited to 10 participants. Cost $5, no refunds. Minimum age 15. 612–339–3433 Climbing Cave, Midwest Mountaineering
Thursday, April 17 - 7:00pm - The Great Eastern Trail
The Great Eastern Trail is a new 1,600-mile trail from Flagg Mountain in Alabama to the Finger Lakes of New York, roughly parallel to the Appalachian Trail. This trail was first thru-hiked last year by Joanna Swanson, who will be sharing the challenges and rewards of navigating the young trail. Tales of wildlife encounters, snowstorm camping, and "trail magic" will be shared, along with photos that showcase the beauty of the east. Expedition Room, Midwest Mountaineering
Tuesday, April 22 - 7:00pm - Mountaineering
This introductory clinic to mountaineering covers the process of learning to become a mountaineer. The requisite skills, resources, training, locations, gear, guide services and other related disciplines are often passed along from those who have been there and have come back to tell stories of what they have learned along the way. Come and learn how to get started with one of our own, Rubens Modelli who has been climbing mountains of rock, ice and snow for over 20 years. Expedition Room, Midwest Mountaineering
Thursday, April 24 - 3:00pm – 7:00pm - Expo Try Before You Buy Paddlesports Demo
The first boat demo of the season is at Lake Nokomis. Factory reps will be on hand with trailers full of canoes and kayaks - all for you to try. In addition to the demo we will have limited classes and demos available for both canoeists and kayakers. No children under 13 or dogs in boats. This is one of the largest boat demos in the Upper Midwest and it's certainly one of the earliest. Dress appropriately for the weather. Come paddle and ask questions to your heart's content. Details at www.outdooradventureexpo.com. Tons of vendors with equipment to demo - canoes, kayaks, paddles, stand-up-paddleboards. Please join us – it'll be lots of fun! No pre-registration required for demo, some classes require pre-registration. Would you like to play, but can't on this day? Take a look at our paddlesports demo schedule. Lake Nokomis – near the northwest beach
Thursday, April 24 - 4:00pm – 5:00pm - Tandem Canoe Paddling Lesson
Ted Bell, founder of both Bell Canoe and NorthStar Canoes will teach tandem paddling strokes. Participants will learn how to paddle as a tandem team. Some canoes will be available, bring your own canoe, paddle, and pfd if you are able. Preregistration required – limited to 8 tandem canoe teams and one bow paddler for Ted (for a total of 17 paddlers). All participants must sign up as tandem teams; no individual registrations, except for Ted's bow paddler. Specify when registering whether you have or need a canoe. Cost $5.00 – no refunds. 612–339–3433 Check in at the Midwest Mountaineering boat demo registration table. Lake Nokomis – near the northwest beach
Thursday, April 24 - 4:30pm – 5:30pm - Solo Canoe Control Lesson
Spend an hour learning how to effectively paddle a solo canoe. Dan Cooke, an avid freestyle paddler and former ACA instructor, will teach you everything from how to paddle in a straight line to how to turn your canoe 180° in a single manuever. Learn how to coax the most out of every paddle stroke. Some solo canoes will be available, bring your canoe, paddle, pfd and kneeling pad if you are able. Preregistration required – limited to 7 participants. Specify when registering whether you have or need a canoe. Cost $5.00 – no refunds.. 612–339–3433 Check in at the Midwest Mountaineering boat demo registration table. Lake Nokomis – near the northwest beach
Thursday, April 24 - 6:00pm – 7:00pm - Solo Canoe Control Lesson
Please see description above.
Wednesday, April 30 - 7:00pm- Pack Fitting 101
Escape sore muscles and bruises by learning how to fit your backpack specifically to you. Paul Jensen will discuss the important issues when choosing a backpack, how to pack it, and what all those straps are for. We'll even touch on wilderness troubleshooting. When we're done, your pack should feel like a natural extension of your body and not a painful burden. Bring your pack to adjust it correctly and to practice upon. Expedition Room, Midwest Mountaineering