Outdoor Pursuits
Center
The Outdoor Pursuits program provides opportunities for outdoor education and leadership experiences through the UNC Ropes Course, Climbing Wall, and offered Trips and Workshops.
Gear Shop Hours:
M & F: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
T – TR: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
SA & SU: Closed
Climbing Wall Top Rope Hours:
M – F: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Spring Break Hours:
March 13 to March 22
F: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
SA & SU: Closed
M – TR: Closed
SA & SU: Closed
Explore with us!
Let’s Get Outside, Bears!
With adventure trips going out almost every weekend with a variety of experiences and beautiful places to explore, Outdoor Pursuits is sure to offer something you’ll enjoy and never forget! We welcome all experience levels, though some trips may be more challenging than others. We want to share with you our joy of the great outdoors! So, come join us for a memorable experience!
Trips
With adventure trips going out almost every weekend, enjoy a variety of experiences! Outdoor Pursuits is sure to offer something you’ll enjoy and never forget! We welcome all experience levels, though some trips may be more challenging than others. We want to share with you our joy of the great outdoors! So, come join us for a memorable experience! If you are looking for something closer to home, we also offer a variety of workshops and events throughout the year, right here on-campus. Click the link below to register for trips.
person looking over a ledge at zion national park
Rental Gear
Ready to explore Colorado’s great outdoors? The Outdoor Pursuits Gear Shop has everything you need—more than 1,000 pieces of gear—for free. From kayaks and paddleboards to hiking packs, tents, snowshoes, and more, there’s enough equipment for you and your friends to head out on an adventure together. To get started, fill out the UNC & SCHEELS EQUIPMENT REQUEST FORM, linked below.
Snowboards lined up in a row.
Bike Rental Program
Outdoor Pursuits is proud to offer a free campus bike program—a fun, affordable, and eco-friendly way to get around.
Rent bikes and gear at the UNC Outdoor Pursuits Gear Shop to explore campus and surrounding trails.
Climbing Wall
Whether you’re a first-time climber or have some experience, the climbing wall at the Rec Center is a great place to be active, meet new people, and try something new!
The Climbing Staff works hard to create a multitude of route options for you to challenge yourself whether you are bouldering or rope climbing. No matter your skill level, there’s a spot for you on our Climbing Wall!
Come climb, connect, and have fun!
UNC climbing wall
Team Building
We provide adventure-based educational opportunities intended to benefit personal and group growth. We help challenge people to go beyond their boundaries, to work with others solving problems, and to achieve success. Each program is created for your groups specific requests and needs. If you are looking for your group to develop a deeper trust, build communication skills or just be more acquainted with one another, we can help!
large group holding hands doing a team building activity
Rentable Equipment
We have tons of gear for you to choose from free of charge. All equipment is reliable and in great condition. Check out what’s available for you to rent here!
- 2 Person Tents
- 4 Person Tents
- Sleeping Pads
- Headlamps
- LED Lanterns
- Camp Chairs
- 6 Gallon Water Jugs
- Trowel
- Shovels
- 65L Backpacks
- 32L Backpacks
- Compasses
- Trekking Poles
- Cooking Sets
- Backpacking Stoves
- Double Burner Propane Stoves
- Camp Tables
- 50 Quart Rolling Coolers
- Hammocks
- Child Carrier Backpack
- Sleeping Bags – 0 Degree
- Sleeping Bags – 20 Degree
- Kids Sleeping Bag – 30 Degree
- Bear Canisters
- Hiking Boots
- Rain Jackets and Pants
- 4/6/10 L Dromedary
- Water Filters
- Snowshoes 25in
- Snowshoes 30in
- Ankle Gaitors
- Snow Goggles
- Snowboard Helmets
- Snowboards
- Snowboard Boots
- Winter Coats
- Snow Pants
- Sit on Top Kayaks
- Canoes
- Stand Up Paddle Boards
- PFDs
- Canine PFDs
- Mountain Bikes
- Bike Helmets
- Climbing Shoes
- Crash Pads
- Slackline
- Bocce Ball Set
- Washers
- Ladder Ball
- Bean Bag Toss
- Giant Jenga
- Giant Connect 4
Rental Bike Program
Outdoor Pursuits has a fleet of over a hundred bikes, commuter and cruiser for you to rent for FREE! They go quick, so submit your rental form today!
The Outdoor Pursuits Bike Rental Program is FREE to students, faculty and staff!
You will need a valid UNC ID Card to rent a bike or any equipment from the Gear Shop.
We only charge you if the bike is returned late, in need of repair, or not returned at all. We evaluate each issue individually.
We do not charge you for basic maintenance like a flat tire or brake tune-up. We only charge for repairs that are beyond the regular basic maintenance.
Every rider gets:
- A helmet
- A lock
- A front-mounted basket for your gear (this is optional with some bikes)
Cruiser style bikes have a classic pedal brake just by back-pedaling.
Commuter bikes come with hand brakes.
You will be ready to ride by following these 4 steps:
- Request: Fill out the Semester Bike Rental Form.
- Rent: Visit the Gear Shop to check out your bike.
- Ride: Travel across campus in-style! Park your bike at any campus bike rack (remember to lock your bike properly).
- Return: All semester rental bikes are due back during Finals Week.
If you have any questions, contact the Gear Shop:
- Phone: 970-351-4327
- Email: op.desk@unco.edu
Climbing Wall
The UNC Climbing Wall is a great place for experienced climbers to sharpen their skills and for those with no experience to challenge themself with a new physical activity. The Climbing Wall offers “Bouldering” routes that are available any time the Rec Center is open. For “Top Rope” climbing, you will need someone to belay you, and, for that, you will need to come during our staffed hours.
The Climbing Wall is another great place for students to meet new people. It is a very welcoming environment and our staff loves to help climbers of any level. Our staff offers instruction on climbing and belaying both in formal clinics as well as informal one-on-one.
Come visit our friendly staff and maybe pick up a new recreational activity to enjoy.
SPRING SEMESTER HOURS
Bouldering
- There is a Blue Line about 12 feet up the Wall. This is the Bouldering Line. For climbers that are “Bouldering” and climbing without a belay, you can not climb above this line.
- Bouldering is available any time the Rec Center is open.
Top Rope Climbing:
- Top Rope Climbing is only permitted when there are UNC Climbing Staff on-duty.
- You must sign the Climbing Wall Waiver and Agreement each semester before you can Top Rope climb.
- Top Rope Climbing Hours: Monday – Friday, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Bouldering – Climbing which does not utilize a rope system. Bouldering up to the 12 ft. blue line is available all hours that the Rec Center is open.
Roped Climbing – Only available during staffed hours. The two types of Roped Climbing at the UNC Climbing Wall are Top Rope and Lead Climbing. Top Rope Climbing involves utilizing a rope through an anchor at the top of the wall structure, while Lead Climbing uses intermediate anchors set in the wall to offer protection.
Auto-Belay – Devices that enable climbers to climb higher than the bouldering line without the assistance of a belayer. These tools utilize industrial grade magnets and webbing to provide efficient ascending and descending speeds. Auto-Belays are only available during staffed hours and require an orientation prior to use.
No, you don’t need to have your own climbing gear. Outdoor Pursuits has climbing equipment that you can rent for FREE!
We can provide you with:
- Climbing Shoes
- Harnesses for Roped Climbing
- We also have an Adaptive Harness if you would like added assistance.
- For added fun, we also have chalk bags, assisted braking belay devices, belay glasses, Lead Climbing ropes, and Dry Ice™ Indoor Ice Tools.
In order to use this equipment, you will need:
- To sign the Climbing Wall Waiver and Agreement before you climb.
- Your Bear ID Card or the Campus Rec App.
The Outdoor Pursuits Staff is always providing activities and workshops related to outdoor activities, climbing included!
You can find our activities and workshops on our Instagram, our BearConnect page and the MyCampusRec Member Portal.
Examples of great Climbing activities and workshops:
- Learn to Climb Night
- Gym to Crag Climbing Series
- Learn to Belay Workshop
- Learn to Lead Climb Workshop
- Top Klaw (Fall) and Spring Cling (Spring) Climbing Competitions
- Halloween Costume Climb
Team Building
All programs are tailored to your groups specific requests and needs. Whether you are looking for your group to develop a deeper trust, build communication skills or just be more acquainted with one another, we will facilitate activities that work towards those specific objectives.
Whether you’re planning an on-campus experience or bringing the fun to your space, we’ve got flexible options to fit your needs.
On-Campus Community Building
Looking to host something right here on campus?
- Ideal for small group activities
- Available in 1–2 hour blocks
- Lows-only sessions.
Mobile Community Building
Want us to come to you? We’ve got you covered.
- We bring the experience to your location
- Same $5 per person, per hour
- Plus a small mileage fee for travel
Let’s make it easy to connect and build community—wherever you are.
Low Ropes: Activities that can combine icebreakers/warm-ups, initiatives, and the Low Ropes Course to create a program that helps your group learn and grow together. The Low Rope Course option ranges from 1-2 hours and can accommodate 8-25 participants.
Icebreakers/Warmups: Fun activities that help participants get to know each other. Examples include name games, tag games, and relays. The outcome of these activities is strengthening group familiarity.
Initiatives Problem/task-based: Activities that requires the group to work together. Initiatives can be physically or mentally challenging, and the process of completing the task teaches a lesson
We’d love to help you plan your event!
To get started, just reach out to Wilson at wilson.obenhaus@unco.edu
When to Reserve?
Submit your request at least two weeks in advance of your desired event date—this gives us enough time to prepare and support your group.
We’re excited to work with you!