The document provides information about the Channel Islands Pre-O Adventure trip from August 22-27, 2015 organized by USD Outdoor Adventures. It will involve hiking, kayaking, camping and activities on Santa Cruz Island. The itinerary, guides, food, packing, weather, skills and risks are outlined. Participants will meet at Outdoor Adventures on August 22nd and take a ferry to the island, returning on August 27th. Questions should be directed to the Outdoor Adventures office.

1. Channel IslandsPre-O Adventure
August 22nd –August 27th, 2015

2. Welcome to Pre-O Adventure!
Get ready for adventure in the Channel Islands, known as
the Galapagos Islands of North America. This will be an
amazing way to meet new friends and start your journey at
USD!
To get ready for our adventure, please read the following
slides that include important information about our trip.
Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

3. Questions Answered:
Who are my guides?
Itinerary?
What will I eat?
Where are we camping?
What to pack?
What’s the weather like?
What skills do I need?
Risks and Hazards?
Questions and Concerns?

4. Meet the Guides:
Sam
Nickname: Sustainable Sam the Man
Hometown: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Year: Junior
Studying: Environmental Studies
Steph
Nickname: That girl with the funky colored
hair
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Year: Senior
Studying: Psychology

5. Meet the Guides:
Danford
Nickname: Dadford
Hometown: Capetown, South Africa
Year: Senior
Studying: Engineering
Karly
Nickname: Cooking Queen
Hometown: Glen Rock, NJ
Year: Senior
Studying: Engineering

6. Meet the Guides:
Tess
Nickname: Tesselate
Hometown: Poway, CA
Year: Sophomore
Studying: Engineering
Dave
Nickname: Danger Dave
Hometown: Lebanon, PA
Year: Graduate Student
Studying: Life/Leadership

7. Itinerary:
● Day 1: Saturday, August 22nd
Morning: Check-in at Outdoor Adventures between 9 and 11am. Here
you will receive your room key. As soon as you check in you can go to
your room and start the move in process. Remember to eat lunch
before returning to the OA office.
Afternoon: Return to OA by 2pm with everything you need for the trip.
Say goodbye to any family members and friends. Next, you and your
guides will go through your gear to ensure you are properly prepared
for the trip. Then we will do introductions and play some games!
Evening: Dinner will be on us! Afterward we will set up sleeping bags
on campus and camp out! Be prepared for an early morning wake up.

8. Itinerary Continued:
● Day 2: Sunday, August 23rd
Morning: Get up early and drive to Ventura Harbor to take
the morning ferry to Santa Cruz Island.
Afternoon: Unload ferry, set up base camp, stop at the
visitor’s center, explore!
Evening: Dinner and group activities.

9. ● Day 3-5: August 24th-26th
Hike various trails
Kayak through sea caves & snorkel through the kelp forest
Sunrise hike to Montañon Ridge
Participate in small group and large group activities
● Day 6: Thursday, August 27th
Morning: Pack up camp
Afternoon: Take the 5pm ferry to the mainland
Night: Have dinner on the road and arrive at campus around
11:30pm
● Day 7: Friday, August 28th
Morning: Shuttles to the airport start in the morning. A light
breakfast will be provided at OA.
Itinerary Continued:

10. Food:
● Meals are provided beginning with dinner on day 1 through
lunch on day 6. We plan our meals to be flavorful, fresh, filling
and balanced. No dehydrated, packaged camping meals! We
prefer to use fresh cut vegetables, fruits, cheese, and other
ingredients that you would use for cooking at home.
● Everyone will be asked to help prepare some meals for the
group. Also, clean up after meals will be a group effort. This is
very important for our time management.
● We will stop for dinner on day 6 as we drive home- bring $15-
20 to purchase your food on the road.
● Let us know if you have any dietary preferences or
restrictions on the Getting to Know You Google Form so that
we can accommodate you!

11. Base Camp
● Outdoor Adventures provides enough four
person tents for all participants, but you
can also sleep under the stars if you so
desire!
● We will be carrying all of our gear 1 mile
from the ferry landing to our campsite.
Everyone will have to lend a hand to
accomplish this feat.
● Santa Cruz Island has a water faucet and
permanent porta-potties. Showers are not
available, but the fresh ocean water is!

12. Packing:
● Please refer to the packing list provided!
● We will load and unload our equipment from the ferry, as well as carry it a mile to
camp, so pack only what you need! The less extras you bring, the better off you will
be.
● Pack your gear in a duffel bag or backpack that you can comfortably carry for 1
mile- please no suitcases!
● Please bring a smaller day backpack to take water, layers and snacks on short hikes.
● Some items are available to rent/purchase through Outdoor Adventures, so be sure
to fill out the google form!

13. Weather:
● Average temperatures can range from 70s-
80s during the day and 50s-60s at night.
● We will be 20 miles offshore, so expect
possible heavy winds, a marine layer, cool
nights, humidity, and long exposure to the
sun. We hope for perfect conditions, but
always prepare for the worst. We want you
to be comfortable!
● Be sure to pack for cold and warm weather-
layers are great for adjusting to changing
conditions.

14. What skills do I need?
● No previous experience is necessary! Some days will be
more challenging than others, but our program also
values challenge by choice.
● Be prepared to hike between 4 and 10 miles during our
day hikes over a combination of dirt roads, established
trails, and off trail paths.
● Our sit-on-top kayaking adventure will be guided by
Channel Islands Outfitters; conditions permitting, expect
to paddle between 6 and 8 miles.

15. Risks and Hazards:
● Santa Cruz Island is 20 miles off the coast of Santa Barbara; although the ferry stops
a few times a day, we are in a remote environment and need to plan accordingly.
● There are a variety of risks and hazards associated with outdoor recreation; these
include slips, falls, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, hypothermia, sunburn, dehydration,
animal encounters, and blisters. We will do our best to help you avoid these
potential risks.
● Weather is also important to take into account; sun protection is essential, as there
is very little shade on the island.
What about drugs and alcohol?
● Illegal drugs and alcohol are never allowed on trips, nor being under the
influence.
● Prescription medications are required. Please make sure you bring them in the
original bottle with the physicians name on it.

16. Questions or Concerns?
Please don’t hesitate to call or email us:
619-260-4709
usdoutdooradventures@sandiego.edu
www.sandiego.edu/oa
More photos of Outdoor Adventures Trips:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/usdoutdooradventures/sets/72157632818199786/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/usdoutdooradventures/sets/72157629206694035/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/usdoutdooradventures/sets/72157627526927705/

17. We look forward to meeting you in
August!