Ouachita’s Outdoor Recreation department will host a stargazing night hike this Saturday on DeGray Lake’s Iron Mountain trails in Caddo Valley.
Hikers will meet in the lower SPEC parking lot at 7 p.m. on Saturday and carpool to Lake DeGray resort. Upon arrival, participants will be able to hike the trails along the Iron Mountain area of the resort.
The hike will be about four miles long and will end on a peninsula on the lake, providing hikers with optimal conditions for stargazing, weather permitting. The event is free, but those wishing to participate need to sign up at obu.edu/reclife.
Inclement weather is a possibility on the evening of the hike, and the event will likely be rescheduled for the spring semester if a cancellation takes place. Participants are encouraged to watch their emails as well as social media for updates as the event gets closer.
Any students, faculty and staff are invited to attend the event and are encouraged to invite others to accompany them. Shane Seaton, director of Recreational Life, stressed that the bonds formed on outings such as this one are what makes Rec Life what it is.
“Rec Life events are a great way to get to know people because outdoor events are very community-oriented. While you’re hiking, you’re talking, and while you’re climbing, you’re encouraging, so it’s a great way to get to know people whether it’s new people or whether you go with friends,” Seaton said.
Rec Life has hosted several outdoor excursions throughout the semester, as well as events at SPEC’s climbing center. At the climbing center, a Christmas climbing event is scheduled for Friday, December 9. There will be rock climbing, festive snacks and hot chocolate, as well as a “crate stacking” competition. Additionally, a Christmas break ski trip to Winter Park, Colo. is planned for January 9-14 for students wishing to explore the outdoors beyond what Arkansas has to offer. More information on this trip can be found at obu.edu/reclife/ski.
To sign up for the night hike or to learn more about other upcoming Rec Life events, visit obu.edu/reclife or contact Shane Seaton at seatons@obu.edu.
By Katie Kemp, News Editor
