Take the Plunge with BWP

Located in the Oneota River Valley, the City of Decorah offers a plethora of outdoor resources. Luther College’s student-run group Backyard Wilderness Pursuits is helping students take full advantage of their time here in Decorah’s “outdoor mecca,” according to Outdoor Magazine.

The four current leaders of BWP include Adam Kruse (‘11), Erin Lunde (‘10), Laura Grangaard (‘10) and Courtney Greenley (‘11).

“BWP leads some great trips in the local area that can really allow students to feel their sense of place here,” Lunde said.

Past trips include hiking, canoeing, snowshoeing, skiing and a recent trip to Coldwater Cave, which is located close to campus. In addition, BWP offers trips during fall and spring break to more distant locations. Every spring, BWP takes a ski trip to Aspen.

“We also provide fairly inexpensive outdoor equipment rentals such as tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, camp stoves and others for people to get out and explore on their own if they would rather do that,” Lunde said.

While the group already offers a wide range of opportunities, Kruse looks to increase BWP’s role on campus.

“Next year’s goal is to get the whole student body involved in the outdoors,” Kruse said.

Kruse mentioned that some students may be intimidated by certain events, so he hopes to make BWP a group that makes all feel comfortable getting outdoors, either independently or through the group itself.

Although the end of the school year is near, students can still take advantage of what BWP has to offer. There are weekly “hump day” hikes on Wednesdays, and Kruse says to look on the library lawn for slacklining, an activity where students attempt to balance themselves on nylon webbing tied between two trees.

In addition, the BWP website, http://sites.google.com/a/luther.edu/bwp/Home, has an abundance of resources for students, including maps, information on activities to do in the area, a list of upcoming events and a full list of all items available to rent.

Whether it’s done independently or through a BWP hosted event, BWP leaders encourage all students to take advantage of our surroundings.

“Decorah, I would argue, is the prettiest part of Iowa,” Kruse said. “It is an incredible resource we should be using.”

“If you need any advice on where to go or equipment to use, or want to go on a trip already planned for you, BWP can help you out,” Lunde said.