Rachel Carson Conservation Park Half-Day Hike
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Brookeville, MD
10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
$7 members, $10 non-members
Level: 3, 6 miles

We will hike about 6 miles through the meadows and oak hickory forest of this large conservation park in northern Montgomery County. This hike follows the trails along the Hawlings River, part of the future Rachel Carson Greenway, where we’ll see the remains of an old mill.

Registration Deadline: Friday, February 24, 2012

Member: 
Non-member: 

Indoor Rock Climbing Class
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Sterling, VA
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
$30 members, $40 non-members
Level: All levels welcome.

Learn the basic skills of rock climbing including how to put on a harness, tie into the rope and belay for a partner. This class is great for beginners or a review before the outdoor climbing season. In addition to the class time, you will have two hours of additional climbing time in the gym.

Registration Deadline: Saturday, February 18, 2012

Member: 
Non-member: 

John Brown’s Raid Geocaching Trip
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Harpers Ferry, WV
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
$7 members, $10 non-members
Level: All. No previous experience necessary.

Have you ever wanted to go geocaching? Do you even know what geocaching is? Geocaching is like treasure hunting with a GPS (Global Positioning System). On this trip, you will learn the basics of using a GPS. Using a GPS, we go to specific coordinates. At these coordinates, sometimes there is a question that can only be answered by visiting that place, sometimes there is a container to find, and sometimes that container is really tiny, making one really search for it. Geocaching combines the fun of walking and exploring new places with the challenge of looking for something. It ranges in difficulty from very easy to extremely challenging.

For this trip, we will be doing multiple caches in Harpers Ferry, WV. This trip is taking place near sites of John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry so be prepared to learn some history and do a lot of walking. If you have a GPS, please bring it; however, you do not need a GPS to do this event.

Registration Deadline: Friday, February 17, 2012

Member: 
Non-member: 

Gold Mine Loop Half-Day Hike
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Potomac, MD
Great Falls National Park
10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
$7 members, $10 non-members
Level: 3, 5.1 miles

This hike strings together 5.1 miles of several little used trails east of the C&O Canal. We will stroll through the woodlands over gentle hills, with a stop at the Great Falls overlook. We will return again through the quieter, shaded side trails.

Registration Deadline: Friday, February 10, 2012

Member: 
Non-member: 

Crampton Gap/Harper’s Ferry Day Hike
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Burkittsville, MD
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
$10 members, $15 non-members
Level: 8, 9.8 miles

The 9.8-mile stretch of Appalachian Trail leading from Crampton Gap to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, is one of the most popular and rewarding AT day hikes in this region. It features a secluded forest ridge top, an exhilarating vista pitching straight down into the Potomac River, and the historic C&O Canal Towpath.

Registration Deadline: Friday, February 3, 2012

Member: 
Non-member: 

Blue Ridge Center Backpacking Trip
Saturday-Sunday, February 4-5, 2012
Purcellville, VA
Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
$20 members, $25 non-members
Level: 7 miles
Advanced beginner and above.

Interested in backpacking in the winter? Join us for this short trip at the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship. The center is near Harpers Ferry, WV. The total distance of the trip is 7 miles and has minimal elevation gain. For more information about the park, see http://www.blueridgecenter.org/.

WWO has a limited amount of equipment that can be loaned, so don’t let a lack of equipment stand in your way.

Registration Deadline: Saturday, January 28, 2012

Member: 
Non-member: 

Board Meeting
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Location TBD
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Free!
Level: Everyone welcome!

Did you know that WWO is run by a group of volunteers collectively known as the Board of Directors? WWO’s Board of Directors meets quarterly to plan upcoming activities, discuss existing policies of the organization, and to follow through on improving our efforts to better serve our members and trip participants. These regularly-scheduled meetings are open to WWO members. We invite you to come observe our meetings, particularly if you’ve always wanted to get more involved with WWO but didn’t quite know where to start.

Please register to receive directions.

Scuba Diving
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Washington, DC
Trinity Center for Women and Girls in Sports
12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
$50 members, $55 non-members
Level: All. No previous experience necessary.

Have you always wondered what its like to breathe underwater? Are you curious about exploring the world beneath the sea, a whole new outdoor environment? Escape the winter chill and experience the thrill of scuba diving under the supervision of a PADI professional in a heated indoor pool. You will be introduced to the equipment, master some basic concepts and skills, and decide if scuba diving will be your next adventure!

Participants will be required to fill out a Discover Scuba Diving brochure in advance, which includes a medical questionnaire. If the answer is yes to any question, a medical release from your doctor must be included in order to participate. These must be completed and brought with you to the event. The waiver is available here.

Registration Deadline: Thursday, January 19, 2012

Member: 
Non-member: 

C&O Canal Bike Ride
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Georgetown, DC
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
$7 members, $10 non-members
Level: 30.0 miles
Flat trail suitable for in-shape novices and above. Mountain bikes or hybrids only.

Have you ever traveled the C&O Canal in the winter? It’s really quite beautiful! We will start in Georgetown, travel east along the canal for approximately 15 miles. We will stop for a beautiful view of the falls. We will return to Georgetown and warm up with some hot chocolate!

Mountain bikes or hybrids only, no road bikes. If this trip is cancelled due to cold or bad weather, we will try to schedule a nearby hike so that we can still enjoy the outdoors.

Registration Deadline: Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Member: 
Non-member: 

Bike Committee Meeting & Social
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Potomac, MD
7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Free!
Level: Everyone welcome!

Are you interested in finding out how we create WWO’s biking program? Do you want to meet some of the biking leaders or learn how to become a bike leader yourself? This event is your opportunity! We’ll gather at a member’s home to eat pizza, socialize, and put together WWO’s bike schedule for the fall. Bring your friends and your bike-route books!

Registration Deadline: Monday, January 9, 2012