The Lumberjack



Students Serving The Cal Poly Humboldt Campus and Community Since 1929

Tag: Hiking

  • A Surfer’s Tale: From Heaven to Quarantine

    A Surfer’s Tale: From Heaven to Quarantine

    An account of one HSU surfer’s last breath of clean, fresh air

    When Humboldt State University forestry major Gavin Schreiner set out on a 10-day surf trip over spring break, he had no clue what he would return to.

    Planned months in advance, Schreiner wasn’t going to let a virus stand in the way of his vacation. Packing over 50 pounds of food and supplies, he and a friend hiked nine miles up the coast of California. Schreiner stopped along the way to admire otters, countless shells and of course, to surf.

    “Surfing is obviously my favorite part and that’s the drive to go, but I love camping anyway,” Schreiner said. “I’m an avid backpacker. I’ve been through the Trinity Alps and definitely backpacked into SoCal a bunch.”

    A territorial surfer, Schreiner requested the location not be named, especially after this trip. Between spring break and COVID-19, the waves were packed.

    “It’s definitely my life path to surf until I die.”

    Gavin Schreiner

    “It was the most crowded anyone has ever seen that spot,” Schreiner said.

    Fortunately for those adventurous enough, there are nine miles of coast to surf on the way.

    “There’s the main surf spot out there, but there’s countless other waves along there,” Schreiner said. “It’s like a wave park. There’s so many different types of waves and different spots you can surf, and all offer different excitements.”

    Time between surf sessions consists of eating, sleeping and battling the elements to stay comfortable.

    “On the coast the weather changes super quick, so you have to be shedding layers, putting layers back on and also watching the waves 24/7 to make sure you get the best seshes [sessions] in,” Schreiner said.

    This is the longest trip Schreiner has taken so far, but he wants to break the record.

    “If we could spend a month, I would be in for that,” Schreiner said.

    At 20 years old, Schreiner has been surfing over half his life.

    “Surfing and the ocean is my number one priority,” Schreiner said. “It’s definitely my life path to surf until I die.”

    When he returned from his 10-day trip, Schreiner was greeted by strangers wearing masks and businesses with closed doors. The virus was not a factor in the trip. Surfers treated each other with the same brotherly love and competition. Schreiner would’ve stayed longer if it weren’t for school.

    “We kinda knew a little bit going into it that shit was going crazy,” Schreiner said. “The only thing we reconsidered was whether or not we could stay indefinitely and figure out a way to complete homework assignments out there.”

    Now that he’s back home, he tries to surf every day to take advantage of the opportunity.

    “I know a lot of my friends down south can’t surf because they’re closing the beaches, so I definitely feel super blessed to be up here right now,” Schreiner said. “I can follow social distancing and still go out every day.”

  • The challenge is ON

    The challenge is ON

    By | Robert Brown

    “Outdoor Nation is a fun way to get outside and be active,” Bridgette Hanson of Center Activities said. “That’s different for everyone, it’s why Humboldt won last year.”

    Open to students and anyone in the community, all you have to do is download the app, get out and take pictures of yourself, then post them to win prizes. The challenge is sponsored by REI, The North Face, eno, and Hydro Flask, and local businesses Adventures Edge, Minor Theatre, and Muddy Waters.

    “It’s so inspiring to live in this community,” Scott McCrary, student representative for ON said. “We have some of the most amazing nature spots here in Humboldt.”

    Some examples of ON Challenge events are guided walks, tidepool exploration, restoration projects, crafting, and volunteer events, also workshops on hiking, bike maintenance and birding.

    ON flyer.jpg

    “Our biggest event is Paddlefest,” Hanson said. “Around 200 people come to that event, some people get to try kayaking for the first time.”

    Each event accomplished earns a certain amount of points, for instance, backpacking, camping, and biking earn 10 points. Skateboarding, slacklining, and yoga earn 5 points. Birdwatching, gardening and stargazing earn 2 points. Add up points by completing as many events as you can and use them to redeem prizes.

    “A really fun event is the scavenger hunt,” McCrary said. “People follow clues through the week hidden in different places. Then take a picture with the clue once they’ve found them and post them in the app. to win a North Face backpack.”

    Along with an individual winner, schools are also competing to have the most number of people participating in their communities challenge. Last year HSU won the title of number one outdoorsiest school.

    “Winning was exhilarating,” one of last years winners, Ruby Garcia said. “Especially because we did it as a community and we won a $3,000 gear library that is available to students free of cost.”

    To find out more go to hsuoutdoors.humboldt.edu or www.oncampuschallenge.org

    “A big thank you to the Humboldt community,” McCrary said. “This wouldn’t be possible without the local radio and local sponsors.”

  • Tips from backpack seminar for students

    Tips from backpack seminar for students

    Video by | Andre Hascall

    Senior Outdoor Adventure Recreation Administration major, Dillon Travis knows a thing or two about backpacking. He works with Center Activities at HSU, and on April 4th he ran a backpacking seminar in the Rec and Wellness center on Campus.

    The big reason for this seminar are the upcoming backpacking trips for HSU students. These students will be backpacking the lost coast from the 7th through the 9th.

    There is a plethora of areas to go backpacking at nearby, Travis pointed out locations such as Lost Coast, Redwood National park and the Shasta Trinity Forest to name a few. “I would suggest calling the rangers at each park to get up to date info,” Travis said. “ It’s always a good idea to bring a partner if you haven’t gone before, or go with a guide.”