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WILDERNESS ORIENTATION 2022
Wilderness Orientation Office (858) 534-8211 | wo@ucsd.edu
Learn to thrive on campus and in the backcountry through Outback Adventure's Wilderness Orientation (WO). WO is the best way for incoming students to prepare for life at UCSD. You will make new friends, participate in cool outdoor activities, explore beautiful places and get the inside scoop on life at UCSD.
COVID-19 Protocol: All participants on Wilderness Orientation 2022 must be fully vaccinated by the first day of their trip’s session. Participants must provide proof of completed regimen for a COVID-19 vaccine that is authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or World Health Organization WHO). In addition to vaccination, all participants and staff must have a negative Covid PCR test dated within 72 hours of the start of their trip. Upon arrival and daily during the trips, trip leaders will conduct a symptom screening of fellow staff and student participants. Please contact us with any questions.
Registration opens June 1st at 7:00am

Black Canyon Canoe
Our canoe trip will spend four days paddling along the calm section of the Colorado River just south of the Hoover Dam. As we move up the river, the valley turns to a canyon with walls towering vertically above. We might see an occasional Bighorn Sheep, and what is left of the silver and gold mines of the area.

Black Canyon Kayak
Our kayak trip will spend five days paddling along the calm section of the Colorado River just south of the Hoover Dam. As we move up the river, the valley turns to a canyon with walls towering vertically above. We might see an occasional Bighorn Sheep, and what is left of the silver and gold mines of the area.

San Diego: Coast to Summit
Get to know your future backyard on our new place-based wilderness orientation for incoming BIPOC students. This one-of-a-kind trip will introduce you to a few different outdoor activities – no experience required.
Sea Kayak Baja California
Come experience the rich diversity of the sea on this kayak adventure to Bahía de los Ángeles. This sea kayaking trip offers an opportunity to get a historic look at Baja California’s rich culture and marine life including bat rays, dolphins, large schools of fish, and even whales.
Surf Baja California
Push yourself on a surf adventure and bond with other new UCSD students while you travel to a little known surf destination in Baja California for multiple days of surf instruction and practice.

Sierra Nevada Backpack
The beauty of the Southern Sierra Mountain Range is undeniable and there is nothing quite like exploring the area intimately through backpacking. WO backpackers will spend seven days exploring Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park, hiking over mountain passes and visiting pristine alpine lakes.

Transfer Student Backpack
The beauty of the Southern Sierra Mountain Range is undeniable and there is nothing quite like exploring the area intimately through backpacking. WO transfer backpackers will spend seven days exploring Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park, hiking over mountain passes and visiting pristine alpine lakes.

Pre-Op Outdoor Experience MSI Incoming Students
Start your new life here at UCSD off with an awesome camping trip in the Laguna Mountains with your fellow incoming medical students. The trip is a chance to get to know your new community while having fun in the outdoors. You will learn inside information about life at med school, camp out under the stars, share campfire stories, go on hikes, play games, and make new friends.