WILDERNESS ORIENTATION 2025
Wilderness Orientation Office (858) 534-8211 | wo@ucsd.edu
Learn to thrive on campus and in the backcountry through Outback Adventures 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.
Click here to see this year's trip dates.
REGISTRATION OPENS JUNE 2nd!
Incoming First Year Trips
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.
Catalina Island Adventure
This is a fun way to start UCSD and have a great experience in one of the most beautiful places in Southern California. After taking the ferry over to Two Harbors on Catalina Island we will spend our days kayaking, hiking, and snorkeling. Nights will find us sitting around campfires sharing stories, getting to know each other and camping under the stars.
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. *This trip has a swim test prerequisite for registration.
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.
Incoming Transfer Student Trips
Transfer Student Backpack
Join fellow transfer students on this transfer-specific backpacking trip. The beauty of the Southern Sierra Mountain Range is undeniable and there is nothing quite like exploring the area intimately through backpacking. We will spend seven days exploring Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park, hiking over mountain passes and visiting pristine alpine lakes.
Transfer Student Catalina Island Adventure
Half of our Catalina Island trip is reserved for Transfer students who want to meet other Transfers! This is a fun way to start UCSD and have a great experience in one of the most beautiful places in Southern California. After taking the ferry over to Two Harbors on Catalina Island we will spend our days kayaking, hiking, and snorkeling. Nights will find us sitting around campfires sharing stories, getting to know each other and camping under the stars.
Incoming Medical Student Trips
Pre-Op Outdoor Experience: for MSI Incoming Students
Start your new life here at UCSD with an awesome camping trip in the nearby 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 from current MSIIs, camp out under the stars, share campfire stories, go on hikes, play games, and make new friends.
