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Alpine Club is your ticket to the outdoors! Founded in 1928, the Alpine Club serves as the University of Denver's longest-running and largest individual club on campus, and is open to DU students currently enrolled in classes. The club helps a strong collection of outdoor enthusiasts, beginners to experts, to find their place here at DU.
All of our officers can be reached at alpineclub@du.edu.
2025-26 Membership
All University of Denver students currently enrolled in classes are eligible to join Alpine Club at any point during the academic year. Membership is $55 and is valid for the entire 2025-26 academic year (September-May).
Members receive several benefits including priority registration and a discounted member rate for all events. All members will also receive this year's DU Alpine Club water bottle and t-shirt.
Become a DUAC Member today!
Ikon Pass Epic pass
How to Attend
You must complete the following steps to attend each trip:
Step 1: Register online for each trip.
Step 2: Once you successfully register, expect to receive an email from the trip leaders on the Monday or Tuesday before the trip. This email will contain all necessary information about the pre-trip meeting which is typically held on the Wednesday before the trip takes place.
Helpful Tip: To log in to the system, you will need your PioneerWeb/DU ID number. If you are logging in for the first time, your password will be your DU ID number. If you have changed your password, please use your changed password.
If you register for a trip and can no longer attend, please make sure to cancel ASAP! This allows for people on the waitlist to join the trip. You can only be refunded for trips if you cancel 48 hours before the trip is set to leave! Any cancelations after this will not be eligible for a refund.
Members MUST travel in Alpine Club cars to and from trips or else they will not be able to participate.
Spring 2026 Trip Desciptions
Wilderness First Aid Class:4/18 - 4/19
Our Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course is designed for the outdoor enthusiast, trip leader, raft guide, or land agency field staff who want more than what a basic first aid course provides. The WFA is a great introduction to wilderness medicine and basic life support skills. This training focuses on prevention, assessment, and treatment of environmental illnesses, recognizing and stabilizing life threats caused by trauma, and calling for a rescue in the event of a wilderness emergency. Anyone interested in gaining more medical training and learning about safety in the outdoors is welcome! This class will be taught on the DU Campus by a certified Desert Mountain Medicine Instructor.
Cost: $75 for members, $100 for non-members
Day Climb: 4/26
Do you love climbing outside, want to make that jump from gym to crag, or just want to try something new? Join us for our day climbing trip at Staunton State Park – an iconic granite playground only an hour from Denver! We’ll start the day with a moderate approach to the crags, where your officers will set up anchors for a full day of top-rope climbing. All experience levels are welcome, and DUAC will provide any climbing gear you’ll need. You’re bound to learn something new, push yourself to try hard, and experience the classic camaraderie with pals at the crag (what climbing is all about) if you join DUAC on this vertical adventure.
Cost: $20 for members, $25 for non-members
Taos Multi - Sport: 5/1 - 5/3
Get excited to come camping over the beautiful Rio Grande Gorge, near Taos, N.M. at the John Dunne Bridge Campground. We will go hiking, explore the can’t miss town, and go for many a dip in the river with a soak in the nearby natural hot springs. If you please, there are also options to go bouldering on the nearby rocks and fishing in the river. Bring your hiking shoes, swimsuit, good attitude, and whatever other activity specific gear you would like to indulge yourself in. This trip will depart on Friday and return at a reasonable time on Sunday. The wonderfully low price includes meals, transportation, camping gear, officer guided hiking, and the Taos time of your life.
Cost: $40 for members, $60 for non-members
Fruita Mountain Biking: 5/8 - 5/10
A classic trip! This dusty desert trip is a fan favorite for bikers of all skill levels. Come on out to Frutia and get down and dirty on wheels. We’ll bike and camp at 18 Road where you'll find trails for “I have never been on a mountain bike” to “I’m here to rip it up and be the best biker the world has ever seen”. Get excited to kick it over to Kokopelli and swim in the CHOCOLATE MILK RIVER! It’s as great as it sounds. Also on the docket is the Hot Tomato. This trip includes breakfast and lunch, and one dinner. We will also outfit you out with a mountain bike and helmet to protect your noggins. Don’t miss out on this dusty trip!
Cost: $115 for members, $160 for non-members
If you have your own mountain bike, bring ‘er on! You will be refunded 50% of the trip cost. No bike, no worries, the rental is included with the trip price!
Day Hike: 5/16
Hey Pios! Spring is here, and the mountains are calling. Join the DU Alpine Club for a casual day hike in Colorado's stunning Front Range, no experience necessary, just bring your good vibes and a sense of adventure. May is a magical time in the Front Range, with wildflowers starting to bloom, crisp mountain air, and views that'll make you forget you have finals coming up. This is a laid-back, beginner-friendly hike perfect for first timers and seasoned hikers alike.
Whether you're a Colorado native or still getting your mountain legs, this is the perfect chance to explore the backyard we're all lucky enough to call home.
Cost: $15 for members, $20 for non-members
Paddle Boarding: 5/16
New this year! We will be taking a group of lakegoers and avid (or aspiring) paddleboarders to Horsetooth Reservoir in Fort Collins, Colorado, for the day. Leaving Saturday morning, we will head North, spend a day on the water and in the sun paddleboarding, and we will be returning that afternoon! Paddleboards and lifejackets will be provided. Get ready to join us for an awesome day to unwind and spend time outside!
Cost: $30 for members, $40 for non-members
Arches National Park CYOA (Choose Your Own Adventure): 5/22-5/25
Ever wanted to shimmy through the beautiful canyons of Arches National Park near Moab, Utah? Join DUAC for a revamp of the Utah/Moab trip! We will drive out Friday night, camp near the park, and the next three days are up to us. We will visit the park on days 1 and 2, shimmy our way through the Firey Furnace canyon, choose some beautiful hikes, and take in the beautiful Arches. There is potential for other activities, which we will discuss at our pre-trip meeting!
Cost:TBD
Moab Climbing/Canyoneering Trip: 5/22 - 5/25
Ever wanted to shimmy through the beautiful canyons of Utah? Join DUAC on our first ever guided Canyoneering trip! We will travel in style with guides who will pick us up from campus and drive us to Hanksville, Utah where we will camp, climb, and canyoneer through the North Wash Canyons. All meals, transportation, and stoke shall be included, and we will be guided by the lovely folks at Front Range Climbing, Utah (our Ice Climbing Guides).
IMPORTANT NOTE:Canyoneering can be extremely claustrophobic, and we will travel through tight caves/crevices that could be triggered. Make sure you are comfortable and confident with tight spaces before signing up for this trip!
Cost: TBD for members, TBD for non-members
White Water Rafting: 5/29 - 5/30
Get soaked and stoked with DUAC on this splash of a weekend! We are heading out to Canyon City to camp in Buena Vista, and raft the Bighorn and Royal Gorge section of the Arkansas river. This stretch boosts some epic class III & IV rapids that everyone can enjoy, no experience needed! This guided trip includes all the camping essentials for Friday night and all the rafting essentials for the day on Saturday. All the meals are included as well! Grub out on a DUAC classic like burrito bowls or campfire pasta! This trip is always a hit!
The cost of this trip includes a full day guided white water rafting experience, meals, camping gear (tents, sleeping pads, & sleeping bags), transportation, guided activities, campfire time, and guaranteed fun.
Cost: $125 for members, $175 for non-members
