Northwood’s rock-climbing LEAP trip in Red Rocks has been moved from late November to spring break, with the new dates expected to run from March 27th to April 2nd. Students who signed up for the course originally planned to travel during the Thanksgiving break. The trip was postponed due to issues with the government shutdown last October.
Red Rocks, Nevada. Photo” Jacob Slagel ’26.
The Red Rock trip is part of Northwood’s LEAP program, which gives students a chance to step out of regular classes and do hands-on learning. In Red Rocks, the focus is on learning the fundamentals of single- and multi-pitch climbing, with an emphasis on skill-building, safety, and decision-making in the outdoors.
Marley Tracy-Deuss ’27, who is signed up for the trip, said the experience is still something he is looking forward to, even with the schedule change. “I thought it was a really great trip to get to just hang out with other climbers and other people from Northwood on a longer form trip,” Tracy-Deuss said. “It was great to be able to go somewhere where it was warmer and with great climbing.”
Red Rocks, Nevada. Photo” Jacob Slagel ’26.
Tracy-Deuss said he was disappointed when he heard the dates were changing, especially after preparing for a Thanksgiving trip, but he still plans to go.
“You know, it was kind of out of our hands,” he said. “I think it’s kind of a bummer, but, you know, we’re still going to get to go, and it’s still going to be just as good.” He added that even though plans changed, he is still excited to return to Nevada.
Red Rocks, Nevada. Photo” Jacob Slagel ’26.
“I was definitely, like, a little disappointed, because I had prepared to go during Thanksgiving,” Tracy-Deuss said. “But, you know, plans change. I’m so looking forward to getting out there.” With the trip now expected to take place during spring break, students will need to plan around travel days on either end of the week, depending on the final itinerary.
