As the workload is piled higher and higher and the reading pages per night increases, it's easy for Amherst students to become tempted to hole up in the library as the beautiful autumn passes by. Luckily, there is a club working to correct this situation. The Amherst College Outing Club (ACOC), which celebrates its 75th anniversary this winter, is committed to providing an opportunity for students to exercise, go on adventures and enjoy the outdoors.

Although the ACOC has been around since the 1920s, it was somewhat defunct until three years ago, when Aron Boros '00 built it back up to its former glory. ACOC leadership member Dave Reckess '02 attributed the club's current success to Boros' efforts. "For the past three years, it has been a really involved and active club," said Reckess.

The ACOC has facilitated dozens of hiking, rock climbing, biking, kayaking and even sky diving trips. The length of their adventures ranges from a Saturday afternoon hike to two week-long trips during school vacations. In the past few years the ACOC has gone on hiking and kayaking trips in New Mexico, Colorado, North Carolina and Peru.

Besides leading trips, the ACOC acts as a sort of forum for facilitating different outdoor opportunities for Amherst students. Their website, www.amherst.edu/~acoc/, offers different trail ideas with information, comments and directions.

Outing Club leadership member Mike Niemack '02 was also instrumental in creating the "Faux Pond," an indoor climbing wall in the basement of Pond, which opened last spring.

The ACOC has several activities planned for the fall, including day hikes, full moon hikes and rock climbing trips. According to Reckess, "membership is huge and trips are open to everyone. It's a great way to get outside and enjoy the area that we're going to school in."