Gators are getting out of Gainesville and going places.
A line of students hoping to get spots for outdoor weekend adventures snaked around the outside of the Reitz Union on Wednesday.
The Travel and Recreation Program (TRiP) is offering more than 20 excursions beyond city limits this fall.
"I love being outdoors and meeting new people," said Amber Zappia, who was first in line.
Zappia, a freshman, arrived at 10 a.m. to ensure her spot.
There were 224 spots sold on the first day, with six trips completely selling out, said Mike Griffin, a trip leader since 2003.
After going kayaking with TRiP over the summer, Zappia signed up for two trips this semester, Fall Colors in Linville Gorge and Sail Augustine, she said.
Brian Pautler and Michael Underwood, both seniors, were in line behind her. They signed up for a rock-climbing trip in Foster Falls, Tenn.
"I do some climbing at the rock gym, but I'm excited to climb some real rocks," Pautler said.
Fall Colors in Linville Gorge filled up quickly along with Spelunk This!
Held in mid-October at the peak of fall colors, Linville Gorge is always one of the most popular trips, Griffin said.
"It is in a really beautiful part of North Carolina," he said.
With names such as Pack'n'Trot Pine Mountain, Hike the Humps and Backpack to the End of the Rainbow, TRiP also offers other outdoor trips including activities like canoeing, mountain biking and white-water rafting.
TriP is also offering several new expeditions this semester, including the Mystery TriP.
It is considered classified with no specific details regarding what the trip entails, Griffin said.
"Some pretty sweet, adventurous people signed up" on the first day, he said.
Another new outing is Freedive Florida, which takes participants snorkeling in several springs along the Chassahowitzka River.
With the new additions, it's the most spread out schedule in years, Griffin said.
There hasn't been a freedive or caving trip in the past few years, he said.
The adventure destinations are scouted out before hand and led voluntarily by students who have completed a UF course, become certified in Wilderness First Aid, and participated in field training to prepare them to lead the outings.
All the excursions are individually planned by TRiP leaders who did a similar trip on their own time or knew someone who did, Griffin said.
"It's not just the location or activities but more the people. It's a lot of hard work but a strong sense of accomplishment to take people outdoors to do things they might not have done before," he said.
Registration for the trips stays open until all of the spots are sold or until the Friday afternoon the week before the trip leaves, according to the TRiP Web site. There are also waiting lists available for the trips that sell out in case someone drops the trip, Griffin said.
