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Thank you to Red Leg Brewing for hosting us again this month for our Adventure on Tap! Be sure to arrive early to grab a beer, as well as some food from the amazing food truck that will be there! Servers will be on hand during the event to help keep your cup full. Red Leg is also donating $1/pint sold back to UpaDowna, so huge thanks to them!

About January’s Speakers: Kim Washburn and Tonya Shepherd are neighbors whose paths first crossed in their kids’ kindergarten class. That was like 20 years ago. Last January Tonya found a program online called the 52-Hike Challenge which inspired her to hike once a week for 52 weeks. So she enlisted Kim, a hiking amateur, and together they spent 2019 taking on the trails around Colorado Springs. Sometimes on their own, sometimes with a group of friends, they walked through the year making memories through adventure and misadventure. The two friends found that they are actually opposites in personality who laugh at the same things. One is an extrovert; the other is an introvert. One can’t tear herself away from the news; the other can’t stomach it. One hosts football parties with themed menus; the other prefers a good drive-thru. Their common ground is revealed in their appreciation for tall trees, wide open sky and the unique beauty of the city … which goes to show you that the trails in Colorado have something for everybody.

About Adventure on Tap: UpaDowna’s Speaker Series is a featured activity in our “Community Campfire” program. This activity features a new discussion each month. Keeping on theme with our mission, we want to inspire individuals to pursue outdoor endeavors and this is one of the ways we hope to bring new and exciting opportunities to you! Want to be a speaker? Sign up here: https://www.upadowna.org/programs/adventure-on-tap/

Details: You are invited to join UpaDowna for a first hand tour of CityROCK Climbing Center and intro to climbing class. This class is designed for folks that have never been into CityROCK, are new to climbing, or just getting back into it. You’ll get a tour of the facility and learn the basics of climbing taught by seasoned climbers from UpaDowna and CityROCK. We are stoked to offer you this amazing, donation-based, Intro to Climbing package, complete with climbing gear rental, expert instruction from Cityrock and UpaDowna staff, and food and beverages afterward, a $150 value! A $15 donation per person is suggested, but feel free to donate what you can afford!

What: “Intro to Climbing”, a donation-based class

Why: To encourage new climbers to try the fun and fulfilling sport of rock climbing!

Who: Adults 21+. Individuals, or couples are welcome to sign up.

How: Choose one or two donation-based tickets. Type in your donation amount and then continue registration. Want to donate by cash or check? Please call us.

Have a family you want to take climbing? Check on our website or facebook for Family Climb Nights! Have 4 or more people, or even a group? Contact us for a private session! 719-429-9006

Goals:

• To help individuals or couples experience a new adventure sport in a safe and fun environment.
• To help individuals overcome a fear of heights by providing helpful and friendly encouragement.
• To overcome as many barriers as possible (cost, equipment, location, knowledge) in order for all ages and abilities to try climbing.

Please note: This Climb Night is limited to 16 people. You MUST fill out a CityROCK climbing waiver for every person in your group prior to arriving and MUST watch the safety video upon arrival. Climb Night starts promptly at 6pm. It is HIGHLY recommended that you arrive 15 minutes early to check in. If you arrive later than 6pm, you might not be able to join the class. Call 719-429-9006 if you will be late. If you have already attended an Intro to Climb Night, please do not sign up again for the same class.

Did You Know…UpaDowna Climb Night Members can save 10% on a membership to CityROCK?!

Thank you to our Climb Night Sponsors; Heuberger Subaru, City Rock, and The Ute & Yeti.

Whether you are an experienced outdoors person, or just nature-curious, nature can help you stay active and social. Learn about ways to pack for day trips, where to find easy and fun hikes nearby, or how you can explore the Pikes Peak region by provided transportation through UpaDowna, where many of the adventures are free or with a donation. Thur. Feb. 27th, 10:15am-12:15pm $25 non-member, $10 member

For more info or to register: https://www.pillarinstitute.org/

The Incline Happy Hour is back! What is the IHH? Well, a group of us make the trek up from the bottom of the incline then run down Barr Trail and usually end up at a local Manitou Springs watering hole afterward (TBA!). Start whenever you need to, this is self paced, not a race and is not a guided group activity. Friendly and welcoming to all, but be sure you are physically (and mentally) in shape for this extreme hike. PARKING: We recommend parking at the FREE lot and taking the FREE bus to the Incline drop off: https://goo.gl/maps/NxiUqbxLssN7AZng6

Come out, make some friends, and most importantly have fun! We look forward to seeing you!

How to participate:
1) Join our UpaDowna group on Strava: https://www.strava.com/clubs/566191
2) RSVP to the Incline Happy Hour of the month event
3) Sign the waiver: https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/5e12796086eeb/web/
3) Complete the Incline sometime that day
4) Optional: meet up afterward at the watering hole of the month (this month: TBA!)

****Being a part of the UpaDowna Incline Happy Hour means that you will obey all rules and regulations of the Incline and Barr Trail (https://manitousprings.org/where-to-play/manitou-incline/). We DO NOT associate ourselves with people that cut switchbacks, litter, or display other disrespectful uses of the trial. The Incline has it’s own set of “guidelines” that you may or may not choose to follow. Ages 21+ only for this event. Dogs are NOT recommended for this trail.*****