 "Photo: Courtesy of Aztec Adventures")
 "Photo: Courtesy of Aztec Adventures")
Traffic, technology and a large population are unavoidable aspects of the San Diego city life. But they don’t have to be.
How about backpacking 10,834 feet at San Jacinto Peak, going on a sea kayaking expedition in Baja, Mexico hiking through underground mud caves or just making s’mores under the desert stars with new friends? Students interested in outdoor activities like these can turn to Aztec Adventures. This program, sponsored by Associated Students, focuses on outdoor education, preservation and recreation for SDSU students and community members with multiple trips. Canoeing, camping, hiking, backpacking and mountain biking are among the many activities offered.
According to Outdoor Programs Coordinator Jim Lustig, Aztec Adventures is a safe and friendly organization.
“We do nothing that the SDSU students couldn’t be successful at,” Lustig said.
A few other benefits of the program include fully provided equipment, socializing and amazing food.
“All of our trips are small group travel of about 12, so whether you like it or not, you’re (going to) get to know everybody,” Lustig said. “We have had people meet on our trips and become lifelong friends or married with offspring.”
According to the Aztec Adventures Web site, the next trip will be an overnight camping excursion at the Anza-Borrego Desert Mud Caves from this Friday to Saturday.
Cave-exploring and star-gazing are among the activities planned. Instead of taking a road trip to Santa Barbara, students will be canoeing the Colorado River on the “Haunted” Mountains Halloween Float trip from Friday to Sunday. Participants will canoe a total of 32 miles, and although that may seem extreme, it is a good trip for beginners according to the Web site.
From Nov. 6 to Nov. 8 Aztec Adventures will be rock climbing at Joshua Tree National Park. This famous area offers 4,500 rock climbing routes. If adventurers would rather swing through trees than climb the rocks, High Ropes Course Training will take place at Camp Stevens in Julian Nov. 7 to Nov. 8. Other upcoming events include a horseback riding and sustainable tourism trip to Rancho La Mentada, in Baja California. Instead of sleeping on the ground, trip members will stay at the 13,000-acre cattle ranch and visit an Indian reservation.
If adventurers are tired of the traditional turkey holiday, the fourth annual “World Famous” National Parks Road Trip is a great alternative to the typical Thanksgiving celebration. The trip, scheduled from Nov. 24 to Nov. 29, will begin at Joshua Tree National Park, stopping at the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Cedar Breaks National Monument and ends at Bryce Canyon National Park.
“Since 1976 we have had an opportunity to introduce thousands of students to the outdoors for the first time in their lives,” Lustig said. “It’s an honor.”
Aztec Adventures offers other excursions such as whale watching and a yoga retreats. According to the Web site, most of the Aztec Adventures trips range from $225 to more than $1,000.
According to Lustig, students can even receive academic credit for some of the trips. This spring, Lustig and his staff are teaching 1-unit courses for backpacking, hiking, white water rafting and more. For more information on trips and registration visit www.aztecadventures.sdsu.edu or go to the Aztec Recreation Center.
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