New Group Rocks On!

By Broadside Sports Editor Eileen Brown

“Centered on the goal of getting out and engaging in activities, such as whitewater rafting, hiking, backpacking, canoeing, rock climbing, anything and everything high adventure” is the new club on campus called RockON! Founded by president Ryan Gaul, the RockON! club is making a name for themselves as a nature-oriented group.

RockON! was officially recognized by the university this semester and has already begun their numerous outdoor activities.

“We just did day hiking in the Massanutten Mountains out past Front Royal over the past weekend and a number of other backpacking and kayaking trips,” Gaul said.

The RockON! club has also planned an exciting trip to Pittsburgh, PA and from there will make their way back into the D.C. area on the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail.

“The trail is over 330 miles,” Gaul said. “The first 150 is part of the rails-to-trails leading out of Pittsburgh and south into the Cumberland gap. From there, it picks up the C+O Canal (184.5 miles) from the gap all the way into Washington, D.C. as you peddle along the canal towpath. We will be leaving the 17 to 18 of May to drive to Pittsburgh, and should be in D.C. by the 24, after only seven days of biking.”

Any Mason student can join RockON!, as well as faculty members. People are also encouraged to bring friends.

“We have a number of trips on our calendar; we have a backpacking, as well as a rock climbing trip at Sport Rock about one to every two weeks,” Gaul said.

The membership fee for the club is worth it, as the club boasts a vast amount of outdoor activities.

“We have a membership fee, but it’s not a lot of money, only 10 dollars, and it covers gas and stuff, along with T-shirts and other things,” Gaul said.

To learn more about the RockON! Club, e-mail the club at GMUROCKON@gmail.com. They are also located on Facebook under the group name RockON!