"We make it clear that everyone is responsible for themselves," Myers says. "For example, when we drive places, we make it clear that it is the individual and not the Outing Club that is responsible."

But the group is clearly treading a fineline. Insurance limits who is able to drive the group, yet the guidelines remain fuzzy. But there have been no safety problems in the past, and the admittedly laid-back club members frequently joke about their insurance-induced status as a covert outing club.

"Our purpose is to distribute gear and ideas about the outdoors," explains Myers, in a slightly sarcastic voice. "We don't really go on trips."

But we do go on trips," interrupts Schmitt.

"No, we don't," Myers responds.

"We organize trips," offers Kristin A. Bevington '01, the club's vice president. Other express agreement.

"Fine," concedes Myers. "We talk about trips."

Often, such talk does eventually lead somewhere--to hills, rivers and other open spaces without brick walls or paved paths. Though the club no longer enjoys the same popularity that it did in the '80s, it still plans about two outings a month.

"It was definitely a much bigger presence on campus 10 years ago," says Brian A. Shillinglaw '01, the club's equipment manager. "But we're slowly rebuilding the club, which is exciting."

"We've been becoming more active in recent years," says Schmitt of the club's recent expansion. "I think part of it is an increased enthusiasm for the outdoors in general."

The club's most popular outing is its intersession trip to New Hampshire. There, members stay in a club-owned cabin, which is maintained during the year by the Appalachian Mountain Club.

This year, about 40 people attended the trip.

"We had a great time," Myers says. "You basically had the freedom to do what you wanted. Some people went hiking, some went ice climbing, some learned how to cross country ski. At night we sang songs and played board games."

Most members of the club will agree that it's this freedom that makes the club so unique.

"The atmosphere is very welcoming and outgoing," Shillington says. "We're not very technically or skill-oriented. Everyone's there to have fun."