Common Adventure trips do not have formal leaders or guides –rather all trip participants will cooperatively plan trips and share in the work of making the trip fun, safe, and successful. The SAC leadership initiates a few trips per year that are beginner-friendly and aimed to get new members connected with more experienced alpine enthusiasts.
Common Adventure trips of all skill levels can be initiated by any club member, (Hint: the listserv is a great place to pitch trips, and weekly practices are also a great place to informally survey member interest and get started with planning trips!)
SAC funds members to undertake group trips to pursue objectives of trip members’ choice. Please see the sections below for what types of trips qualify for funding and how to submit forms for funding. If you have an idea for a trip that isn't quite common adventure, reach out to the executive team (see the About Us page) to chat!
SAC funds student trips at $40 per day per student.
Travel-only days do not qualify as funded days. The student must participate in the alpinism-related activity on the day to receive funding for that day.
For example, a weekend trip to Yosemite where the student leaves Stanford at 5pm on Friday, climbs on Saturday and Sunday, and returns to Stanford on Sunday night would be eligible for two days worth of funding.
The maximum funds granted per student per trip is $120.
The maximum funding per student per school year (beginning in Sept) is $500. After this limit is reached, the member can still join a common adventure trip and count towards the three minimum members attending, but the group won't receive the $40/day for them.
SAC-funded trips must adhere to the following guidelines:
The trip must be related to climbing, mountaineering, backcountry skiing, or another form of alpinism. If you have an idea for an adventure that you aren't sure counts, reach out to us!
The trip must follow the Common Adventure (CA) format. CA trips do not have formal leaders or guides, rather all trip participants will cooperatively plan trips and share in the work of making the trip fun, safe, and successful. Any SAC member can initiate a CA trip!
Three or more registered student SAC members must go on your trip for you to receive reimbursements.
Only student members are eligible for trip funding.
For the safety of all drivers/passengers, the time at the destination should be at least 3x the time driving to/from the destination.
What expenses can SAC fund?
If a trip meets the above criteria, SAC is able to reimburse trip expenses for the following items:
Gas for traveling to/from destination
Food for the duration of the trip
Campground fees
Permits
Gear rentals
Registration costs for externally-run courses/clinics
External courses/clinics must be accredited by AMGA/IFMGA or similar. If you are unsure, please send the officers the clinic info in advance of submitting the trip form below, and we can help you look into the accreditation.
What expenses is SAC unable to fund?
We are unable to fund expenses related to:
AirBNB/hotel/hostels/etc. You can stay in one, but SAC can't cover the cost.
Resort ski lessons or clinics (e.g. Palisades lessons.)
Resort ski weekend funding (gas/food/tickets/gear rentals). If you are interested in this, please consider joining the Stanford Ski & Snowboard club.
Local indoor climbing (e.g. the lead climbing class at Movement, trips to the gym).
Alcohol purchases that occur at restaurants.
Airfare. You can travel via plane on a common adventure trip, but SAC can't cover the cost of your airfare.
Rental cars. You can rent a car to pursue a common adventure trip, but SAC can't cover the cost of your rental.