Just as the season starts to chill and the days shorten, you might conclude outdoor recreation offerings at Hill Air Force Base also get ready for hibernation. Not so, says Chris Breck, Outdoor Adventure director.

Trips are being planned and are set to take place, rentals are ongoing, bicycles are being fixed and a pheasant hunting trip will take place later next month. Meetings for volunteers are ongoing and Breck can't say enough nice things about them and leadership support for his department. "The volunteers are outgoing and energetic and always eager to help their customers," he said.

Their tasks are to keep things running, pack their own stuff up earliest, make breakfast, pack up the group, depending on the trip, and help make it possible for the clients to have fun and enjoy the opportunity for adventure, all while remembering safety issues and pulling 12- to 13-hour days.

A trip to Havasuipai Falls at the Grand Canyon will leave Oct. 7 and the group of adventure-seeking patrons will arrive back at the base Oct. 12. The trip includes transportation, camping fees, a helicopter ride out of the canyon and three meals. When asked about the fitness level required, Breck said that hikers have to be able to hike down but not out, except the last day when the hike up to the helicopter pad occurs, which is about a two-mile hike. "You can even arrange to pack your stuff on a horse, for a fee of $25," he said, but that has to be arranged ahead of time. Day hikes are available from the destination site. Find time for a pre-trip meeting as required: Sept. 23 and Sept. 30 at 6 p.m. Cost is $270 per person and participants must be 10 years of age or older.

Not always on the agenda, but this year Outdoor Recreation is offering a houseboat trip to Lake Powell, Oct. 14-18. The trip includes jet skis and ski boats, water recreation, three breakfasts and four lunches. Sleeping bags, swim suit and sunscreen are recommended and a tent if you prefer to sleep outside. Two state rooms are available on the boat for a fee of $600 per couple.

Pheasant hunting kicks up a level with the trip to South Dakota, Oct. 21-25, at $650 per person. Trained hunting dogs accompany the group, patrons may bring their own well-trained animals, and group members can hunt on more than 5,000 acres of private ground. Trip includes lodging, four breakfasts, three lunches, three dinners and transportation. Participants must purchase a nonresident South Dakota hunting license for $110 and are responsible for bringing their own bedding, sleeping bag, shotgun and shells, ice chest for transporting their birds home, and warm and cold weather clothing. A $250 deposit is required upon sign-up and the final payment is due 30 days before the trip.

The Outdoor Recreation Office does find some wear and tear on rental items. "It depends on how well the past customers keep care of the items or if it's in correct order as to how soon the items will be available for the next customer," Breck said.

Ski season will begin at Thanksgiving, depending on snow conditions and snowmobile trips into Yellowstone will be offered in various packages.

For more information, call Outdoor Recreation at 777-9666.