February 08, 2024 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | By Annalise Selby
Disclaimer: The author of this piece is a staff member at the Ahlberg Gear House
Colorado College’s Ahlberg Gear House, located along Yampa Field on east campus, hosts an extensive collection of outdoor equipment, available for anyone with a Gold Card to rent at affordable prices. From tents and sleeping bags to kayaks and avalanche safety equipment, the gear house has items for people to embrace a wide array of adventures in Colorado’s wilderness.
However, in recent years the Outdoor Education and gear house staff recognized a serious gap that prevented many students from feeling comfortable walking through their doors; limited sizing options in vital gear like clothing, hiking boots and sleeping bags, meant that not all body types felt accommodated.
“If someone says that they want to try an activity but they don’t have clothing to keep them warm, then what’s the likelihood that they’re actually going to try that activity?” says Rachael Abler, the Interim and Associate Director of Outdoor Education at Colorado College.
Monthly trainings are held among the staff of the gear house, where topics of accessibility and inclusion are discussed to ensure the space is as welcoming as possible. Sizing has been a recent topic of discussion.
“We’ve been really intentional with inclusivity and DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) in all areas of our programming since I started,” said Abler, who has spent nearly a decade working at Outdoor Education. “Spending money that helps get more people outside that wouldn’t have the opportunity previously or felt they didn’t have a space to go outside, that’s where I’m most motivated to spend our outdoor equipment funds.”
With this mission in mind, the Gear House invested in size-inclusive gear, including outerwear, sleeping bags, waders and snow pants to open the door for more body types. The Gear House now offers 20-degree “short-wide” and “tall-wide” sleeping bags and plans to purchase more zero-degree bags soon.
The Gear House originated from humble beginnings. Outdoor Education was once comprised of random, unconnected pieces. The organization was essentially a climbing gym, paddling sessions held at the pool and some donated gear crammed in the basement of Cossitt Hall. Students had to retrieve the borrowed equipment from basement windows in Cossitt since it was easier than going up and down the stairs. Over ten years ago, CC leadership decided to pull together these pieces into one consolidated Outdoor Education department. The headquarters originally began as an office in Worner before being moved to its current location in a century-old house on Yampa.
The program relied on donated used gear back when the gear house was just a house on Weber Street. Different brands and models of gear made repairs difficult when something broke while being rented out. There was still minimal clothing available as well, which made participation in outdoor activities more difficult for those who didn’t own the necessary items.
In 2016, the current gear house annex structure was built adjoining the original house. This expansion allowed professional storage displays that streamlined operations. It also gave staff critical input on ideal design elements catered to rentals.
With this new foundation, focus was placed on steadily acquiring consistent gear models for simpler repairs and parts-sharing. The department also prioritized certain professional developments and practices to facilitate better ownership and accessibility. Funds were funneled toward gear purchases aimed at getting more people outside who previously faced barriers.
Gear house employee Caroline Schlehuber ‘26 echoed the passionate commitment to accessibility, specifically relating to the new size-inclusive options. “I think it’s a really great way to help everyone get outside and it’s a great way to make everyone feel welcome at the gear house because they know that there will be something for them when they come visit us. There’s something for everyone,” she said.
The Gear House wants to empower all students to safely enjoy Colorado’s outdoors — whether for a casual weekend camping trip with friends or an academic course spent collecting field samples; CC takes pride in providing diverse academic programs, many of which integrate hands-on outdoor learning. From geology to archaeology to botany and beyond, the gear house understands how essential proper supplies are needed to fully engage with these enriching classes. As Abler explained, “If you are going to be camping and you don’t have the sleeping bag or sleeping pad that you need, that shouldn’t be a reason why you can’t take that geology class.”
With the gear house’s large stock of equipment and new inclusive sizes, the possibilities are open for any student embarking on an outdoor adventure. The staff are excited to help people of all experience levels, from those who grew up backpacking, to those who’ve never gone on a hike. It’s important to recognize that not everyone has grown up recreating in the outdoors.
“Everyone should come stop by,” Schlehuber proclaimed. “There’s something for you for whatever adventure you go on and we want to help you get outside.”