Everyone has seen them around campus: those “outdoorsy kids­ who always seem like they’ve mistaken class for an expedition, and whom you wouldn’t be surprised to see skiing to class one day. Yet every time the skies open up, the wind blows, or the mercury drops, these people are well prepared, and heck, they even look like they enjoy it! What does it take to join the ranks of these intrepid individuals? Here’s a simple list of do’s and don’ts to help get you on your way toward talkin’ the talk and walkin’ the walk of the outdoorsy Cornellian.

DO:

Wear a HUGE backpack:

Seriously, I mean huge. You should easily be able to fit your laptop, textbooks, workout gear, lunch, dinner, extra clothes and a small child in the first compartment alone. Aim for a base weight of about 15 pounds. You’ll know you’ve succeeded in looking hardcore when people ask you what mountain you’re planning on climbing after class.

Carry at least one Nalgene / Sigg:

Two if you can help it. Clip them to the outside of your pack, and be sure to use a real climbing carabiner, none of those cheap keychain ones — what if you have to do an emergency rappel and need to use a münter hitch?

Wear Chacos year round:

It’s never too early to start working on the iconic zig-zag tan idolized by paddlers worldwide. These are the sandals to wear when flip flops just aren’t technical enough to get you up Libe Slope in a rainstorm.

Talk about boofing, gnar-shredding, whipping or epic-ing:

Ever wish you could speak a foreign language? If you’re a paddler, climber, skier, etc., chances are that you know enough slang to befuddle even the most worldly of your peers. 10 minutes of talking about gnar-shredding or epic whippers will ensure that everyone in the salad line at the Terrace will be in awe of your weekend — or just convinced that you’re certifiably insane.

DO NOT:

Wear a North Face Denali Fleece:

I’ve never been quite sure why these fleeces became so popular. They’re expensive as all hell, don’t block the wind, and make you blend in with every person on campus, guys and girls alike. Do yourself a favor, when your North Face gets stolen for the sixth time at a party because someone mistook it for their own, go out and buy a functioning piece of outerwear. I suggest pulling on a Patagonia R2 fleece, paired with any kind of hardshell. You’ll be glad you did come February!

Complain about the weather:

That being said, it’s not February just yet. Cornell’s weather machine may be on the fritz, but we all know that 30 degrees and raining is just the tip of the iceberg. The trick is to actually get EXCITED about winter. Look at a skier or snowboarder’s face the next time you see it snowing – they’re actually happy — check that — ecstatic! Snow means fun for almost all outdoor adventure enthusiasts, so get on board!

Wear Uggs

I won’t go overboard here, but it does need to be said. Uggs are not outdoorsy. They’re made in Australia, which last time I checked, is mostly desert. In Ithaca, however, the last time I looked outside a window, it was raining. Wet animal fur plus feet equals, well, I’ll let you do the math. Stick to snow boots, and avoid frostbite!