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Point Dume (Climbing) w/ Leslie Berntsen and Bryan Shilowich {Psychology}

  • 6800 Westward Beach Road Malibu, CA, 90265 United States (map)

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Did you miss our Point Dume trip last semester? Well we’ve got some great new for you! We’re heading back to Malibu with psychology professors Leslie Berntsen and Bryan Shilowich for some more climbing. All of the routes we will be doing are rated 5.9 or below making them very accessible for beginners. Even The Mountain Project’s website writes that, “Everyone's first day of climbing should be at a place like [Point Dume].” All of the pictures above are from our last trip! Joining Peaks will be the honorary Peaks climbing consigliere, Andy Ryu from SC climbing team. Woooo!

No climbing experience is necessary to go on this trip! Personal climbing gear (shoes, harness, and helmet) will be provided if you do not have your own.

PACKING LIST:

  • Climbing gear (if you have it)

  • H2O (at LEAST 32 oz)

  • WAIVERS

  • Sunscreen

  • Lunch + Snacks

  • Beach supplies (towel, games, bathing suit (if you would like!)



Leslie received her Ph.D. in Brain & Cognitive Science from USC and now she's back as a faculty member, teaching Introduction to Psychology and Abnormal Psychology. During her time as a grad student, she was one of the original members of USC's competitive climbing team and also worked with RSVP to help develop the VOICE peer support program for survivors of sexual/gender-based violence. Ask her about using social science to make the world a better place, being a first-generation college student or a student with a disability, and/or her two (flawless) rehabilitated street pups that she found wandering around campus.

PROFESSOR: BRYAN SHILOWICH

Bryan received his PhD from USC in Brain and Cognitive Sciences at the end of a very roundabout academic journey - first, getting a BA in Economics (Tufts), then an MS in Neuroscience (Brandeis), and finally landing in the USC Department of Psychology. Presently, he teaches Introduction to Statistics for Psychology. He loves discussing circuitous life paths, all things neuroscience/psychology/consciousness, and the interconnectedness of art, science, and philosophy.


PEAK: POINT DUME

DIFFICULTY: 2.5/5

SCENERY: Views of both the ocean AND surrounding mountains as you climb. What more could you ask for?

FUN FACT: Point Dume is a great place to see whales from mid-December through March!


TRIP LEAD: Bianca

will once again be (safely) living out her Alex Honnold-Free Solo dreams on this trip.

Contact Bianca: bventola@usc.edu

Read Bianca’s bio here.

TRIP LEAD: Kian

will be 25% climbing. 75% whale watching

Contact Kian: jeshionn@usc.edu

Read Kian’s bio here.