Join Outward Bound and other veterans on this wilderness expedition designed to provide veterans an opportunity to be together outside the military and experience winter in the Rockies.

Course Area
One of the most famous mountain ranges in the world, they stretch 3,000 miles from Alaska to New Mexico. They have provided the foundation of legends and have had a profound influence on the development of the continental United States. Native Americans were the first to live among these peaks. In more recent times, the Spanish launched major expeditions into these mountains, searching for gold and precious minerals. Although no one is sure who first climbed them, the first documented exploration of the Colorado Rockies was undertaken in 1776 by two Franciscan priests. From that point on, Colorado became a magnet for prospectors, explorers and pioneers. The greatest concentration of high peaks—hundreds of ‘Thirteeners’ (13,000+ foot mountains), and 54 ‘Fourteeners’—is in Colorado.  No matter what peak you climb, there will be strenuous hiking, followed by fantastic views.

Course Description
Your course begins with a few days at our premier base camp, the Leadville Mountain Center.  Here, you will meet your instructors, issue gear and start working with your crew of 6 to 10 other people. The first days of the course are spent focusing on backcountry camping and traveling skills, winter environment safety, equipment selection and care, and expedition planning.  On Day 2, you will travel in vans to a local site to try your hand at ice climbing, a challenging activity which impels you to draw upon inner resources while developing trust in one another. 

For many students, the backcountry experience is the course high point.  Day 3 marks the beginning of this short yet challenging backcountry expedition, camping out and traveling in pristine alpine terrain.  All of your food and gear will be carried in the backpack on your back, or perhaps hauled behind you on snow sleds.  In this section, you will learn to assess and adapt to varying snow and weather conditions, winter navigation, simple first aid, and cold weather self care. Depending on weather and snow conditions, you may have the opportunity to do a winter ascent of a peak.