This 30-day course is our most extensive and technical Alpine Mountaineering course offered during the summer months. It is designed to provide a thorough introduction to mountaineering and an intense Outward Bound experience. The course is ideal for those who are motivated by the true spirit of adventure and have a strong desire to push their personal limits, not just physically but mentally and emotionally as well.

Course Area
The Rocky Mountains, one of the most famous mountain ranges in the world, stretch 3,000 miles from Alaska to New Mexico. Your 30-day course will be run in the San Juan Mountain Ranges of Colorado. This range is home to some of the most spectacular and rugged peaks in the state and contains some of the most remote wilderness areas in Colorado.  Numerous 13,000 and 14,000-foot summits tower above the pristine beauty of high alpine meadows.

Course Description
To start off the course, you will learn leave-No-Trace camping and travel skills, outdoor cooking, basic first-aid, map and compass use, route finding, knot tying and rope handling. You will backpack through the alpine environment and may ascend a walk-up peak. Rock climbing and rappelling will be an important part of your course. Instruction will cover the basics of rock climbing in a hands-on experiential style. You will learn the fundamentals of safe rock climbing including: movement on the rock, basic climbing technique, tie-ins, climbing knots, belay techniques, as well as an introduction to anchor systems and rappelling. Snow travel is definite on May to mid-July courses, and likely through the end of August, and you will learn snow travel techniques and how to safely use an ice axe to assist your travel.  As the course progresses, so does your adventure. Your patrol will begin to explore further into the backcountry, climb more difficult peaks and possibly complete a service project. You will also work on more advanced route finding and expedition planning. During the second section of the course, you will separate for a three day solo. You will be isolated from other members of your patrol (but within shouting distance) and your instructors will check on you daily. This is a great time to fully enjoy your environment and to reflect on your experience. After your solo, you will regroup and head into the super-alpine section of the course, which is dedicated to technical alpine mountaineering and rock climbing. You will attempt to summit major peaks, learn to use fixed lines and ropes, refine your rock climbing and alpine route finding skills and work on rescue techniques. A four to five-day final expedition will conclude the last days of the course. You will divide into final expedition patrols, get your assigned routes and travel unaccompanied by instructors.