Course Description - At the base camp, you will practice the skills necessary for your expedition.  While you are there, you sleep under a tarp and prepare your own food, just as if you were on an expedition. Be prepared to work very hard getting in shape while you are at base camp. But don’t forget, we approach challenges with a fun and positive attitude. Your expedition will take you deep into the Colorado wilderness. You will learn Leave No Trace skills and ethics, backcountry route finding, basic first aid, practice leadership and develop as a team. Rock climbing and rappelling are an important part of your course, and will be taught earlier to prepare you for technical peak attempts.  Snow is definite on June 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.  Your instructors will train you to use all equipment safely. You will study various areas of natural history and the environment as we go, including flora, fauna, geology, astronomy, and ecology.  A solo phase allows two to three days for reflection and rest. As the course progresses and your skills and experience increase, your instructors will turn more and more responsibility over to you and your crew. You will eventually take over decision-making on navigation, route finding, distance to be covered, sharing of duties, campsite setup/cleanup and meal selection. This is your opportunity to make the course your own unique experience - determining each day’s challenges, setting a pace that is appropriate for your crew, becoming each other’s friends and confidantes and having the time of your life.