The Southwest Semester is 7-week adventure in the mountains, canyons, deserts and rivers of one of the most beautiful and geologically stunning landscapes in the world. The course is designed to offer young adults a chance to explore new terrain in nature and within themselves. Students should be fit, motivated and ready to learn.

Course Overview
Outward Bound Semester courses are designed to develop outdoor skills and to enhance your leadership and communication abilities. They also strive to increase your knowledge of the environment — all while you learn wilderness travel techniques in a variety of environments in Utah. The ultimate focus of the semester is character development and effective leadership. As on all Outward Bound courses, the Southwest Fall Semester uses wilderness adventure to develop leadership, self-confidence, compassion, service, fitness, and educational skills. On this course in particular, you will focus on developing the confidence, knowledge and integrity essential for effective leadership. Whether you are learning how to safely tie in on belay, deciding as a group how to navigate through new terrain, or setting up a minimum-impact campsite for the evening, you will utilize these skills.

Course Area

La Sal Mountains, Utah – The La Sal Mountains are located in southeastern Utah, right outside the sporting mecca of Moab. This range was originally named when the Spanish came through in the early 1500’s and they mistook the snow for salt. The La Sals are known for their groves of aspen, scrub oak and incredible views into Canyonlands National Park and the Four Corners area. Hidden lakes dot the landscape. Peaks in the La Sals range from ten thousand to just under thirteen thousand feet and include Mt. Tukuhnikivatz, Mt. Mellinthin, Mt. Waas, Mt. Tomasaki, and Haystack Mountain.

Canyon Country, Utah – The most spectacular aspects of the Utah desert are hidden within its vast canyon networks, formed by millennia of wind and water. In 1869, while exploring the Green and Colorado Rivers, John Wesley Powell first described what was then the largest uncharted area in the United States—the canyon lands. Now, as then, this area is desolate, mysterious and beautiful. It is made up of fascinating geological formations: sandstone and slickrock canyons which are sculpted into a labyrinth of alcoves, rock bridges, pinnacles, buttes, box canyons, ledges and arches.

Your rafting section will take place on one of three main rivers that are unique to Utah: Cataract Canyon on the Colorado River, Utah – Below its confluence with the Green River in the heart of Canyonlands, the Colorado River becomes one of the swiftest rivers on the continent. After navigating through 50 miles of flat-water, you encounter 30 exciting rapids that rate with those of the Grand Canyon in power and difficulty, including the famous Mile Long Series, Capsize and Big Drops I, II, and III. In the nearby canyons, fantastic rock shapes carved by the whimsical forces of nature await hikers who venture off-river. Motors may be needed to travel from the end of the rapids to the take-out depending on the water level of Lake Powell.

San Juan River, Utah – The San Juan River in southern Utah, a major tributary of the Colorado River, flows through the deeply incised sandstone slick rock country of the Colorado Plateau in many tight "goosenecks." The San Juan is well known for archeological sites of ancient Indians: Fremont and Anasazi. Along with challenging rapids, the San Juan offers the fun boating phenomenon of "sand waves." Weather and condition permitting, a mixed fleet of rafts and sit-on-top kayaks will be used on the San Juan.