Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) – Baggage Claim Area – Terminal Map 

Flight Arrival: Book your inbound flight to arrive by 1:00 PM on the first day of the course. If you arrive early, please go to baggage claim to connect with your group. Someone will be there by 11:00 AM. 

Being Driven: Please arrive at the airport by 12:30 PM. 

Driving Yourself: Please arrive at the airport by 12:30 PM. 

Greyhound/Amtrak: In some instances, an Outward Bound staff member may be able to pick you up from the station (Amtrak – Fresno Santa Fe Station / Greyhound Fresno, CA). Please confirm with your course advisor prior to booking, to have someone to pick you up from the station. Trains/buses should arrive between 10:30 AM and 12:45 PM. 

Flight Departure: Book your return flight after 11:00 AM on the last day of the course, you’ll be back by 10:00 AM or earlier if there are no travel delays. 

Driving: For those being picked up, you’ll be back at the airport by 10:00 AM on the last day of the course. The best place to meet is the baggage claim area. 

Greyhound/Amtrak: In some instances, an Outward Bound staff member may be able to drop you off at the station (Amtrak – Fresno Santa Fe Station / Greyhound Fresno, CA). Please confirm with your course advisor prior to booking. Trains/buses should depart after 11:00 AM. 

Fresno Hotels - Please contact hotels directly for airport shuttle information, minimum age to stay, and any COVID-19 related policies. 

Best Western Plus Fresno Airport – 1551 North Peach Avenue – (559) 251-5200 

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriot Fresno Airport – 1535 North Peach Avenue – (559) 825-5200 

Piccadilly Inn Airport Hotel – 5115 East McKinley Avenue – (559) 375-7760 

Quality Inn Fresno – 5113 East McKinley Avenue – (559) 375-7720  

Wyndham Garden Fresno Airport – 5090 East Clinton Way – (559) 252-3611 

You’ll meet our sled dogs and learn how to care for them, and about their lives as working dogs. Sled dogs have a long history of working with humans, and they bring a lot of energy, excitement and fun to this Outward Bound experience. As you get to know the dogs you’ll build up to going on a dog sled ride, and travel with the dogs down trails near our basecamp. Dog sledding is not a passenger sport, and you’ll be engaged in helping steer the sled and work with the dogs to travel. 

You’ll learn the basics of cross country skiing, and how to move along trails, across frozen lakes, and through the woods. While very different than downhill skiing, cross country skiing is a beautiful way to enjoy the snow! 

Winter weather in Minnesota varies dramatically from harsh, cold wind to bright, less-cold sunshine, but in general it’s always cold. Temperatures range from -40 to 20 degrees in the heart of the winter (December through February) and -20 to 50 degrees as spring approaches in March. Living outside during a northern winter requires the right equipment, skills, and teamwork, but it can be done comfortably. Instructors teach students how to mitigate cold weather risks, dress appropriately, and manage body temperature with food and exercise. 

In order to minimize environmental impact, groups cook and sleep directly on frozen lakes. For this reason, groups always look for a sheltered bay out of the wind each evening. Upon reaching camp, groups divide camp chores to set up camp efficiently. Students learn to take care of sled dogs, set up sleeping shelters, cook meals over a fire, and saw and split firewood. If the weather is particularly cold or wet groups might setup the wall-tent, a large canvas tent with a woodstove. The wall-tent gets very warm and is large enough to fit the entire group inside. 

Weather and time permitting, an Outward Bound Solo experience provides an important break from the rigors of the expedition and gives students the opportunity to reflect on their Outward Bound experience. The duration of Solo depends on the course length and type as well as the competency and preparedness of the student group. Students on a 3-week course typically spend 2-nights on Solo while students on a 1-week course may spend one night or even just a few hours on Solo. Regardless of Solo length, all students receive sufficient food, water, and shelter to keep them safe and healthy during Solo. Instructors choose Solo sites to offer as much solitude as possible while retaining some proximity to the whole group. While students spend the majority of their Solo time alone, Instructors do check on each student as often as needed, usually 1-4 times per day, to ensure that each student feels safe and comfortable. Instructors work with each student individually to structure a successful, unique Solo experience that meets their specific needs. Solo is purposefully scheduled near the end of the expedition so students have plenty of time to acclimate to their new environments beforehand. 

Students often have mixed feelings leading up to Solo. Inevitably, students feel some nervousness and hesitation but are also excited to rest, reflect and test their new skills after spending many days in the wilderness. Students often find that Solo provokes profound and powerful learning in a short period of time and Solo often becomes one of the most memorable parts of their Outward Bound experience. 

Outward Bound believes that an appropriate amount of independence is a powerful educational tool. In order to deliver that benefit, Outward Bound purposefully and gradually transfers certain leadership responsibilities to the students culminating with our “Final Expedition.” Near the end of course, if you and your group have demonstrated the necessary leadership, team problem-solving and wilderness living skills, you may be given the opportunity to travel without your instructors immediately present. Students on courses designed for ages 16 and older may travel without instructors immediately present (although they will be near the group for safety reasons) for one to five days depending on course length, student age, staff assessment of students’ abilities, and terrain. Many of our students feel this phase of the course is the most rewarding as the group learns to work together, problem solve, and accomplish a goal independently while utilizing all the skills they have acquired. 

All courses end with a shower, graduation ceremony, and celebration dinner. Shower facilities are available at the basecamp. 

Because the Appalachians were once one of the largest mountain ranges in the world they have many different geologic landforms, climates and soils. This long evolutionary history and temperate climate create an area which is teeming with life. Participants can expect to share the wilderness with over 700 different kinds of trees, more than 50 types of mammals, 150 different types of birds and about 40 species of amphibians.

This course area is situated within a million acres of national forests, federally-protected wilderness areas, and other public lands. Its diverse landscapes have been featured in many motion pictures, including The Hunger Games and The Last of the Mohicans.

One of the least populated regions in the world, Patagonia is a semi-arid plateau that covers over 250,000 square miles in South America located mainly in Argentina but extending partially into southern Chile. 

Patagonia’s unusual wildlife has attracted many scientific expeditions over hundreds of years, including those of Charles Darwin. The terrain is incredibly diverse with snow-covered volcanic peaks flanked by glaciers, ice slopes and permanent snowfields. The Patagonian steppe is one of the windiest and driest climates in South America, a sharp contrast to the western slopes of the Andes that receive some of the highest rainfall of anywhere in the world.

Sandy DeGonda  - A1 Travel
Phone: 952-925-2551
Email: [email protected] 

If a travel delay occurs en route, please call (209) 742-6999 as soon as possible so that we can facilitate your pick up. 

Do not book travel until you have been cleared to do so. This includes receiving both your medical clearance AND course confirmation emails. If you aren’t sure if you have these two items, or have any questions, please contact your Course Advisor before purchasing any non-refundable travel. OBCA recommends purchasing ticket that are refundable or changeable tickets, and/or trip insurance (more information on insurance can be found on our Policies website). 

All participants should have a backup departure plan that allows for departure within 48 hours. For more information on OBCA’s Respiratory Virus / Illness Practices, please click here. 

Because the Appalachians were once one of the largest mountain ranges in the world they have many different geologic landforms, climates and soils. This long evolutionary history and temperate climate create an area which is teeming with life. Participants can expect to share the wilderness with over 700 different kinds of trees, more than 50 types of mammals, 150 different types of birds and about 40 species of amphibians. 

This course area is situated within a million acres of national forests, federally-protected wilderness areas, and other public lands. Its diverse landscapes have been featured in many motion pictures, including The Hunger Games and The Last of the Mohicans. [<Click to learn more about this course area.>](https://www.ncobs.org/blue-ridge-mountains) 

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