High Sierra Alpine Backpacking & Rock Climbing
Explore the granite peaks and mountain lakes of the Sierra Nevada with Outward Bound.
On this backpacking and rock climbing course, you’ll hike among the towering pines, along glassy, blue alpine lakes and rock climb on granite. As a beginner rock climber or if you’re advancing your skills, the western side of the Sierra Nevada has some of the best climbing granite around.
The Sierra Nevada is considered one of the United States' premier backpacking and rock climbing locations because of its high-quality granite and stable, frequent sunny summer weather. With sweeping views of jagged, mountain peaks, freezing dips in alpine lakes and bright star flecked skies, you’ll be inspired to push yourself and succeed with your group.
As your technical and leadership skills advance along with the group, you’ll gradually take on more decision making for navigation, route finding, sharing of duties and setting-up camp. This is the group's opportunity to make the course its own unique experience.
NOTE: Outward Bound strongly recommends that all students be vaccinated against COVID-19 and up to date as defined by the CDC prior to arriving to their course start. For all open enrollment courses beginning on or after April 15, 2023, Outward Bound will no longer require students to be vaccinated against COVID-19. For questions regarding this policy please see this page or call us at 866-467-7651.
UPCOMING COURSES
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For detailed information on course availability statuses and what they mean, click here.
Course # XMYE-341
Age 14 - 16
Days 14
Cost $5,410
Dates 6.8.23 - 6.21.23
Course # XMTE-341
Age 16 - 18
Days 14
Cost $5,410
Dates 6.8.23 - 6.21.23
Course # XMYE-342
Age 14 - 16
Days 14
Cost $5,410
Dates 7.2.23 - 7.15.23
Course # XMTE-342
Age 16 - 18
Days 14
Cost $5,410
Dates 7.2.23 - 7.15.23
Course # XMTE-343
Age 16 - 18
Days 14
Cost $5,410
Dates 7.6.23 - 7.19.23
Course # XMYE-351
Age 14 - 16
Days 22
Cost $7,540
Dates 7.24.23 - 8.14.23
Course # XMME-331
Age 12 - 14
Days 10
Cost $4,140
Dates 7.27.23 - 8.5.23
APPLY NOW
This means a course has several open spots and is actively processing applications.
APPLY NOW – Almost Full
This means there are three or fewer currently available spots left on a course. To secure your spot click Apply Now to begin an application!
JOIN WAITLIST
Once a course has reached capacity, three waitlist positions become available. To join a course’s waitlist, click “Join Waitlist” to begin the application process. A $500 deposit is required. This $500 deposit includes a $150 non-refundable application fee and a $350 tuition payment. The $350 tuition payment is refundable only if you cancel your waitlist application or if an open position does not become available. If a position does become available, the applicant will be applied to the open position and the Application and Cancellation Policies of the Regional Outward Bound School will be followed, including forfeiture of the $500 deposit if you cancel 90 days or less prior to the course start date.
Waitlist applicants are encouraged to complete all required admissions documents while awaiting an open position. Positions may become available up to two weeks prior to the course start date. Applicants may only apply to one course. We recommend applying to a course with open positions instead of a course that is accepting waitlist applications. If you have questions, please call 866-467-7651 to speak with one of our Admissions Advisors.
CALL TO APPLY
This means a course is very close to its start date. Although it is unlikely to secure a spot this late, you can call the National Admissions office at 866-467-7651 to discuss your options.
COURSE IS FULL
When a course has reached maximum capacity, meaning all spots and the three waitlist spots are occupied, a course will read “Course Is Full.” This means applications are no longer being accepted.
CLOSED
As a course nears its start date, the availability status may read “Closed.” In this event, a course roster has been finalized and applications are no longer being accepted or processed.
We woke up really early to hike to Dog’s Tooth, where we planned to rock climb. We hiked all the way to the top and then lightning came, so we couldn’t rock climb. We had to return back to camp and on our way, we stopped at an alpine lake near Courtright Reservoir. The clouds were hiding the sun – so we waited until the sun came out, and then we jumped in! The water was freezing cold! Then this big cloud came over us and it started to hail. We all remember that day – it bonded us. Nature is unpredictable, but that unpredictability brought us together.
Following the climbing portion, students will begin a backpacking expedition that takes them into the heart of the Sierra Nevada range. Here students will learn Leave No Trace camping and travel skills, outdoor cooking techniques, map and compass use, route finding, and how to set up shelters in the backcountry. They will spend time hiking on and off-trail, both in forested areas and in the micro-climates of an alpine environment high above tree line, often camping next to icy alpine lakes that offer the opportunity to swim and rinse off after days of hiking.
This course page contains both backpacking and alpine backpacking courses. Although similar, there are a few key differences that we have highlighted below.
Students on backpacking courses will spend the majority of their time navigating on established trails. Occasionally, groups may venture off of trails to connect to other sections of trail or to climb a 'walk up' peak. These peaks do not require ropes and can be climbed without the use of hands (Class 2). Backpacking courses have limited to no travel on snow, and utilize bridges to cross creeks where available.
Students on alpine backpacking courses spend the majority of their time navigating off of established trails. This includes terrain that crosses talus, boulder fields and potentially snow. Peaks that are climbed on alpine backpacking courses do not require ropes, but may require the occasional use of hands for balance (Class 3-4), and creek crossings are often without the use of bridges.
If you would like to know more about the activities of specific courses, please call the National Admissions Office for information prior to enrolling.
In addition to technical skills, Instructors will teach and facilitate the interpersonal skills needed for students to function effectively as a team, accomplish goals and tackle new challenges every day. Challenges on course are designed to impel students toward taking risks, drawing upon inner resources and developing trust in one another. One example is the peak attempt. With lighter packs, students start before the sun rises to summit a mountain and are rewarded with 360-degree views and an incredible sense of accomplishment.
Note: Students carry both personal and group gear, which means packs can be heavy. Students should be physically able to hike with a 40-pound backpack to be successful on this course. If the applicant is under 5 feet tall and/or 85 pounds, please call Outward Bound prior to enrollment.
The course starts with several days of rock climbing where students will learn the basics of climbing technique, belaying and knots, while building trust with team members and confidence in themselves. During this section, students challenge themselves physically on solid rock cliffs, and push their mental strength with a free hanging rappel with stunning views of the surrounding granite domes.
Service to others and to the environment is a core value of Outward Bound and is integrated into each course. Students follow Leave No Trace ethics and do acts of service while leading and supporting fellow participants. When possible, service projects are coordinated with land managers like the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service to collaborate on land restoration projects. Students develop a value of service, see the impact of their actions, firsthand, and transfer this desire to serve their communities at home.
In order for profound learning to take place, Outward Bound believes there must be time to reflect on the experience. During course, the Solo is that opportunity. It is a chance to experience solitude in the wilderness without distraction while also taking a break from the physical rigors of course. Students are separated from their group for a period of time which depends on course length and Instructor assessment of group capability. Solo sites are chosen to provide solitude. Students have all necessary equipment, food and water. Solo on this course is typically 24-48 hours, with age being a consideration for determining the appropriate length.
The Sierra Nevada range is California’s backyard and wonderland of wilderness, waterfalls, lakes and peaks. It’s an enormous range — spanning more than 400 miles from north to south, and 70 miles east to west. Courses take place in the southern and western parts of the Sierra: Ansel Adams Wilderness, Yosemite National Park and Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park.
Summer in the Sierra is mostly sunny with occasional rain and cold evenings. Snowfall is unlikely, though June courses may traverse atop lingering winter and spring snow. Summer temperature tends towards the 70s to 80s during the day, dipping into the 30s to 50s in the evening and night.
These regions are the ancestral lands of the Northern Paiute, Western Mono/Monache, Me-Wuk (Central Sierra Miwok), Eastern Mono/Monache, and Tübatulabal nations. We acknowledge them as the past, present, and future caretakers of this land, and also pay respect to their elders, both past and present. We recognize and continually support and advocate for the sovereignty of the Native nations of this territory and beyond. By offering this land acknowledgment we affirm tribal sovereignty, commit to working to support these tribes, and commit to holding Outward Bound California accountable to this work.
Course Stories
We woke up really early to hike to Dog’s Tooth, where we planned to rock climb. We hiked all the way to the top and then lightning came, so we couldn’t rock climb. We had to return back to camp and on our way, we stopped at an alpine lake near Courtright Reservoir. The clouds were hiding the sun – so we waited until the sun came out, and then we jumped in! The water was freezing cold! Then this big cloud came over us and it started to hail. We all remember that day – it bonded us. Nature is unpredictable, but that unpredictability brought us together.
I’m in my 9th day of course. Right now I’m doing my solo and feeling a bit lonely because I miss my group. But luckily today I will get to see them. In 5 days I will have to go back to LA cause the course is about to end and I really don’t want it to end. At first when I got here, I wanted to go back home but little by little I started to love being here. In my solo, I got a beautiful view, and when I looked at it, I always wondered what I would be doing right now. Maybe just in bed doing nothing and just wasting time. But right now, I’m here, in the beautiful wilderness and nature life which I never get to see in LA.
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Getting Started
If you are ready to enroll on a course click the enroll button next to the course you wish to select or you can enroll over the phone by speaking with one of our Admissions Advisors (toll-free) at 866-467-7651.
To secure your spot on a course you must submit an enrollment form and $500 deposit that is applied toward the total cost of the course and includes a $150 non-refundable enrollment processing fee.