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High Sierra Alpine Backpacking

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LOCATION
E California
EXPEDITION TYPE
Backpacking
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
Alpine Backpacking, Service
PRICE
$4,500 - $5,800
PROGRAM
High School
AGES
14-16 , 16-18
LENGTH
14 - 22 Days
START LOCATION
Fresno, CA
END LOCATION
Fresno, CA
i
SEASON(S)
Summer
SKILLS

TECHNICAL

  • Campcraft
  • Food Preparation and Cooking
  • Leave No Trace Methods & Ethics
  • Map and Compass
  • Natural History
  • Navigation
  • Safety and Risk Management
  • Self Care
  • Sheltering Strategies

INTERPERSONAL

  • Camaraderie
  • Character
  • Communication
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Empathy
  • Independence
  • Leadership
  • Positive Risk Taking
  • Problem Solving
  • Responsibility
  • Self Awareness
  • Self Confidence
  • Service
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Parent Testimonial

“As parents, we were nervous for our son based on his anxiety and the physical challenge in front of him. Despite this, he undertook a journey, which initially seemed like a small segment of his life, but turned into an evolutionary experience which, quite literally, he takes with him every day. He was instilled a willingness not to yield to physical and mental obstacles encountered, and he grew with a compassion and respect for the world and people around him. Nothing taken for granted, ever. The accomplishment and physicality didn't quite seem possible at first, but the incredible leaders and group fostered a support and encouragement he's now able to implement in his own everyday college life and engage others just like him. How is all of this possible in three weeks? He's made good decisions in his life, but when asked, he'll tell you Outward Bound was his best.” – Parents of a student on an Outward Bound California Alpine Backpacking course

Hike the majestic Sierra Nevada mountain range on this stunning alpine backpacking course.

High Sierra Alpine Backpacking expeditions travel on and off trail to explore lesser-known backcountry. The course will challenge new and experienced backpackers as your crew travels above 9,000 feet and completes high mileage days. The length of this course, together with its single focus on backpacking, allows for longer travel distances and additional opportunities to implement feedback from Instructors and crew.

Expect to learn technical skills like navigation and fine-tune leadership skills like effective communication and conflict resolution. Your group will learn and practice with the granite domes, alpine lakes and starry skies as your classroom.

NOTE: This course requires that students submit proof of "Up-to-Date" COVID-19 Vaccination status as defined by the CDC. For questions regarding this policy please see this page or call us at 866-467-7651.

UPCOMING COURSES

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What is this?

For detailed information on course availability statuses and what they mean, click here.

COURSE # DATES DAYS AGE COST
XMTA-251 6.8.22 - 6.29.22 22 16 - 18 $ 5,800 COURSE IS FULL
XMTA-241 6.14.22 - 6.27.22 14 16 - 18 $ 4,500 COURSE IS FULL
XMYA-241 6.14.22 - 6.27.22 14 14 - 16 $ 4,500 COURSE IS FULL
XMTA-242 7.5.22 - 7.18.22 14 16 - 18 $ 4,500 JOIN WAITLIST
XMYA-242 7.10.22 - 7.23.22 14 14 - 16 $ 4,500 JOIN WAITLIST
XMTA-252 7.24.22 - 8.14.22 22 16 - 18 $ 5,800 COURSE IS FULL
XMTA-243 7.27.22 - 8.9.22 14 16 - 18 $ 4,500 JOIN WAITLIST
XMYA-243 7.27.22 - 8.9.22 14 14 - 16 $ 4,500 JOIN WAITLIST

Thank you for your interest in Outward Bound! 

This course starts within the next week. Please call us at 866-467-7651 to assess the possibility of applying for this course!

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.

Classic Courses

Are you ready to take a journey that will change your life? You won’t look at day-to-day drama the same way after you’ve conquered a high mountain ridge, heard the echoes at the edge of a vast canyon, or slept under the stars watching bats swoop overhead. Joining an Outward Bound expedition changes you. Your crew, your Instructor, your route and your adventures will have a profound and lasting impact on you as you rise to meet exhilarating natural challenges in some of the country’s wildest places.

  • Build skills, form connections: Learn and practice wilderness, teamwork and leadership skills. Find connections with your crewmates based on support and respect (and fun too!), and in the thick of challenges, discover there is more in you than you know.
  • Value strengths and strengthen values: Uncover your unique character strengths, develop your leadership abilities and learn how to let compassion into everyday life by pushing your own limits and working alongside your peers.
  • Demonstrate mastery: As you gain confidence in new skills, take on more decision-making responsibilities. Work together to achieve team goals, solve problems and succeed both as individuals and as a group.
  • What you’ll learn: For High School students, the opportunities to carry more weight (literally and figuratively) and make impactful decisions with accompanying consequences fills the expedition as you go through numerous trials and triumphs. It’s all about independence.

After you come home, many of the character, leadership and service traits you uncovered on your expedition stay with you, helping you navigate your daily life with more resilience and success.

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Backpacking and Alpine Backpacking

Students will travel into the heart of the Sierra Nevada where they’ll 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.

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. Challenges on course are designed to compel students to draw upon inner resources and develop trust in one another. One example of on-course challenges is a peak attempt. With lighter packs, participants will start before sunrise to summit a mountain and are rewarded with 360 degree views and an incredible sense of accomplishment.

As skills and experience increase, Instructors will turn over more responsibility to the crew. Students will eventually make navigation decisions, plan routes and set up camp.

Service

Service to others and the environment is a core value of Outward Bound and is integrated into each course. Participants follow Leave No Trace ethics and do acts of service while leading and supporting fellow participants. Designated 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. As they see the impact of their actions first hand, students develop a value of service, and transfer this desire to serve their communities once they return.

Solo

Outward Bound believes in order for profound learning to take place, there must be time to reflect on the experience. Within 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. Participants have all necessary equipment, food and water. The maximum time for Solo is 72 hours.

Outcomes

Our courses vary in length from 4 to 85 days.  On shorter courses, participants will receive an intro to leadership skills, strength of character and a desire to serve.  With longer courses, the same outcomes and benefits are achieved, with the ability to reach a more profound level of mastery. Longer courses allow for more opportunities to develop technical skills, receive and implement feedback and further personal development.

backpacking trip for teens in california
Photo courtesy of Micah Bowe
outdoor leadership program for teens in california
Photo courtesy of Rikki Dunn

Course Area

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.

SAMPLE ITINERARY
22-Day Course
14-Day Course
DAY 1
Course start – review gear, meet and greet group/Instructors
DAY 2-6
Training backpacking expedition: Introduction to backpacking lessons; navigation and campcraft
DAY 7
Front country resupply of food and gear
DAY 8-13
Main backpacking expedition, peak attempt
DAY 14-15
Solo (may range from 12-72 hours)
DAY 16
Backcountry resupply and service
DAY 17-19
Final backpacking expedition
DAY 20
Service project
DAY 21
Personal Challenge Event, clean and de-issue gear, graduation ceremony
DAY 22
Course end and transportation to the airport
DAY 1
Course start
DAY 2-6
Training backpacking expedition: Introduction to backpacking lessons; navigation and campcraft
DAY 7
Front country resupply of food and gear and service project
DAY 8-10
Main backpacking expedition, solo
DAY 11-12
Final backpacking expedition
DAY 13
Personal challenge event, clean and de-issue gear, graduation ceremony
DAY 14
Course end and transportation to the airport

Parent Testimonial

“As parents, we were nervous for our son based on his anxiety and the physical challenge in front of him. Despite this, he undertook a journey, which initially seemed like a small segment of his life, but turned into an evolutionary experience which, quite literally, he takes with him every day. He was instilled a willingness not to yield to physical and mental obstacles encountered, and he grew with a compassion and respect for the world and people around him. Nothing taken for granted, ever. The accomplishment and physicality didn't quite seem possible at first, but the incredible leaders and group fostered a support and encouragement he's now able to implement in his own everyday college life and engage others just like him. How is all of this possible in three weeks? He's made good decisions in his life, but when asked, he'll tell you Outward Bound was his best.” – Parents of a student on an Outward Bound California Alpine Backpacking course

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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. 

OR
ENROLL TODAY