Backpacking

The first phase of this course is spent learning backpacking skills including group travel, gear selection and use, map and compass navigation, back country cooking techniques, weather/hazard assessment, camp craft, communication skills and effective teamwork. Participants will travel both on and off-trail to develop their technical skills, while Instructors teach and facilitate the interpersonal skills needed for participants to function effectively as a team, accomplish goals and tackle new challenges every day. Challenges on course are designed to guide participants toward taking risks, drawing upon inner resources and developing trust in one another. One such challenge might include a peak attempt.  With lighter packs, participants will start before the sun rises to summit a mountain and be rewarded with 360 degree views and an incredible sense of accomplishment.

Rock Climbing

Several days will focus specifically on skills associated with technical rock climbing including knots, anchors, movement over rock, top-rope belaying, equipment use and care of harnesses and other items.  Participants will have ample opportunity to actively improve their personal skill with various types of climbs including bouldering, face climbs, cracks and possibly multi-pitch options.  The climbing section provides an introduction to personal climbing skills while building trust among crew members as they belay one another and set goals as a group.

Mountaineering

Participants get the chance to build on the backpacking and rock climbing skills they learned and add more technical mountaineering skills to their resume. Instructors will focus on honing participants’ judgment and decision-making tactics in challenging terrain, adding at least one peak attempt (which takes a steep, exposed route that requires the technical protection of ropes). Additional skills to be covered during this phase are the use of fixed-lines and snow travel, depending on season and temperatures.

Service

Service to others and to the environment are core values of Outward Bound and they are integrated into each course. Participants follow Leave No Trace ethics as part of their service to the environment. Students develop an ingrained appreciation of service, seeing the impact of their actions, firsthand, by multiple small acts of service with and for their crewmates while leading and supporting each other throughout the journey.

On the Fall Pathfinder, students will have an opportunity to participate in the largest volunteer clean-up of Yosemite National Park - the Yosemite Facelift.  The event is organized by the Yosemite Climbing Association and is a park-wide volunteer effort held each September to clean up trash in the park after the bustling summer season.

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. Solos range in length from 12 hours to 72 hours.

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 Sierras: Ansel Adams Wilderness, Yosemite National Park and Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park. The Fall Pathfinder will also venture into glacially formed Yosemite Valley where famous landmarks can be seen.

Summer and Early Fall in the High 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.