Backpacking

The first phase of this course is spent learning the skills necessary to travel in wilderness terrain. Topics include group travel, gear selection and use, map and compass navigation, back country cooking techniques, weather/hazard assessment, camp craft, communication skills and effective teamwork. Students travel both on and off-trail.

In addition to technical skills, Instructors 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 such challenge might include a peak attempt. With lighter packs, participants start before the sun rises to summit a mountain and be rewarded with 360-degree views and an incredible sense of accomplishment.

Rock Climbing

The next several days focus specifically on skills associated with technical rock climbing. Topics include knots, anchors, movement over rock, top-rope belaying, use and care of harnesses and other equipment. Students have ample opportunities to actively improve their personal skill with various types of climbs, including bouldering, face climbs, cracks and possibly multi-pitch climbs. 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

During the next section of this course, students build on the backpacking and rock climbing skills they learned previously. In addition to teaching more technical skills, the instructors focus on honing students’ judgment and decision-making tactics in this challenging terrain. Mountaineering is distinct from backpacking in that at least one peak attempt takes a steep, exposed route that requires the technical protection of ropes. Depending on season and temperatures, students also learn how to use fixed lines and travel safely in the snow.

Service

Throughout the expedition, students have multiple opportunities to explore the relationship between self and wilderness. While partnering with land managers such as the National Park Service and National Forest agencies, students work on extended service projects such as trail maintenance and lakeshore restoration initiatives. Not only is service intrinsically rewarding, it also provides valuable experience working with different organizations in the wilderness setting, bringing Leave No Trace principle closer to home. 

Solo

On every Outward Bound course reflection is an integral part of the learning process. During the solo, participants will recover from the rigors of daily travel and spend a structured period of time resting and reflecting near the group’s base camp. The primary focus of this time is to reflect on personal and group goals. Participants are provided with food, shelter and occasional check-ins from Instructors during the experience.

Participants on this course can expect a longer solo, up to 72 hours, and more reflective time built into the makeup of the course with a focus on self-awareness and self-efficacy. In addition to the longer solo, there may be several mini solos throughout the course.