Yosemite Alpine Backpacking for Girls
On this expedition, you’ll backpack through towering trees in Yosemite, swim in alpine lakes, and sleep under countless stars.
Travel into the heart of Yosemite where you’ll learn camping and travel skills, outdoor cooking techniques, map and compass use, route finding, and how to set up shelters in the backcountry – all while having fun and making lifelong connections.
At Outward Bound, we are crew, not passengers. We support each other and share in our challenges and our victories. Your crew becomes a critical piece of your experience while on course, and beyond! While all our courses are inclusive for all gender identities, we understand the value of affinity spaces, too. This is a traditional Outward Bound course, specially designed for girls and gender-expansive students who are looking for this kind of community on their course. And when we say “for girls,” we mean we believe trans-girls are girls. You are welcome here; let’s adventure together!
Students can expect a progression of activities to initiate personal growth and conversation about our unique and shared experiences. We will spend time having guided discussions on a variety of topics, as well as opportunities for individual reflection, while embracing the affirming and healing powers of nature.
Outward Bound’s affinity courses are designed to build community and cultivate self-efficacy. Expeditions are led by trained Instructors and aim to create a safe space for those who have experienced being marginalized due to their identity, and/or are exploring their gender identity. Outward Bound is a place for all people to learn, grow, make friends, and have fun! We encourage you to talk with one of our course advisors if you have questions about which course is the best fit for you.
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
This course is closed for the season.
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.
"My daughter said she really liked the course. Minutes ago she wrote letters to the close friends she made and hopes to visit them someday. The friendships she made were truly sacred to her. She gained knowledge in map reading/navigation skills, cooking abilities, and setting up tarps. She cherished the relationships with new friends and really looked up to her leaders."
This course provides an introductory experience in the art and craft of backpacking while exploring a rich national treasure. As no prior experience is necessary, instructors will teach the crew how to cook, set up of tarp shelters and on-trail navigation. Instructors facilitate activities and lessons focused on teamwork, communication and self-discovery. Each young person is capable of more than they know, and this course helps students realize their own potential and return to their day-to-day lives with increased confidence, work ethic and self-awareness.
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.
Please 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.
Service to others and the environment is a core value of Outward Bound and is integrated into each course. Students follow Leave No Trace ethics and complete acts of service while leading and supporting fellow crew members. When possible, designated service projects are coordinated with land managers like the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service to collaborate on land restoration projects. Students develop a value of service, see the impact of their actions first hand 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, 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 are provided with all necessary equipment, food and water. On this course, the Solo time will not exceed 12 hours.
Yosemite National Park, located in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, is famous for breathtaking views of waterfalls, massive granite domes and peaceful alpine meadows. Yosemite is home to some of the world’s most treasured landmarks. While this course steers clear of the crowded tourist attractions of the valley, dramatic alpine scenery can be seen in the horizon such as peaks that rise from the valley to elevations above 12,000 feet. On occasion, relocating a course to another location in the High Sierra (not in Yosemite) is the best way we can maintain our high safety standards. A relocation is possible in the case of inclement weather, environmental disaster such as wildfires or smoke, or other uncontrollable interruptions.
The Sierra Nevada offers fairly stable and beautiful weather. Spring can bring snow and cold temperatures. As summer advances, temperatures tend to become more moderate. Summer temperatures are in the 70s to 80s during the day and 30s to 50s in the evening. This course area has some of the most famous, though often under-utilized, alpine climbing and backpacking routes for students to experience.
These regions are the ancestral lands of the Northern Paiute, Western Mono/Monache, Me-Wuk (Central Sierra Miwok), and Me-Wuk (Southern Sierra Miwuk) 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
"My daughter said she really liked the course. Minutes ago she wrote letters to the close friends she made and hopes to visit them someday. The friendships she made were truly sacred to her. She gained knowledge in map reading/navigation skills, cooking abilities, and setting up tarps. She cherished the relationships with new friends and really looked up to her leaders."
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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.