Colorado Rockies Alpine Backpacking - Youth Ventures

This is a two or three week backpacking adventure in the Rocky Mountains and at our basecamp in Colorado. It includes rock climbing, a high ropes course, solo and a day of whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River. This course is designed for fit, motivated younger teens (ages 14-16).

The Rocky Mountains, one of the most famous mountain ranges in the world, stretch 3,000 miles from Alaska to New Mexico. They have provided the inspiration for legends are and have had a profound influence on the development of the continental United States. It is in and around these majestic mountains that your Outward Bound Wilderness course will take place. Native Americans were the first to live among these peaks. In more recent times, the Spanish launched major expeditions into these mountains, searching for gold and precious minerals. Although no one is sure who first climbed them, the first documented exploration of the Colorado Rockies was undertaken in 1776 by two Franciscan priests. From that point on, Colorado became a magnet for prospectors, explorers and pioneers. The greatest concentration of high peaks — hundreds of thirteeners (13,000+ feet), and 54 fourteeners — is in Colorado.

Youth Ventures
Youth Ventures courses are designed for younger teens. They combine basecamp and expedition time to ensure you are well prepared, both mentally and physically, before taking on the challenges of the amazing Rocky Mountains. You will have the opportunity to participate in one or two days of rock climbing and attempt a peak ascent. Wilderness travel, fitness training and initiatives will all be part of your course. You will also complete an endurance run, learn environmental facts about the region, and go white water rafting for a day. Throughout the course, expect to have a lot of fun

The Outward Bound Difference
Throughout the course, you will explore important aspects of Outward Bound, including growth and learning found in every activity you undertake. You will learn five important Outward Bound values: sticking to what you start; giving to others; showing spirit even when the going gets tough; solving problems; and most importantly, caring for others and working as a team. You may find that the most important lessons are as much about learning backcountry skills as they are learning about yourself and your community. Successful completion of your course demands mastery of skills, trust, fitness, confidence, tenacity, leadership, initiative and compassion. The promotion of these qualities, and the discovery of what’s in you, is the purpose of Outward Bound.

This course may be the hardest thing you have ever done. Outward Bound philosophy maintains that by facing the challenges the course will offer you, you will emerge physically and mentally stronger, with an increased mastery of expedition skills as well as a better understanding of your own capabilities. We think that the payoff is well worth the work, but you should be aware of what you’re getting into and excited about tackling the challenges.

Course Description
At the base camp you will practice the skills necessary for your expedition as well as learn the basic skills necessary for rock climbing. While you are there, you sleep under a tarp and prepare your own food, just as if you were on an expedition. Fitness training is rigorous! Be prepared to work very hard getting in shape while you are at base camp. But don’t forget, we approach challenges with a fun and positive attitude.

Your expedition phase will take you deep into the Colorado wilderness. You will learn Leave No Trace skills and ethics, backcountry route finding, leadership, and teamwork. Your instructors will train you to use all equipment safely. You will study various areas of natural history and the environment as we go, including flora, fauna, geology, astronomy, and ecology. Courses also include a day of whitewater rafting.

On the Arkansas River, you get a chance to experience the fun team activity of rafting with 5-7 students per raft plus staff. You learn to work together to position and maneuver the raft between obstacles in the many moderate rapids or drifting peacefully with the current through placid sections, relaxing and soaking up the grandeur of the mountains. After soaking up the rays on the water, sleeping outside under the stars, and climbing up challenging rocks, you and your fellow students return to the basecamp for course end festivities.

Mountaineering vs. Backpacking - In alpine environments like the Rockies, the Cacades or the Sierra Nevada, or any of our courses in the west, backpacking and mountaineering are very similar. On both course types the majority of travel takes place at least at 9000', both course require strict adherence to alpine oriented Leave-No-Trace priciples and practices and both include peak ascent attempts. Mountaineering courses attempt peaks that are higher in altitude and that require ropes, anchors or rock climbing to reach the peak. Backpacking peak attempts generally can be reached on foot without ropes of other gear. Because mountaineering requires technical climbing gear, the pack weights are heavier and the course more challenging.

NOTE: Virtually all airlines, except United and Southwest, REQUIRE that travelers, age 14 or younger, flying without a companion over the age of 18 pay for their Unaccompanied Minor service. This fee ranges anywhere from $40 to $75 each way. In most cases, the Unaccopanied Minor service is OPTIONAL for travelers between the ages of 15-17.

To enroll in this course click the enroll button next to the course dates that work for you. To shop comparatively on line visit our Advanced Course Finder or better yet call one of our expert Admission Advisers at 866-467-7651. Course tuitions listed below do not include our Application Fee or Transportation Fee.

Region: Colorado

Activities: Backpacking, rock climbing, ropes course, peak attempt, low-impact camping, solo, service

Additional Information:
Application Fee
Transportation Fee

scholarship program pick
Dates	Days	Age	Location	Tuition	Course	Enroll
06/02/08 to 06/15/08	14	14-16	Colorado	$2895.00	CEY840
06/10/08 to 06/23/08	14	14-16	Colorado	$2895.00	KEY842
06/17/08 to 06/30/08	14	14-16	Colorado	$2895.00	KEY843
07/03/08 to 07/16/08	14	14-16	Colorado	$2895.00	KEY844
07/07/08 to 07/20/08	14	14-16	Rocky Mountains - Colorado	$2895.00	KEY845
07/30/08 to 08/12/08	14	14-16	Rocky Mountains - Colorado	$2895.00	KEY846
08/02/08 to 08/15/08	14	14-16	Colorado	$2895.00	KEY847