Colorado Rockies Mountaineering - 30-Day

This 30-day course is our most extensive and technical Alpine Mountaineering course offered during the summer months. It is designed to provide a thorough introduction to mountaineering and an intense Outward Bound experience. The course is ideal for those who are motivated by the true spirit of adventure and have a strong desire to push their personal limits, not just physically but mentally and emotionally as well.

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 legend 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. Your 30-day course will be run in either the San Juan or the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Ranges of Colorado. These ranges are home to some of the most spectacular and rugged peaks in the state. Numerous 13,000 and 14,000-foot summits tower above the pristine beauty of high alpine meadows. These mountain ranges contain some of the most remote “wilderness” areas in Colorado. It is here that you will find the real challenge of mountaineering amidst the incredible beauty and solitude of the backcountry.

The Outward Bound Difference
Throughout the course, you will explore important aspects of Outward Bound, including aspects of growth and learning found in every activity you undertake. You 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.

The concept of leadership will be thoroughly explored during your course and there will be opportunities for you take on this responsibility and actively contribute to the quality of your experience. This is a demanding program that requires a considerable personal commitment.

Course Description
To start off the course, you will learn leave-No-Trace camping and travel skills, outdoor cooking, basic first-aid, map and compass use, route finding, knot tying and rope handling. You will backpack through the alpine environment and may ascend a walk-up peak. Rock climbing and rappelling will be an important part of your course. Instruction will cover the basics of rock climbing in a hands-on experiential style. You will learn the fundamentals of safe rock climbing including: movement on the rock, basic climbing technique, tie-ins, climbing knots, belay techniques, as well as an introduction to anchor systems and rappelling. As the course progresses, so does your adventure. Your patrol will begin to explore further into the backcountry, climb more difficult peaks and possibly complete a service project. You will also work on more advanced route finding and expedition planning. During the second section of the course, you will separate for a three day solo. You will be isolated from other members of your patrol (but within shouting distance) and your instructors will check on you daily. This is a great time to fully enjoy your environment and to reflect on your experience. After your solo, you will regroup and head into the super-alpine section of the course, which is dedicated to technical alpine mountaineering and rock climbing. You will attempt to summit major peaks, learn to use fixed lines and ropes, refine your rock climbing and alpine route finding skills and work on rescue techniques. A four to five-day final expedition will conclude the last days of the course. You will divide into final expedition patrols, get your assigned routes and travel unaccompanied by instructors.

Mountaineering vs. Backpacking - In alpine environments like the Rockies, the Cascades 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 around 9000', both course require strict adherence to alpine oriented Leave-No-Trace principles and practices and both include peak ascent attempts. Mountaineering courses attempt peaks that are higher in altitude and that require ropes, anchors or 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.

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: Mountaineering, peak attempt, low-impact camping, rock climbing, solo and final expedition

Additional Information:
Application Fee
Transportation Fee

Dates	Days	Age	Location	Tuition	Course	Enroll
06/10/08 to 07/09/08	30	16-18	Colorado	$3995.00	LMN862
06/10/08 to 07/09/08	30	18-22	Colorado	$3995.00	LMO862
07/18/08 to 08/16/08	30	18-22	Colorado	$3995.00	LMO864
07/18/08 to 08/16/08	30	16-18	Colorado	$3995.00	LMN864