COURSE OVERVIEW

CCYE-343: Colorado Rockies Alpine Backpacking & Rock Climbing

Course Code: CCYE-343

Start Date: 7/15/23

End Date: 7/29/23

Colorado has some of the best backpacking and rock climbing in the country. On this classic course you’ll experience the best of both worlds. During your climbing section, you’ll take on a new set of challenges, exploring the physical, emotional, and mental challenges of moving through step rock terrain. As you transition to backpacking, you will hike up to alpine meadows and camp below gorgeous cirques of peaks, diving deeper into the physical, emotional, and mental challenges of expeditionary living and working with your crew.

Course Areas

Leadville Mountain Center, Colorado

Colorado Outward Bound’s 600-acre property at the base of Mount Massive. Our base camp encompasses mountain streams, wild plants, fields and forests. Lake Fork Creek (that runs into the headwaters of the Arkansas River) runs near the east of our property and the Colorado Trail borders us to the west. If the timing is right, colorful wildflowers will brighten the trails through the LMC. You might share camp with elk, deer, chipmunks and myriad other wildlife. This region is within the ancestral lands of the Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) nation.

 📍Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) lands

Holy Cross Wilderness, Colorado

The Holy Cross area is found in the Sawatch Range which contains eight of Colorado’s highest peaks. These mountains are known for being massive, rocky yet relatively gentle in contour. Mount of the Holy Cross is known for its distinctive snow formations. During the course, you can expect to travel on and off trail and over wooded and alpine terrain at 9,000 feet or higher, which can be rough, steep and exposed. Students may encounter elk, mule deer or even moose.

The Sawatch Range lies within the ancestral lands of the Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) nation.

📍Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) lands

Rocky Mountains, CO

The Colorado Rockies is home to the most high peaks in the lower 48 states, with hundreds of iconic mountains standing over 13,000 and 14,000 feet tall. The region is characterized by dense pine forests and rocky alpine ecosystems. Students will enjoy clear blue glacial lakes, fields of wildflowers, waterfalls, and striking rock formations. If they are observant, students may spot wildlife like elk, mountain goats, moose, marmots, pikas and eagles. These regions are within the ancestral lands of of the Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute), Cheyenne, Arapaho, Očeti Šakówiŋ (Sioux), Eastern Shoshone, Jicarilla Apache, and Pueblos nations.

Watch to Learn More about the Colorado Rockies

What is a land acknowledgment?

At the Colorado Outward Bound School, we include land acknowledgments in our work as a formal way to recognize and respect the traditional territories and Indigenous Peoples as stewards of the land. It is important to understand and acknowledge the comprehensive past, present, and future of the places we travel and to seek to understand our role therein. To recognize the land is an expression of gratitude and appreciation we give to the Indigenous Peoples who have been living and working on the land from time immemorial. Read more about land acknowledgments at Outward Bound here

Turtle Rock

Nestled in the Arkansas Valley, Turtle Rock provides the perfect venue for learning the basics of rock climbing. With sweeping vistas of the Collegiate Range to the west, students will climb and rappel on weathered granite domes while camping among the pinon pines and sage brush, in this high alpine desert environment. The Turtle Rock Campground provides a great introduction to camping, while still allowing for some frontcountry amenities like pit toilets and potable water. These regions are within the ancestral lands of the Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) nation.

Photo: Bethany Frakes |📍Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) lands

Activities

Alpine Backpacking

Alpine Backpacking will develop a foundational outdoor skillset for students allowing comfortable living during course. Traveling mostly above treeline, students will carry everything they need - food, shelter, clothing and gear – allowing them to go deep into the wilderness where few people go. Backpacking provides a sense of freedom, allowing students to eat when hungry, set up camp when tired, and exercise complete control over what is accomplished each day. The simplicity of backpacking gives students the opportunity to focus both internally on their own thoughts, as well as externally to connect deeply with others as they talk, sing, play games and spend time together without distraction. With the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop, students are introduced to backpacking with lessons in basic travel and camping techniques. As this section progresses, students learn Leave No Trace techniques, map and compass navigation, camp craft, and obtain an understanding of the area’s human and natural history.

A group of students are hiking up a field of large, loose rock above treeline. They are wearing helmets and using trekking poles while carrying backpacks.

Photo: Dave Erbe |📍Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) lands

Rock Climbing

Rock Climbing creates opportunities for students to enterprise their curiosity, practice tenacity and perseverance, and learn skills which will progress them to greater heights. Climbing allows learning of new body mechanics, balance, and energy maintenance techniques which will help students climb efficiently and unlock the incredible feeling of flowing up a route. Students will learn there are many ways to climb the same rock, allowing each climber to solve the puzzle in their own individual way. During this section, students will learn basic climbing techniques, helmet and harness use, climbing commands and belaying, and anchor building principles. Depending on the length of the section, students may have the opportunity to attempt multi-pitch climbs or lead climbing.

 Photo: Joe Kubis |📍Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) lands

Guided Reflection and Transference

At Outward Bound we believe there is no learning without reflection. Throughout course, you will be prompted to reflect on what you’re experiencing on course, and what it means in the greater context of your life. Sometimes this is a journaling exercise, sometimes a group sharing experience, and sometimes a moment of solitude to sit and think. You spend focused time toward course progression end exploring how your new knowledge, skills and attributes can apply to your life after course.

Solo

Solo is a time when you’ll get the opportunity to spend time alone during course. With sufficient food and equipment, your Solo will be a chance to reflect on your course experience, journal, and connect with nature. Depending on your course length and environmental factors, Solo can range from 30 minutes to an overnight experience. You will not travel during this time and your Instructors may check on you occasionally. Your solo site will be close enough to your Instructors in case of emergency, but far enough removed to enjoy solitudeMany students are initially nervous about solo, but later recall it as one of the highlights of their course.  

Service Project

Some projects focus on land restoration and are coordinated with partners and land managers like the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service. Other projects are grounded in social services, and may include visiting a nursing home or hospital. Past projects include working on a goat farm, building trails, cleaning trash and debris from natural spaces, working with a local community garden, and removing invasive species. Seeing the impact of their actions firsthand, students develop a value of service, and transfer this desire to serve their communities back home.

Peak Attempt

Peak Attempts present an opportunity for challenge, teamwork, and the need to pull together all of your learned skills for success. Your expedition will include at least one peak attempt. Peak attempts are major enterprises and typically require early morning starts and can take all day to complete. Weather, or other factors including group dynamics and physical readiness, may preclude even an attempt to ascend a peak.

Photo: Naomi Winard |📍Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) lands

Challenge Event

A Challenge Event may occur at the end of a student's course experience. These are opportunities to test the perseverance, endurance, and grit that you've developed on course. A challenge event might be individual, like long run or peak attempt. Your event might be a group focused challenge, including long final travel days or group challenges that require all of the skills and teamwork your groups has learned. The purpose of a challenge event is to help students realize the extent of their growth, physically, mentally, and emotionally, and to take home these learnings in an unforgettable way.

Sample Itinerary

Sample Itinerary


The following is an example of what your itinerary may look like. Your actual course plan will vary according to weather, your group’s skills and abilities, and Instructor preferences.
 
Day 1: Drive to Course Start

Days 2 - 6: Rock Climbing & Lessons
Curriculum includes:
Basic leadership
Basic team decision making
Basic camp craft and cooking
Outward Bound philosophy and history
Advanced top rope rock climbing skills
Belaying
Rappelling

Days 7-13: Backpacking and Peak Attempt
Curriculum includes:
Basic map and compass navigation
Basic first aid
Backcountry living
Group off-trail travel
Peer leadership
Time management
Self-Awareness
Conflict management
Reflection/Solo

Day 14: Challenge Event and Course End

Day 15: Transportation home
What You’ll Learn

Our expeditions help students grow into the best version of themselves. We use adventure in the outdoors to help students discover their strengths and build authentic connections with their peers. Compassion for oneself and others is foundational to the Outward Bound experience. As students develop outdoor skills, they also gain confidence and leadership tools that will last a lifetime. Course outcomes include: 

  • Belonging – students form deep connections founded upon respect, inclusion, and compassion 
  • Reflection – students learn self-awareness and practice empathy towards others 
  • Physical Engagement – students develop awareness and confidence in their bodies 
  • Courage – students develop the confidence to speak up for themselves and persevere through challenges

Watch to Learn More

Tuition and Travel Insurance

Tuition 

You can pay your tuition online through your Applicant Portal or make the payment over the phone by calling 720-381-6589.  

If your payment is not received by the due date listed in your Enrollment Email and on your Applicant Portal, you will risk losing your spot on course and your $500 deposit. Please review our Admissions and Cancellation Policies. 

Travel Insurance 

Airfare, travel costs, and non-refundable tuition payments are expensive. Insurance to protect your trip and course is strongly encouraged. We recommend insuring these costs from the third-party provider InsureMyTrip. This provider has coverage options that include travel costs and non-refundable tuition costs. For more information and to receive a free quote, click here. 

COVID Precautions

Click here for COBS COVID-19 Program Practices