Embark on a backcountry adventure to disconnect from modern life and reconnect with each other.
Your Outdoor Classroom
Our guided Backcountry Expeditions in Colorado and Utah take groups to some of the most iconic and awe-inspiring regions in the Southwest United States. Your classroom will be the rugged peaks of the Colorado Rockies or Utah's high-desert canyon country. Your crew will travel with everything you need on your backs, including food, water, and shelter. All necessary gear will be provided, and your group will be led some of the best outdoor educators in the industry. Every expedition is catered to the unique needs and capabilities of all students. We offer a variety of expeditionary learning activities including backpacking, climbing, whitewater rafting, canyoneering, and backcountry skiing.
Activities
From Moab Campus
Desert Canyon Backpacking
Canyoneering
Whitewater Rafting
Canoeing
From Leadville Campus
High and Low Ropes Challenge Course
Alpine Backpacking
Mountaineering
Rock Climbing
Backcountry Skiing
Backcountry Snowshoeing
Winter Camping
CURRICULUM
For Youth
The Courage Workshop. Students will develop the courage to persevere in the face of challenges and work together to achieve common goals. They will return home with skills in assertive and compassionate communication.
The Belonging Workshop. Students will discover their shared values and learn the power of an inclusive and caring community. They will return home eager to grow closer and support one another.
For Young Adults
The Self Awareness Workshop. Students will learn to recognize their emotions and how they impact the world around them. Through introspection and guided transference, students will return home with an awareness of their own strengths and the tools to continue to grow.
The Social Responsibility Workshop. Students will learn to value and respect the needs of others in their community. They will return home with an understanding of accountability and empathy.
TESTIMONIALS
The annual COBS course serves as the capstone of an intensive three-week orientation and team building process focused on integrating new Fellows to the El Pomar team. Spending a week in the backcountry together expedites the team building process, as the concepts of goal setting, creating a shared vision, encouragement, communication, trust, and vulnerability are all introduced and addressed in a safe environment. It is an incredibly rewarding experience that never fails to provide valuable personal insights and growth, while strengthening the rapport among co-workers.