Class2013
Explorers spend their last summer trip as a group in the rugged setting of Rocky Mountain National Park. This trip is leadership focused, with the Explorers taking the helm to make decisions on logistics, food, routes, and weather. After a review of snow school and climbing techniques, a summit attempt on the iconic Longs Peak will be the main goal of this expedition. Explorers will be expected to step into leadership roles to make integral decisions for the rest of the group. The setting for this trip provides opportunities for multiple climbs if weather becomes an issue. In addition, Explorers will complete an overnight solo, reflecting on their time and experiences in Explore over the years.
Class2014
This trip serves as an introduction to the fundamentals of mountain travel and mountaineering techniques. Explorers will construct a base camp in the first couple of days, from which they will camp out of while learning ice axe and crampon technique, staying warm in the cold, self-arrest techniques, and how to travel on a rope team. The team will move to a high camp for a summit attempt on either Mt. Guyot or Baldie, or both, weather permitting. This week will end with Explorers completing their first overnight solo experience!
Class2015
Explorers spend this week with a unique opportunity to see the Gunnison River up close and personal while paddling and exploring the canyons in the area. The group will focus on perfecting their paddle technique for the first 2 days before transitioning to the river and undertaking 40 miles of the famed river. Explorers will be learning correct form, how to pack and load boats, cook meals, and continue to perfect their navigation skills. Teamwork will be essential, as teams of 2 will be paddling the canoes, as the group stays together as a whole.
Class2016
This trip is a week-long biking adventure through some of the best terrain in Colorado. Explorers will spend the first couple of days reviewing their bike skills and getting acclimated to the high elevation before setting out to ride trails in various areas around Colorado, camping under the stars the entire trip! Skills covered will include braking, shifting, pacing, riding stances, cornering, down-hills, bike care and trail etiquette while riding. The skills will build towards gradually more technical terrain as the week progresses. Explorers will become proficient riders in multiple environments.
Class2017 Boys and Girls
Based almost exclusively in the Lost Creek Wilderness Area, this trip is focused on continuing to develop Explorers’ backcountry skills in hiking and rock climbing. Explorers will spend the week hiking through the beautiful trails of Lost Creek, while also setting up a series of camps and spending a few days climbing in the surrounding areas of McCurdy Tower. Explorers will learn and practice Leave No Trace principles, camp set-up, layering for warmth, map reading, intro to navigation, and more advanced climbing technique.
Class2018 Boys and Girls
This trip serves as an introduction to multiple skills and environments that the Explorers will continue to learn to master over the next several years. The OWA lodge will act as the base camp for this trip, while the Explorers will spend the days learning the basics of the following: Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, Hiking, Backcountry Camping, Navigation, Cooking, and the importance of teamwork in the back-country. This trip includes an overnight campout in conjunction with a summit of Bison Peak in the Lost Creek Wilderness Area.