High Sierra Alpine Backpacking for Adults
With granite domes, alpine lakes and starry skies as your backdrop, you’ll hike in the majestic Sierra Nevada mountain range on this alpine backpacking course.
On this alpine backpacking course, you will camp amongst the spectacular high country of the Western Sierra, exploring alpine lake basins and granite peaks. You'll gain practice traveling both on- and off-trail and learn technical skills like navigation and leadership alongside effective communication and conflict resolution. As your technical and interpersonal skills advance along with the group, you’ll move through a progression, gradually taking on decision making in navigation, route finding, sharing of duties and setting up camp.
The course will challenge new and experienced backpackers as your crew travels above 9,000 feet and completes high mileage days. With a single focus on backpacking, you'll cover longer distances and have more opportunities to implement feedback from your instructors and crew.
This course offers multiple length options: a 10-day version for those who prefer a shorter introduction to Outward Bound and a 14-day version for a classic Outward Bound experience. The shorter course is ideal if you’re worried about being away from home or have limited time. The 14-day course allows for more personal growth, physical challenge, and learning from group dynamics, with additional time to practice technical skills and potentially venture further into the mountains. If you want even more challenge, there are longer course options too!
Both course length options are open to applicants without previous experience. We encourage you to talk with one of our course advisors if you have questions about which course is the best fit for you.
UPCOMING COURSES
Course # XMCA-2531
Age 18 - 25
Days 10
Cost $4,140
Dates 6/28/2025 - 7/7/2025
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This means a course has several open spots and is actively processing applications.
Course # XMCA-2541
Age 18 - 25
Days 14
Cost $5,385
Dates 7/22/2025 - 8/4/2025
APPLY NOW
This means a course has several open spots and is actively processing applications.
APPLY NOW
This means a course has several open spots and is actively processing applications.
APPLY NOW – Almost Full
This means there are three or fewer currently available spots left on a course. To secure your spot click Apply Now to begin an application!
JOIN WAITLIST
Once a course has reached capacity, three waitlist positions become available. To join a course’s waitlist, click “Join Waitlist” to begin the application process. A $500 deposit is required. This $500 deposit includes a $150 non-refundable application fee and a $350 tuition payment. The $350 tuition payment is refundable only if you cancel your waitlist application or if an open position does not become available. If a position does become available, the applicant will be applied to the open position and the Application and Cancellation Policies of the Regional Outward Bound School will be followed, including forfeiture of the $500 deposit if you cancel 90 days or less prior to the course start date.
Waitlist applicants are encouraged to complete all required admissions documents while awaiting an open position. Positions may become available up to two weeks prior to the course start date. Applicants may only apply to one course. We recommend applying to a course with open positions instead of a course that is accepting waitlist applications. If you have questions, please call 866-467-7651 to speak with one of our Admissions Advisors.
CALL TO APPLY
This means a course is very close to its start date. Although it is unlikely to secure a spot this late, you can call the National Admissions office at 866-467-7651 to discuss your options.
COURSE IS FULL
When a course has reached maximum capacity, meaning all spots and the three waitlist spots are occupied, a course will read “Course Is Full.” This means applications are no longer being accepted.
CLOSED
As a course nears its start date, the availability status may read “Closed.” In this event, a course roster has been finalized and applications are no longer being accepted or processed.
I laid back on the warm granite slab, freezing and still breathing heavily. I looked up, and took in the view. In the foreground, the deep blue Horseshoe Lake, and above it the 30 foot cliff the whole crew had just leaped off into the frigid water. I was impressed with everyone, especially myself. Above the lake, the majestic Mt. Hutton was the king on the cake. ‘I can’t believe this is real life,’ I thought.
This backpacking expedition will take students into the heart of the Sierra Nevada where students will learn Leave No Trace camping and travel skills, outdoor cooking techniques, map and compass use, route finding and how to set up shelters in the backcountry. Students will spend time hiking on and off-trail, both in forested areas and in the alpine environment above tree line, often camping next to alpine lakes where students can swim after a day of hiking.
In addition to technical skills, Instructors will teach and facilitate the interpersonal skills needed for students to function effectively as a team, accomplish goals and tackle new challenges. Challenges on course are designed to compel students to draw upon inner resources and develop trust in one another. An example of a challenge is a peak attempt. With lighter packs, participants will start before sunrise to summit a mountain and be rewarded with 360 degree views and an incredible sense of accomplishment.
As skills and experience increase, Instructors will turn over more responsibility to the crew. Students will eventually make navigation decisions, plan routes and set up camp on their own.
Outward Bound believes, in order for profound learning to take place, there must be time to reflect on the experience. During course, the Solo is that opportunity. It is a chance to experience solitude in the wilderness without distraction while also taking a break from the physical rigors of course. Students are separated from their group for a period of time which depends on course length and Instructor assessment of group capability. Solo sites are chosen to provide solitude. Students have all necessary equipment, food and water. The maximum time for Solo on this course is 72 hours.
Outward Bound expeditions encourage students to grow into the best version of themselves. Compassion for self and others is foundational to our educational approach. Students work collaboratively with their peers and as individuals to navigate challenging circumstances and the everyday harshness of the natural environment. The physical and mental challenges students experience on course allow them to discover their strengths and build authentic connections. Through intentionally tiered technical skill instruction, students also gain self-efficacy in outdoor competencies related to their course. Consistent and cultivated space for introspection or interactive reflective processes supports students making connections between their experiences and their life back home Whether the expedition is a few days or a few months, students realize that they are stronger than they know, and develop confidence and perseverance that will last a lifetime.
Some of the social and emotional learning outcomes students can expect include:
- Belonging – a sense of connection in the group founded upon respect, inclusion, empathy and compassion
- Courage – catalyzing strengths in order to persevere and take on challenge and risks
- Physical Engagement – develop body awareness and confidence through sensate and bodily experiences
- Self-Regulation – the ability to counter distraction and strong emotions by calming, refocusing, and turn-taking
- Reflection – examination and questioning of actions, roles, relationships and assumptions
The Sierra Nevada range is California’s backyard and wonderland of wilderness, waterfalls, lakes and peaks. It’s an enormous range – spanning more than 400 miles from north to south and 70 miles east to west. Courses take place in the southern and western parts of the Sierra: Ansel Adams Wilderness, Yosemite National Park and Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park.
Summer in the Sierra is mostly sunny, with occasional rain and cold evenings. Snowfall is unlikely, though June courses may traverse atop lingering winter and spring snow. Summer temperatures tend towards the 70s and 80s during the day, dipping into the 30s to 50s in the evening and overnight.
These regions are the ancestral lands of the Northern Paiute, Western Mono/Monache, Me-Wuk (Central Sierra Miwok), Eastern Mono/Monache, and Tübatulabal nations. We acknowledge them as the past, present, and future caretakers of this land, and also pay respect to their elders, both past and present. We recognize and continually support and advocate for the sovereignty of the Native nations of this territory and beyond. By offering this land acknowledgment we affirm tribal sovereignty, commit to working to support these tribes, and commit to holding Outward Bound California accountable to this work.
Course Stories
I laid back on the warm granite slab, freezing and still breathing heavily. I looked up, and took in the view. In the foreground, the deep blue Horseshoe Lake, and above it the 30 foot cliff the whole crew had just leaped off into the frigid water. I was impressed with everyone, especially myself. Above the lake, the majestic Mt. Hutton was the king on the cake. ‘I can’t believe this is real life,’ I thought.
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Getting Started
If you are ready to enroll on a course click the enroll button next to the course you wish to select or you can enroll over the phone by speaking with one of our Admissions Advisors (toll-free) at 866-467-7651.
To secure your spot on a course you must submit an enrollment form and $500 deposit that is applied toward the total cost of the course and includes a $150 non-refundable enrollment processing fee.