High Sierra Backpacking & Rock Climbing for Girls
Join a small cohort of females to hike among the towering pines, along glassy, blue alpine lakes and rock climb on some of the best granite around.
The Sierra Nevada mountains are one of the United States' premier backpacking and rock climbing locations because of its high-quality granite and stable, frequent sunny summer weather. As you climb and hike with this group of girls, this course will help you realize your own potential and return to your day to day life with increased confidence, work ethic and self-awareness.
At Outward Bound, we are crew, not passengers. We support each other and share in our challenges and our victories. Your crew becomes a critical piece of your experience while on course, and beyond! While all our courses are inclusive for all gender identities, we understand the value of affinity spaces, too. During this time of development, when young people need a safe and supportive space, this course builds self-esteem and community, and creates opportunities to make lifelong friends.
This is a traditional Outward Bound course, specially designed for girls and gender-expansive students who are looking for this kind of community on their course. This course gives you the opportunity to find your voice as a leader, focus on positive risk-taking, learn outdoor skills, and work through conflict as you develop your communication skills. And when we say “for girls,” we mean we cis-girls, trans-girls and nonbinary young people who want to be in a girl centered space. You are welcome here – let’s adventure together!
Outward Bound’s affinity courses are designed to build community and cultivate self-efficacy. Expeditions are led by trained Instructors who aim to create a safe space for all participants. Outward Bound is a place for all people to learn, grow, make friends, and have fun! 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 # XMME-2532
Age 13 - 14
Days 10
Cost $4,330
Dates 7/25/2025 - 8/3/2025
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This means a course has several open spots and is actively processing applications.
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This means a course has several open spots and is actively processing applications.
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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 liked my solo because I got to decompress after 11 days of hiking. It was nice to be alone, while knowing that everyone else was relatively nearby. I drew, did yoga and meditated by the river, and when the group came back together we felt more unified.
This course provides an introductory experience in the art and craft of backpacking while exploring the wonder and expansiveness of the High Sierras. No prior experience is necessary, as Instructors will teach the crew how to cook, set up tarp shelters and conduct on-trail navigation.
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 every day. Along with new skills, students also get the chance to get to know other people their age from all over the country, build friendships, use teamwork, be challenged and have fun!
Please note: Students carry both personal and group gear, which means packs can be heavy. Students should be physically able to hike with a 40-pound backpack to be successful on this course. If the applicant is under 5 feet tall and/or 85 pounds, please call Outward Bound prior to enrollment.
The course begins with several days of rock climbing where students will learn the basics of climbing technique, belaying and knot tying while building trust with team members and confidence in themselves. During this section, students are challenged physically on solid rock cliffs, and push their mental strength on a free hanging rappel with stunning views of the surrounding granite domes.
Service to others and to the environment is a core value of Outward Bound and is integrated into each course. Students follow Leave No Trace ethics and complete acts of service while leading and supporting fellow participants. When possible, designated service projects are coordinated with land managers like the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service to collaborate on land restoration projects. Students develop a value of service, see the impact of their actions, firsthand, and transfer this desire to serve their communities at home.
In order for profound learning to take place, Outward Bound believes 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. On this course, the Solo time will not exceed 12 hours.
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 Sierras: Ansel Adams Wilderness, Yosemite National Park and Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park.
Summer in the Sierras 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 to be in the 70s to 80s during the day, dipping into the 30s to 50s in the evening and night.
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 liked my solo because I got to decompress after 11 days of hiking. It was nice to be alone, while knowing that everyone else was relatively nearby. I drew, did yoga and meditated by the river, and when the group came back together we felt more unified.
It is definitely not easy, there is nothing simple about carrying half your weight up a 1000 foot mountain. Nothing was easy about scaling a 100 foot vertical wall in the rain, but it was worth it. In the moment I got to the top, looked around and saw mountains, valleys, and lakes in all directions. It was worth it the moment we got to camp, all exhausted, and collapsed, laughing and crying because we did it! It was in the moments that I thought I could not take one more step, and then proceeded to walk another two miles, that showed me the strength and resilience I have.
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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.