Days 1-3
Arriving into beautiful Portland, Oregon, we'll meet at the airport with our trip leaders and the rest of our group. Everyone will of course be excited for the journey to begin, and after collecting our bags and receiving a warm series of introductions, we'll make the short journey to the Oregon coast. From our secluded, beachfront campground, we'll get to know each other better as we learn to set up camp together for the first time. That night, after a hearty welcome dinner, we'll crawl into our tents and sleeping bags under a blanket of stars. The next morning, we'll fortify on a hot breakfast before meeting up with our private surf instructors for our first day on the water. Learning quickly from the expert instruction and the calm coastal waves that make for an ideal, introductory environment, we'll quickly master the skills of this exciting and beginner-friendly sport. Our second day of surf instruction will enable us to refine our newfound skills as we learn, laugh and grow together as a team. Days 4-5
We'll bid farewell to the coast for the opportunity to explore the breathtaking shoreline surrounding the blue waters of Crater Lake. One of the iconographic destinations that we'll visit during our introductory Oregon adventure, Crater Lake National Park protects this spectacular national treasure. Actually formed from an ancient volcano (and not a meteor impact as the name would suggest), Crater Lake is know for its natural beauty and exciting recreation opportunities. Here, we'll wet our appetites for the trails ahead with fun, introductory day hikes along the lake's shores, then get a bird's eye view of the surrounding ecosystem on an exciting summit of the 750-foot-high Wizard Island that towers like a magical hat above the water's surface. Days 6-8
Showcasing the dramatic, Three Sisters Volcanoes and housing some of the most spectacular sections of the Pacific Crest Trail, the Three Sisters Wilderness is one of Oregon's premiere wilderness hiking destinations. Wilderness Ventures students have been backpacking-in and enjoying this environment since 1973, and today we are proud to remain the only adventure program for your adults with the privilege to access this protected environment. Learning introductory backcountry camping skills, we'll make an obtainable and fun, three-day backpacking journey into the most beautiful sections of the wilderness area – feasting on delicious backcountry meals, sharing stories around an intimate, crackling fire and looking up each evening at the most populated sky of stars any of us have ever seen. Exiting the backcountry on our third and final day, we'll emerge fully formed and bonded as a team – invigorated by our days together in the wilderness. Days 9-10
Swapping our backpacks for climbing harnesses, after taking the time to do laundry and enjoy a shower, we'll make the short journey to Smith Rock State Park. This is a pilgrimage-worthy destination for any rock climbing enthusiast, and we're fortunate enough to receive our entry-level instruction here on the beginner-friendly routes prepared for us by our talented and caring rock climbing guides. Throughout our days on the rock, we'll develop basic climbing skills while learning and growing together as a team. After two wonderful days of instruction in this amazing climbing environment, we'll have had a ton of fun and will have developed a tremendous sense of accomplishment while learning this new skill on these sandstone walls. Days 11-12
Changing environments yet again, we'll embark on an overnight adventure down the north-flowing Deschutes River, one of the classic river trips that Wilderness Ventures students have been enjoying since 1973. Here learn the finer points of river navigation while paddling together as a team under the careful instruction of our expert river guides. The Deschutes provides an unforgettable introduction to whitewater rafting with exciting and inspiring rapids interspersed with calm stretches of water where we can relax, swap stories and savor the river's beauty. As our time on the water begins to wane, we'll savor these last few moments together with the awareness that our wonderful adventure is already nearing its conclusion. Days 13-14
The town of Hood River and the surrounding Columbia River Gorge provide a wonderful backdrop for the conclusion to our spectacular journey together. The Columbia Gorge is a fantastic canyon that enjoys federally protected status as a National Scenic Area for its breathtaking beauty and significant history, having served as fertile Salmon fishing waters for local native populations and as the route Louis and Clark paddled as they neared their exploration's conclusion at the Pacific Ocean. Here, we'll spend our last full day together immersed in the Gorge's beauty as we do climb to the overlook at the brink of Multnomah Falls, explore the historical logging and present-day recreation culture of the town of Hood River and savor a fitting end-of-adventure feast at a local restaurant before crawling into bed and returning to the airport and home the next morning.
