Day 1-2
After arriving at the airport in spectacular Jackson Hole, you will meet your trip leaders and the rest of your group. From the airport, you will proceed directly to our first campsite only ten minutes away in Grand Teton National Park. It is an exciting first couple of days getting to know everyone in your group and setting up your tent for the first time. You will prepare for your backpacking and climbing trip in the Teton range.Day 3-12
We begin our trip on the east side of the Tetons in Grand Teton National Park. The group will hike the famed Teton Crest Trail across the spine of the Tetons. We will start the trip by traveling shorter distances while learning all of the skills necessary to travel and live comfortably in the wilderness. While learning backcountry cooking skills, minimum impact camping techniques, and map and compass skills, we will camp below peaks such as the Grand Teton and Buck Mountain, and swim in cold alpine lakes. We will have layover days in stunningly beautiful areas of the Tetons such as Alaska Basin, where we can rest our legs and take time to stop and enjoy this breathtaking wilderness. Traversing the Teton Crest is a fabled backpacking trip that most people only dream about. The diversity of ecosystems, altitude and scenery is unprecedented for most 10-day backcountry treks. The sense of accomplishment that you'll feel after having traversed one of America's great mountain ranges is simply unimaginable. More importantly however, are the fun times that we'll share as a group, miles away from civilization -- telling stories around a campfire under the Western night's sky. Aside from making our way along this magnificent mountain range, our days will be filled with unimaginable beauty (we spend much of our time above tree line in fragile alpine environments), taking cool dips in pristine alpine lakes, savoring wonderful meals and enjoying each others' company. You'll emerge from the backcountry having made lifelong friends with a fantastic group of young people -- and the most exiting parts of our journey are still to come.Day 13 -14
Our first day of climbing will be spent in basic climbing school learning all of the techniques, knots, commands, and belay skills that will allow us to summit a peak on day two. Accompanied by expert climbing guides, we'll gain the confidence to make a multi-pitch ascent in the heart of the Tetons. The following day we'll climb to the top of Cube Point. Climbing is without a doubt one of life's most fulfilling activities; although challenging at times, there is nothing quite as rewarding as conquering a summit.Day 15-16
After taking showers and doing laundry back in Jackson Hole, we'll wrap things up with a day of whitewater rafting on the Snake River. The thrilling class III rapids are a fantastic way to end the trip as a group. We will enjoy each others' company for one last night at a group banquet. It will be tough to leave all of your new friends. Two weeks of incredible fun and bonding has come to an end. Although it is always good to return home, the close friends that you have made and the things that you have accomplished will make you wish that the trip was longer. As you board the plane, you will never forget the life changing experience that you just enjoyed.
