What's so special about this Wilderness Ventures trip?
This trip offers a premier experience in one of Wyoming’s most famous and beautiful areas. You’ll hike the Bridger Wilderness for eight days and then climb in the Wind River Range for four days with the world famous Exum guides. We’ve conducted this trip since 1996.
Who is this trip designed for?
This Leadership Expedition program is designed for students who are looking for a more challenging trip than our traditional domestic wilderness trips. The trip will focus on improving outdoor leadership skills, including map reading, compass skills, route and campsite selection, backcountry cuisine, basic wilderness first aid, zero impact camping, alpine travel, and group dynamics. This program is designed for both returning participants and participants new to Wilderness Ventures.
Is rock climbing dangerous?
No. Just like all the activities, when done correctly it is very safe. We work with some of the best professional guides to insure thorough instruction and a high level of safety. You will learn the techniques of climbing and how to use the right equipment to maximize safety and have a great time. Climbing is one of the most rewarding activities we do and for many a highlight of their trip.
Do I need special rock climbing equipment for this trip?
No, you don’t need any special equipment. We supply all of our participants with any specialized gear needed for any activity. We will be using state of the art climbing gear and receive great instruction on how to use it all. If you are interested in climbing after your trip is over you will have a good idea of what to buy for yourself based on your experience with Wilderness Ventures.
What’s the weather like in Wyoming?
Wyoming is beautiful in the summertime. Daytime temperatures are in the 80’s and nighttime temps fall into the 50’s. The humidity is very low, thus creating the perfect atmosphere for being outside.
How often will we get to shower?
You will have the opportunity to shower after completing the rock climbing section of your trip. Throughout your trip, you’ll learn to stay clean by swimming in delightfully warm streams and lakes. You will also shower and do laundry before departing home.
What kind of food will we eat?
Your fellow trip participants, with the help of your leaders, will create the menu for your trip. Everyone will be involved in this process to ensure a wide variety of food choices that provide a balanced diet to fuel our bodies. We shop in regular grocery stores and teach you how to plan and shop for great food for camping expeditions. The food is delicious, healthy, and there will be plenty of it!
What are things I can do before the to physically prepare myself?
Any reasonably fit and active teenager will be successful on this trip. If you are playing a sport this spring, that will provide you with the preparation you need. At least four weeks before your trip, you should begin to break in your boots. Start out with small walks around your neighborhood and work your way up to three-hour hikes. Your Wind River Mountaineering experience will be significantly more enjoyable if you have a basic level of fitness and well-broken in boots.
What is the difference between the Washington Mountaineering expedition and the Wind River Mountaineering expedition?
Both of these trips are what we consider Leadership expeditions. They are designed for older students seeking a more advanced and challenging experience. The main differences are geography and the type of mountaineering that will be experienced. Both trips operate with a similar schedule; an extended backpacking section followed by the mountaineering section. The Washington expedition learns traditional mountaineering skills on the flanks of Mt. Baker in the North Cascades. This section is characterized by snow and ice climbing using ice axes, crampons and other specialized gear. You will spend many days on glaciers, in rope teams, learning different climbing techniques before a final accent of the mountain. The Wind River expedition is more focused on traditional rock climbing. Our groups travel to the Wind River Range in Wyoming and typically set up a base camp there. Each day involves learning new skills and immediately applying them with a multi-pitch rock climb in the area. Both trips take place in beautiful, remote wilderness areas and offer a great way to learn technical climbing skills and gain leadership experience. We possess our own permits to operate these trips. As a result, we are the only outdoor adventure program which can offer such extended wilderness experiences as these.
