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Adults
Joshua Tree – Rock Climb Basecamp
Leave heavy backpacks behind and focus on rock climbing as you scale Joshua Tree’s world class granite and gain climbing skills you can take home.
Scholarships
Open 
California
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About This Course
Activity
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Rock Climbing
Setting & Location
- Desert
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Course Start Location: Palm Springs Airport -
Course End Location: Palm Springs Airport
Session Details
1 session are available for this course
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What You'll Learn
There’s so much to discover in the silence between footsteps; the quiet between paddle strokes; the space between stars. Circle up with your crew and recapture the joy of trying something new – whether that’s an activity, a location, or a perspective.
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What You'll Do
Leave heavy packs behind and camp in one spot while focusing on building your rock climbing skills. Enjoy short day hikes to different climbing locations, giving you time to improve technique and explore varied terrain without the weight of backpacking.
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Where You'll Be
Joshua Tree’s rugged canyons, unique plants, and surreal rock formations create a one-of-a-kind desert landscape. As an International Dark Sky Park, enjoy incredible stargazing while exploring remote backcountry areas rarely visited by others.
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Why It Matters
So often, we find ourselves moving at the pace of the world around us. Reconnect with the world within you and rediscover your strengths, what inspires you, and set some new goals. Outward Bound courses for adults are an investment in yourself: a time to reset your bearings and look ahead with fresh perspective.
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Connection.
Disconnect to reconnect – with your environment, your crew, and yourself. Return home with a renewed sense of possibility.
Leave your comfort zone.
With a supportive crew, you’ll meet challenges that help you unlock confidence, curiosity, and energy to thrive with purpose.
Get ready for growth.
Meeting new people and trying new things together builds confidence and community. At any experience level, everyone has the opportunity to discover something new.
Life on Course
Learn to climb real rock in Joshua Tree! Build skills in gear, anchors, and rappelling while bonding, recharging, and maximizing time outdoors.
Whether you’re entirely new to climbing, or have climbed at the gym and are ready to test your skills on real rock in the outdoors, this course focused on building skills is right for you! You’ll learn about gear, anchor systems, top rope, self rescue and rappelling while bonding with your crew and making time to disconnect and recharge in the beautiful natural setting of Joshua Tree National Park. With one camping spot, you’ll be able to maximize your time climbing and building your skills!
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Sample Itinerary
Here’s an example of what your course itinerary might look like. The actual plan will depend on permits, weather, group skills, and instructor evaluation.
Swipe on table below to view more.
5-Day Course
| Day 1 | Course start, lessons on top-rope belaying, introductory lessons in "camp craft" |
| Day 2 | Climbing |
| Day 3 | Climbing and rock scrambling |
| Day 4 | Climbing or rock scrambling, de-issue, graduation |
| Day 5 | Depart for Airport |
FAQs
Do I need any prior backpacking or climbing experience?
No experience is necessary. Instructors will teach you everything you need to know—from setting up camp to reading maps to climbing safely. Just come ready to learn and be challenged.
What kind of gear will I need to bring?
We provide most technical gear, including backpacks, sleeping bags, and climbing equipment. You’ll bring your own clothing and personal items. A detailed packing list is sent after enrollment.
At what altitude does the course take place? (Joshua Tree)
Joshua Tree is a lower elevation course area for OBCA. The highest peaks are just under 6,000 feet, making this a great destination for anyone with altitude concerns.
If there’s no water source in Joshua Tree, how do I stay hydrated?
Travel in the desert takes careful planning to ensure an ample water supply. Logistics staff place water and food caches around the park to enable extended backcountry travel in this unique wilderness.
What will the weather be like in Joshua Tree?
The Mojave Desert’s sunny fall, winter and spring weather is perfect for a week on the trail or basecamping below the next climb. Temperatures can vary, averaging 50-70 degrees during the day to a cool 30 or lower at night. Weather in the park is generally dry and rainfall is sparse, though unpredictable, and sometimes windy conditions or thunderstorms do occur. Rare winter snow is possible and it is a unique experience to see this commonly dry environment blanketed in white.
I’m between 26-29 years old, what course is for me?
If you’re in this age range, you’ve got a couple of paths to choose from. You may be eligible for a 30+ course, or you may find that an 18-25 course feels like the better fit. The best way to sort it out is to chat or call our Customer Success Team – they’ll talk through your goals and help you figure out which course makes the most sense for you.
