CB32 Program Banner

High School

Yosemite – Alpine Backpack

Backpack through towering trees in Yosemite, swim in alpine lakes, and sleep under countless stars as you make new friends and new memories.

Scholarships

Learn about scholarship opportunities.

Savings Plan

Use a 529 College Savings Plan.

Schedule a Call
See Available Dates & Apply

California

The image shows a group of people hiking through a forest. They are crossing a shallow stream, with some using rocks to step on. The forest is dense with tall trees and green foliage. The sunlight filters through the trees, creating a dappled effect on the ground and water. The hikers are wearing backpacks, suggesting they are on a multi-day trip.
The image shows a group of people resting on a rocky outcrop, possibly during a hike. They are surrounded by a mountainous landscape with patches of snow. The sky is clear and blue, suggesting a sunny day. The terrain appears rugged and natural, with trees and exposed rock formations.
A group of people stands atop a rocky mountain peak on a clear, sunny day. The landscape features snow-capped mountains in the distance, interspersed with patches of trees and a body of water. The foreground is dominated by large, light-colored boulders and sparse vegetation, contrasting with the vast, open sky above.
CB20 Course Overview

About This Course

Activity

  • The image shows a blue outline of a hiking backpack against a black background. The backpack is fully packed, with a sleeping bag or similar item strapped to the top. It has multiple compartments and straps, suggesting it's designed for carrying a substantial amount of gear. The style is simple and graphic, resembling an icon or a line drawing. Backpacking

Setting & Location

  • The image shows a simple, cartoon-style drawing of two mountains. The mountains are depicted with triangular shapes and jagged peaks, suggesting a rugged terrain. Dashed lines adorn the sides of the mountains, possibly representing snow or rocky textures. The drawing is done in a single color, giving it a minimalist and somewhat childlike appearance. The overall impression is one of a basic, almost iconic representation of mountains. Mountains
  • airplane Course Start Location: Fresno Yosemite Airport
  • airplane Course End Location: Fresno Yosemite Airport

Students Can Earn

  • College Credit

Session Details

1 session are available for this course

Chat with the Customer Success Team
A person wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, a black baseball cap, and a large backpack is standing in a forest. They are holding trekking poles and making a peace sign with their left hand. The background includes trees, green grass, and a body of water in the distance. The sky is blue and clear.

What You’ll Learn

On Outward Bound courses for older high-schoolers, students do exciting things with new friends, focusing on having an unforgettable adventure. You’ll refine skills like teamwork, leadership, and navigation that expand beyond your time on course. Try new things, remember what you’re made of, and return revitalized and ready for what’s next.

A woman is hiking in a forest. She is wearing a large backpack and using a hiking stick. The forest is dense with trees, and the ground is rocky. The sky is blue and clear.

What You'll Do

Alpine backpacking courses travel off established trails across talus, boulder fields, and sometimes snow. Peaks climbed don’t require ropes but may need hands for balance. Expect creek crossings without bridges, adding to the adventure and challenge.

The image shows a mountain landscape with tall pine trees in the foreground. The trees are lush and green, contrasting with the rocky terrain and patches of snow on the mountain in the background. The sky is clear and blue, suggesting a sunny day. The scene evokes a sense of wilderness and natural beauty.

Where You'll Be

Yosemite is known for dramatic peaks and granite domes. Avoiding the crowds of the valley, your crew will journey through peaceful meadows and towering trees in treasured backcountry areas, seen by very few.

A woman sits on a rock by a stream in a forest. The stream is surrounded by rocks and trees. The woman is wearing a white shirt and dark pants. She is looking at the stream. The forest is dense and green. The sun is shining through the trees.

Why It Matters

Outward Bound courses are a great way to disrupt your routine, connect with new people and activities, and gain clarity about who you are and what you want to do next. Navigating challenges with a supportive crew gives you space to explore your strengths, recognize your contributions, and celebrate your wins.

/

CB11 Scrolling Bullets

Ready For Anything

What if you learned how to develop strong communities with peers while confidently forging your own sense of self?

Educational Approach

One Week Courses for Ages 16-18

Try exciting things and practice new ways of being in a connected group. You and your crew will value each other’s unique gifts as you together and find success! This is a space to ask, “who am I?” and to learn the answer through an unforgettable adventure.

Us. But Better.

You and your crew will learn how to support each other’s success, boldly tackling challenges and persevering together through epic adventures! Our skilled instructors protect the time and space your need to both recognize your strengths and consider the strengths of others.

Prepare to Launch!

Whether you’re getting ready for a big life transition or you have another year or two before you turn the page into a new chapter, you will leave your Outward Bound course having practiced important life skills to help you be successful in both this adventure and the next!

Reflective Relationship Building

This is an opportunity for you and your crew to focus on being thoughtful about your actions, words, and the impact of each on other people. You’ll work together and on your own to practice new reflection skills that’ll help you make sense of the world and build dynamic relationships within your active crew, and beyond.

CB31 Media Gallery

Life on Course

Explore alpine wilderness, build confidence, learn outdoor skills, and make lifelong friends in a fun, supportive, and empowering crew experience.

At Outward Bound, your crew is a vital part of your journey. On this backpacking course, you’ll explore stunning alpine wilderness and learn real outdoor skills like cooking, navigation, and backcountry travel. Along the way, you will build confidence, grow as a leader, and make lifelong friends. With supportive instructors and a focus on fun, challenge, and community, this course offers teens a safe space to be themselves, push their limits, and discover what they’re capable of.

Two people are sitting on a rock, embracing each other. They appear to be in a mountainous or forest area, surrounded by trees and large rocks. The person on the left is wearing a light-colored shirt, while the person on the right is wearing a dark-colored shirt. They are sitting close together, with their arms around each other, suggesting a close relationship or moment of comfort and connection in a natural setting.
The image shows three people inside a green tent. One person is holding up a peace sign and appears to be taking a selfie with the other two. The lighting is bright green, giving the scene an otherworldly feel. A container is visible in the upper left corner.
A woman with sunglasses and a large backpack is hiking in a forest. She is holding hiking poles and smiling at the camera. The forest is dense with tall trees and there are rocks and foliage on the ground. The sky is visible in the background.
Two women wearing climbing helmets and sunglasses pose for a photo on a rocky mountaintop. They are both making peace signs with their hands. The sky is blue and clear, and there are mountains in the background. The women appear to be enjoying their time outdoors.

/

CB39 Table Feature

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.

10-Day Course

+ -
Day 1 Course start, duffel shuffle, gear selection and packing backpacks
Day 2-4 Training expedition (introductory lessons to backpacking, camp craft, navigation)
Day 5-7 Main expedition, Solo
Day 8 Final expedition: focus on team leadership
Day 9 Personal challenge event, clean and de-issue gear, graduation ceremony
Day 10 Course end and transportation to the airport
CB27 Pull Quotes
A group of about a dozen people are posing for a photo on a rocky hilltop. They are surrounded by a mountainous landscape with sparse vegetation. Most of the people are wearing backpacks, suggesting they are hiking or backpacking. The sky is clear and blue, indicating a sunny day. One person is lying down in the foreground, adding a casual element to the group portrait.

This course showed me that I am capable of so much more than I thought. I now know that I can be a better person than I thought I could be. I loved this course and am coming back.

Joseph

Student

CB17 FAQs

FAQs

What will the weather be like in the mountains?

+ -

Summer in the Sierra is mostly sunny, with occasional rain and cold evenings. Snowfall is unlikely, though June courses may traverse atop lingering winter and spring snow. Summer temperature tends towards the 70s to 80s during the day, dipping into the 30s to 50s in the evening and night.

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 is the solo experience like?

+ -

Solo is a chance to rest, reflect, and recharge on your own in a designated area near your group. You’ll have shelter, food, water, and support nearby. It’s not about isolation—it’s about insight.

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.

What kind of food will we eat?

+ -

While on course you will be eating nutritious and portable food—grains, pasta, cheese, vegetables, fruit and nuts—designed to meet high-energy demands for your program. Typical meals include burritos, macaroni and cheese, and peanut butter and jelly. The diet may differ from what you are accustomed to at home. To prepare, we suggest you cut down on soft drinks, coffee and junk food.

Going to Yosemite - will we see the famous sights?

+ -

Yosemite National Park receives 4 million visitors every year, yet this course will take place in treasured areas away from the crowds in order to slow down the pace of life and welcome adventure in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. While you will not be in the famous valley, you’ll get to see beautiful sights that fewer visitors ever get to experience.

THERE'S A BREAKTHROUGH OUT HERE. THERE'S A BREAKTHROUGH OUT HERE. THERE'S A BREAKTHROUGH OUT HERE. THERE'S A BREAKTHROUGH OUT HERE.
Back to Top

Sign Up for Updates from Outward Bound

+ -