Outward Bound USA Home
Middle School
High Sierra – Alpine Backpack & Rock Climb
Unlock new core memories as you make new friends in the mountains! You’ll hike and climb granite peaks and splash in the shimmering blue alpine lakes of the Sierra Nevada.
Scholarships
Open 
California
/Hero 3 XMME-2631 .jpg?w=800)
About This Course
Activity
-
Backpacking -
Rock Climbing
Setting & Location
-
Mountains -
Course Start Location: Fresno Yosemite Airport -
Course End Location: Fresno Yosemite Airport
Session Details
1 session are available for this course
/outcomes.jpg?w=800)
What You'll Learn
On Outward Bound courses designed for middle schoolers, you’ll do exciting things with new friends, build confidence, and discover you’re capable of more than you know! You’ll have fun, work on your willpower and crush right-sized challenges – together.
What You'll Do
This course blends backpacking and rock climbing on world-class granite. Learn basic climbing skills, hike on and off trail, splash in cool alpine lakes, and take in awe-inspiring mountain views for a full adventure in the high country.
/coursearea.jpg?w=800)
Where You'll Be
Hike through the Sierra Nevada—a premier destination with frequent sun, glacially carved valleys, lush meadows, alpine lakes, and starry night skies. An awe-inspiring landscape to explore, reflect, and connect with nature.
/courseactivityweb.png?w=800)
Why It Matters
You belong here! Outward Bound is a unique place to try new things, make friends, and discover your strengths. Building community – and new skills – through adventure is what we’re all about. Find your crew here!
/
Confidence Starts Here
What if you learned how to face obstacles head-on while feeling brave, included, and proud of who you are?
One Week Courses for Middle School
Try exciting things and practice new ways of connecting with your group. You’ll take on challenges, weigh healthy risks and work together with your crew to find success! Are you ready for adventure? Let’s go!
Bravery Meets Belonging
Uncover your own bravery with support from your crew. Meet challenges designed to activate your strengths, develop persistence, and show you what you’re made of—even when things get tough
Skills for Life
You’ll practice key skills like communication, taking initiative, and problem-solving with purpose. You’ll be given space to make choices – and take responsibility for them. Through trial and error, learn how to face obstacles head-on—growing more capable with every step.
Stronger Together
You won’t go it alone—crew is everything. You’ll explore common ground with your crew while also learning how to acknowledge each other’s uniqueness in a group where every voice matters. You will learn how to face challenges as a supportive team, forging strong friendships.
Life on Course
Hike among the towering pines, splash in blue alpine lakes, and rock climb on some of the best granite around with your crew of new friends.
Sierra Nevada courses offer stunning peaks, sunny weather, and world-class granite, making it ideal for backpacking and climbing. As you hike and your skills grow, the crew takes on more responsibility like navigating, setting camp, and supporting one another. Shared challenges, stories, and mountain views make this a fun and unforgettable adventure built on connection and teamwork.
/Course Life 4web.jpg?w=800)
/Course Life web.png?w=800)
/
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 | 1 Course start – meet group/instructors, review gear, camp craft lessons |
| Day 2-3 | Rock section (climbing technique, belaying and rappelling and camp craft lessons) |
| Day 4 | Rappelling |
| Day 5 | Hike to base of alpine peak |
| Day 6 | Alpine peak attempt |
| Day 7 | Solo |
| Day 8 | Finals, hike out |
| Day 9 | Service, personal challenge event, clean gear and de-issue, graduation ceremony |
| Day 10 | Course end and transportation to airport |
/Testimonial Forwardweb.jpg?w=800)
I enjoyed all of the silly moments, inside jokes and the challenges we faced along the way. I think it is a great chance for people to connect with nature. This course has inspired me and many others to care for our beautiful world and make sure it can be enjoyed for generations to come.
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.
Where is the Sierra Nevada? Where am I going?
The Sierra Nevada range is California’s backyard and wonderland of wilderness, waterfalls, lakes and peaks. It’s an enormous range – spanning more than 400 miles from north to south, and 70 miles east to west. Courses take place in the southern and western parts of the Sierra: Emigrant Wilderness, Ansel Adams Wilderness, Yosemite National Park and Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park.
Am I strong enough for this?
Students carry both personal and group gear, which means packs can be heavy. Students need to be physically able to hike with a 40-pound backpack to be successful on this course. If the applicant is under 5 feet tall and/or 85 pounds, please call Outward Bound prior to enrollment.
