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Young Adults

Rockies to Canyons – Pathfinder - Backpack and Rock Climb

Among inspiring peaks and red rock canyons, reflect, lead with purpose, and return home with clarity and direction.

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Colorado Rockies

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
  • The image shows a stylized, dark blue illustration against a black background. The main elements are a mountain range and a saguaro cactus. The mountains are depicted with jagged peaks and ridgelines, while the saguaro stands tall and iconic in the foreground. The style is reminiscent of a simple, possibly vectorized design, with a limited color palette, emphasizing the contrast between the dark blue and the black backdrop. Canyoneering
  • The image shows a stylized, blue drawing of a foot and ankle, possibly representing a ballet dancer's foot in a pointe shoe. The foot is positioned vertically, with the toes pointing downwards. The drawing has a simple, almost cartoonish style, with thick lines outlining the shape of the foot and shoe. The background is black, which makes the blue drawing stand out. The image could be used to represent dance, movement, or elegance. Rock Climbing

Setting & Location

  • Desert
  • The image shows a simple, hand-drawn style illustration of three evergreen trees, possibly pine or fir trees. They are depicted in a solid blue color against a white background. The trees are stylized with jagged edges to represent the needles and branches, giving them a whimsical and slightly abstract appearance. The trunks are simple vertical lines. Forest
  • 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: Denver
  • airplane Course End Location: Denver

Students Can Earn

  • College Credit

Session Details

1 session are available for this course

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What You'll Learn

Welcome to Pathfinder; here’s your reset button. As in the field, so in life: challenge yourself to dream big, then identify your steps to get there and start moving. We’ll put the map in your hands. You chart your path.

What You'll Do

Climb rock walls and reach awe-inspiring summits in the Colorado Rockies. Then journey to the desert where you’ll scramble and backpack through Utah’s red rock canyon country. Every step of the way, you’ll learn about yourself, connect with your crew, and chart your path forward in life.

Where You'll Be

From sparkling blue alpine lakes to towering sandstone cliffs, experience striking and diverse wonders of the mountains and canyons of the American Southwest. Every day you’ll travel somewhere magnificent and sleep under starry skies.

Why It Matters

Sometimes you need to disrupt your routine to find your path to success. Discover your unique strengths while navigating new landscapes and new relationships. Communication skills and teamwork provide lessons that reach far beyond your Outward Bound course, and time away offers clarity for what you want to do next.

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Pathfinder Expeditions

What if this is where your path unfolds?

Educational Approach

A balanced experience.

This course balances adventure with time to reflect, skill building with setting goals for what’s ahead. You have so much potential; we’ll help you uncover it!

A new chapter.

We get it, launching into a new life stage can be exciting, confusing, fun, and a little scary at times. And we know you have a lot of options to help you navigate that; join us for the backcountry option: grab a map and compass and navigate stunning landscapes, new connections, and the awesome realization that there is more in you than you know.

An experience just for you.

Pathfinder expeditions meet you where you are to focus on increasing self-knowledge, strengthening decision-making skills and processes, and setting goals – all life skills to help you chart a path forward with passion and confidence.

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Life on Course

You’ll cook, camp, and travel together through unforgettable and diverse landscapes. Each day you’ll learn something new. Navigate red rock canyons in the desert and climb inspiring rock walls in the Rockies. Embrace the time to be disconnected from technology while connecting with the natural world, others, and yourself. Along the way, you’ll reflect on your goals, sharpen your leadership, and return with a clearer sense of self and purpose.

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Sample Itinerary

Wake up with the sunrise, chart your path with your crew, pause frequently to take in the beauty of your outdoor classroom. You’ll reflect, connect, and find clarity.

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.

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30-Day Course

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Day 1 Course Start: Introduction to course life, gear, and safety. Finish packing bags and preparing for course.
Day 2-5 Rock Climbing: Learn to rock climb outdoors. Develop skills in rope climbing, belaying, gear management, and route-finding. Enjoy the views of the mountains from above the treetops.
Day 6-13 Alpine Backpacking: Learn to camp and hike in the high alpine. Develop skills in navigation, camp craft, and Leave No Trace. Weather permitting, you’ll get the chance to attempt to summit a mountain with your crewmates.
Day 14-15 Drive to Moab, Utah.
Day 16-17 Service: Engage with and support a local community organization through volunteer work.
Day 18-25 Canyoneering & Backpacking: Expand your backpacking skills by traveling through technical desert canyons. You’ll learn to scramble across slickrock and work together to chart your path.
Day 27-29 Solo & Final Challenge: Embark on a final group challenge to test your skills in teamwork, leadership and outdoor adventure. You’ll also have the chance for a Solo experience, quiet time spent relaxing on your own, with Instructors nearby for support.
Day 30 Departure home
CB27 Pull Quotes

I have been more positive than I’ve ever been, and I truly love the person that I am out here. This experience changed my life and view of how I want to live for the rest of my life.

COBS Pathfinder Alum

This experience has changed my life forever in so many ways. I learned what I want out of life & the kind of relationships I want to have. I’ve learned how to be a leader & how to stand up for myself! I’ve learned how strong I am & that I can do anything I put my mind to! Outward Bound was the best decision of my life!

COBS Pathfinder Alum

CB17 FAQs

FAQs

How are Pathfinder courses different from other Outward Bound courses?

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Pathfinder expeditions focus on increasing self-knowledge, strengthening decision-making skills, and setting goals – all life skills to help you chart a path forward with passion and confidence. We get it, launching into a new life stage can be exciting, confusing and a little scary at times. Our Instructors and our outdoor classroom help you broaden your perspective, discover your strengths, and focus on your next steps. What you do next is up to you, and we’ll help you recognize what’s possible.

Can I Earn College Credit From this Course?

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Yes! You can earn academic credit by enrolling through Western Colorado University (WCU) as part of your application process. You can also use your 529 College Savings Plan or AmeriCorps Education Award to pay for your Outward Bound experience. You do not need to be a current WCU student—anyone can register. To learn more, please visit our Scholarship & Credit Page.

Do I need to have experience rock climbing?

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Nope! We’ll teach you everything you need to know, from how to wear your climbing harness to how to tie a belay knot. Our Instructors will also be able to provide some expert tips for navigating the rock wall.

THERE'S A BREAKTHROUGH OUT HERE. THERE'S A BREAKTHROUGH OUT HERE. THERE'S A BREAKTHROUGH OUT HERE. THERE'S A BREAKTHROUGH OUT HERE.
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