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Young Adults
High Sierra – Pathfinder – Backpack & Rock Climb
Spend 30 days navigating granite peaks, alpine lakes, and starlit camps in California’s High Sierra where you’ll build real-world skills, deepen confidence, and clarity for whatever comes next.
Scholarships
Savings Plan
Almost Full 
California
About This Course
Activity
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Backpacking -
Rock Climbing
Setting & Location
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Mountains -
Course Start Location: Fresno Yosemite Airport -
Course End Location: Fresno Yosemite Airport
Students Can Earn
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College Credit
Session Details
1 session are available for this course
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
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.
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.
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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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.
Life on Course
Sleep under countless stars and build lasting friendships on this unforgettable 30-day journey. You’ll gain clarity, confidence, and a direction that’s truly your own.
Wake up with the sun, cook breakfast with your crew, then pack up camp to hike for the day. You might take a dip in an alpine lake after a lesson on risk management. Each day, group roles rotate, like navigator and chef. At your new campsite, you’ll cook dinner by the fire, then gather for an evening meeting to reflect on highs, lows, and lessons learned. Whether you’re belaying a friend, or gazing quietly at the Milky Way, you’ll grow in lasting ways—with real skills, a new community, and a clearer sense of who you are and where you’re headed.
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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.
30-Day Course
| Day 1 | Course start: Meet your crew, instructors, and prep for the field. |
| Day 2-8 | Backpacking: Learn navigation, camp setup, cooking, and teamwork. |
| Day 9 | Resupply & service: Restock gear and complete a service project. Transition to climbing. |
| Day 10-15 | Rock climbing: Learn to belay, rappel, build anchors, and climb granite walls. |
| Day 16 | Backcountry resupply & service. |
| Day 17-22 | Backpacking, peak attempt, and solo reflection time. |
| Day 23 | Final resupply |
| Day 24-27 | Student-led expedition: Take charge of navigation and daily decisions. |
| Day 28 | Personal Challenge Event and service project. |
| Day 29 | Return gear, graduation, and mentor calls. |
| Day 30 | Course end and travel home. |
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 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.
