Colorado / Utah
- What is the best part of this adventure?
- Do I need to know how to rock climb before I go on this trip?
- What is the backpacking section like?
- What is the weather like in Colorado and Utah?
- Will I be able to send and receive mail while on the trip?
What is the best part of this adventure?
Students on this trip always comment on the vast difference between what Colorado & Utah have to offer. On this trip you will explore the beautiful Rocky Mountains near Denver and Telluride and then contrast that against the gorgeous red rock country of Moab Utah and Cataract Canyon. It is an incredible array of scenery packed into just three short weeks. For many students, the five days of white water paddling down the Colorado River is the highlight, while for others it is the day of canyoneering through Utah’s slot canyons.
Do I need to know how to rock climb before I go on this trip?
Absolutely not! In fact, most of the students who go on this adventure will not have climbed before. The two day climbing school we will have in Rocky Mountain National Park will teach you the basic skills necessary for climbing, and we’ll get you up on a series of climbs before you leave. If you have climbed before, we can help you build on your skills by choosing more challenging routes.
What is the backpacking section like?
We will be backpacking in the Bridal Veil Wilderness of Telluride. The Colorado mountains are gorgeous in the summer and the vistas are incredible. You’ll be walking amidst colorful aspen trees and camping beside beautiful mountain lakes. Through the course of this section your leaders will teach you everything you need to know in order to live in the backcountry. You could not find a more appropriate place to have your first experience backpacking than in the world famous Rockies.
What is the weather like in Colorado and Utah?
In Colorado, during the day, the sun will shine brightly as we hike and climb. Usually not rising over the 80s, the dry air is perfect for being outside. In the afternoon, like clockwork, clouds will start to build and you’ll get an occasional afternoon shower. Once the sun sets you will want to throw on a fleece jacket as the temperature drops down into the 50s, especially at high altitudes such as in Telluride. Utah will be warmer than Colorado, with temperatures into the high 90s. We will stay in the shade as we canyoneer through the narrow slot canyons and explore Arches National Park. During your five days paddling through Cataract Canyon, you can cool down at any point by going for a swim as we splash our way through the Colorado’s rapids.
Will I be able to send and receive mail while on the trip?
Yes. We will make regular stops throughout our stay in order to pick-up and send mail. Upon signing up for this adventure we will provide you with an address that parents and friends can send mail or packages to. If you are going to be receiving mail, be sure to have friends and family check with their postmaster in order to be sure it will arrive before our departure date.