Our expedition programs are our most versatile and customizable option. From climbing and backpacking in the Blue Ridge Mountains to adventure and service internationally, we’ve tailored expedition trips to diverse schools, students, and desired outcomes. Our guides have appropriate wilderness medical training and technical certifications, knowledge and understanding of Leave No Trace principles, and above all, a passion and skill-set which allows your group to thrive in the backcountry. We can design expeditions for up to 100+ participants ranging from 2 – 21 days in length.
Embark on a 5-day adventure through rugged backcountry trails, setting up camp each night beneath the stars after full days of hiking and exploring.
Arrive at our basecamp in Black Mountain, NC where we’ll do an orientation and pack our gear. We’ll teach everyone how to pack a backpack and make sure they bring all the right things, and leave the other stuff behind. Next, we’ll shuttle to the trailhead and enjoy a short first day of hiking before setting up camp and learning the foundational skills of campsite selection and set-up. Once dinner is complete, we’ll begin our nightly ritual of debriefing the day’s key moments and takeaways.
During our first full-day of backpacking, we’ll get an early start on the trail. Hiking 6-8 miles will allow us to learn about navigation and how to travel as a group, and along the way we’ll take in some gorgeous vistas as we approach our next campsite.
After breaking camp, we’ll hike to our destination for the morning – a climbing crag right along the trail. Over the next several hours, we’ll climb and rappel at one of NC’s many natural outdoor climbing areas. We’ll teach everyone how to climb and belay safely, and learn the intricacies of climbing on famous North Carolina slab. After lunch, we’ll finish our hike to our next campsite.
Today will be a big day of hiking, but the payout will be worth it as we gain the ridge and enjoy incredible vistas along the way. By now, everyone is well acquainted with camp chores and details, and setting up camp and cooking dinner is a breeze.
After one last meal in the backcountry, we’ll complete the short hike back to the van before returning to basecamp. We’ll clean and deissue gear, have a celebration meal together, and of course, have a final conversation to make sure each student thinks critically about what they learned and how they’ll apply that learning to their everyday lives.
Arrive in Costa Rica. Meet your guides, pack, orientation, and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime!
After an early morning departure, we begin our hike into the rainforest. Hiking is approximately 4 hours. We arrive at Piedras Blancas where a homemade, delicious Costa Rican meal will be served. Relax and enjoy the surrounding rainforest, get to know the local residents, and explore the river that passes through the village. Enjoy another home cooked meal and get a great night of sleep in the rainforest at our first homestay!
Wake up for a gallo pinto breakfast (Costa Rican breakfast) and collect sugarcane to make some homemade sugar. Begin the process of sugar production from sugarcane using a traditional ‘trapiche.’ While the sugar is being processed, we’ll do a waterfall rappel. After rappelling, we’ll make our way back to check on the sugar being processed and have the chance to taste our very own homemade sugar. The afternoon will be spent working on construction of the new community center. This will involve construction, organization of materials, and manual labor. We’ll work alongside the local residents to help move this project forward and make this project a success for everyone involved.
After another amazing breakfast, we’ll spend the morning wrapping up our work on the community center. We’ll eat lunch and then begin a short hike to Las Fonsecas, our next homestay, where we’ll participate in processing and making chocolate from cacao. And of course, we’ll have to ensure quality standards are being met through enjoying some of the fruits of our labor! There may even be time for a traditional sauna or tree climb before dinner.
Wake up to the sounds of the Rio Savegre right beneath us and hike 2 ½ hours to Brujo to begin our rafting trip on the Rio Savegre (one of the cleanest rivers in the Americas). This river features class 2 and 3 rapids and beautiful views of the rainforest and waterfalls. We’ll eat lunch alongside the river as we make our way down 12 miles of river. Depending on timing and energy, enjoy an afternoon surf session to wrap up our adventure before our final dinner together, a sweet time where we can celebrate and reflect on the learning from the past week.
Visit a local market for souvenirs on our way to the airport before returning home.
