Travel days are generally very long and require great stamina and endurance. Participants must come prepared for a physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding yet equally rewarding experience. Route plans vary depending on weather and activities for the day, and travel days are interspersed with activity days. Outward Bound supplies internal frame packs in which each group member will carry personal gear and a portion of the group gear. Packs weigh about 55 pounds.
Students often choose to redistribute weight according to physical strength.
Miles traveled in a day will vary depending on weather, route plan and activities for the day. Outward Bound requires that groups travel together for safety and peer motivation and form a blend of everyone's backpacking styles and speeds. Weather permitting, your group will attempt a peak ascent, reaching altitudes of 11,000-12,000 feet. Peak ascents generally involve hiking over difficult terrain, a physical challenge magnified by high altitude. Classic alpine ascents require pre-dawn starts and highly motivated groups.