WO Backpacking

Wilderness Orientation (WO) 2020 is postponed due to COVID-19. We are considering options for offering WO during the 2020-21 school year.

The Backpacking program will spend eight days traveling on foot through California's majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains. There are four different routes, each in the "High Sierra" region south of Yosemite. Much of the time will be spent above timberline in the crisp alpine air between 6,000 and 11,000 feet.

Cost: $700. Includes transportation, all meals beginning with dinner on Day 1, group gear and instructors

Itinerary:

Day 1

12pm Registration begins

12-1pm Snacks, gear checks and informal hellos

Session 2 students: Move dorm and school luggage into our storage facility

2pm Welcome cirle, orientation to the program and group activities

4pm Instructors check students' gear

6pm Hearty dinner provided

Overnight on campus

Day 2 Depart UCSC and drive to the Sierra Nevada Mountains
Days 3-10

Wilderness living: traveling through the mountains, chatting about college, laughing with new friends

Day 10

Hike out of the wilderness and drive back to UCSC

Showers on campus & dinner out

Overnight on campus

Day 11

Closing Circle

10am WO concludes

*Backpacking Session 1: The WO Shuttle departs for the San Jose Airport at 10:30am

*Backpacking Session 2: Students will be able to store their residence luggage on site during the trip. Then our staff will help students drive their belongings to their residence hall on the last day.