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DB Outreach: Adult Backpacking Trip in Colorado
Metaphysical theme
“Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.” (Psalms 143:8)
Answer the call of the mountains! Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to hike in the beautiful Colorado Rockies. Sleep under the stars without any skyglow. Wake up to an alpine sunrise and breathtaking views. Hold a Christian Science Testimony Meeting at 10,000.’ And enjoy the satisfaction of achieving your outdoor goals with the support of an experienced backcountry guide, supportive staff, and other adult Christian Scientists as well as their friends of all faiths. Our adventure begins at the yurt campus at the A/U Ranches where we will complete a day hike, learn or re-visit our backcountry skills, and prep for the backcountry portion of the trip. Expect tasty meals, lots of laughs, new friends, inspiration, and incredible views. By the end of this adventure, you’ll have reached new heights - inspirationally and literally!
Meet your Backcountry Guide
Rusty Rohde is an avid outdoorsman. He has peaked almost 40 of Colorado’s Fourteeners and spent many days on solo backpacking trips throughout the Rockies as well as led numerous backpacking trips. Rusty has many years of experience training backcountry skills in the Collegiate Peaks of Colorado for the staff at the A/U Ranches. Rusty maintains a Wilderness First Aid certificate. His professional background includes many years as an educator, athletic coach, and program director. Rusty has been a competitive runner most of his life and loves to be outdoors. The mountains are his favorite place to be.
Activities
This trip is rated intermediate level of fitness. On our 3-day wilderness trip, participants will be carrying their own backpacks with weights of 35 to 40 lbs up a gentle slope over a three-five mile distance to our base camp. On the second day, participants will carry a daypack and choose to summit a 14,000-foot peak or hike a gentler trail to an alternate location. In preparation, it is suggested that you walk or hike daily over variable terrain to build your strength and stamina. Also, make sure your hiking boots are broken in. These practices will help to ensure a safe and successful trip. Previous backpacking or hiking experience is helpful, but not required.
Click here for photos from the 2022 trip!
Accommodations
Same gender yurts, 2 nights; Backcountry camping 2 nights (bring your own tent - see packing list for details)
Adult Capacity: 12 - Space is limited!
Registration minimum: 8 participants (must have minimum registered by June 25 for the trip to take place)
Planner Name/Email/Phone Number
Trip Guide/Leader: Rusty Rohde
DB Staff: Katie Stewart, kstewart@discoverybound.org 303-376-7572
What's Included
Professional instruction and guiding; meals as noted on the daily itinerary; group cooking gear; group first-aid kit, water purifying system; permit fees.
Registration
Financial aid is available for registration and air travel
Items Available for Rental
*If additional items are needed, Katie can help you find a third-party rental ahead of the trip*
Weather
Daytime temperatures usually range between 60° and 80° F, with evening temperatures dropping into the 40s and 50s. You may encounter freezing temperatures at some of the higher elevations. Afternoon thunderstorms are a distinct possibility, so adequate rain gear is important.
Payment & Cancellation Policy:
Full payment is due at sign-up (unless applying for registration financial aid - up to $200 per person available)
If you decide to cancel your trip, the following fees apply and are due when we receive notice of your cancellation:
If DiscoveryBound cancels a program/event, you will receive a full refund of the registration fee. (If a participant decides to cancel a registration then the cancellation policy for that specific DiscoveryBound event / program applies.) As you are preparing air travel for these excursions, we encourage you to book flights allowing you the greatest flexibility in case there is a need.
Flying/Driving parameters
Driving (No Airport Shuttle Provided):
If flying, we suggest booking flexible travel plans due to minimum enrollment requirements. If interested, contact DB HQ for possible carpooling options. In addition, contact Katie if you have questions about flight arrival/departure times.
TENTATIVE TRIP ITINERARY
Monday, July 17
Participants arrive by 1:00 pm, and settle into yurts.
1:30 Meet up for introductions, get-to-know-you activities, goal setting, and team building.
2:00 Local hike. Snacks are provided, bring your own water. Test out your boots and day pack.
4:00 Back-country skills in camp
6:00 Dinner and clean-up
7:00 pm Trip info, gear check, food plan, map and route, cook schedule, how to pack, trip agenda.
Personal time
Tuesday, July 18
7:00 am C.S. Lesson/sharing (optional)
8:00 Breakfast, pack a lunch, and clean-up
9:00 Day hike, snacks provided
10:30 Food prep with Mathew and Out-camp if needed
12:00 pm Lunch
1:00 Orienteering lesson
4:00 Personal time and Out-camp prep
5:00 Dinner prep
6:00 Dinner and clean-up
7:00 Back-country skills practice
8:00 pm Pack to leave yurts next day
Wednesday, July 19
7:00 am Lesson/share (optional)
8:00 Breakfast, pack a lunch, clean-up
9:00 Depart yurts via carpool for the trailhead
Hike in to campsite, set up camp
Lunch
Orienteering course
Campfire and back-country skills
Dinner prep, eat, and clean-up
Testimony Meeting around the campfire, next day’s plan.
Thursday, July 20
2 Options for this day
(Option #1)
6:00 am wake-up and lesson study (optional)
7:00 Breakfast and clean-up
8:30 Depart for day hike/adventure
Lunch
Hike back to the campsite
Rest
(Option #2)
4:30-5:00 am Wake up
Gather and depart for an attempted peak of nearby 14-er
Peak breakfast on the trail.
Bring lunch supplies
Return to campsite
Rest
Everyone
Dinner prep, eat, clean-up
Sharing, debrief, next day’s plan
S’mores & hot chocolate
Friday, July 21
6:00 am Wake up
Breakfast and tear down campsite
Debrief
Hike out to trail head
Drive back to A/U Ranches
Lunch at yurts
Showers, packing, depart by 2:00 PM
QUESTIONS? Contact Katie Stewart | DB Outreach Manager - West at kstewart@discoverybound.org or 303-376-7572