Big Bend Desert Backpacking for Adults
Take on the challenge of backpacking across one of the most remote and geologically interesting wilderness areas in the country and re-energize yourself in the process on this adult course in Big Bend, Texas.
This backpacking expedition centers on the idea that living a balanced, satisfying, exciting life is not a matter of chance, but requires periodic examination and fine-tuning. More than just a scenic wilderness adventure, this is your chance to discuss life with other adults and to reflect on your strengths, passions and purpose in a natural environment that is both challenging and refreshing. Learn technical outdoor skills, enjoy the thrills of adventure and engage in stimulating conversations and lessons in teamwork, perseverance and personal development with a team of expert instructors. Gain the satisfaction that comes from meeting an expedition goal, the growth that comes from learning to work effectively with new peers and the support that comes from sharing in challenging yet nurturing wilderness experiences. Whether you are transitioning within the work force or coping with the demands of an established career or big life change, this expedition will stretch your comfort zone, enhance your leadership style, expand your self-awareness and confidence and help you to examine personal goals.
UPCOMING COURSES
This course is closed for the season.
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This means a course has several open spots and is actively processing applications.
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This means there are three or fewer currently available spots left on a course. To secure your spot click Apply Now to begin an application!
JOIN WAITLIST
Once a course has reached capacity, three waitlist positions become available. To join a course’s waitlist, click “Join Waitlist” to begin the application process. A $500 deposit is required. This $500 deposit includes a $150 non-refundable application fee and a $350 tuition payment. The $350 tuition payment is refundable only if you cancel your waitlist application or if an open position does not become available. If a position does become available, the applicant will be applied to the open position and the Application and Cancellation Policies of the Regional Outward Bound School will be followed, including forfeiture of the $500 deposit if you cancel 90 days or less prior to the course start date.
Waitlist applicants are encouraged to complete all required admissions documents while awaiting an open position. Positions may become available up to two weeks prior to the course start date. Applicants may only apply to one course. We recommend applying to a course with open positions instead of a course that is accepting waitlist applications. If you have questions, please call 866-467-7651 to speak with one of our Admissions Advisors.
CALL TO APPLY
This means a course is very close to its start date. Although it is unlikely to secure a spot this late, you can call the National Admissions office at 866-467-7651 to discuss your options.
COURSE IS FULL
When a course has reached maximum capacity, meaning all spots and the three waitlist spots are occupied, a course will read “Course Is Full.” This means applications are no longer being accepted.
CLOSED
As a course nears its start date, the availability status may read “Closed.” In this event, a course roster has been finalized and applications are no longer being accepted or processed.
This has been a wonderful experience and hearkens back to summer camp and childhood, unlocking memories and filling me with excitement and awe. Having a course with folks over 30 and ranging in age set up an open and varied dialogue that allowed us to support each other. I'll remember the breeze and the feel of the sunshine, as I was escaping the northern winter, and I'll think fondly of the river. I was humbled to see how open and peaceful the border was and how the two instances that we encountered our Mexican neighbors, they were kind and greeted us warmly. I'll think of chucking cow pies on paddles in the river to clear a campsite and how the earth's shadow casted itself upon the moon during the lunar eclipse. I have grown and challenged myself during this course and I am more focused on things I can do to challenge myself in life. I will carry this experience with me as a positive reminder on the lessons of life and the importance of challenging myself.
Explore the Chihuahuan Desert, crossing mountainous terrain and travelling through water-polished canyons. The elevation is varied through this desert but remains mainly between 1,000-2,000 feet above sea level. The small student group will hike both on and off trail, crossing mountain passes, exploring immense canyons and traversing a rugged desert where atmospheric clarity and wide-open spaces make distances deceiving and navigation challenging. While hiking, students will learn desert travel skills, such as strategies for water management and environmental preservation and the finer points of balance and foot placement on rough terrain.
On the scenic cliffs of the Rio Grande, overlooking the mountains of Mexico, is Black Rocks – a beautiful climbing site in Big Bend Ranch State Park. Known mostly to locals, this seldom-visited spot gives participants a unique opportunity in back-country rock climbing. These 30 to 80 foot cliffs offer a variety of beginner and intermediate climbs that provide an ideal introduction to rock climbing.
During climbing days, students learn about general rock climbing equipment, safety and etiquette. Students have many opportunities to climb, belay and rappel while learning and employing safety systems that are compliant with national standards. The rock climbing sites provide a number of different route options including cracks, sheer faces and chimneys. Regardless of a student’s rock climbing background, they are sure to find a route that will encourage them to expand their comfort zone and accomplish their goals.
Service to the environment and to others is one of the core values of Outward Bound. Students are encouraged to practice service to the environment; leaving campsites cleaner than they found them and practicingRecreate Responsibly ethics. Designated service projects are coordinated with land managers, like the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service, to collaborate on land restoration projects. Other projects may be based in the local community. Students develop a value of service, seeing the impact of their actions firsthand, and transfer this desire to serve to their communities back home.
The Solo experience provides an important break from the rigors of the expedition and gives students the opportunity to reflect on their Outward Bound experience. With all the food, skills and supplies they need, students are given a secluded spot to reflect alone, and are monitored by staff throughout the experience to maintain safety. The duration of Solo depends on the course length and type, as well as the competency and preparedness of the student group.
Many students use this reflection time to make decisions about their future, journal and enjoy the beauty of their surroundings unencumbered by the constant external stimulation of modern life. Students find that Solo provokes profound and powerful learning in a short period of time and often becomes one of the most memorable parts of their Outward Bound experience.
Big Bend State and National Parks, Texas
Along the U.S.-Mexico border in southwestern Texas, a powerful river and a mountainous desert unite in Texas’ Big Bend park system. The Texas course area is one of the most remote and geologically interesting in the country. The Rio Grande River carves a huge, sweeping bend where Big Bend National Park earns its name. This 750,000-square mile wilderness is the eighth largest national park in the lower 48 states and a desert backpacking, canoeing and rock climbing paradise. In this region, delicate desert flowers exist alongside fossilized trees millions of years old. Mountain passes give way to steep-walled canyons and cliffs. The land itself is awe-inspiring, with canyons towering 300 to 1,200 feet. It is one of the last true desert regions in North America. Much of this rugged land has remained unchanged for centuries. Hundreds of species of birds and a healthy diversity of other animal and plant communities thrive within the splendid isolation of ancient limestone canyons, juniper and mesquite-covered mesas and coal-black night skies. These regions are the ancestral lands of the Jumanos, Yoli (Concho), Pescado, Mescalero Apache and Chiso nations.
Course Stories
This has been a wonderful experience and hearkens back to summer camp and childhood, unlocking memories and filling me with excitement and awe. Having a course with folks over 30 and ranging in age set up an open and varied dialogue that allowed us to support each other. I'll remember the breeze and the feel of the sunshine, as I was escaping the northern winter, and I'll think fondly of the river. I was humbled to see how open and peaceful the border was and how the two instances that we encountered our Mexican neighbors, they were kind and greeted us warmly. I'll think of chucking cow pies on paddles in the river to clear a campsite and how the earth's shadow casted itself upon the moon during the lunar eclipse. I have grown and challenged myself during this course and I am more focused on things I can do to challenge myself in life. I will carry this experience with me as a positive reminder on the lessons of life and the importance of challenging myself.
What did I learn from my Outward Bound experience? Just because there's an easy way, it doesn't mean it's the one you can or should take. When it doesn't seem like there's a clear path, by pausing and looking again, new paths can appear. You are stronger and more capable than you think you are. If you can't get out of it, get into it. Living purposefully and intentionally allows me to become more fully whole and human. You can't control what others will do or what will happen to them (or to you), all you can do right now, in this very moment, is to be here right now and to enjoy it for what it is.
Every ritual, routine and challenge were exactly what the doctor ordered. I could not dare accomplish this without our instructors. They knew exactly when to step in with support and encouragement. It was if they were in my head and knew what I needed.
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Getting Started
If you are ready to enroll on a course click the enroll button next to the course you wish to select or you can enroll over the phone by speaking with one of our Admissions Advisors (toll-free) at 866-467-7651.
To secure your spot on a course you must submit an enrollment form and $500 deposit that is applied toward the total cost of the course and includes a $150 non-refundable enrollment processing fee.