Ultimate Colorado photos
Experience the thrills of Colorado’s wild side on this action-packed outdoor adventure which combines high adrenaline climbing and rafting with the growth opportunities of backcountry living.
$3,388.00
Two AAVE CPR and First Aid certified leaders; all ground costs, all ground transportation including airport pickup and drop-off; all camping and camping gear (except sleeping bags, sleep mats and mess kits); all activities and gear listed in the above itinerary; all meals; local gratuities to wait-staff and all hotels or hostels.
Flights to/from Denver, Colorado; optional gratuities, extra snacks and souvenirs.
Our fast-paced trip wastes no time getting started as we surge down Clear Creek’s Class III and IV whitewater rapids, an outstanding way to connect with new friends. Next, we backpack in San Isabel National Forest to learn wilderness camping skills among snow-capped peaks and pristine alpine lakes.
Professional guides teach us rock climbing near Buena Vista, Colorado, covering essential safety techniques such as belaying and rappelling. Climbs are geared towards all ability levels. A second climbing trip is planned with Colorado Mountain School’s world class guides including a 500-foot multi-pitch climb!
Gear up for more heart-pumping whitewater, this time on the world-renowned Arkansas River. This trip combines some of Colorado’s best whitewater with spectacular scenery and riverside camping. The remote Never Summer Wilderness is the backdrop for our last backpack, as we practice and perfect the wilderness skills we learned on our previous trek. A service project will give us a chance to give back to our natural inheritance.
After meeting the leaders and new friends in the Denver International Airport, we head to our campground where the leaders cook dinner and we get some time to hang out and relax. We discuss expectations, talk about and prepare for our upcoming backpack, and get to know each other.
Our adventure starts as we backpack into the Rockies. Pike National Forest is home to alpine terrain, open meadows, breathtaking views, elk, raccoon, fox, and bear. We camp above 12,000 feet, waking refreshed from the night of sleep in the clean mountain air. Climbing even higher, we summit Mt. Silverheels reaching 13,822 feet! An afternoon of well deserved rest, a warm, delicious dinner and another great night sleep leaves us energized for the hike out and the move to our next adventure…
WHITEWATER RAFTING!! We cruise through Class III & IV rapids with our guides as we splash our way down Clear Creek, surge over Nomad and power through the Phoenix Holes rapids on our way past the historic town of Idaho Springs.
Day one of rock climbing adds another exciting component to our summer adventure. After learning how to safely belay each other we put on our helmets, harness up and hit the wall. We work on techniques such as edging, smearing, stemming and hand jams, just to name a few. The next day we work on longer, more challenging climbs and get more comfortable with the sport. Amazing views of the Arkansas River from the top of each of the climbs gives us the opportunity to look for eagles, deer and bighorn sheep. Evening activities include bowling and/or a soak in the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs.
Get ready for more whitewater thrills as we raft the world-class Arkansas River. We shoot through Class III & IV rapids down Brown’s Canyon. Watch out for Zoom Flume, Big Drop, The Staircase and Seidel’s Suckhole rapids!!! We camp on the banks of the river and fall asleep under twinkling stars after a well-deserved dinner feast! We rise early for some more paddling and then head to our next camp.
Prepare for another fantastic backpack! We spend three days soaking up the beauty of the Rockies. Alpine ridges, glaciated granite peaks, and quickly changing weather make every day different and exciting. Our elevation ranges from 8,400 to 13,502 as we trek past lodge-pole and bristlecone pine and timberline-alpine tundra. We practice the Leave No Trace ethics we learned on our first backpack to reduce impact on this pristine wilderness.
We enjoy a night’s rest to recover from our backpack and take a day to relax and enjoy the stunning Rocky Mountain National Park. Elk, deer, moose, bighorn sheep, eagles and hawks abound in the park. Sweeping grassy meadows and trickling streams lay at the base of Long’s Peak, one of Colorado’s most famous at 14,259 feet. During our visit the wildflowers are in full bloom and there are 359 miles of trails to choose from!
Today is our chance to give back to all of the spectacular parks we’ve been enjoying. Whether it’s clearing invasive species, forging a trail or reducing the risk of forest fires, our positive attitude and dedication to a day of hard work make this a rewarding experience for everyone involved.
We continue with three days of rock climbing with Colorado Mountain School, one of the state’s leaders in climbing. Estes Park, the gateway to Rocky Mountain National, is our backdrop for practicing and expanding on techniques such as smearing, jamming, and finger locking. A 500-foot muliti-pitch climb finishes off this exhilarating section, an accomplishment of a lifetime!
We take the time to clean all group and personal gear and equipment, enjoy a nice dinner and enjoy the faces of our new friends at the last meeting
We drive to the airport bright and early, say goodbye and begin planning our next adventures with AAVE for next summer!!
This itinerary is a sample outline of the program highlights. It is not a precise description. Changes made before or during the trip will only be made in the interest of safety or a more successful trip. This diverse itinerary is our framework for a summer of exhilaration and adventure. Get your mind and body set. Activities are planned using years of experience with your highest expectations in mind.