Wild Coast Discovery photos
This introductory adventure amidst the idyllic San Juan Islands and the Cascade Mountains of the Pacific Northwest is a classic multi-sport adventure designed specifically for younger teens.
$3,488.00
Two CPR and First Aid certified AAVE 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.
Flights to/from Seattle, Washington; optional gratuities, extra snacks and souvenirs.
The goal is fun and success for all as our adventure begins in Olympic National Park with an exhilarating backpack to Lena Lake. Our next stop is the San Juan Islands where we enjoy sea kayaking and biking amidst cool towns, unique ecology, diverse marine life and pristine beaches. While on the Islands we participate in a service project with Moran State Park to help restore impacted areas.
Heading south into Oregon, we travel to Mt Hood to enjoy two days of glacier skiing or snowboarding. Those without skiing or snowboarding experience enjoy horseback riding instead. In North Bend, two fun-filled days of rock climbing teach us how to rappel and top-rope climb.
Finally, we explore the stunning Northern Cascades on a backpack exploration. The glacial features of this landscape are dazzling. We spend our last days together trekking across wildflower meadows as snowfields glisten on the high peaks above us. This is our highest rated backpack!
You will be met upon arrival at the Seattle airport by your experienced AAVE expedition leaders. After a complete gear check to assure that you are prepared for the diverse regions we explore, we load up our custom vehicles and head off to Lena Lake campground. During orientation we get to know each other and learn what to expect in the days ahead. Our daily routine, jobs and safety rules are explained, and the process of growing together as a group begins.
Our first adventure is a short intro to backpacking. We camp at Lena Lake in the Olympic National Forest. This beautiful and remote area is the perfect region for an introductory wilderness experience. We practice “Leave No Trace” camping skills, including camp stove cooking, topographic map interpretation, and proper campsite selection. Our pace is be moderate enough to assure success and fun for the whole group.
Today we take the ferry to Lopez Island, part of the San Juan Islands, in preparation for our sea kayaking adventure tomorrow.
Elakah! Kayaking guides take us on a tour of the San Juan Islands today. Almost 700 islands and reefs make up the San Juans with 176 islands large enough to be named. In some places the ocean gliding beneath our kayaks plunges to 1,000-feet! This environment provides ample opportunities to view Northwestern wildlife, including porpoises, harbor seals, orca whales, sea lions, bald eagles and hawks!
We continue our explorations with an awesome two-day cycling adventure on the San Juan Islands! Inter-island ferries transport us between Lopez and Orcas Islands where we pedal past quaint villages and Pacific beaches. Our toughest ride is up Mt. Constitution, 2,409 feet! We ride touring bikes, wear helmets at all times and are accompanied by a support vehicle throughout our trip. The biking is challenging, but rewarding, and the scenery is gorgeous!
Today we get an opportunity to give back to the gorgeous wilderness areas we’ve been enjoying with an environmental service project at Moran State Park. Our commitment to a day of hard work and a positive attitude make this a worth-while service project for all involved!
We travel to Oregon to the awesome skiing at the legendary Mt. Hood, nestled in the heart of the Northern Cascade Mountains. We are sure to get a good night sleep for the skiing and snowboarding adventure that begins tomorrow.
We hit the slopes to ski or ride at the famous Timberline resort at Mt Hood. This is for intermediate abilities only, not beginners. An exciting day of horseback riding around the area is planned for those who won’t be skiing.
Back in Washington, we head to North Bend where we participate in our rock climbing school. North Bend is known for it’s breathtaking scenery, and we scale the cliffs surrounded by beautiful mountains. Climbs are geared towards participants of all ability levels so that success is guaranteed for all!
The North Cascades are the setting for the ultimate backpacking trip. Our route in the Wenatchee Wilderness takes us to Buck Creek Pass, Spider Meadow, Cloudy Pass, Lyman Basin and Pass-No-Pass. The glacial features of this landscape are dazzling to the eye. A patchwork of sparkling white snowfields covers the high peaks and July sunshine warms the grassy meadows in the valleys below. This trip gives us a chance to demonstrate the outdoor skills we’ve learned and to savor a few more days in the wilderness together.
All great things must come to an end. Our last night together we clean our gear and celebrate our successes! We share our memories and challenges and say our good-byes. Early on the last day we go to the airport in Seattle, confident, tan and strong after the most incredible summer of adventure, fun and friends.
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.