Wilderness Based Orientation

Course Description

On this exciting trip, you will paddle 44 miles on the Green River through Lodore Canyon, Whirlpool Canyon, and Split Mountain Canyon. Throughout the trip, expect to encounter 20 rapids up to class III. Other highlights include hiking and exploring geologic wonders while camping under starry skies under towering sandstone walls—an adventure to remember for your entire college career. Professional guides, food, and all equipment will be provided. This course is capped at 20 participants.

Registration opens June 10, 2025. Water, whitewater rapids, hiking, and camping will be at 10 a.m. MST.

Course Itinerary

*This course begins a day before the other WBO programs, on August 14. Participants will be able to move into the dorms on August 13.* This course starts by heading to Dinosaur National Monument for a day of camping before the journey downriver begins. The next day will be spent organizing equipment and getting on the water to begin the four-day adventure. Along the way there will be flatwater, whitewater rapids, hiking, camping and more. Four days later, the river emerges from Split Mountain Canyon. We will then break all the gear down and return to Gunnison on the afternoon of August 19, in time for regular Orientation. This trip lasts one day longer than other WBO trips due to transportation time. This trip is capped at 20 participants!

To register, students must create an account using their personal email and a unique password through Fusion when registration opens on June 10, 2025, at 10 a.m. MST.

IMPORTANT TRIP MATERIALS

All materials below, except the packing list, must be completed before WBO and brought to the trip physically. In addition, participants must complete the Adrift Passenger Profile, which can be accessed here.

• Adrift waiver
• Required equipment list
• Suggested workout for whitewater rafting

Course Description

Take part in one of the most popular sports at Western: rock climbing. This course caters to beginning and intermediate climbers. Your trained instructors will take you through the basics of climbing equipment and techniques to help you develop your skills. Experience the beauty of the Gunnison Valley firsthand, all while having fun and building new friendships! This is a front-country trip—we camp in primitive, developed campsites near roads and climbing sites.

Registration opens June 10, 2025, at 10 a.m. MST.

Course Itinerary

The Gunnison area contains various climbing opportunities, from the clean granite of Taylor Canyon, climbing in the vast Hartman’s Rock area to world-class bouldering in Crested Butte. This course will provide instruction in basic belay technique and use of climbing equipment. We will travel around the local crags to camp and climb on the easily approachable rocks in the Gunnison area. We will top-rope routes of all difficulties, from beginner to advanced. Nights will be spent around the campfire in a front-country campground. This course is capped at ten participants.

To register, students must create an account using their personal email and a unique password through Fusion when registration opens on June 10, 2025, at 10 a.m. MST.

IMPORTANT TRIP MATERIALS

• Course description and required equipment list
• Suggested workout for rock climbing

Course Description

Enjoy a sample of what the Gunnison Valley offers with this multi-sport adventure. This course will include team building on high ropes, hiking through majestic alpine vistas, and stand-up paddleboarding on an alpine lake. Depending on group interest and experience, trying rock climbing in Taylor Canyon or Hartman Rocks, mountain biking our classic trails, or rafting on the stunning Gunnison River is possible. No technical experience is required. This course is capped at 12 participants.

Registration opens June 10, 2025, at 10 a.m. MST.

Course Itinerary

This is a front-country course with car camping in established, primitive campgrounds. Your nights will be spent around the campfire, getting to know each other and what it takes to succeed at Western.

To register, students must create an account using their personal email and a unique password through Fusion when registration opens on June 10, 2025, at 10 a.m. MST.

IMPORTANT TRIP MATERIALS

All materials below, except the packing list, must be completed before WBO and brought to the trip physically.

• Adaptive Sports Center summer registration form
• Adaptive Sports Center media release form
• Adaptive Sports Center waiver and release of liability agreement
• Required equipment list
• Suggested workout for multi-sport adventure

Course Description

The Gunnison Valley is an ideal place for an introduction to mountaineering. This trip will teach you the essentials for a successful mountaineering trip, including trip planning, navigation, backpacking, and alpine climbing. This fast-paced and rewarding course requires a large backpack at high altitudes (12,000 feet-plus). Expect to be physically challenged, learn new skills, and build an effective team. This is a backcountry trip with camping in unestablished sites at high altitudes.

Registration opens June 10, 2025, at 10 a.m. MST.

Course Itinerary

You will learn how to properly pack your backpack, climb the alpine, and set up a proper alpine campsite, keeping LNT (Leave No Trace) principles in mind. From there, you will head into the backcountry and spend four days climbing peaks and camping next to high alpine lakes. Depending on the weather, your group can climb Guides Ridge on Mt. Crested Butte—a true Gunnison Valley classic! While not required, experience with backpacking, rock climbing, and a higher fitness level will be invaluable in this course. The course is capped at eight participants.

To register, students must create an account using their personal email and a unique password through Fusion when registration opens on June 10, 2025, at 10 a.m. MST.

IMPORTANT TRIP MATERIALS

• Suggested workout for mountaineering
• Required equipment list
• CBMR Release of Liability Waiver

Course Description

Experience firsthand one of the fastest-growing adventure sports—whitewater kayaking. Your instructors will guide you through training, equipping you with the expertise, techniques, and safety precautions necessary to venture down the rapids. Beginners and intermediate paddlers are welcome. Tackling the challenge of navigating the rivers of the Gunnison Valley will surely be a rewarding experience. This is a front-country trip with camping in established, primitive campsites close to roads and the river. Register early. This trip usually fills quickly and is limited to eight participants.

Registration opens June 10, 2025, at 10 a.m. MST.

Course Itinerary

The course begins at the Western pool, where you will learn how to wet exit and practice rolling your kayak in a warm, non-threatening environment. From there, you will move to Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado’s largest body of water, located just west of Gunnison. You will spend the day learning paddle strokes and braces as you play fun games such as kayak polo and have relay races. Once the group feels more confident in their boats, you will move to the Gunnison River, where you will paddle a class I-II stretch of water. This course progresses as you offer increasingly more challenging whitewater as the group prepares for it. The culmination of this course is on the Upper Taylor River, a class III stretch of whitewater running through beautiful Taylor Canyon. Evenings will be spent in a front-country camp setting where you will have fun playing games and getting to know your classmates.

To register, students must create an account using their personal email and a unique password through Fusion when registration opens on June 10, 2025, at 10 a.m. MST.

IMPORTANT TRIP MATERIALS

• Required equipment list
• Suggested workout for whitewater kayaking

Course Description

This is a backcountry trip with camping in unestablished wilderness campsites. Students will travel in the San Juans or the West Elks Wilderness over moderate distances (2-7 miles/day). Take advantage of this opportunity to learn how to enjoy camping and traveling in a beautiful backcountry setting. Be prepared to hike several miles a day overpasses and peaks at altitudes over 11,000 feet. We highly recommend bringing a camera!

Registration opens June 10, 2025, at 10 a.m. MST.

Course Itinerary

This is an entirely backcountry course that will take you deep into the Uncompahgre Wilderness or West Elks Wilderness. You will spend the first day hiking into the backcountry and be taught how to properly pack your backpack and practice Leave No Trace techniques for traveling and camping. As you get higher into the backcountry, you will have the chance to be the leader of the day and guide the group using navigation, which is the skill your instructors will teach you. Participants should be prepared to carry heavy packs at altitudes of 11,000+ feet. We recommend at least three days of acclimation if you are coming from sea level. Proper acclimation, hydration, and nutrition are crucial for a successful trip. There are two separate backpacking courses, each capped at 10 participants.

To register, students must create an account using their personal email and a unique password through Fusion once registration opens on June 10, 2025, at 10 am MST.

IMPORTANT TRIP MATERIALS

• Required equipment list
• Suggested workout for backpacking