Wilderness Based Orientation

Course Description

On this exciting trip, you will paddle a total of 27 miles (9miles a day) on the Green River through the Split Mountain Gorge, Utah.  Visit the land of dinosaurs, wild geologic folding, and colorful canyon history in the Dinosaur National Monument. Challenge class III rapids like Moonshine, S.O.B., Schoolboy, and Englesby – first encountered and named by the famous explorer John Wesley Powell.  Other highlights include hiking and exploring geologic wonders while camping 4 nights under starry skies near the put-in. An adventure to remember for your entire college career. Professional guides, food, and all equipment will be provided. This course is capped at 18 participants.

This course starts with a day of camping at Dinosaur National Monument before the journey down the river begins. The next days will be spent organizing equipment and getting on the water to start the four-day adventure. There will be flatwater, whitewater rapids, hiking, camping, and more along the way.

We will then break all the gear down and return to Gunnison on August 17th, in time for regular Orientation. This trip starts a day early and ends a day earlier than other WBO trips due to transportation time.

IMPORTANT TRIP MATERIALS

All materials below, except the packing list, must be completed prior to 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 technique 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.

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 the 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.

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 hiking through majestic alpine vistas and stand-up paddleboarding on an alpine lake. Depending on group interest and experience, participants may also try rock climbing in Taylor Canyon or Hartman Rocks, mountain biking on our classic trails, or rafting on the stunning Gunnison River. You don’t need any technical experience. This course is capped at ten participants.

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.

IMPORTANT TRIP MATERIALS

• 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 planning, navigation, backpacking, and alpine climbing. This fast-paced and rewarding course requires carrying 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.

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 Guide’s 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.

IMPORTANT TRIP MATERIALS

• • Suggested workout for mountaineering
  • Required equipment list

Course Description

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

Course Itinerary

This entire backcountry course will take you deep into the Uncompahgre Wilderness or the 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 skills 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 eight participants.

IMPORTANT TRIP MATERIALS

• Required equipment list
• Suggested workout for backpacking

All new, incoming students are encouraged to join! Whether you’re a freshman, transfer student, or arriving at Western for the fall semester, you are welcome to participate. No prior outdoor experience is necessary!

Registration Opens: Registration will open June 10, 2025, at 10 AM MT. You will be notified by email when it opens.

You’ll receive an email invitation to sign up.

Before Registering, Keep in Mind:

• You must be registered for classes before signing up for WBO.
• Use your Western email and password to register.
• Only use a desktop or laptop (mobile devices won’t work).
• Registration takes about 30 minutes—have your medical and insurance info ready.
• Trips fill up fast—sign up ASAP!
• Payments become non-refundable after Friday, June 26th.

Some items to note before signing up:

• You must be a deposited student before signing up for WBO.
• Use your Western email and password to register.
• Only use a desktop or laptop (mobile devices won’t work).
• Registration takes about 30 minutes—have your medical and insurance info ready.
• Trips fill up fast—sign up ASAP!
• Payments become non-refundable after Friday, June 26th.

Yes. On-campus New Student Orientation is mandatory for all first-time freshmen and transfer students with 23 credits or fewer. WBO courses are offered as supplemental programs to New Student Orientation, not as a substitute.

Please refer to the Trip Details & Pricing section on this page, find the trip you are interested in or going on, and review the Important Trip Materials.

Each WBO expedition is different. The amount of skill and physical difficulty of each particular expedition is explained in the Course Description and Essential Eligibility Requirements.

Before signing up, check out trip descriptions to ensure the best fit.

If you’re attending a high-altitude trip, we recommend:

• Arriving in Gunnison a few days early.
• Maintaining an exercise routine leading up to your trip.
• Slowly incorporate higher-altitude activities four weeks before your trip to help prevent altitude sickness.

The fee covers the expedition’s direct costs, such as transportation, food, equipment, permits, and staff stipend. It does not cover overhead costs, such as the director’s salary or facility usage. Trip costs must be paid in full, and payment becomes non-refundable after June 26th, 2026. Payments are due in full at registration through the Western website’s registration link or via the admissions email.

• Register online by viewing the WBO page on the Western website follow the link to register.
• Pay trip price in full.
• You MUST complete all waivers either online (during registration process) and/or send back via email to wbo@western.edu by no later than July 15th, 2026.

• Yes! WBO is proud to offer scholarships for those with financial need and who exemplify its values.
• Scholarship applications are due June 2nd, 2026.
• Applicants will be notified regarding their standing by July 1st, 2026, and must accept their award by July 11th, 2026 at 4 p.m. MST.
• Applicants who do not accept their award on or before July 10th, 2026, will no longer be eligible for the scholarship.
• Scholarship applicants are rated on content/effort, structure, language/grammar/mechanics, and financial need. There will be a few partial scholarships and one full scholarship.
• Successful scholarship recipients will be credited through their scholarship account (Blackbaud).

Our program has an excellent safety record. Many WBO trip leaders hold current Wilderness First Responder medical certifications, and all instructors are First Aid/CPR certified. The program is administered by a full-time professional with multiple years of outdoor programming and guiding experience and is fully backed by Western Colorado University.

• Yes. Students attending a WBO course may move into their rooms the day before the WBO course departure. This gives you time to store your belongings before you leave safely.
• Go to your Residence Life Office in the University Center between 2 PM and 4 PM MT on August 13th, 2026, to check into your room and get your key.
• If you are participating in the Whitewater Rafting WBO, your move-in date is August 12th, from 2 to 4 p.m.

No, you cannot stay in the Residence Halls if you decide, for some reason, not to attend your awesome adventure. The only time you may is if you are sick or injured.

We will feed you three meals a day plus snacks, starting with breakfast on the first day of your course and ending with a closing BBQ. You can use your dining plan starting the following morning at Rare Air Cafe.

No. Courses are available to incoming new Western students only.

Trip refunds are available until June 26th, 2026.

Meet outside the south side of the University Center at 8 am MST. Our instructors will be waiting and will split you into groups.

WBO reserves the right to change program locations, itineraries, group size , and instructor ratio should the need arise due to weather, water levels, closures of public lands, staffing, equipment, safety, or program issues.

Many students who participate in WBO come from places closer to sea level than Gunnison. Performing front and backcountry adventures can be challenging, especially at 7,723 feet or more! We recommend these training plans if you are interested in some preparation for the altitude you will experience during your WBO trip.

• Suggested workout plan for Whitewater Rafting or Whitewater Kayaking.
• Suggested workout plan for Backpacking or Mountaineering.
• Suggested workout plan for Rock Climbing or Multi-Sport Adventure.