Appalachian Mountains Backpacking, Rock Climbing & Whitewater Canoeing

Questions? Call 1 (888) 75 NCOBS for more infomation.

Course Description

Come to know what it is like to live, work and play in the great outdoors by learning how to camp and travel on a classic 28-day, multi-activity course. It's what we have done best for over 40 years at North Carolina Outward Bound School. Even though it seems like a long time, this course is actually the most optimal course for getting the true Outward Bound experience. After long days of challenge and adventure, you'll be rewarded with skills that last a lifetime.

Come to know what it’s like to live, work and play in the great outdoors on a classic 28-day, multi-activity course.  This journey will take you deep into some of the oldest mountains in the world, where North Carolina Outward Bound School began. 

For nearly 50 years, NCOBS has held wilderness courses among the highest mountains east of the Mississippi, in the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forest. While exploring this unique mountain forest, its thick mountain laurel and rhododendron, cool mountain streams and unique rock formations, you will acquire many skills. On this classic 28-day, multiple-activity course you will learn to climb rock faces, paddle through whitewater, set up camp, cook and travel in the backcountry. In addition to being put to the test physically, you will build communication and leadership skills, confidence, initiative and teamwork. Participants will leave this course with a newfound strength that can easily be applied to everyday obstacles.  Although 28 days sounds like a long time, this course is actually the most optimal for getting the true Outward Bound experience. After long days of challenge and adventure, you will be rewarded with skills that will last a lifetime. No prior experience is necessary.

Hard skills you will learn on course:

• Safety precautions for backcountry foot travel
• How to find and set-up campsites
• How to navigate terrain
• Map and compass reading
• Working with ropes (tying and rappelling)
• Possible multi-pitch climb
• Basic water safety and rescue techniques
• How to work with your paddling partner to successfully negotiate class II and III rapids

Soft skills you will learn on course:

• Conflict resolution
• Confidence
• Communication
• Team building
• And more…

 Sample Itinerary

This course includes nine to 12 days of backpacking, up to four days rock climbing and rappelling (weather dependent), up to four days whitewater canoeing, up to 72 hours of a Solo reflection period, a service project and a personal challenge event. 

Considerations

• Recommended $50 for extra expenses (i.e. food at the airport or during an extra travel day before or after course or in case of any lost or damaged gear at de-issue).
• Applicants are required to pay a non-refundable $125 Application Fee and a $125 In-Course Transportation fee in addition to the listed tuition prices of each course. Please see our Enrollment Policies and Procedures before enrolling.
• North Carolina Outward Bound provides the technical gear required for course participation (i.e. backpacks, sleeping bags, tents or tarps, cooking utensils and supplies, food, rock climbing gear and whitewater canoeing gear). Tuition covers the usage of these items. We provide each applicant with a clothing list which describes the items that participants are responsible for supplying.

Additional Information 

• Solo
• NC Mountains Course Area
• Clothing and gear list
• Safety
• Food
• Physical fitness
• Financial aid