Alpine Challenge

for 9th-12th graders

Overland's challenge trips --the American Challenge, the European Challenge and the Alpine Challenge --offer great students the chance to test themselves while seeing the world and enjoying the fun of an Overland group.  We're not looking for previous experience or exceptional ability; instead, we seek endurance, determination, enthusiasm and teamwork.  Come join us in the Alps this summer; be a part of a hard-working, fun-loving and small team (no more than 12 students or fewer than 2 leaders) that will hike long days in these spectacular mountains--and love every minute of it.

For over 20 years Overland has hiked the Alps—through deep green valleys and over rocky passes, across snowfields and along glacial lakes. On the Alpine Challenge, we'll backpack two world-famous routes: the Alpine Pass Route across the Bernese Oberland and the High Route from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn. We'll start in the beautiful village of Gstaad with three days of light hiking. Our time in Gstaad allows us to get to know each other, establish good trip routines and adjust to the altitude. When we leave Gstaad, we'll load up our backpacks and set off from the center of the village for a Swiss Alpine Club hut high in the mountains. Over the course of the next eight days, we'll hike from village to village in the Bernese Oberland and camp at night either in town or up in the mountains. We'll hike by Oeschinensee, the most picturesque mountain lake in the Alps, under waterfalls that tumble down the sides of the steep-walled Lauterbrunnen valley and over passes buttressed by giant glaciers. At the end of the hike, we'll celebrate our accomplishments in Grindelwald at the base of the North Face of the Eiger.

Next, we'll travel by train to the Swiss/French border. From the base of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe (15,774 feet), we'll take on the challenges of the High Route. For twelve days, we'll tackle high mileages and challenging terrain. We'll be rewarded with big, spectacular views and small, charming villages. The landscape provides a sharp contrast to the Bernese Oberland—gone are the lush, green mountainsides dotted with dairy cows and in their place is an arid, rocky landscape with glaciers in the distance and lots of sunshine overhead. In addition to camping, we'll spend several nights in Swiss Alpine Club huts which will give us a window into the hiking and climbing culture in the Alps.

At the end of our hike, we'll walk triumphantly into Zermatt and scramble up to the top of the Mettelhorn high above the village where we'll look across a landscape of snow and ice dominated by the crooked spire of the stunning Matterhorn—a fitting high point and end to our four weeks on the Alpine Challenge; it's a life experience with value and resonance that extends far beyond the boundaries of a single summer.

“My favorite part of the program was the hiking and reaching the top of some of the passes. It was such a great feeling of accomplishment.” Lauren Zondag, West Windsor, New Jersey

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cross the Bernese Oberland on the Alpine Pass Route
• Backpack the High Route from the slopes of Mont Blanc to the base of the Matterhorn
• Hike the Mettelhorn (11,000 feet)
• Visit Gstaad, Grindelwald & Zermatt

GRADE

For students who will finish grades 9-12 in June 2008.  This summer we will have 1 group.  Call us (800.458.0588) to check on current availability.

CHALLENGE LEVEL

9 (1-10, 1 is easiest)

START & END LOCATION

Starts and ends in Geneva, Switzerland

2008 DATES & FEES

4 Weeks

Sunday, June 29 to Saturday, July 26

$5095 (airfare not included)

APPLY TODAY

Most groups fill in January & February. To download an application, click here.

"You have helped our kids grow in so many ways." Judi and Stuart Scharff, North Hampton, New Hampshire

ITINERARY

Trip Start

We'll meet in Geneva and take a train and bus to Gstaad where we'll set up camp and have a brief orientation, learning how to pack our packs, getting to know one another and getting used to the climate and elevation.

Day Hikes In Gstaad

We'll take three day hikes out of Gstaad on the first days of the trip. This is a great way to get over jet lag and get acclimated before beginning our backpacking. We'll also have a few days to enjoy the specatular scenery and take in the beauty of the Alps before strapping on our packs.

Hiking The Alpine Pass Route

From Gstaad, we'll begin a backpacking through-hike of the Alpine Pass Route in the Bernese Oberland. We'll spend some nights camping and some nights in Alpine huts. We'll pass through towns where we'll pick up food and restock our packs before heading back up into the mountains. Over eight days we'll pass through charming villages, visit mountainside waterfalls, enjoy stunning visitas and hike some of the most beautiful trails in the Swiss Alps. Our trek ends in Grindelwald, where we'll get cleaned up and enjoy an afternoon in the town.

Hiking The High Route

From Grindelwald, we'll take a train to Trient on the Swiss/French border to begin our hike on the High Route. From Trient we'll be able to see Mont Blanc, the highest point in the Alps. We'll then, once again, don our packs and set out on a 12-day through-hike on the High Route, which stretches from the slopes of Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn, the two greatest mountains in Europe. Our trek will take us through some of the most stunningly beautiful Alpine scenery in Europe. We’ll hike through quaint villages, camping out and staying in Alpine huts, before reaching Zermatt.

Hiking in Zermatt

We'll take advantage of our time in Zermatt by enjoying a day of exploration as we take a leisurely walk along the valley and visit the town. We'll also climb the 11,000' Mettelhorn and get our final glimpse of the Alps dominated by the crooked spire of the Matterhorn.

Trip End

At trip end, we'll train back to Geneva, where we’ll enjoy a final dinner out and look back on four weeks of the greatest hiking Switzerland has to offer.

Supervision & Safety

Overland’s two leaders, a man and a woman, provide 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week supervision of the highest standard. Our leaders, while loving the outdoors and being experienced hikers, are dedicated, first and foremost, to making each student's experience with us a safe and enjoyable one. By creating a supportive and wholesome environment, our leaders help each student to feel comfortable and at home. In this kind of setting, friendships flourish and teamwork grows; challenges are welcomed and accomplishments are celebrated. For nearly 25 years, Overland's students have felt safe and secure in our talented and conscientious leaders’ hands.

On an Overland trip the group stays together all day: hiking and exploring by day, and enjoying our evenings together. We get up early (usually before 7:00 a.m.), have full, active days, and head to bed soon after dark (typically between 9:00 and 10:00 p.m.).

We set high expectations for each student’s behavior—we expect respect and consideration for others, a positive attitude, and an eagerness to help make the trip a success in every way possible.

In every decision we make, safety comes first. We plan our trips carefully choosing hiking trails that make sense for the age and abilities of each group. We hike with care, with a leader at the front and a leader at the rear—and we take frequent rest stops. Since our first trips in 1985 our safety record has been superlative; it's no wonder, then, that Overland is one of the few organizations of its kind to earn accreditation by the American Camp Association.

For nearly 25 years our caring and competent leaders, our superlative supervision, our high expectations, and our commonsense approach to safety have made Overland the number one choice for summer trips.

Overland Leaders

In a world where strong leadership skills make the difference between the average and the exceptional, Overland recruits and trains only the best to be our leaders. Not only do these remarkable people capably lead our groups, they also offer our students the kind of role modeling for which Overland has long been recognized.  Bright, charismatic and accomplished, our leaders ensure the safety and well-being of every Overland student, and then they provide much, much more, inspiring our students to reach for their potential in every way. 

You won’t find a more dynamic and talented group of people than Overland’s leaders. Most Overland leaders have played varsity sports and many have captained their teams; they have served as student government officers, volunteered as peer counselors and directed campus organizations. They are high achievers who come to Overland with a lifetime of leadership experience—but just as importantly, they are warm, wonderful people who are eager to work with Overland’s students.

Overland’s leaders prepare carefully for the summer. We know of no other program that requires certification in First Aid, CPR and lifesaving—every Overland leader has all of these plus our own 10-day training program that focuses on safety, supervision and leadership. All of our efforts prepare Overland’s caring and committed leaders to create safe, supportive and valuable programs where each of our students can flourish.

Meet some of our spectacular returning leaders.

How We Put Our Groups Together

We have a number of important criteria for every group:

Size: Every Overland group is limited to 12 students.
Gender: Groups are coed; the male/female ratio is always carefully balanced (6:6, 7:5 or 8:4).
Friends: We allow two pairs of friends in a group (we never allow three or more friends to travel together). With a maximum of two pairs of friends there will always be space available for at least eight students to come on their own without a friend. Furthermore, if we enroll two pairs of friends in a group and both pairs are of one gender, we generally try to: (1) enroll three or four more students of that gender in that group, or (2) close the group to additional students of that gender.

“Haley had a wonderful time…we were nervous about sending our 15-year old overseas for this trip but Overland’s organization and attention to detail helped us get comfortable with the process—they are extremely well organized.” Mary Beard Steggall, Topsfield, Massachusetts

TRIP DETAILS

Getting To & From The Trip

Families are responsible for making travel arrangements to and from the trip start/end location. Overland’s leaders will be on hand at the airport for arrival and departure to provide supervision and assistance. Alpine Challenge starts and ends in the Geneve-Cointrin Airport in Geneva, Switzerland.

Preparing & Important Equipment

Please see the Preparing & Packing page for a complete equipment list. Note that the main pieces of equipment needed for this trip are: a backpack, hiking boots, sleeping bag and sleeping pad.

Additional Costs

Transportation to and from program start and end locations, spending money and personal gear are not included in the program fee. Overland provides group gear including tents and stoves; students provide all personal equipment (e.g., backpacks, boots, sleeping bags).

“I really liked the other kids on the trip and the two leaders rocked. This trip was as fun as it was challenging.” Rachel Greenwood, Williamstown, Massachusetts

WHAT'S IT LIKE?

The Alpine Challenge will take you into beautiful mountains-- some of the most dramatic scenery in the world-- and charming Alpine villages. Hiking in the Alps offers an unsurpassed mountain and cultural experience. We will traverse two distinct sections of the Alps on ancient mountain paths that have linked tiny Alpine communities for centuries. Far more than just a hiking trip, the Alpine Challenge is a chance to truly explore another culture while at the same time testing your limits-- as a hiker, as a group member and as a leader.

“Staying in the Alpine huts was definitely a great part of the Swiss experience. Also just hiking through the Alps and seeing the views was amazing.” Justin Costello, Charleston, South Carolina

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