High Sierra Explorer

3 weeks

open to grades 8-12

Overview

High and remote, the Sierras sparkle in the California sunshine. For three weeks, we’ll explore this fabled wilderness on an extended hike past alpine lakes, raft an exciting river and challenge ourselves with an ascent of Mount Shasta, one of the world’s most impressive mountains.

We’ll begin with an extended backcountry trip into the heart of the High Sierra. In a land of snowcapped mountains and flower-carpeted meadows, we’ll cover six to 10 miles a day on the trail and camp at night by remote lakes. For eight days, we’ll hike at altitudes between 7,000 and 10,000 feet. Every day on the trail will sharpen our backcountry skills, improve our fitness and bring our group closer together.

At the end of our hike, we’ll enjoy two days of rafting on the American River. Rafting offers adventure, relaxation and a new way to enjoy the beauty of the West. Our trip will end with a climb of Mount Shasta. We’ll team up with guides and hike to base camp at 8,000 feet. Rising early the following morning, we’ll climb to the impressive summit and celebrate all that we have achieved as individuals and as a group. At trip’s end, we’ll have hiked, climbed, rafted and explored the best of California on High Sierra Explorer.

“Mount Shasta was amazing and a great way to end the trip.” Jamie Sarafan, Acton, Massachusetts

Highlights

Backpack the High Sierra
Summit Mount Shasta (14,179 feet)
Learn basic mountaineering skills
Raft the exciting American River

Grade

For students who will finish grades 8-12 in June 2010.

Call us (800.458.0588) to check on current availability

Challenge Level

7 (1-10, 1 is easiest)

Start and End Location

Starts and ends in San Francisco, California.

"The young adults you find to lead these programs are truly incredible. I could only dream that my son, Jett, would grow to be “Overland Leadership” qualified. If he could do that, he can accomplish anything!" Cindy Lucia, Houston, Texas

Dates and Fees

Sunday, June 27 to Friday, July 16 (for students who will finish grades 8 & 9 in June 2010)
Sunday, July 18 to Friday, August 6 (for students who will finish grades 9-12 in June 2010)

$4095 (airfare is not included)

"We encouraged each other, made each other laugh and became a family." Jenny Wool, Montgomery, Alabama

Itinerary

Trip Start

We'll meet in San Francisco then drive east to the Sierras. The first couple of days will be spent getting to know one another and preparing for our backcountry hike. We’ll check over our gear, learn how to pack our backpacks, shop for food and warm up with an overnight backpacking trip.

Backpacking the Sierras

Our extended backcountry hike will take us into the heart of the Sierra high country for one of Overland’s longest backcountry sections. Over the course of eight days, we'll hike 50+ miles over rocky passes, through valleys, past alpine lakes, along grassy meadows and across snowfields. Averaging six to ten miles a day at altitudes between 7,000 and 10,000 feet, we'll carry all of our gear, learn about Leave No Trace principles and work together to enhance our backpacking skills. We’ll get into a good daily routine: rising early, packing up camp and getting out on the trail in hopes of arriving at our next destination in time for a refreshing swim in an alpine lake or a relaxing afternoon in our incredible surroundings. Every day on the trail will sharpen our backcountry skills, improve our fitness and bring us closer together. While hiking, we will be operating under permit by the Toiyabe and Stanislaus National Forests.

Rafting the American River

We'll take a break from the trail for two days of white water rafting on the lively Class III rapids of the American River with ARTA rafting guides. ARTA has guided rafting trips for over 40 years and Overland groups have rafted with ARTA for more than 15 summers. Our experienced guides will negotiate us down the river as we paddle for two days through both calm and exciting water, spending a peaceful night along the banks of the river.

Climbing Mount Shasta

Rising from a nearly-flat plain, Shasta’s snow-capped peak reaches up to over 14,000 feet. We’ll pick up our mountaineering gear (boots, crampons, helmets and ice axes) and then meet Shasta Mountain Guides who will lead us through snow school and guide us on our summit bid. We’ll hike up to base camp at 8,000 feet and practice using our crampons, traveling in a rope team and self arresting. Rising early the following morning, we’ll tackle the challenging climb to Shasta's summit at 14,179 feet, where our efforts will be rewarded with views of the California wilderness in the early morning sun. We’ll soon head down, hiking and glissading (controlled sledding), arriving back at base camp in the late afternoon.

Please note: Mount Shasta is an ideal climb for our Overland groups; no previous climbing experience is necessary and our Shasta Mountain Guides always do a great job of teaching us the basics that we need to enjoy our time on the mountain.

Trip End

At the end of our three weeks together, we’ll head back to San Francisco to celebrate our summer adventures on High Sierra Explorer, a life experience with value and resonance that extends far beyond the boundaries of a single summer.

"I’m counting down the days until my next Overland trip!" Sarah Cooperman, Westport, Connecticut

Trip Details

A former High Sierra Explorer leader had the following to say about this trip:

"How many people can say that they climbed over snow and ice to get to the top of Mount Shasta; and to train for it, they backpacked for over a week in one of the most beautiful places in the west? Waking up to the cool crisp morning air, hitting the trail in the early hours of the day, hiking over stunning passes, across beautiful mountain streams, swimming in cold but refreshing alpine lakes and falling asleep after having eaten the best dinner ever...exhausted from your day of hiking, but loving every minute of it because of the amazing people you’re with. It's an unbelievable accomplishment, a lot of hard work, and yet we were all laughing and having a great time the whole trip. I'll never forget it."

“Our group worked so well together; it was an excellent trip.” Ryan Fleming, Lincoln, Massachusetts

Photos

Click thumbnails below to enlarge

Print View

Enrollment Forms

Admissions Material 2010

High Sierra Explorer Release Forms 2010

Prepare & Pack

Packing List 2010 as a PDF

Packing List for: High Sierra Explorer | Northwest Explorer | Rocky Mountain Explorer | Yellowstone Teton Explorer

Our packing list is designed to keep you safe and comfortable while hiking and camping this summer. The warm clothing and layers listed may seem unnecessary now, but we guarantee that you'll appreciate them this summer, especially at night or when you’re at high elevations. Keep in mind that there are a wide range of products available in terms of clothing and equipment. Overland programs are relatively short, and although you want your clothing and equipment to be durable, this does not mean it has to be top of the line. Oftentimes more basic and less expensive options perform just as well.

The most important part of preparing and packing for a hiking trip is breaking in your boots. We cannot emphasize enough how essential this is for a successful trip. Starting a month before your trip begins, wear your boots at home and go on several long walks or hikes in them. You should go on at least one 5-mile hike in your boots with a backpack with some weight in it. Students have had to leave trips early because of blisters so please, please, please break in your boots. You’ll be glad you did and it will make your trip much more enjoyable!

Label the following items with your name, address and phone number.
Bring only what you need and pack everything in your backpack or daypack.
If you are flying to your trip start, you should wear your hiking boots on the plane and carry your sleeping bag and sleeping pad on the plane with you in case your checked luggage fails to arrive on time. Please do not wear an extra set of clothes for the flight.
You will have the chance to do laundry periodically and you will be able to leave some extra items in our van while we are on the trail, so please stick to the packing list and bring only the clothes and items listed below.
Overland will rent or provide any specialized gear for any of our non-hiking activities (for example, rock climbing, rafting, mountaineering, or kayaking) and that gear is included in your trip fee.
Please do not bring any type of knife or multi-tool like a Swiss Army knife or Leatherman tool.
If you have any questions, please contact our office at 800.458.0588.

Clothing

Fleece Jacket and Fleece Pants
The fleece should be medium to heavyweight and reasonably compact. Please don't bring jeans or sweatpants.

Synthetic Long Underwear Long-Sleeve Shirt and Pants
One or two tops and one bottom.

Winter Hat and Gloves/Mittens
*High Sierra Explorer students should bring a second pair of warm waterproof gloves for their Shasta climb.

Waterproof Rain Jacket and Rain Pants
Your rain gear must be waterproof (not just water resistant). Gore-Tex is one of the better-known waterproof, breathable fabric brands, but there are many to choose from. Ponchos are not acceptable.

Insulated Vest
One insulated fleece or down vest. Make sure it’s compactable.

Shorts
Two pairs of synthetic shorts. Athletic shorts or hiking shorts work well.

T-Shirts
Three synthetic t-shirts are recommended but cotton shirts are acceptable.

Underwear
Five.

Socks
Three pairs of thick wool or synthetic blend socks made for hiking. Sock liners are optional.

Sport Sandals
These must have a heel strap for kayaking, swimming and around camp. Flip-flops or Crocs are not acceptable for water activities such as rafting or kayaking. If you do not have sport sandals, your sneakers will work fine.

Sneakers or Tennis Shoes
A comfortable and lightweight alternative to your hiking boots. To be used on short day hikes and when in camp.

Bathing Suit
Optional.

Pajamas
Optional.

Hiking & Camping Equipment

Hiking Boots
Waterproof backpacking boots (recommended price range $125 to $175). Choose a comfortable boot that is designed for hiking with a medium weight pack. Your boots should have a durable leather upper that can be treated with waterproofing wax or liquid, or have a waterproof fabric and leather combination.

Backpack
The backpack should be 4000-5000 cubic inches. Before you purchase a backpack, find your backpack size by measuring your torso length and your hips. We recommend getting fitted at a store where you can try on a number of different packs.
*Rocky Mountain Explorer students only need a pack that is 1800-3000 cubic inches.

Sleeping Bag and Stuff Sack
We recommend a lightweight, compact sleeping bag (synthetic or down) that is rated to 25 Fahrenheit or less. Your sleeping bag should compress into a stuff sack which can then be cinched down to 12-20” in length.

Sleeping Pad
A full or ¾ length mattress pad that is inflatable or made of closed-cell foam. It should be compact enough to either fit in your pack or be strapped to the outside.

Day Pack
Your day pack can be used as a carry-on and will be used for day hikes. This can be a very basic backpack but it should have two shoulder straps (not a satchel or messenger bag) and should big enough to hold your lunch, two water bottles, some food, and some extra clothes.

Water Bottle
One 1-liter Nalgene (or similar) water bottle. Overland will provide you with a second water bottle on arrival. A Camelbak or similar water bladder is acceptable.
*High Sierra Explorer students should know that water bladders are not recommend for the Shasta climb.

Headlamp & Extra Batteries
A small flashlight is OK but headlamps are great because your hands are freed up for other tasks.
*Rocky Mountain Explorer and High Sierra Explorer students must have headlamps for their summit climbs.

Waterproof Pack Cover
If your backpack does not come with a cover, choose one that fits your pack well.

Bowl, Mug & Utensils
For meals you will need a 6-8” plastic dish or bowl with a lid. The bowl can be a rigid Tupperware-like material or collapsible. A spoon is all you need but you can bring a spork or a set of lightweight silverware if you’d like. We also recommend a plastic insulated mug to be used for hot drinks.

Mosquito Head Net
*High Sierra Explorer and Yellowstone Teton Explorer students are strongly advised to bring mosquito head nets. They are extremely useful in the backcountry when the bugs are bad at night or in low marshy areas.

Small Safety Whistle
Needed for safety reasons in case a student is separated from the group.

Sunscreen (SPF 15+) & Chapstick (with SPF protection)
Please bring lots and lots of sunscreen; it’s especially useful when on the water and at high elevations.

Insect Repellent
Please bring ample amounts of bug spray or cream.

Moleskin
For blister prevention and care.

Gaiters
Optional.

Miscellaneous

Toiletries
All items should be travel size. If necessary, you will be able to restock en route.

Plastic Bags
Ten large 1-gallon ziplock bags and two large trash bags. The ziplock bags are used to organize and waterproof your gear and small items. The trash bags are used to line your pack and to wrap your sleeping bag and pad.

Sunglasses & Hat with Visor
*High Sierra Explorer students should have sunglasses that wrap around to protect from the sun reflecting off of the snow on the Shasta climb and descent.

Digital Camera & Extra Batteries
Great for documenting the trip. Make sure you bring a large enough memory card (1 to 4 GB).

Towel
Medium size cotton towel or synthetic camping towel.

Spending Money
$25/week in cash or with a debit or ATM card.

Personal Journal or Book
Optional.

Travel Information

Families are responsible for making travel arrangements to and from San Francisco, California. Overland’s leaders will be on hand at the airport to provide supervision and assistance at trip start and end.

Flight Arrival: San Francisco International Airport (SFO) between 10am and 12pm Sunday, 6/27 and 7/18.
Flight Departure: San Francisco International Airport (SFO) between 8am and 10am Friday, 7/16 and 8/6.

Drop Off: 11am at Terminal 1 Baggage Claim.
Pick Up: 10am at Terminal 1 Check-In area.

Any other special cases: please call the Overland office to coordinate, if you have not done so already.

Flight & Travel Information 2010

Program Start & End Information 2010

Mail Stops

During the trip, students may receive mail sent to the below addresses.

Mail Notes:

1) On the lower left corner of the envelope, please write: "Please hold for Overland."
2) Mail sent to General Delivery addresses can only be sent via the USPS.

High Sierra Explorer 1

Mail Stop #1 - must arrive before July 7th

Student's Name, Overland/HSX 1
General Delivery
Bridgeport, CA 93517

Mail Stop #2 - must arrive before July 12th

Student's Name, Overland/HSX 1
c/o Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort
PO Box 276
Mount Shasta, CA 96067

High Sierra Explorer 2

Mail Stop #1 - must arrive before July 28th

Student's Name, Overland/HSX 2
General Delivery
Bridgeport, CA 93517

Mail Stop #2 - must arrive before August 2nd

Student's Name, Overland/HSX 2
c/o Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort
PO Box 276
Mount Shasta, CA 96067

Helpful Reminders

Checklist and Reminders 2010

Apply Now

We welcome your interest in joining Overland this summer!

To apply, please complete and sign the application on page 47 of the Overland catalog or download an application. (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download the application).

Please refer to page 46 of our catalog for important information you should know before signing the application.

Send your application and $795 deposit to:

Overland
P.O. Box 31
Williamstown, MA 01267

For overnight mail via UPS or FedEx, please use our street address:

Overland
63 Spring Street
Williamstown, MA 01267

Sorry, we are unable to accept applications by fax, and we do not take credit cards. Applications are reviewed in the order in which they arrive at our office and we cannot hold spots over the phone.

To learn about our admissions process, please click here.

Julie Carson

Hometown: Caribou, Maine
School: Dartmouth College
More about Julie »

See More Overland Leaders