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2024 needs-based scholarship: now accepting applications

By Katie Gerber / January 16, 2024 /

In 2022 we launched a needs-based scholarship program to create more opportunities for individuals whose outdoor access has been hindered by limited financial resources, lack of generational or communal outdoor knowledge, or discrimination. Beginning today, January 16, we’re accepting applications to award scholarships for our 2024 guided trips and in our Plan Like a Pro…

Application deadline today for UT, AK

By Andrew Skurka / December 18, 2023 /

If you’d like to join a guided trip next year in Utah or Alaska, the open application deadline is today/Monday. Officially, you have until 11:59 pm MT. Realistically, if your application is waiting in my inbox tomorrow morning, you’ll be fine. This week we will finish reviewing the applications, and next week we will start…

I’m hiring: Operations Manager (and maybe Instructor + Guide)

By Andrew Skurka / December 11, 2023 /

To help me during the 2024 season I plan to make a new hire. This is a local position, and the individual must live within a reasonable commuting distance of south Boulder, Colorado (75-ish minutes max, and ideally much less). The Operations Manager is responsible for all program gear, food, and other supplies. With the…

Released: 2024 guided trip schedule

By Andrew Skurka / November 21, 2023 /

Our 2024 trip schedule has been released! To view it, click here. The season will start again in mid-April in Escalante, Utah, which greets us with mild temps, wildflowers, and long days. In addition to our normal Adventure 5-day and 7-day trips, we’ll offer 5- and 7-day technical canyoneering expeditions and one 11-day thru-hike of…

Let’s chat: Office Hours + Ask Us Anything

By Andrew Skurka / November 20, 2023 /

In fall 2021 and fall 2022 my guide team offered free one-on-one “office hours” appointments to discuss all things backpacking. They were wildly popular: we hosted 320 calls over the two years, which amounted to nearly 107 hours of time! Katie Gerber and I will be running this program again next week. The details: 1.…

Spots available: 11-day Olympic Traverse, September 2023

By Andrew Skurka / May 30, 2023 /

In 2022 we offered two 11-day trips in the High Sierra, with one resupply in the middle. The guides and the clients rated the experience very highly, because they had so much time to explore and connect with the area, so for this season we offered this trip length in Alaska, again in California, and…

Ask Us Anything: Backpacking the High Sierra in 2023

By Andrew Skurka / May 27, 2023 /

Last week I wrote about the High Sierra’s record-breaking 2023-23 snowpack and its implications for trip planning, gear selection, and essential skills. In short, this season will be far from normal. Are you ready for that? This week Katie Gerber and I are hosting an “Ask Us Anything” online event to answer your questions about…

More damaged bridges in the High Sierra

By Andrew Skurka / May 22, 2023 /

Two more reports of damaged bridges in the High Sierra have emerged. I suspect we may be looking at a few more before the water levels drop in July or August. I’ve updated my High Sierra Creek Hazards resource with these updates already. One is over the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin near Red’s…

Detouring: San Joaquin River bridge alternates

By Andrew Skurka / May 18, 2023 /

During a flight tour in April, the National Park Service discovered that a critical bridge over the South Fork of the San Joaquin had been damaged. For photos, refer to the PCTA website. This bridge is in the northwestern corner of Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park, just south of the boundary with Sierra National Forest, and…

One spot available: 7-day trip in Alaska’s Brooks Range

By Andrew Skurka / May 16, 2023 /

Due to a recent cancellation, a spot has become available in the Alaska 1B group. This trip has been full since January, when we first accepted applications. Trip details: If you need to check your schedule, base your plans on these details: The group will meet in Fairbanks, fly to Bettles on a regional flight,…