“Every camp placement organization I spoke with let me know that this was hands-down the favorite camp. The level of organization and professionalism was amazing. My child really grew on this trip."
- Diana Ravicchio
Rossmoor, CA
This is our Ultimate trip in the Northwest. One day you're on top of Mt. Adams with your ice axe and crampons, and another day you're backpacking at ocean level on a wilderness beach! Let’s not forget mountain biking, rock climbing at world famous Smith Rock and an introduction to whitewater kayaking! A thrill-seekers dream come true! Top all this off with a rugged backpack in the magnificent Goat Rocks wilderness, and this entire trip is Ultimate!
Time your hike with the tides, explore tide pools, marvel at the rock monoliths, and enjoy memorable sunsets as you backpack along sandy beaches on this four-day backpack. We will teach you everything you need to know about backpacking as we begin this amazing trip.
Spend the night camped on the side of the mountain; the stars overhead are like nothing you have ever seen. Your climb begins at 2 AM so you can reach the top of the 12, 281’ summit and witness stunning views of Mt Hood, Mt St Helens, and Mt Rainier. Enjoy a thrilling glissade (sliding down in snow). What took hours to hike takes minutes to descend. You will never forget this amazing experience!
The glacially fed White Salmon River follows a canyon carved by ancient lava flows from nearby Mt. Adams. The rapids are exciting and steep. The thrill of running 10 ft Husum falls is hard to beat! Most people agree this is the best river in the Northwest!
Learn to paddle a whitewater kayak in just three days with our friends from Wet Planet. You will learn to Eskimo roll and practice paddling strokes on a flat-water lake. Once you are comfortable with these skills, we will tackle some class II whitewater sections. We will divide into small groups so everyone can progress at their own pace.
There are world-class biking trails near Bend, OR. We refresh a few skills to make sure everyone is comfortable with their bike and then hit the trails for two days. The single-track trails wind through pine forests and offer fun for every ability level.
We set up a variety of climbing routes at world-famous Smith Rock so everyone can choose just the right level of challenge. We will teach techniques to quickly improve your climbing over two days. Jump off a rock into a cool river to relax after an exciting day.
The Goat Rocks may be our absolute favorite place anywhere. Hike along a ridgeline peppered with alpine lakes and wildflowers. Summit old Snowy for the best views you’ve ever seen. You'll see Mt. Adams in one direction and Mt. Rainier in the other. Share leadership responsibilities as you plan the route, choose campsites, and prepare meals during five fabulous days.
Space is Limited. Call 888-954-5555 for more information about this trip and to check availability. Apply early to ensure the trip of your choice.
Arrive in Portland, OR airport (PDX) by 1 pm opening day.
Depart Portland, OR airport (PDX) by 2 pm closing day.
Already enrolled? Log in to the Registered Students Page for your equipment lists, paperwork, and more!
Thursday, July 15: Students arrive in Portland, OR (PDX) before 1 pm.
Friday, July 16: Day Hike in Lake Sylvia State Park.
Saturday, July 17 - Tuesday, July 20: Backpack for 4-days on the beach in Olympic National Park. Time your hike with the tides, explore tide pools, marvel at the rock monoliths, and enjoy memorable sunsets as you backpack along sandy beaches on this four-day backpack
Wednesday, July 21: Drive to Bend, Oregon through the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area leaving the coastal rainforest for Oregon’s high desert ecosystem.
Thursday, July 22 – Friday, July 23: Rock climb for two days at Smith Rock. We set up a variety of climbing routes at world-famous Smith Rock so everyone can choose just the right level of challenge.
Saturday July 24 – Sunday July 25: Mountain bike for two days near Bend, OR. We refresh a few skills to make sure everyone is comfortable with their bike and then hit the trails for two days. The single-track trails wind through pine forests and offer fun for every ability level.
Monday, July 26 – Wednesday July 28: 3-day kayak course with Wet Planet. Learn to paddle a whitewater kayak in just three days with our friends from Wet Planet. Once you are comfortable, we will tackle some class II whitewater sections.
Thursday Aug 29 – Monday, August 2: Backpack for 5-days in the Goat Rocks Wilderness. The Goat Rocks may be our absolute favorite place anywhere! Hike along a ridgeline peppered with alpine lakes and wildflowers.
Tuesday, Aug 3: Gorge Day. Swim and explore a scenic side canyon in the Columbia River Gorge. Rest up for the big Mt Adams Summit tomorrow!
Wednesday, Aug 4 – Thursday, Aug 5: Overnight summit attempt of Mt. Adams. Your climb begins at 2 AM so you can reach the top of the 12, 281’ summit and witness stunning views of Mt Hood, Mt St Helens, and Mt Rainier.
Friday, Aug 6: Raft the White Salmon River and 10' Husum Falls! The glacially-fed White Salmon River follows a canyon carved by ancient lava flows from nearby Mt. Adams. Farewell Dinner near Portland.
Saturday, August 7: Students depart from Portland, OR (PDX) by 2pm.
We reserve the right to alter the itinerary prior to and throughout the trip as we constantly improve the Adventure Treks experience. Itineraries may change due to: Severe weather, student ability, motivation and conditioning, high or low rivers, high or low snow pack, unpredictable natural disasters and acts of God, vehicle breakdowns, road closures, volcanic activity, forest fires, illness, ever changing permit regulations, any potential threat to safety, even a brilliant idea from an instructor or student. In the event of a schedule change, comparable activities will be substituted when possible and you will be notified by e-mail of significant changes.
Is this the best trip for me?
The Ultimate Northwest is a perfect trip for students age 15-17 who are currently in 9th, 10th or 11th grade. No previous experience is necessary to join any of our trips, but this trip will be physcially challenging! With 24 students in the group, you will be challenged appropriately because we break up into small groups for each activity based on your interest and ability.
What other trips might be right for me?
Will I be able to do the activities on this trip?
With 24 students in the group, you will be challenged appropriately because we break up into small groups for each activity based on your interest and ability. Students can choose their level of challenge, from absolute beginnger to advanced mountaineering. As long as you can comfortably run a few miles, you'll be able to summit Mt Adams (with good weather, of course!).
For more answers, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or call us at 888-954-5555. We’re always happy to help you out!
Sam Carlson - Sam was an AT student for two summers and joins us for his fourth summer as a Trip Leader. He completed his undergraduate degree in Communication Studies from the University of Puget Sound (UPS). He is currently enrolled in a Master’s of Education program at Western Washington. Sam has worked as a hotel receptionist in the Chilean Andes and course manager for the International Film and Television Workshops. Sam is an avid backcountry skier; earning his Avalanche Level I & II certifications and ski touring all over the Canadian Coastal Range, Vermont and the Washington Cascades. Sam is also a Wilderness First Responder and mountain biker.
.jpg)
Janeen Williams - Janeen is excited to join us for her first summer as an instructor. She graduated from Northland College with a degree in Outdoor Education and Natural History, after which she became an intern with Outward Bound. She now works for Camp Widjiwagan teaching outdoor education. She has led trail crews in Southern California with the SCA and worked for the US Forest Service in the Boundary Waters. Janeen is a Wilderness First Responder and a Leave No Trace Trainer.
.jpg)
Shauna Foster- A New York native, Shauna was raised in a family that spent time rock and ice climbing, rapelling, mountain biking, horseback riding, caving, kayaking, and backpacking regularly. Shauna hasn’t deviated from her roots; she has been outdoor leader working for Outward Bound, the YMCA, Adventures in Reality, Columbia Greene Community College, and SUNY Potsdam. She is a graduate of SUNY Potsdam with a degree in Environmental Studies and Outdoor Education in Leadership and Adventure Education. She has also volunteered with the Student Conservation Association maintaining portions the Appalachian Trail, Yellowstone’s Thorofare Region, and the Grand Canyon’s diverse trail network. She is a certified Leave No Trace Trainer, Leave No Trace Master Educator, SUNDANCE Rappel Tower, Lifeguard, Rescue Level Ropes Course and Wilderness First Responder.
Sebastian Brundage – “Seabass,” as he is better known, joins us for his fourth summer. He graduated from Portland State University with a degree in Communication Studies, and is currently pursuing a Masters in Renewable Energy Technology from Appalachian State University. Seabass is a professional globe trotter, traveling throughout Southeast Asia, Japan, Central America, and most recently teaching English in Argentina. He has participated in extended backcountry trips with the Northwest Mountain School and is a certified Wilderness First Responder and PADI-certified Scuba Diver.
John Lilly – John joins us for his second summer from Spokane, WA where he is completing a degree in Nursing from Gonzaga. John has ski patrolled at the Yellowstone Club in Big Sky, MT, worked as a ski instructor and as a facilitator of a high ropes course for Camp Sweyolakan in Idaho. He is the volunteer coordinator for the Alpine Safety Awareness Program in Spokane and is a trip coordinator and co-director for Gonzaga University’s Outdoors Program. John is a certified EMT, graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School, and Avalanche level 1 certified.
Tonya Ansel - Tonya has a degree in Ecology from Minnesota State, Mankato is currently pursuing her Masters Degree in Experiential Education at Minnesota State. She has snowboarded the Swiss Alps and has taught snowboarding in Vail, CO. She has also been PADI SCUBA assistant, NAUI skin diving instructor, a wind surfing instructor and sea kayak trip leader. She has represented the USA on rugby tours in the Bahamas, and New Zealand. She is a Wilderness First Responder and a NAUI rescue diver.
*Instructors may change prior to your trip – we’ll let you know if this happens.
Reviewed by: Shalina Omar
Date: July 2009
There are many reasons that I've been coming to Adventure Treks for three years already. The activities are great but it is the community that really shapes the trip. The students of course are a large part of the community, but what really ties everything together are the instructors. Every Adventure I've been on has been outstanding and every trip has had incredible instructors. I keep coming back to AT largely due to the instructors. Each instructor brings their own flare to the group that improves everything times ten. I find it hard to explain to my friends what exactly the community is like at AT and all I can say is that there are amazing people. The instructors treat us as equals and they really inspire us to do something with ourselves. The instructors are really what sets this camp from all the others.
Reviewed by: Claire Nebeker
Date: July 2009
When my friends ask me about AT, the first word that comes out of my mouth is unbelieveable. But even that is not enough, its impossible to capture or describe the views you see, the things you do, and the people you meet in words. I can try as hard as I want to describe my love of Adventure Treks to my friends, but honestly the best thing I can tell them is to find our for themselves.
Adventure Treks is a program for teenagers, so we don’t allow any inappropriate language or content in our reviews. We do screen reviews for spam and legitimacy, and we will post all appropriate comments in full.
Your review has been sent.
Thanks for interest in Adventure Treks!
Fill out our online application or apply by phone by calling 888-954-5555 Monday-Friday 9 am to 5 pm EST.
Our core office staff, consisting of Dock, Kyndra, Dmac, Holly and Alice, welcomes the opportunity to answer any questions and help you choose the best summer experience for your child.
1. Apply online and submit an $800 deposit by check or Visa/MC to hold your place on the Adventure of your choice. As a smaller, more personal company, enrollment is limited, so please send in your application early.
2. You will receive an e-mail with instructions on how to complete your student essay, medical form, and 2 references (phone calls or e-mails to our office) from a teacher and another non-related adult who knows your child well. We may also arrange a brief phone interview to get to know your child better. Our acceptance process ensures a great peer group for your child.
3. Your remaining paperwork and information about your trip is available on our Registered Students Page and will be mailed to you upon acceptance. Adventure Treks is selective. Applications will be carefully reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.
All deposits are refundable prior to March 1st, less a $200 processing fee, for cancellation for any reason. For cancellations after March 1st, tuition is non-refundable. We recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance for your protection. If a participant withdraws voluntarily or is sent home as a consequence of unacceptable behavior, no refund of any kind will be granted. It is the parents’ responsibility to cover any additional travel expenses.
Click map to enlarge
| Duration: | 24 days |
| Dates: | July 15 - August 7 |
| Ages: | 15-17 |
| Activities: | Whitewater Rafting Rock Climbing Whitewater Kayaking Backpacking Mountaineering Mountain Biking |
| States: |
Washington |
| Price: | US $3,995.00 |
Your recommendation has been sent.
Thanks for referring your friend!
.JPG)
.JPG){kind=link}
.JPG){kind=link}
.JPG){kind=link}
.JPG){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
