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Maine Appalachian backpacking expeditions explore the most remote stretches of the northern Appalachian mountain range. This journey is an opportunity for those seeking a fresh challenge in a unique wilderness environment and an intense team setting. In the mountains, lakes and rivers, students learn to camp and travel simply, relying on each other and what they can carry on their backs. In a phased teaching progression, instructors will introduce beginning, intermediate and advanced skills in mountain navigation, woods craftsmanship, weather observation and campsite selection. Regular group discussions allow for reflection on each day’s progress, and ensure that leadership and responsibilities are shared so that every crew member is integral to planning the next day. Through living and working closely together, students learn far more than wilderness travel skills. The habits learned and strengthened through this backpacking and canoeing expedition will serve students for life, and for whatever challenge is next.
On this course you will expedition through the bold Appalachian Mountains of western Maine. You will depart the base camp on the first or second day of the course and not return until the end. You will carry what you need for as much as a week in your backpack and you will hike or climb nearly every day. You do not need to have previous backpacking experience. We will teach you everything you need to know to travel comfortably, including how to pack a backpack, setup a wilderness campsite, rock climb, and navigate using a map and compass. Arriving physically fit will enhance your experience and ability to do well on the course and ultimately allow you to take full advantage of the expedition.
Your course focuses on wilderness expedition skills. In the mountains, you will learn map reading, cooking, how to load and adjust your pack, foot care, hydration, knots and, most importantly, leadership and teamwork. Backpacking is a great combination of team and individual elements. The mountains of Maine are rugged, wooded, and will at times be muddy and steep, making it necessary to “spot” and coach each other through difficult terrain. At times you will travel on wilderness footpaths, at others, you will navigate off-trail. From mountain peaks, if the weather cooperates, you will be rewarded with spectacular views. Living and traveling with just what you can carry on your back is a simple existence, in which small choices can make deceptively great differences. To live well in the outdoors, all crew members must share the chores that turn a camp into a home, including setting up tents and tarps, making a kitchen area, taking a turn fetching water, and cooking satisfying meals.
Service projects are often incorporated into Outward Bound courses through coordination with local land managers, conservation groups, government agencies or social service agencies. While in the wilderness, students are encouraged to practice service to the environment and their team by sharing responsibilities and following Recreate Responsibly ethics throughout the expedition.
The solo experience is a standard element of Outward Bound courses. With sufficient food and equipment, you will set up camp at a site on your own. The solo will last anywhere from a few hours to a few days, depending on the length of your course. Your solo site is chosen to offer as much solitude as possible, yet be within hearing distance of other group members. You will not travel during this time alone, and your instructors will check on you occasionally. The solitude and break from the fast pace of your expedition allows for rest and personal reflection, which is necessary to make the most of your experience.
Our courses end with a Personal Challenge Event, an individual final physical push. These events typically take the form of a running and/or swimming activity, though may include another element that you learned during your course. This event is a chance to finish your Outward Bound Experience with a true personal challenge where you can own all of your decisions and efforts in contrast to the time you have spent operating within an expedition team.
Backpacking
Expedition Skills
Group Dynamics
The essential goal of any Outward Bound course is for the students to learn autonomy. Our expedition curriculum supports this happening in a progressive way.
During the first third of a course (a phase called “training expedition”), the instructors are very present in the group. They teach outdoor skills, the technical aspects of the activities and guide the students as they form a team.
In the middle third of the course (what we call the “main expedition”), the instructors take a step back so students may step forward. Students begin to teach what they’ve already learned to each other, and experiment with applying basic skills to bigger challenges. The instructors continue to coach and support as the students practice leadership roles. When the group meets a particular situation, environment or activity they haven’t learned about before, the instructors jump back in and teach. Each time this happens, the group reaches competency more quickly.
By the last third of the course (the “final expedition”), students are the stars of the show. They are applying what they know, leading each other, setting goals, and solving problems collaboratively. The instructors are close by and ready to step back in to prevent a safety issue from occurring but will let students find their own resiliency when they make mistakes, and ensure they feel the full spotlight of success when they meet their goals.
The mountains of western Maine and northern New Hampshire comprise the northern end of the Appalachian mountain range. Within this region, the White Mountain National Forest, the Appalachian Trail, the Carter-Mahoosuc Range, the Hundred-Mile Wilderness, the Grafton Loop Trail, Bigelow Preserve, and the Caribou-Speckled Mountain Wilderness all offer classic backpacking terrain. These spruce-fir and hardwood forests are home to hundreds of species of birds as well as moose, deer, and black bear. Rushing waterfalls, clear twisting streams, and spectacular views from rocky summits reward backpackers ready for adventure.
Most adults find it hard to get away. Our lives are so busy, often filled with pressures and expectations that it’s difficult to find time to do things for ourselves.
On your HIOBS program, you will learn four important Outward Bound Core Values:
Our one- week adult courses are the perfect opportunity to unplug, get a fresh perspective, step out of your routines and challenge yourself in new ways, discover new strengths, and forge new friendships. No previous experience is necessary—all wilderness skills are taught from the beginning. Some of the most important lessons you take home are learning about yourself and your community while acquiring backcountry skills and having an adventure. As you will be traveling through wild places on your expedition, you’ll also learn to protect and appreciate the unique, unspoiled environments through which you travel.
You will only need to be physically fit and motivated to live, learn and work in a team. The expedition may only last a week, but the strength of the experience will be with you for a lifetime.
Please pay attention to the due dates listed in your Welcome Email. If due dates are not met, you risk losing your position on course - our policies on cancellations and deadlines are outlined in the Admissions Handbook.
If you are having trouble getting the information together, or have any questions at all, please contact your Course Advisor immediately so we can help you.
Payment of tuition is due 90 days before course start, or within 5 days of enrollment if you are within the 90-day window. Payment information and policies can be found here.
You are welcome to bring extras of the items marked with a plus (+) sign. Where a range of quantities is indicated, e.g., “1-2” bring the smaller quantity if you are on a one-week course, and the larger quantity if your course is 10 days or longer. There are multiple brand name options available at varying prices. The clothing and equipment on this list is widely available in many places. Specialty outdoor stores like L.L.Bean, REI, Campmorand Eastern Mountain Sportswill have a range of appropriate items to choose from. Discount retailers, like Sierra Trading Postand the REI Garage often have good prices on name-brand gear and clothing. You may also locate many first- quality clothing and equipment items at military surplus stores and area consignment stores and thrift stores, such as Goodwilland The Salvation Army.
The HIOBS website has some great items. A complete collection of HIOBS-recommended-for-course items can be found HERE. Please contact your course advisor for suggestions.
Packing several light layers rather than fewer heavier layers allows you more flexibility as the weather and workloads change. Inner layers should fit closely, middle layers should fit loosely and outer layers should be just a little bit baggy. When shopping or packing, it is a good idea to try on your layers together.
Before your expedition, your instructors will check your gear; they will assess your clothing with the actual route and the anticipated weather in mind. Items you don’t take on expedition will be stored safely at base. We suggest leaving the tags on any items you purchase in case you don’t actually pack them for expedition, but please note that you should check with each store to see what their return policies are. If there are items that you would like to bring but which are not mentioned on this list, feel free to call and ask your course advisor at 855-802-0307.
Tick- and mosquito-borne diseases are an increasing risk of traveling in the wild regions of the Americas, including our course areas in Maine, New Hampshire, Florida, the Bahamas, and Costa Rica. Fortunately, there are prevention steps that are very effective and, in most cases, treatment is relatively simple and recovery complete, so long as the diagnosis is made early. Students and their families should educate themselves on the risks, prevention measures, and signs and symptoms of tick-borne illnesses.
Since prevention is always better than treatment, we STRONGLY recommend pre-treating your footwear, long pants, long-sleeve shirts, jackets and hats with a chemical barrier containing permethrin, at least two days before traveling to your course. Applied correctly and allowed to dry before wearing, the treatment remains effective for up to a month. For even longer-lasting protection, you can either purchase clothing with permethrin embedded within it, or send your clothes to Insect Shield®, who will treat them and ship them back to you, ready for your course. Use the Coupon Code “HIOBS” to receive a 15% discount on both clothing and treatment services at this website (please note that you need to use the coupon separately for products/ service).
Permethrin spray is readily available at many retailers, including Dick's Sporting Goods, Campmor, and Walgreen's.
For more information, please download our Vector-Borne Disease General Fact Sheet.
Summer in Maine is often warm and sunny, but cold fronts are common and these bring wind and rain. Out on the water, the air stays cool and moist so warm, quick drying clothing is essential. The sun can be intense making sun protection (sun screen & clothing) very important. Temperatures at night can drop to the 40s and even lower in May and September. Daytime temperatures range from the 50s to the 80s.
These are NOT required items. Please only buy them if you plan to use them outside of your course.
Our course areas are rugged and require boots that are appropriate to the demands of the terrain and carrying an expedition backpack. For most students, boots are a significant investment. Good boots that fit your feet will make your course safer and more enjoyable, and last you for many years. Follow these guidelines to ensure a good fit and help simplify your shopping. At the bottom are some examples of makes and models. Please call your Course Advisor if you have any questions, or to ask about a specific model.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are purchasing new boots for your course, make sure to get them well ahead of your course start! You will want to wear them around several times to break them in and ensure they are comfortable prior to arriving at your course. Leather could require a longer breaking in period.
It's best to do your boot shopping in the afternoon because feet typically swell in the afternoon, and this will affect the fit. You should start with at least two or three possible boot options in order to find a good fit. Put your first choice on one foot and the second on the other. Lace the boots up fully with the socks that you plan to wear - one pair of lightweight liner socks under heavy outer socks (see general clothing list for more detail).
Start by standing on a downward slanting incline and try to jam your toes to the front of the boot. Next, take a walk around the store.
Though your boots should feel comfortable, heavy and medium weight backpacking boots will feel much stiffer than you are used to. If you are not sure you've found a good fit, ask the salesperson if you can wear them around the house (not outside) for a few hours and bring them back if there is a problem.
Backpacking boots are usually in the category described as "medium-weight" hiking boots, backpacking boots or mountaineering boots. These boots have:
NO JUNGLE/WORK BOOTS - they are simply not suited to the rigors of course.
Most are relatively lightweight, comfortable, supportive, and weatherproof and require only a moderate break-in period. Medium-weight boots are offered in a wide variety of brands.
Please note that Outward Bound provides all other equipment, including (but not limited to):
HIOBS Instructors will carry a fully stocked First Aid kit. You do not need to bring your own first aid kit or "just in case" OTC medications that you do not regularly take if they are listed below.
This kit includes, but is not limited to:
Please review the times and locations for Course Start and Course End as you plan your travel to and from course.
Do not purchase any travel tickets until your Course Advisor has given the "go-ahead" to book travel for your course. This message will be in either your Cleared to Participate email or a separate message confirming the course is cleared to book travel.
Travel details (flights and drop-offs) are due to your Course Advisor 10 days before your course start date. This helps our airport shuttle teams get organized and ensures we have enough seats available for all students needing a ride. You will receive a Travel Form link from your course advisor. Please complete this form, even if you are being dropped off by car.
Students flying without an adult/guardian may need to bring an ID when traveling to and/or from course. If you need to obtain a non-driver ID card, please see your local Department of Motor Vehicles office. For more information, go to www.dmv.org/id-cards.php.
Arrival Location: Portland International Jetport (PWM), 1001 Westbrook St, Portland, ME 04102
Students must arrive BY 1:30PM. Our HIOBS staff and shuttle van will meet students at the airport. Once you get there, look for Hurricane Island Outward Bound School staff members – they will be wearing HIOBS apparel, and will have a sign or clipboard with the HIOBS logo (see below). Students may gather in the foyer between the escalator and baggage claim area of the airport starting around 1:00 pm. If you don't see HIOBS staff when you arrive, please sit tight and keep your eyes open for them. They are often moving around greeting students, helping gather baggage and answering questions. Students should check in as soon as possible with the HIOBS staff member, and then wait in one of the seating areas until we have accounted for everyone.
If you are arriving early, we suggest purchasing food before going to baggage claim. There are very limited places to eat once you've exited security.
If you think it makes more sense for you to arrive directly at the Outward Bound base, please contact your Course Advisor to discuss alternate arrangements.
Departure Location: Portland International Jetport (PWM), 1001 Westbrook St, Portland, ME 04102
Please do not schedule a departing flight earlier than 1:30 PM. Our staff will assisting students in checking in by around 12:30pm.
If you are being picked up at the Jetport, whoever is picking up should park in the hourly parking and then come to the Departures area. Our staff will be in the check-in/ departure area of the airport assisting those students who are traveling by air with their check-ins by around 12:30pm. Please check in with HIOBS staff before departing.
Airfare, related travel costs, and non-refundable tuition payments are expensive. Insurance to protect your trip and course is not required but strongly recommended. If you choose not to purchase insurance and cancel your course or leave your course early you will be held to the terms of the Cancellation Policy (See your Admissions Handbook).
Outward Bound offers an option for insuring these costs from the third-party provider InsureMyTrip through its Academic Explorer Program. This program has coverage options that include your travel costs and the non-refundable tuition costs. A link to that program’s insurance coverage options is below. Alternatively, you may choose to purchase trip related insurance through a different insurance provider. In either case, the amount and type of coverage you choose is your responsibility and must be discussed directly with the provider.
Learn more about INSUREMYTRIP here
You may also want to consider insurance for the cost of Emergency Evacuation. Health insurance often does not cover the cost of emergency evacuation by air or other means and these costs can be very expensive. HIOBS will not be financially responsible for these costs in the event that your student requires evacuation. The Academic Explorer Program offered through InsureMyTrip does not offer coverage for emergency evacuation. You will need to purchase that coverage from a different insurance provider. Outward Bound makes no representations or warranties about these insurance options or how they handle claims.
If your course contains an international component (Costa Rica or Bahamas), please make sure to read about the "On Call" International Insurance provided by HIOBS. You can find this information in the Course Overview tab.
If you encounter changes to your travel plans after you have submitted your Travel Form, please contact your Course Advisor to update them about the change.
If you encounter problems with your travel plans that will delay your arrival, please refer to the on-call number(s) in the "Final Details" email you received (will receive) 2-days before course start. Keep in mind that your course advisor may not be in the office on your travel day and will not be able to assist you with travel delays. So it is important that you contact the number noted in the Final Details email to notify your program team of the delay.
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