AAVE's Summer Camp in the Rockies

DAY 1:
After meeting your AAVE trip leaders and new friends in the Denver International Airport, we head to our campground atop Mt. Evans where the leaders cook dinner and we get some time to hang out and relax. During our orientation meeting, we discuss expectations, prepare for our upcoming journey, and get to know each other.

DAY 2:
WHITEWATER RAFTING!! We waste no time getting the adventure started as we get the adrenaline pumping through Class III & IV rapids with our Performance Tours Rafting guides. We splash our way down Clear Creek, surging over Nomad and Phoenix Holes rapids on our way past the historic mining town of Idaho Springs. In the late afternoon, we travel to our camp outside of Leadville and prepare for tomorrow's backpacking trip.

DAYS 3-5:
San Isabel National Forest is home to alpine terrain, open meadows, breathtaking views, elk, fox and bear. Our first backpacking trek follows the Quail Mountain Route to the summit (elevation 13,461 ft.). Throughout the three-day trek, we learn minimum impact backcountry travel skills and "Leave No Trace" camping principles. Our goal is to "take only pictures, leave only footprints." With only ourselves and mother nature for company, we are treated to sunny skies, blooming wildflowers, abundant wildlife and panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains. We descend from Quail Mountain with a proud sense of accomplishment and a greater respect for the natural world as we travel to camp near Salida and prepare for rock climbing!

DAY 6:
We meet our professional guides from Rocky Mountain Outdoor Center who give us an orientation on the tools and skills required for outdoor rock climbing. After learning the basics of this exhilarating sport, we hit the granite walls of Big Horn Sheep Canyon to try out one of Colorado's favorite pastimes. All abilities are welcome and everyone gets a chance to reach the top! After a tough day on the rock, we relax and unwind in the healing waters of the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs.

DAY 7:
Today we try some more epic climbs, this time at Castle Rock Canyon, just east of Buena Vista. In the morning, we learn more in-depth technical skills like belaying, rappelling, smearing, jamming and stemming. The afternoon is a chance for us to conquer the rock and take in the beautiful views of the Arkansas River from the top, as we look for eagles, deer and bighorn sheep.

DAYS 8-9:
Leave your worries behind and experience two fun-filled days of genuine Colorado adventure at its best! The next two days are filled with swimming, paddling, exploring and soaking up the sun! Professional guides help us safely navigate through Brown's Canyon, America's most popular stretch of whitewater (for good reason!). We work together to paddle through famous rapids such as Zoom Flume, The Staircase and Big Drop. This trip combines some of Colorado's best whitewater with spectacular scenery and riverside camping. Our multi-day trips are self contained (accompanied by equipment/gear boats), allowing us to camp at a very scenic, peaceful, and remote site within the canyon.

DAY 10:
We take a well-deserved day to rest, relax, resupply and travel to our next camp just south of awe-inspiring Rocky Mountain National Park. Our picturesque campground on the shores of Lake Granby is our staging site for tomorrow's legendary backpack through the Never Summer Wilderness Area.

DAYS 11-14:
We spend four days soaking up the beauty of the Rockies on one of AAVE's highest rated backpacks! Alpine ridges, glaciated granite peaks, and quickly changing weather make each day of our backcountry journey different and exciting. Following the Baker-Bowen route, our elevation ranges from 8,400 to 13,502 as we trek past lodge-pole and bristlecone pine and timberline-alpine tundra. Don't forget to keep your eyes peeled for moose, elk and other wildlife native to the area! We practice the Leave No Trace ethics we learned on our first backpack to reduce impact on this pristine wilderness. We also learn some topographical map and compass skills that help us to safely and accurately navigate in the wilderness. At the end of our trek, we would be remiss if we didn't explore one of Colorado's most-prized possessions, Rocky Mountain National Park!

DAY 15:
We volunteer for the day at the Cal-Wood Education Center, a 1,000 acre preserve located between Rocky Mountain National Park and Boulder, Colorado. Cal-Wood's mission is to develop appreciation for the natural world and provide a beautiful, mountain setting for environmental education opportunities. We further this mission by participating in conservation work on the preserve. We learn how to maintain healthy forests as we assist with fire mitigation by marking tree stands and removing branches. We also assist in removing exotic plant species to promote the health of the native plants. Our positive attitudes and commitment to a day of hard work make this a worthwhile and informative environmental "give back" for everyone. After the project, we head back to our camp in the Park at the base of Long's Peak.

DAYS 16-18:
We continue with three days of rock climbing led by our guides from Colorado Mountain School, one of the nation's leaders in climbing. The first two days of this climbing school help us perfect our style and learn the ins and outs of climbing systems. The charming town of Estes Park is our backdrop for practicing and expanding on techniques such as smearing, jamming, and finger locking. Our final day is the culmination of all we've learned, as we ascend a 500-foot muliti-pitch route to finish off this exhilarating section. This team climb in the Flatiron range near Boulder is the accomplishment of a lifetime!

DAY 19:
We roll up our sleeves and volunteer at Rocky Mountain National Park helping to preserve the land we use by putting in a day's work of trail building and maintenance. This ultimate showcase of the Rocky Mountains, with elevations ranging from 8,000 feet to well above 14,000 feet, provides nature enthusiasts with opportunities for countless recreational activities. With the help of volunteers like us, the park is able to maintain the myriad hiking trails for future generations to enjoy.

DAY 20:
As our Ultimate Colorado trip approaches its end, we head back to Denver and set up our final camp at Cherry Creek State Park. We take the time to clean all group and personal gear and equipment, enjoy a nice dinner and celebrate our accomplishments in the great state of Colorado!

DAY 21:
We drive to the airport bright and early, say goodbye and begin planning our adventures with AAVE for next summer!

Price Includes:
Two AAVE CPR and First Aid certified leaders; all ground costs, all ground transportation including airport pickup and drop-off; all camping and camping gear (except sleeping bags, sleep mats and mess kits); all activities and gear listed in the above itinerary; all meals; local gratuities to wait-staff and all hotels or hostels.

Price Doesn't Include:
Flights to/from Denver, Colorado; optional gratuities, extra snacks and souvenirs.

This itinerary is a sample outline of the program highlights. It is not a precise description. Changes made before or during the trip will only be made in the interest of safety or a more successful trip. This diverse itinerary is our framework for a summer of exhilaration and adventure. Get your mind and body set. Activities are planned using years of experience with your highest expectations in mind.

We appreciate the importance of this decision and want you to be as informed as possible! Please phone 303.526.0806 or email us at info@aave.com with questions, to receive 2009 references or to make a reservation.

We look forward to having you join us!