For those who want to combine the skills of a BOSS Survival Skills Course with the scenic hikes of a 7-day Field Course, the Boulder Top in Autumn Course is the perfect one-week escape. Come explore Utah's wooded Aquarius Plateau as we witness Boulder Mountain's transition from the greens of summer to the yellows and reds of autumn.
About
the Course
Beginning at BOSS's Durfey
Creek base camp, we will spend the first few days acclimating to the environment
and learning traditional living skills for a sub-alpine life zone. Utilizing
the materials available in pine and aspen forests at 9000 feet, we will learn
matchless fire techniques, shelters, trapping, and general woodcraft.
Once acclimated, students will pack their BOSS-style blanket packs and
embark on a 3,000 foot climb to the top of Boulder Mountain -- approximately
11,400 feet above sea level. This section of the course will focus on mountain
ecology, forest navigation, and low-impact mountain travel techniques.
Unlike BOSS Field Courses, there is no Impact phase for this course, but
students should be able to hike between 5-10 miles a day during this section.
Our goal: to explore the autumn wilderness and enjoy the traditional skills
which make BOSS ultra-light travel possible.
Less
is More
In line with the BOSS
Positive Impact Camping philosophy, the Boulder Top in Autumn Course has
a decided emphasis on using renewable, natural resources. Tents, sleeping
bags, stoves, backpacks and many other "required" pieces of outdoor
equipment are replaced with their low-tech counterparts: a poncho, a blanket,
a campfire. The motto here is "Know more, Carry less" and we'll
explore how traditional cultures lived comfortably without all the modern
gadgets like watches, radios, cellphones,etc (which are not allowed). Come
learn how back-country travel can be a less intrusive and more harmonious
experience.
Health & Safety
BOSS requires that all Explorer Course
applicants undergo a complete physical examination and receive their physician's
approval in writing prior to final acceptance on the course.
Please keep in mind, despite your physician's approval and BOSS's acceptance of you on the course, there are no guarantees. Health and participation risks (inherent and otherwise) remain. It's up to you and your physician to determine if a BOSS course is an appropriate choice. All participants must be aware of these risks and embrace them. Please contact us if you have any questions.
Course
Location
This course will occur on Boulder
Mountain and may travel anywhere from 7,000' to 11,000' above sea level.
The course will probably begin at our Durfey Creek base camp and move from
there to other parts of Boulder Mountain.
A special consideration: Based on feedback from past students, you may want to consider arriving in the Boulder, Utah area a few days before the course so you can acclimatize to the altitude. Boulder Town is at approx. 6,000 feet above sea level. Therefore, if you have concerns about being out of breath, a few days camping in the area may be helpful. Please give Jenny Stein a call or send her an e-mail for more information about arriving earlier than the course.
Age
The
key to a successful course is a student's maturity and his or her interest
in learning in a skills-intensive environment. Students younger than 18 must
be physically and mentally mature enough to handle a course of this nature,
and must also come with a parent or guardian.
Course
Content
Skills taught on the Boulder Top in Autumn Course vary with the group's
needs and desires. However, we hope to teach everyone the basic and advanced
skills of navigation, orienteering, and mountain travel. We will also be
teaching the basic primitive skills needed to be comfortable at elevation
in the autumn: fire construction, shelter construction, water procurement
and purification, campsite selection, axecraft, wood craft, thermodynamics,
and other skills will be covered.
| Phase | Length | Description |
| Orientation & Skills Basecamp | 2 - 3 days | 1/2 day of introductions, skills & safety instruction, and equipment review and sales followed with 2-3 days of primitive technology skills in our Durfey Creek Basecamp. |
| Group Expedition | 2 days | 2 days of navigation and exploration of the mountain with BOSS staff. |
| Student Expedition | 2 days | 2 days of instructor-free travel as students put their newly-learned skills to use and explore Boulder Mountain. Each group is responsible for arriving at the final destination using a predetermined route. |
| Celebration / Graduation | Course closing and congratulations. | |
Food
& Diet
All
students are provided with BOSS food packs which consist of basic staples
such as lentils, rice, quinoa, carrots, potatoes, onions, rolled oats, wheat flour, powdered milk, etc. During fire-ban seasons, these rations are modified
to include instant soups and meals which do not need a fire to be eaten.
Either way, the food packs will provide a student with approximately 2000
calories per day — enough to keep you healthy and active for the duration
of the course. Students who wish to supplement their diet with wild edibles
and hunting or fishing catches may do so in a responsible manner (permits
may be required and can be purchased in advance). Students with allergies
or dietary restrictions should contact our office for additional information.
2009 Dates & Prices
| 7-Day Boulder Top in Autumn | BT-2 |
Not offered in 2009 | Utah |
$1350 |
Course dates and prices are subject to change. Space is limited on each course, and registrations are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Please go to the Registration page for more information.
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