Hiking, Backpacking & Mountaineering
Remember the last time you saw something that caused you to stop and sit in awe? Maybe it was a brilliant sunset or a distant range of snow capped peaks or a pristine lake or stream. Maybe it was the view from the top of a mountain where the whole world spread out below you in all directions. Or maybe it was on a moonless night, with its dazzling display of stars, and you felt so insignificant.
It seems as if those moments are far and few between in our world full of demands and deadlines and, unfortunately, our lack of initiative. Whether the task is too difficult to start, or we just think the mountain is too high for us to climb, we can usually talk ourselves into staying home. We remain there isolated in our normal day-to-day routine, never venturing into the world beyond the end of the road.
At Above & Beyond we have a passion for the world that lies beyond the end of the road and the opportunity to introduce young people into it. Look over what's coming up and consider joining us. We guarantee your experience will be challenging, inspiring and life-changing. You will be stopping and sitting in awe.
Ahead this year in 2009
| Date | Trip | Difficulty | Availability |
| June 6 | Pyramid Peak | Beg/Intermediate | Limited to 10 |
| June 11-14 | Mt. Shasta Click here for more information |
Strenuous | Limited to 10 17 or older |
| July 27-31 | Pinnacle Adventure Camp D.L. Bliss S.P. - Lake Tahoe Click here for more information |
Beg/Intermediate | Limited to 10 Ages 11-17 |
Last Season
Reflections on Rainier and Shasta 2008
If there was only one lesson we took away from Rainier and Shasta this year, it was this - as climbers we have no control over the conditions on the mountain during our climb. We can pick the optimum time of the year and best time of the day (or night) to climb. We can have the best equipment and a strong team. We can have the best game plan and the most competent leadership. But not one of these things guarantees the conditions we ultimately face on the mountain will allow us to reach the summit and safely descend.
If there was only one lesson we took away from Rainier and Shasta this year, it was this - as climbers we have no control over the conditions on the mountain during our climb. We can pick the optimum time of the year and best time of the day (or night) to climb. We can have the best equipment and a strong team. We can have the best game plan and the most competent leadership. But not one of these things guarantees the conditions we ultimately face on the mountain will allow us to reach the summit and safely descend.
On Rainier it was the potential of avalanche that forced us to abandon our attempt at an elevation of 11,500 feet - that's almost 3,000 feet below the summit. Even if the danger of avalanche was minimal that day, the storm that came in on the mountain a few hours after we turned back would have certainly put a halt to our progress and sent us scrambling to get back down to the relative safety of our camp at 9,500 feet.On Shasta it was the wind and threatening clouds that initially brought our group of twelve to a halt. As we waited in the shelter of the lee side of a massive rock at an elevation of 13,000 feet, we held on to the faint hope that maybe the wind would die down, the cloud deck would not drop or that the snow, that was beginning to fall, would stop. At this point a worsening of any one of those conditions meant we would have to abandon our attempt for the summit. Within a matter of minutes all three conditions worsened. Once again, we found ourselves retreating in haste down the mountain, our summit hopes dashed.
Our plans for successfully navigating our way up both Rainier and Shasta were thwarted, not by our own doing, but by forces and circumstances way beyond our control. We could have chosen to downplay the conditions and circumstances, or worse yet, ignore them, and pushed on for the summits. Maybe we would have been successful in achieving our goal of reaching the summit and descending safely, but then maybe...
The human mind may devise many plans, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established. Proverbs 19: 21
These are reassuring words only if we seek to understand what the Lord’s purposes might be. If we truly seek to understand His purposes before, during and after we make our plans, we find that success has nothing to do with summits or goals achieved. It has everything to do with learning and growing in the process of attempting. It has everything to do with a deepening of our faith and dependence on Him. It has everything to do with the realization we are not in control.
In a culture preoccupied with winning at all costs and a culture preoccupied with self-reliance, control, and dependence, a "failed" experience on a mountain can have incredible impact. If we let it.
Pics from 2008 Shasta Climb
Pics from 2006 Shasta Climb
Sierra Backpack '07
A five day journey into Yosemite and around the Sawtooth Ridge. Read below some of the thoughts from the journal of one of our leaders of this incredible trip.
A five day journey into Yosemite and around the Sawtooth Ridge. Read below some of the thoughts from the journal of one of our leaders of this incredible trip.
Day 1 - Monday - 7200 ft.
We had a great drive over to the Eastern Sierras. We stopped for lunch at Jolly Cone in Bridgeport, our last real meal, and said good-bye to civilization. At midday we shouldered our packs and set off into the wilderness. We climbed 1400 ft. in 5 miles today. Not a bad start.
Day 2 - Tuesday - 8600 ft.
A full day of packing. We passed some beautiful lakes and really grunted out some major passes. We crested Mule pass at 10,050 ft. and set camp in the valley below. It was a hard day but tonight I saw the most amazing star filled sky I have ever seen.
Day 3 - Wednesday - 9800 ft.
Today was a short trail day, only 3 ½ miles. Along the way I had some great conversation with the students as they began to open up about life... We hiked the canyon from end to end and camped just below the Matterhorn at 10,200 ft.
Day 4 - Thursday - 10,200 ft.
Today we crossed Burro pass at 10,700 ft. and then proceeded up to Whorl pass at 11,425 ft. Most of this was class 4 scampering up very steep and loose rock We then dropped down around the other side of the Matterhorn through the "Notch" and into Horse Creek canyon. We camped at 9,200 ft. on a bluff next to the creek. A very hard but satisfying day of work.
Day 5 - Friday - 9,200 ft.
Today we hike out! It was fun to follow Horse Creek from its beginnings at the snow pack all the way down to Twin Lakes. At one point we dropped almost 1,000 ft. in ¾ of a mile! Over all we dropped 2,000 ft. in 4 miles and made it back. We had a great time, great conversation and shared some breath taking views!
Partnerships
If you have students, we have the adventure! Above & Beyond hosts trips for groups as well. Start to finish, Above & Beyond provides the leadership and support for your student group. Contact us for more partnership details or to inquire about an event you would like to set up through us.