Olympic Peninsula / Columbia River Gorge Adventure

21 days
Ages 16 through 17

July 13-Aug. 2
Rendezvous: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Tuition: $3595

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Arriving by plane in Seattle reveals mountain peaks topped with glaciers, rocky coastlines and the beautiful Puget Sound speckled with islands. This is the perfect backdrop for this multi-element adventure. We begin this experience with a day of hiking followed by a day of rock climbing at one of the region's best sites, in the Snoqualmie National Forest. With the Cascade Mountains in the rear view mirror, we venture on a short ferry from downtown Seattle to the perfect place to explore rocky coastlines and quiet inlets in search of seals, bald eagles, and tide pools. In order to tackle the expansive Pacific Ocean by kayak, we must first brush up on kayaking techniques. Our professional instructors will help us learn paddle strokes, self-rescue techniques, and the Eskimo roll!! With our tour of the Puget Islands by boat finished, we take off to explore the Wilderness areas of Olympic National Park. We start with a day hike 6,000 feet above sea level on Hurricane Ridge in the heart of the Olympic Mountains. After a day at elevation we spend the entire day planning and packing for our coastal backpacking expedition. The next few days we are trekking across the rocky vistas of the famous Olympic coastline while building teamwork and confidence. The day following our backpack trip, we spend relaxing, showering, dining out, and sharing stories around the campfire. The next day we spend "making a difference" by volunteering for the national park service. We then head south to the most spectacular section of the Columbia River Gorge in the Mount Hood National Forest. We will explore a side canyon or two as we prepare for our whitewater raft trip down the White Salmon River the following day. The Pacific Northwest is a playground for outdoor adventure, and this expedition is an experience that lets you see it all!!