This venture is a full seven days of challenging adventures based in experiential education. You will backpack through the canyons of the Colorado Plateau in southern Utah, developing backcountry skills and leadership, deepening relationships with your fellow classmates, pushing yourself physically and mentally while having fun.
Wandering around in the desert is an incredible adventure and canyoneering can be technical with the potential for serious consequences. It requires considerable improvisation, teamwork, and judgment.
The use of ropes, anchor systems, rappels, hands, feet, shoulders, elbows, hips, thighs, backsides, pack passes and often someone else’s support to move and navigate through slot canyons. This particular route was chosen due to its remoteness, opportunity for solitude, and technical challenge.
Activities and Risks
The climate can be dynamic and challenging this time of year. Days can vary from warm, sunny, and dry to cold and wet. Identifying and managing hazards – which could be falling rock, stormy weather, or steep terrain – will be a constant theme in our instruction. Throughout your course, you’ll be miles from the amenities of civilization. Telephones, ambulances, and hospitals may be several days away. Managing risks and assuming responsibility for yourself and your class mates will help make your expedition in this wild place healthy and fun.
NOLS teaches wilderness visitors to practice responsible habits that promote the health and well being of self and others. Each participant is expected to:
- Demonstrate a developing knowledge of the hazards in a canyon environment and recognize their limitations.
- Describe and consistently perform specific techniques to reduce or avoid hazards.
- Develop experience and judgment to implement sound decisions and follow them through to completion.
- Display sound judgment and an awareness of group and self-limits
Training
Focus on a well-rounded routine that emphasizes stamina, endurance, flexibility, and strength. Finally, don’t ignore the need for balance; this will serve you well in the uneven and steep canyon terrain allowing you to dance, rather than stumble, your way through. Your ability to participate and enjoy activities will depend on your physical condition.
Costs and Equipment
The land cost for this venture is $3700.
Partner Organization
Snapshot
- Participant fee: $3,800 (land cost)
- Number of seats per venture: 12
- Location: Canyonlands, Utah
Updates
None at this time.
More Venture Resources
Questions?
We encourage you to speak with a Venture Fellow or contact the Wharton Leadership Ventures team with questions about Venture programming or the application process.
Questions specifically related to financial aid eligibility should be directed to the appropriate Financial Aid Office.
Apply for a Fellowship
Venture Fellows are selected in March of their first year to serve during their second year. Prior participation in a Wharton Leadership Venture is not required.
Explore the Venture Experience
For more than 25 years, Leadership Ventures have helped Wharton students translate challenging experiences beyond the classroom into lasting leadership learning. Explore the program's history and impact in Wharton Magazine's Leading Beyond the Classroom, or hear directly from students, alumni, and staff in the 25th Anniversary Video.