As a Summer Search participant, you'll attend the High Sierra Alpine Backpacking & Rock Climbing – You'll learn climbing techniques and safety skills, as well as rappelling, knots and rope handling. Students will carry a backpack to transport food, gear and extra clothing to the climbing sites. After the climbing camp portion, you'll have the extended backpacking expedition. The pack weighs 40-50 pounds or approximately 30-40% of a student’s body weight. 

Step 1 - Initial Application

Complete the PDF Application and submit it to ballen@obca.org. Once we have this, we will begin confirming space on the course.

Step 2 - Secondary Application

After you receive an email from your course advisor, you will be asked to complete the following forms. We will reach out within a ten days of receiving the pdf application in Step 1. 

• Complete the Online Application and any other paperwork linked in the email. 
• Please download, hand-sign and submit the Liability and Release Form.

Course Documents

• Packing List - Please use this to pack for your course, Outward Bound California provides some items, Summer Search provides some items and you provide some. If you cannot get something, please get in touch with your mentor or course advisor to let us know.
• Itinerary - This is an overview of your course, what you'll do and what to expect. 
• Physical Preparation Guidelines - See some tips, tricks and an exercise regimen to get you started!

• Equipment Cheatsheet - Not sure what all the things mean on the packing list? This has examples as well as places to purchase for a cheaper price and alternatives. 
• Vector-borne Illness Information

• Attending Outward Bound - Information about what to expect on course
• Personal Care Information - This has information about menstrual cycles, bathing and other personal care info.