ASCEND EXPEDITIONS & EDUCATION ASCEND EXPEDITIONS

ASCEND EXPEDITIONS & EDUCATION ASCEND EXPEDITIONS 

Empowering individuals to master the outdoors through expert-guided, educational experiences.
Black and white image of mountain

The Expeditions

Explore the world with unparalleled adventure experiences, expertly designed to integrate medical education, sustainable tourism, and thrilling expeditions. 
Our programs offer high-caliber adventures, drawing on years of professional experience with prestigious institutions like Dartmouth, Stanford, and the University of Utah.

40° 45″ N
111° 53″ W

Expedition Levels

  • Purpose: Build confidence with essential outdoor skills, safety practices, and group dynamics. Perfect for beginners looking to explore the outdoors.

    What You’ll Learn:

    1. Clothing & Gear Selection: How to choose and pack the right gear for day trips.

    2. Basic Navigation: Use maps and natural landmarks to find your way. GPS comes later!

    3. Sustainable Tourism: Practice eco-friendly principles that protect nature.

    4. Risk Assessment & Safety: Learn to assess weather and terrain risks.

    5. Basic First Aid: Handle common issues like dehydration and blisters.

    6. Group Dynamics: Work together, communicate, and support each other.

    Outcome: By the end, you’ll have the confidence to take day trips with the right gear, know how to navigate, and stay safe while exploring.

  • Purpose: Take your skills to the next level with multi-day trips and more independence in the backcountry.

    What You’ll Learn:

    1. Packing for Multi-Day Trips: Organize gear and food for extended trips.

    2. Intermediate Navigation: Master GPS and compass use in remote areas.

    3. Avalanche & Water Safety: Stay safe near snow and water.

    4. Sustainable Tourism in Backcountry: Apply Leave No Trace principles in remote areas.

    5. Intermediate First Aid: Handle more complex injuries in the wild.

    6. Collaborative Group Dynamics: Improve decision-making and teamwork on longer adventures.

    Outcome: You’ll be ready to plan and execute multi-day adventures, navigate with GPS, manage risks, and work effectively with your group over extended trips.

  • Purpose: Learn to navigate difficult terrain, manage risks, and start leading your group in challenging environments.

    What You’ll Learn:

    1. Advanced Navigation: Develop route finding and off-trail navigation using a combination of topographical maps, GPS, and compasses off trail.

    2. Risk Management & Rescue: Assess and manage environmental hazards, and perform basic search and rescue.

    3. Leadership Introduction: Take on leadership roles, guiding and decision-making within the group.

    4. Advanced Sustainable Tourism: Protect fragile environments while exploring remote areas.

    5. Wilderness First Aid: Respond to severe injuries like altitude sickness, fractures and hypothermia.

    6. Group Leadership: Lead group activities and manage dynamics in tough conditions.

    Outcome: You’ll confidently navigate complex terrain, manage group dynamics, and take on leadership roles during challenging outdoor adventures.

  • Purpose: Get ready for international adventures! Refine your leadership skills and master logistics for trips abroad.

    What You’ll Learn:

    1. Expedition Leadership: Plan and lead parts of international expeditions.

    2. Advanced Wilderness Medicine: Handle medical issues like altitude sickness or trauma in remote areas.

    3. International Logistics: Manage travel details, permits, and resupplies for international trips.

    4. Cultural Sensitivity: Respect local communities and environments while traveling.

    5. Emergency Response: Prepare for emergencies specific to international adventures.

    Outcome: You’ll be prepared to lead international expeditions with strong leadership, logistical planning, and cross-cultural awareness.

  • Purpose: Master the art of leading expeditions in the most remote and extreme places, with advanced survival and leadership skills.

    What You’ll Learn:

    1. Master Expedition Leadership: Lead your team through extreme challenges, managing risks and decisions.

    2. Survival Skills: Learn shelter building, water sourcing, and fire-making in hostile environments.

    3. Expert Wilderness Medicine: Treat severe injuries and manage long-term care in the field.

    4. Air Travel Logistics: Coordinate remote air travel and evacuations.

    5. Leadership Under Extreme Conditions: Make fast, high-stakes decisions while leading your team through tough environments.

    6. Sustainable Tourism: Minimize environmental impact, leaving a positive legacy wherever you go.

    Outcome: You’ll be recognized as a skilled leader, capable of managing expeditions in the most challenging environments, ensuring the safety and success of your team.

Join The Waitlist

There is no beginning or end, only updates and reminders to join the next expedition.

F.A.Q.

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F.A.Q. >

  • Our expeditions range from beginner-level day trips (Level 101) that introduce basic outdoor skills, to advanced, multi-day international expeditions (Level 105) that focus on leadership, survival, and navigation in extreme environments. Each level builds on the last, progressively enhancing your skills and confidence in the outdoors.

  • No prior experience is necessary! We offer expeditions at all skill levels, starting with the basics in Level 101. Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned adventurer looking for more advanced challenges, we have an experience suited to your needs.

  • For each expedition, you'll receive a detailed packing list tailored to the experience. For beginner levels, we'll help you select the appropriate clothing and gear. For more advanced levels, we’ll also guide you through packing for multi-day trips, including essentials like food and safety equipment.

  • Each level is designed to progressively build your skills, so you can start at Level 101 if you're new to outdoor adventures or have minimal experience. If you're already comfortable with navigation and multi-day trips, you can explore our higher levels. Feel free to contact us for guidance on where to start.

  • Safety is our top priority. Our guides are trained in risk management, first aid, and emergency procedures. We also teach safety protocols during each expedition, including how to manage hazards like weather conditions, terrain risks, and more. Advanced expeditions cover additional safety aspects such as wilderness first aid, search and rescue, and survival skills.

  • Our expeditions are designed for adults and teens, depending on the level. We recommend Level 101 for families looking for an introductory experience together. For more advanced expeditions, a higher level of physical endurance and self-sufficiency is required.

  • Signing up is simple! Visit our Expeditions page, select the level that matches your skills, and follow the registration process. The cost includes expert-guided instruction, all group equipment, and transportation from the meeting point. Some levels may require you to bring personal gear (like a backpack or tent), which will be noted in the details for each expedition.