Mountains to Sea - Itinerary

day 1

Upon arrival in Asheville, you'll meet both your instructors and fellow group members and begin to discuss your upcoming two week adventure. After all group members arrive, you'll hit the road and head towards Looking Glass National Park to prepare for tomorrow's full day of rock climbing. Enjoy a picnic lunch and a game of Ultimate Frisbee before setting up first night's camp. Excitement will build as you get to know your companions that first evening, discuss goals and expectations, and marvel at your new home nestled in the backdrop of one of America's most beautiful and desirable destinations.

day 2

Your first order of business will be to set up base camp for the day at the foot of Looking Glass Rock, where professional climbing guides will introduce you to the world of technical rock climbing. You''ll learn the fundamentals of top-roping, belaying and rappelling with a continued emphasis on proper safety procedures. Over the course of the day, your instructors will help you select routes that offer the right degree of difficulty. As your abilities improve, you'll have the thrill of mastering classic Looking Glass routes such as "Second Coming" and "Bloody Crack." In no time at all, you'll have mastered basic techniques and common rock climbing slang to impress your leaders and guides. On belay!

day 3-5

These three days will take you through fern-filled cove forests and along tumbling creeks as you learn to backpack on some of the Pisgah Ranger District’s finest trails. We’ll start with the fundamentals of backpacking travel, including what clothes and gear to bring, how to efficiently pack a backpack, and a few tricks on how to most comfortably carry a pack. Once on the trail, you’ll discover how to plan and follow a route and the finer points of selecting the ideal campsite. After a rewarding day, you’ll undoubtedly look forward to learning the basics of backcountry cooking. It won’t take long to feel perfectly at home in the woods as you and your new friends leave behind the everyday world and discover the freedom and beauty of the great outdoors!

day 6

Day 6 takes your group to the world-class rapids of the Ocoee River – site of the 1996 Olympic Whitewater Competition. Through teamwork and the tutelage of professional river guides, you'll tackle the infamous drops like “Broken Nose,” “Double Trouble” and the awe-inspiring “Tablesaw.” Remember to take time to admire your surroundings – the landscape the Ocoee offers is second to none. After a refreshing day on the water, you’ll shower off and gear up for our drive to the Nantahala Outdoor Center.

day 7-8

The next two days spent at the celebrated Nantahala Outdoor Center are action packed. First, experience life amongst the treetops as you tackle the elements of an awesome Ropes and Challenge course, which will both test and extend your courage and confidence as it fuels the teamwork and camaraderie of the group. Release your inhibitions and climb out of your comfort zone as you float well above the ground below. From there, jump into your own inflatable kayak, or “duckie,” and discover the natural rush of whitewater as you plunge through the rapids of the Nantahala River. Be careful though – running Appalachian whitewater can be habit forming!

day 9-11

The next three days are a new addition to the famed expedition on the east coast. From the Nantahala River, you will be traveling south to the radiant city of Charleston, South Carolina, for two more days on the water. First, you will be sea kayaking through remote areas, visiting spectacular undeveloped barrier islands, and exploring much of the rather undiscovered and unknown coastline of South Carolina. The following day, you’ll head over to Folly Beach for a day of surf lessons with the Shaka Surf School. Attempting to catch the perfect wave, hanging ten and carving through the southern waves of the Atlantic Ocean will be your goals as you learn basic and advanced techniques from some of the best guides the surfing world has to offer.

day 12-13

While enjoying your last days together on the sun-baked sands of Charleston and the untamed North Carolina splendor, you’ll clean your gear, prepare for your departure, exchange phone numbers and email addresses, and share a rousing banquet dinner where tales will be told and laughter will be shared.