Sleep among the Sequoias. Guided wilderness travel.
Upcoming Backcountry Experiences
No expeditions are currently scheduled.
We're building our 2027 backcountry season. Tell us you're interested and we'll reach out directly when enrollment opens.
Stay in the Loop
We'll begin reaching out in Fall 2026. Sign up and we'll be in touch.
High Sierra
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Multi-day backcountry routes through dramatic granite terrain, ranging from introductory overnights to sustained week-long expeditions. 3–7 day itineraries in planning for 2027.
Los Padres National Forest
Ventura & Santa Barbara Counties
Rugged, under-visited backcountry a few hours from Los Angeles. Overnight and multi-day routes for those building their foundation and skills.
Santa Monica Mountains
Los Angeles & Malibu
Navigation, wilderness medicine, and readiness programs in L.A.'s backyard. Day experiences for those preparing for their first backcountry season.
Local Events + Hikes
Join us on a Southern California day hike, workshop, or fitness drop-in while you build your trail foundation.
Subjective ratings like "Easy" or "Hard" mean different things to different people. Other systems require a calculator to understand. We value clarity and preparation.
The Crux Rule: Miles and Gain come from the trip's hardest single day, ranked by Gain tier first and Miles as the tiebreaker. Terrain is rated independently — whatever the hardest terrain is anywhere in the trip, regardless of which day it falls on.
Above 8,000 ft total elevation, limit ascent to 1,500 - 2,000 ft before resting at the new altitude.
1. Miles
Mileage on the trip's hardest day, as determined by the Crux Rule. This measures endurance.
1: < 3 miles (Short)
2: 3 - 6 miles (Standard)
3: 6 - 10 miles (Long)
4: 10 - 14 miles (Severe)
5: 14 - 18 miles (Ultra)
6: 18+ miles (Expedition)
2. Gain
Total vertical gain on the trip's hardest day. Each tier below E splits into a lower and upper half for finer precision.
A: < 1,000 ft (Aerobic)
B: 1,000 - 1,500 ft (Moderate)
C: 1,500 - 2,500 ft (Threshold)
D: 2,500 - 4,000 ft (Anaerobic)
E: 4,000+ ft (Redline)
3. Terrain
The technical skill required to move safely. Do you need hands? Do you need a rope? This measures consequence.
.1: Trail Walking (Groomed)
.2: Rough / Balancing (Uneven)
.3: Scramble (Hands Down)
.4: High Consequence (No Fall Zone)
.5: Technical (Ropes Required)
Adventure Rating
G: Appropriate for all audiences — a fun, easy walk. No specific challenges to be aware of. Events with no rating listed are always G.
PG: Appropriate for most people. Check the event description for specific notes on light challenges. Often pairs with a Terrain rating above .1.
PG13: Might feel adventurous to some — uneven surfaces, light scrambling, or other challenges. Often pairs with a Terrain rating above .2.
R: Mental challenges alongside the physical ones. Achievable safely with the right coaching and skills. Often pairs with a Terrain rating above .3, and may include some airiness or exposure, with adequate safety protection in place.
Example: Steep Conditioning Hike
Consider a standard training loop: 3 miles round-trip on a loose dirt trail with 1,800ft of elevation gain.