EXPEDITIONS FOR EVERYONE
Bear Cub Pass, Teton Wilderness (XE photo)
Exploring untrammeled places requires experienced wilderness guides with decision-making skills that prioritize student.
Of course, a genuine wilderness expedition also requires effort. While many experiences are attributed to the spontaneities of circumstance, efforts put forth to venture further away from roads and vehicles do not go unrewarded.
With this in mind, Xavier Expeditions seeks to provide our students with an unparalleled wilderness experiences filled with memories that last a lifetime.
We provide three adventure levels for experiencing wilderness and earth as our primary context.
Level 1 promises a genuine wilderness experience, including events like late night campfires, bear-tracking (if expedition occurs in bear-occupied wilderness) and whitewater or scenic rafting, while allowing students to return to the hotel each night.
Level 2 promises a higher level of wilderness immersion, including 2-3 nights backcountry hiking and camping, more extensive bear-tracking (if expedition occurs in bear-occupied wilderness), and horseback riding, whitewater or scenic rafting.
Level 3 promises the highest level of wilderness immersion, including 3-5 nights backcountry hiking and camping, several days of bear-tracking (if in bear-occupied wilderness) and horseback riding or whitewater rafting.
Each adventure level is discussed below in terms of general activities and physical requirements, with links for packing and preparation also provided.
Please note that Level 2 and 3 are based upon student interest levels measured by expedition enrollment. This means that an expedition originally designated as Level 2 or 3 may be downgraded to Level 1 or 2 if the interest is not there to do more extensive activities. That said, we will attempt to accommodate student interest in higher level activities during expeditions as opportunities present themselves.
"Diving Board", Yellowstone NP (XE photo)
LEVEL 1:
SAMPLE OF ACTIVITIES.
Backcountry day hiking; bear/wildlife tracking; latenight campfire lessons (no overnight camping); ecology and geology lessons; off trail hikes; Native American rituals/reflection exercises; scenic or whitewater depending on conditions and student interest); 4WD van safaris; universe story activities, wolf howl guides, self-exploration assignments.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to walk 2-4 miles; ability to carry small backpack/book bag (10-15 lbs); no serious medical issues susceptible to high altitude environments that require a student to be within 3 hours of emergency medical care.
WHAT TO BRING? See: Level 1 Packlist.
HOW TO PREPARE? Go to: How Do I Prepare?
Grizzly family, Teton Wilderness (XE photo)
LEVEL 2:
SAMPLE ACTIVITIES:
Backcountryhiking (1-2 nights backcountry camping); more lengthy bear/wildlife tracking; campfire lessons (1-2 overnight camping); ecology and geology lessons; off trail hikes; Native American rituals and perspectives; horseback riding or whitewater rafting depending on conditions and student interest); 4WD van safaris; Universe story activities, wolf howl guides, day long self-exploration assignments.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to walk 4-6 miles/day; ability to carry backpack (40-50 lbs); no serious medical issues susceptible to high altitude environments that require a student to be within 3 hours of emergency medical care; appropriate gear for high altitude environments and changing weather (3 seasons). Ability to adapt to unplanned changes.
WHAT TO BRING? See: Level 2 Packlist.
HOW TO PREPARE? Go to: How Do I Prepare?
Backpacking Washakie Wilderness (XE photo)
LEVEL 3:
SAMPLE ACTIVITIES:
Backcountry hiking (2-5 nights backcountry camping); extensive bear/wildlife tracking; campfire lessons (2-3 overnight camping); ecology and geology lessons; off trail hikes; Native American rituals and perspectives; reflection exercises; whitewater rafting or horseback riding; 4WD van safaris; Universe story activities, wolf-tacking, day long self-exploration assignments.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to walk 8 miles/day; ability to carry backpack (50-60 lbs); no serious medical issues susceptible to high altitude environments that require student be within 8 hours of emergency medical care; appropriate gear for high altitude environments and changing weather (4 seasons). Ability to adapt to changes and sometimes difficult weather.
WHAT TO BRING? See: Level 3 Packlist. Note, Level III is reserved for excursions to some of the most remote territories in the world, such as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
HOW TO PREPARE? Go to: How Do I Prepare?
Druid pack rendezvous (NPS photo)
“We reached the old wolf in time to watch a fierce green fire dying in her eyes. I realized then, and have known ever since, that there was something new to me in those eyes – something known only to her and to the mountain. I was young then, and full of trigger-itch; I thought that because fewer wolves meant more deer, that no wolves would mean hunters’ paradise. But after seeing the green fire die, I sensed that neither the wolf nor the mountain agreed with such a view”
