BOAT trip pages
While there are common threads to all of our trips, some are unique. Got to BOAT trip pages below to get the specifics on your trip. BOAT general info will give you the nitty-gritty that applies to all our trips (like what we eat, what it’s like out there, where we go, and similar).
Due to COVID-19, and the risks of group gatherings, all BOAT programs are canceled for the foreseeable future. We encourage all to take advantage of local outdoor spaces, but to avoid camping in remote and rural areas where medical resources are already limited.
BOAT general info
check out our pre-trip INFO PACKET
what do we EAT?
THE BASICS
Food is as important as equipment on trail. We need diets that can keep you healthy and satisfied, while staying light, easy to carry, and simple to prepare. BOAT is proud of the food we make – it’s some pretty good stuff. We’ve got a whole cookbook of options, and you will be our main chefs! We’ve done everything from pizza to pasta to burgers to sushi to empanadas.
SOME EXAMPLES
Most meals are prepared on camp stoves, and are a mix of a “staple” (pasta, rice, beans, potatoes, quinoa, lentils, etc…) and a mix of spices and other ingredients that add flavor and flare. We transform those staples into things like bread, mushroom soup, pizza, tacos, curries, cookies, egg bakes, and more. We’ll teach you how to cook – and how to use nutrition to maximize your health and happiness while camping.
CAN YOU HANDLE DIETARY RESTRICTIONS?
Absolutely! Most meals are vegetarian by default (though we bring a lot of meat options – sausage, jerky, and sometimes canned meats for the carnivores), and we label our meals that can be easily made vegan, nut free, or gluten free. Sometimes if you’re the lone vegan that means we’ll need to work with your team to prepare a slightly different meal – but we can accomodate most reasonable restrictions and allergies.
where do we GO?
THE BASICS
BOAT primarily utilizes public lands – that means lands managed by the state or federal government for recreation or other uses. In particular, we use National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, and State Park & Wildlife land. We look for remote, rugged places without electricity or facilities – we’ll probably do some map and compass navigation on your trip, and will need to practice really good Leave No Trace skills!
SOME EXAMPLES
There are a few places we really like to go – the Greenhorn and Sangre de Cristo Wilderness areas, managed by the National Forest, offers great off-trail travel to practice navigation and Leave No Trace. Beaver Creek is co-managed by Colorado Parks & Wildlife and the Bureau of Land Management, offering exceptional – though rugged – canyon hiking and the chance to find an abandoned power plant. We have a few other gems around the state as well – can’t reveal them all!
HOW REMOTE IS IT?
Very. While our programs do very, we’d advise you to assume you won’t have cell service on your trip. Our guides are trained in wilderness medicine, and we carry sophisticated emergency communication equipment. Plus we’ve got risk management plans, evacuation protocols, and all sorts of other precautions. Add on to that the fact that wilderness programs are far safer than most other sports and activities, and you can rest easy wherever we go!
what is it LIKE?
THE BASICS
Life in the field can vary a lot. We might drop our packs and go check out an alpine lake. We may try to hike a few miles longer than normal because of a great campsite we know about. We may take an easy day and bake some bread or make a pizza. But almost every day – except those where we “basecamp” and stay in one place – will involve packing up camp, moving somewhere new, setting up some lessons, eating, taking time to play, and setting up camp again for a night outside.
SOME EXAMPLES
A typical day might start at 8am, when we’ll wake up and spend an hour breaking camp and making breakfast. We’ll typically start the day with a “route review,” checking the map to make sure we know where we’re going and what to look for. We’ll take breaks throughout the day, snacking as we go – we may even stop for a lesson or workshop. Around 4 or 5 we’ll start looking for a camp, trying to set up and get dinner rolling by 6. We’ll close the day with an evening meeting or activity, and then have free time – or sleep time!
DO I NEED TO BE EXPERIENCED?
Not at all! Our adventures accommodate all experience levels. We can provide the training and experience youíll need to be confident and comfortable while on your adventure. Many people at BOAT are having their first major outdoor experience, so we put a lot of focus on balancing the need to make that transition easy while still providing valuable experiences to more experienced participants (like teaching others!). We make it clear from day one that we celebrate learning rather than prior experience. Everyone progresses differently – our environments are non-competitive and we strive to help you learn at your own pace.