Walkabout is the ultimate backpacking adventure, allowing for deep wilderness immersion. Walkabout campers will spend nearly their entire time at Camp Unalayee backpacking on the trail; of the 31 days 5 or less will be spent in Base Camp.
Walkabout is intended to provide an extended and immersive wilderness experience with opportunities for personal growth and reflection. As such, it is available to campers 12–17 and is recommended for those with previous backpacking experience and who are in good physical condition. Previous enjoyment of a trail tribe program is a good indicator that a prospective participant would enjoy the Walkabout program. Although the focus is more on exploration than miles, with most days being of mild or moderate difficulty, the itinerary may include longer days and some challenging off trail terrain.
“Walkabout is a once in a lifetime opportunity. During the month of hiking, I learned how to be a part of a community, and I made friendships that will last a lifetime.” – Albin, Walkabout Camper 2004
The extended duration of this program affords many opportunities that cannot be accommodated during one of our ordinary Trail Programs. It will allow us to explore areas that are too far from the CampU basin to get to in a single session, and allow us to see them in greater detail. As well it will allow us to schedule a lot more into the program.
Dates: July 15th – August 14th. 31 days spanning 2nd and 3rd sessions
Rate: $3900
Proposed Itinerary: Start and spend the majority of the trip in the Marble Mountain Wilderness (click to learn more about this area) – just north of the Trinity Alps. While Unalayee sometimes visits the Marble Wilderness during it’s Trail Programs, there is rarely enough time to see more than the southwestern corner, and little time to explore. Walkabout will the have opportunity to go places that Unalayee has not visited since the Walkabout program of 2003. The Marble Mountain Wilderness is gorgeously lush and features dozens of beautiful alpine lakes. The Marble Valley area in particular has unique geological features including Marble Mountain, which we plan to summit, and an extensive cave system, some of which we will be able to explore. In roughly the final third of the trip we will explore some of the Russian Wilderness and make our way back through the beautiful Russian and Trinity Wildernesses to CampU. To keep pack weights reasonable we will have scheduled food drops at trail heads.
Proposed Program: Walkabout will cover what would be considered part of our Wild Tribe program on a more relaxed schedule, including 24 hour wilderness solos, a sweat lodge ceremony, and lots of chances to learn wilderness survival skills and about the area’s rich natural history. Interested participants will also have the opportunity to learn or reinforce many of the skills ordinarily covered by our CIT training, including map reading, navigation, trail leading, firebuilding, shelter building, and leadership skills under the guidance of experienced staff.
Leaders: Cody Hallenbeck has been attending Camp Unalayee since he was a young boy. He has been a summer camp counselor since 2004. During this time he has led multiple Trail Programs, led the Counselor in Training Program, served as Program Director, and most importantly, led two Walkabouts.
We would be happy to communicate with any prospective campers or parents about any questions, concerns, or feedback they might have.
If you are interested in the program call Sarah at (650) 308-4453 to enroll.
Space is strictly limited to eight campers, so sign up early! (Walkabout must reach a 5 camper enrollment to run)
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