HMI Gap Semesters: Adventure, Conservation & Leadership in Wild Places

Throughout the 80 days I was in my community of 10 other students and 3 instructors, I laughed, cried, explored, learned, and discovered so many things. I learned core rock climbing skills like proper lead climbing techniques and anchor set ups that then turned into more specific skills throughout the duration of the course like rock rescue scenarios and leading multi-pitch climbs. I got to experience a community that bonded and laughed and shared so many jokes along with memories that will last me years to come. I also was able to be vulnerable and myself thanks to the instructors on the course. With their positive attitude and amazing leadership, they all were mentors to me. They provides safe spaces where all of us, could open up and share things about ourselves, like stories of our past to things we are proud of where those sharing can be honest and true, and not worry about being judged. This semester honestly was one of the most impactful experiences I have ever been apart of, and am so thankful for all the friends and connections I have made that will last years to come.

Being a part of HMI's Gap Semester was an incredible experience. It provided an excellent gateway to the natural world, environmental ethics and technical and social skills. With our small community of 12 students we had an amazing time and formed close bonds with each other; it is not easy to invest oneself emotionally to strangers on a very deep level, but it's definitely well worth it as it gives you an opportunity to really dive into the dynamics of forming communities.
I think this semester had a positive influence on me as I learned not only about environmental topics such as conservation, but also about myself and helped me get ready for my future by giving me time to think and reflect.
In all, it was definitely time well spent and I would highly recommend it to anyone.

I signed up for my HMI fall wilderness and conservation semester expecting one thing. But I have learned expectations are not realistic, this course has been so much more than I had imagined. I have learned many things like how to live comfortably in the backcountry for 60 days, cook creative sometimes disastrous but always delicious meals. Being in a group of 12 I learned much about how to be a good leader and community member. Living in these places also gave me a view I would not have had on the conservation issues we discussed. There are so many memories, great ones like mid-hike sledding and great conversations and memories where I overcame challenges on difficult hiking days and tough weather. This course was incredible and would highly recommend.

I learned so many valuable life skills from HMI gap. While I came into it expecting to learn about rock climbing and meet new people, the emphasis on leadership, community, conservation, outdoor ethics, and pure fun gave me more than I could have ever expected. Watching the group evolve throughout our time together taught me about myself and relationship to others. The environmental studies and leadership curriculums brought a deeper perspective and understanding to the places we were and the group that we were developing. The instructors are great teachers and mentors. Not every moment was easy, but I learned to face challenges with a positive attitude and growth mindset, and most of the toughest moments became the best memories. We spent time in the most stunning places I have ever seen, from the yellow aspens and towering mountains of Colorado, to the the rock formations and sunsets in Moab, to the jagged peaks of Patagonia. I’m leaving this program with more knowledge and stoke for climbing, understanding of my personal impact, direction in my life, appreciation for the beauty around me, and meaningful relationships with everyone that I got to know.

I’m not aware of any course with an itinerary as amazing as this one, but if it exists it’s probably not as good as HMI. HMI gap is an incredible environment to learn about every aspect of climbing, there aren’t many institutions that have students leading traditional multipitch climbs after eighty days. In addition to the curriculum, HMI has probably the best faculty of any course or institution I’ve ever heard of. You’d be hard pressed to find a group of people more smart, funny, experienced, and kind. This is the second HMI course I’ve done and faculty has been the best part of both, I’m not entirely sure how but HMI has found some of the best outdoor educators on the planet, the course is more than worth it for that alone. ‘Twas a good semester.

One thing that I did a lot of this past semester on HMI Gap was walking. Walking from one campsite to another, walking around towns, even on layover days or days off there would be a day hike to do. So, if you want to do a semester where over half of your time is spent walking, in most cases with a fairly heavy backpack weighing you down, HMI Gap is most certainly the program you should sign up for. However, if you're seeking a program that offers opportunities and activities other than walking and talking or walking and admiring grand vistas, I would say HMI Gap is also the program for you. While you walk a lot, every other moment is spent developing important back country skills, refining leadership styles, and hanging out with a close knit and loving community. So yes, you'll do much walking when you take HMI Gap, but you will also learn many life skills and create memories that will last the rest of you're life, so it's not only worth the walk from A to B, but the time and investment as well.

This program is really epic I would highly recommend it to anybody who loves to rock climb or anybody who would love to learn to rock climb. Especially if you want to improve your technical skills, like building anchors cleaning them and rappelling, and some basic rock rescue and first aid. The instructors are very capable and very willing to accommodate all levels of skill and ability. The community is also outstanding it is an amazing way to get to know people. It's funny because most of the kids you probably wouldn't be friends with at high school or college because of very different view points but due to the nature of the program and the community you grow close to everybody no matter your background. I would for sure do this program again if I could.

HMI Gap was one of the most important experiences I’ve ever been a part of. The whole experience was an amazing balance of adventure and and growth. On this course I learned so much about my self and the person I want to be. I would highly recommend this gap program to anyone who enjoys the outdoors and is trying to take a break from classroom learning. Especially if you enjoy climbing this course is for you. You spend a lot of time climbing in world class climbing areas in Moab, Utah and Patagonia such as Indian creek and Cerro Colorado. Some members of our group even got Togo climb Castleton in Castle Valley (look it up) which is a world reknown desert tower. At the end of the course we also completed a solo, during which we spent 30ish hours alone as a sort of introspective look at ourselves and the course.