Full send! Whatever you are looking to get out of a gap year, HMI can provide. This adventure was super fun, created so many memories, and I had an amazing time in the wilderness. I've never been backpacking or even camping and it was the most fun I've had in a while. I've never cooked anything other than top ramen and pasta, but I got to a point where I felt confident in making things like pizza from scratch. I didn't know anything about conservation or public lands and now I am fascinated by national parks. HMI prepares you for everything in life. I was so nervous to do this and I am so happy I made the right choice to do this. the people are so friendly, I felt 100% safe the entire time, and I have made such deep connections with amazing people around the country and even the world.

My semester with HMI was one of the most fulfilling and empowering experiences of my life. What once seemed so daunting- living in the backcountry for weeks at a time- quickly became comfortable and fun, thanks in large part to the wonderful instructors. I took a gap year to redefine what 'education' means to me, and my experience in this regard at HMI was everything I could have hoped for and more. We learned deeply about places while in them, talked about conservation and wilderness not as some far off concepts but as ideas with real, visible implications for how we lived while in the field. I would highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to learn a lot in some incredible places, with incredible people, and have a great time too.

When I first came to HMI I did not have very much rock climbing experience and I left the course with an increased confidence in the world of outdoor climbing. In addition to rock climbing we backpacked in Colorado and Patagonia and did service work in Utah. Throughout the course we formed a tight knit community and bonded as a group. I left the course with new skills and valuable friendships that I would not have gained if it weren’t for HMI gap. HMI is an amazing program that focuses on growth minded leadership and wilderness experiences, the environmental studies curriculum is interesting and thought provoking and leads to many interesting conversations and classes. I would definitely recommended HMI gap to anyone interested in taking a gap year regardless of outdoor experiences!

Firstly, if you are even slightly considering taking a gap year, for any reason, do it.

I wish I had taken a gap year in between high school and college. I was young, immature and headed to college for all the wrong reasons. I had a great time, but I spent more time in a fraternity house than I did in a classroom. After my junior year I decided that it was better late than never, and that in order to hopefully get something worthwhile out of my college experience I should take a gap year.

I decided on the rock climbing and conservation HMI program and have absolutely zero regrets. Everything about the trip exceeded my expectations. The climbing was incredible, and I was given countless opportunities to push my comfort levels and improve my climbing skills. The instructors were awesome, they were super easy to get along with, and it was pretty clear that they loved what they were doing. The group was great, granted there were some disagreements, but that's to be expected with 11 people living together for 80 days. I left the trip with some really good friends that I'll hopefully stay in contact with for a long time.

Most importantly I gained confidence in myself and my abilities and was able to figure out some of my passions and gain some direction in life. I walked away from the trip with a brand new appreciation for what's important to me.

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.