HMI gap was awesome. I came in with zero outdoor experience and learned a ton. It’s also a great community with some lovely people. You spend three months with a very small group, so you get close to everyone. It might get cold or wet or ridiculously windy, but those will end up being the best memories you look back on. I don’t regret doing it.
There was a written curriculum, which was occasionally interesting, but could definitely use some revision. Our teachers made the best of it, though. If you don’t think you’d be cut out for three months of backpacking and rock climbing, don’t doubt yourself. Give it a try.

Loved the places we traveled and the things we learned. Getting to see remains of ancient civilizations to pumas and flamingos in Patagonia to sleeping under the biggest sky I’ve ever seen, i was surrounded by incredible people and memories. I’m walking out with some insane stories, lifelong friends, advice from incredible mentors, and a better sense of what i want from my future. The perfect way to move into the next part of my life, highly recommend if you’re looking for an adventure or new path in life.

I am so happy with my decision on doing fall trek!! Being apart of this community has helped me in endless ways and I definitely recommend!!! We hiked everyday and saw amazing views! I met so many people and built lifelong friendships with people here. I learned how to be apart of a healthy community and got to travel to many places! I am able to communicate in healthy ways with people around me and learned how to support myself and people around me. This program was the best decision I could have made!

I spent the first semester of my gap year doing HMI’s rock course. The instructors and staff were incredibly supportive, and the climbing was amazing. I would definitely recommend to anyone looking to build on their climbing skills, anyone seeking adventure, and anyone looking to be part of a tight knit learning community. I had a wonderful time in Colorado, Utah, and Chilean Patagonia, and I’m leaving the program with melancholic feelings and a broader and matured sense of self. Definitely check out HMI!

During the Fall Rock 2023 gap semester I got to travel around the world and climb at world class crags. Throughout the journey I met amazing people, lived in beautiful backcountry settings, and learned about the importance of self confidence, vulnerability, and reflection.

A supportive and loving team of instructors accompanied our small group around the world and shared valuable life experiences and stories. During transition periods we stayed at the beautiful HMI campus in Leadville, Colorado.

I was part of the HMI Fall Trek program and it was all and more that I could have asked for. The people I met and the places we got to trek on were incredible. All instructors were amazing and gave us the tools and structure to build such a healthy and fun community. This program gave us a lot of autonomy as students and really taught us the navigational and outdoor skills to be able to backpack and lead expeditions on our own. I left HMI feeling confident in the backcountry, ready to get back outside!

Traveled to the Colorado Sawatch region, Dark Canyon, Jacobs Chair, and Patagonia. Came as a newcomer to backpacking with zero experience, and feel confident backpacking on my own after this program. Instructors throughout the semester helped teach not just wilderness skills but also leadership and community building. Traveling to Patagonia was amazing, and being able to interact with other hikers was beneficial. I’d recommend this program to anyone, regardless of previous backpacking experience.

HMI was an amazing experience that I grew a lot from. The friendships I made well on the expeditions were beautiful and intentional. I grew a lot from this experience and feel like a new person walking out. I learned how to support the community I was living with over the few months, and how to support myself. There are great leaders that teach you how to be even greater leaders. It teaches you how to come up with your own environmental ethic. The instructions we had on this trip could not and been better.