Early Fall Backpacking and Hiking 2020

I had an amazing experience with DownWest Semesters. Alec & Howie (the founders) put so much love and thought into the program and sent us to some of the most beautiful places in their respective states. They combine the kind of backpacking that you would find on a NOLS or Outward Bound course with readings that give you an appreciation and intellectual understanding of the places you travel (e.g. Wildfire season in the mountain west, controversies about filling Lake Powell, local Native American tribes...). We got to explore very remote and beautiful places but our instructors and Alex & Howie always made sure we were as comfortable as possible (like bringing our favorite foods in the food re-ration period and making sure everyone had warm enough gear). Couldn't recommend it enough!