Are you a current 7th or 8th grader at Lake County Middle School? Come join us!
The Lake County Backpack Trip is a fun, week-long adventure that culminates with a backpacking trip in the very mountains that make up our backyard. Visit beautiful high alpine lakes, learn how to cook on a camp stove, sleep under the stars, make great new friends, and challenge yourself! The trip is free for all participants and will be run by the High Mountain Institute in partnership with Full Circle of Lake County and the Lake County School District. No experience is necessary.
July 22 – July 27, 2019
Enrollment Paperwork can be viewed here. Please return your application to Full Circle of Lake County (719-486-2400), or to Ray McGaughey from the High Mountain Institute (719-486-8200 x109; rmcgaughey@hminet.org; 531 CR 5A, Leadville, CO 80461). Click here for more information about the program, and here for a wilderness equipment packing list.
Se puede ver los documentos de inscripción aquí. Por favor llena la aplicación adjunta y entrégala a un representante de Full Circle (719-486-2400), o a Ray McGaughey de High Mountain Institute (719-486-8200 ext 109; rmcgaughey@hminet.org; 531 CR 5A, Leadville, CO 80461). Haz click aquí para más informació sobre el programa y aquí para una lista de equipo.
Applications are accepted on a first-come first-served basis based on available space.
What to Expect
Days 1 – 2 (one overnight on our campus): The first two days are spent getting to know each other and preparing for the upcoming backpacking trip. We learn how to set up a tent, cook a meal on a camping stove, and read a map. We also go on a couple of day hikes and take a refreshing dip in Turquoise Lake. Transportation is provided to the High Mountain Institute’s campus on the first day (just outside Leadville by the Fish Hatchery) and back home at the end of the trip. We will spend the first two nights camping out on HMI’s campus. On the final day before our four-day backpacking trip, we pack all of the food and gear that we need. All equipment is provided. We also find some time to play games with our news friends, such as soccer or basketball.
Day 3 – 6 (four overnights): Then it is off into the backcountry for four days of backpacking! We hike through spectacular mountains and camp under the stars near crystal-clear lakes. Over the course of the trip we learn the basic skills to camp and travel comfortably in the wilderness. Plus, we have lots of fun while we’re at it!
The Lake County Backpacking Trip is made possible thanks to the generosity of the Kayne Family Foundation.
2019 Staff
Arthur Piantedosi
Arthur Piantedosi was born and raised on the north shore of Massachusetts. Arthur was a student at HMI during Semester 23 and returned to Leadville in 2016 as the Marketing Apprentice of Semester 37. After graduating from Hobart and William Smith colleges, Arthur joined his 102-year-old family business, Piantedosi Baking Co. in Malden, MA as the Business Process Analyst along with his bother and cousin. Arthur is thrilled to be taking time off this summer to return to HMI for the Lake County Backpacking Trip.
Ari Gino
Ari grew up in Southern California and moved to Colorado to study Environmental Engineering at CU Boulder. It was here that she learned to love the mountains, and spent many a weekend exploring Colorado’s open spaces. Since graduating, Ari has taught math at a variety of schools and led expeditions around the West and in South America. She joined the HMI community as a Semester 35 Apprentice, currently helps out around campus, and is thrilled to work in another capacity as an instructor for the Lake County Backpacking Trip. Ari is very excited to explore the Sawatch with her LCHS students!