'It may be that when we no longer know what to do,
We have come to our real work,
And that when we no longer know which way to go,
We have begun our real journey'
                                                          Wendell Berry

This 8 day adult backpacking program combines the classic elements of an Outward Bound course with mindfulness practice. A potentially life-changing journey into the wild heart of one of the world’s great mountain ranges, the course is designed to support participants to navigate through these uncertain and turbulent times with a greater sense of inner peace, purpose and presence. It is an experience with deep roots, for since the dawn of human history, people have been drawn to the mountains to seek inspiration, insight, and self-knowledge. Mindfulness in the Mountains participants follow in those ancients footsteps as they take the 'road less travelled' that has lured seekers, sages, artists and adventurers across the ages

Mindfulness, the core practice of meditation, is simply the ability to be deeply present in the here and now. Cultivating this ability is found at the heart of every contemplative tradition and in recent years has received considerable interest from health and wellness professionals. Mindfulness training to help people achieve deep states of relaxation has been well researched and its benefits are well documented. Outward Bound has drawn from these ancient traditions and contemporary research to craft an experience that can be delivered in a dynamic mountain environment and that is truly relevant for these times.

'Not I, nor anyone else, can travel that road for you.
You must travel it for yourself'
                                                                               Walt Whitman, Song of Myself

The course is designed for adult (25+) participants who seek greater clarity in times of challenge and transition, who need space to reflect on their lives, who want to learn or deepen a mediation practice or who simply yearn to walk their own path more deeply. It takes participants deep into a spectacular and inspiring mountain setting, as well as deep within themselves.

Outward Bound Canada offers two types of Mindfulness courses:
 1. Backpacking. On this course, you will undertake an expedition into a spectacular and seldom-traveled alpine landscape and practice using every step of you mountain journey as a meditation. The first and last nights of the trip are spent at a mountain lodge. These courses are a good choice for participants who are seeking a true wilderness adventure.

2. Lodge-based. On this course, you will undertake many of the same activities but return each night to a comfortable lodge. Lodge-based courses typically include rock-climbing and longer solos, and while they still include full and adventurous days of mountain hiking, they are designed to be accessible to a wider range of participants.

On all courses participants will learn a variety of outdoor and wilderness travel skills and a wide range of mindfulness techniques that they can incorporate directly in their daily lives. Participants will also have the opportunity to undertake one of the modern world’s few true rites of passage – the famed Outward Bound solo. You will spend at least 24-48 hours alone in the wilderness reflecting on your life and path. For many alumni, young and old alike, the solo has been a defining moment in their lives that has helped them to gain a deeper insight into their lives and glimpse the way ahead. And when you return from the wilderness, you will have the chance to give something back to the world through an act of meaningful community service.

There has been a great deal of interest in the Outward Bound Mindfulness in the Mountains course. Space is very limited on the course and we strongly encourage interested participants to reserve their space as early as possible.

Please read: How fit do I have to be? to prepare for your course. 

This course is subject to an additional $75 application fee