2016 Expeditions
Whether climbing the edge of a canyon, pedaling down 7,000 feet of open forest, trekking through some of the most gorgeous lands on this earth, or fighting the rapids in the jungle, Falling Creek has an expedition calling out to your adventurer! Expeditions are led by experienced FCC staff members and are focused on helping campers develop character and build leadership skills. Under the guidance of outstanding role models, participants learn strong outdoor living skills as they share in responsibilities on the rocks, rivers, and trails.
HUCK Ecuador is a nine day kayaking expedition and will be based out of the Rio Quijos Eco Lodge. The lodge will provide a great place to sleep, warm showers, and outstanding food. During the day the group will explore two very different river systems. Some days, they will paddle large volume rivers that will provide big water fun! Other days, they will paddle tight and technical creeks; these days will provide outstanding venues to further the boys’ boat control.
This trip will be full of wonderful paddling memories; however they will also have many other highlights including a visit to the Equator and “mitad del mundo” or the middle of the earth. On the way to the lodge, the boys will cross the Andes which involves driving over a 14,000 foot pass! While descending from the pass, the landscape will change from high elevation cloud forest to the heart of the Amazon Jungle headwaters. AMAZING!
HUCK Ottawa is an 8-day expedition focusing on various aspects of whitewater kayaking (river running and playboating). Utilizing the scenic Ottawa River, participants will improve their paddling skills while enjoying the beauty of Ontario, Canada. The Ottawa was the home of the 2015 Kayak Freestyle World Championships. This location was chosen because of the wonderful playboating, outstanding accessibility, and wonderful community of kayakers in the area. A highlight for the campers will be paddling the main channel for the first time as it provides the first taste of the big water that the Ottawa is famous for!
CRANK Park City is an eight day mountain biking trip to the only IMBA, or International Mountain Biking Association, Gold Level ride center in the world. What makes an area a gold level ride center? Trails… lots and lots of trails. These trails range from first time on the bike to the highest level of professional riding – all in one place. From the small main street of Park City, we will have over 400 miles of trails that we can access without the need of a car.
A highlight of this trip will be the Wasatch Crest Trail which goes from the top of Park City Mountain Resort all the way to Salt Lake City. The Wasatch Crest Trail will have the boys riding at almost 11,000 feet and they will have amazing views from the ridge line in every direction. However, you might not hear about the views as the group will descend 7,000 feet off of the ridge to the valley floor! Amazing!
SUMMIT Utah is an eight day rock climbing program that will take place in the amazing Wasatch Mountain range just outside of Salt Lake City. The Wasatch Range is made up of five major canyons, and each of the canyons provides a world class area; when combined the amount of climbing is mind blowing.
During SUMMIT the boys will climb a wide range of rock types and route lengths. The campsite will sit at just below 11,000 feet near the head of Little Cottonwood Canyon, where they will enjoy wonderful sunsets, outstanding wildflowers, and a jumping off point for the rest-day activity which will be a hike/scramble to the top of Mt. Superior. From the top of Superior the group will be awarded with amazing views of both sides of the Wasatch!
Other than climbing and snow skiing, Little Cottonwood Canyon is also famous for the Mountain Goats which live high on the granite walls. It is one of the major peaks in the Salt Lake City skyline.
BLAZE Yosemite is a nine day backpacking trip to one of the crowd jewels of the American National Park system, Yosemite National Park. During BLAZE the campers will hike in and around 60 miles in famed Yosemite Wilderness. BLAZE will start at a far-removed trail head away from the hustle and bustle of the valley floor way below.
As the campers hike they will encounter massive cliffs, cross deep gorges, and enjoy the wonder that is the high sierra! The trip will hike along the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne and then turn south to camp near the famous Merced Lake. From there they will hike up the valley passing near the base of half dome. The trip will conclude with a hike up the valley to enjoy the view of EL Capitan, which Ansel Adams made famous.