Dear CMC Student:

I am pleased to know that you have applied to Colorado Mountain College. Our college is unique in many ways, not the least of which is our location in the heart of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Our Outdoor Education Program provides classes throughout the west from pristine Wilderness areas of Colorado to the deserts of Arizona. Regardless of your intended major at Colorado Mountain College, we encourage you to participate in Mountain Orientation August 14-19, a wilderness backpacking excursion with some additional meetings. This is the first course of the fall semester and will be credited to your fall class load.

Why should you take the Mountain Orientation class? Mountain “O” has a rich history of being a course where students challenge their physical and mental abilities, hone leadership skills, and meet new students. Several research studies have indicated that personal growth and confidence are enhanced from facing challenges in outdoor adventure education classes. Mountain “O” students share a common bond of experiencing backpacking in the mountains and enter the semester with new friends. Backpacking experience is not a pre-requisite. 

What will you learn? Classes are presented on mountain travel skills, leadership, mountain weather, alpine ecology, wildlife, geology, Leave No Trace, and historical human settlement of the mountain areas of Colorado. Most of the class takes place above 10,000 feet, so the scenery is awesome! It is not a “technical” mountaineering course, though some fundamental mountaineering skills are taught. Our groups travel 4-9 miles per day and may gain or lose elevations of 3,000 feet.

Mountain “O” groups are led by experienced outdoor leadership professionals, many of whom have led the course several times. The class first meets on our Spring Valley campus where we will orient you on how to use equipment, issue group gear and food, and learn how to travel safely and comfortably in the mountains. At the end of the first day we will leave campus for a campground near the trailheads, where we will spend the first night. Groups will head out on trails the next day. We encourage you to take a look at mountain orientation photos in our online slideshow.

Mountain “O” will allow you to get a head-start on the semester by taking two college credits in the outdoors. The cost of the course is tuition for two credits, plus a $165.00 fee.  The fee includes:

• 6 Breakfasts
• 5 Dinners
• Group Equipment Rentals (stoves, cookware, first aid kits, etc.)
• U.S. Forest Service permit fees
• Transportation (once you arrive on campus)

Group meets at the Spring Valley student Center at 8 am on Thursday, 8/14.  The field trip is Thursday through the following Tuesday, 8/14-19.  Students will receive equipment list and additional information by mail after registration. There will be a final exam on 8/29 from noon-12:50pm.  The final day of this course is Wednesday, 9/15 from 3-5:50pm for an experiential outing and barbeque.  The supplemental course charge includes transportation, breakfasts and dinners, group camping equipment, and permit charge. Students must drop the course by 8/11 to receive a refund of the supplemental course charge. Backpack, sleeping bag, and tent rentals are available.  Minimum age: 17.

To enroll, complete the registration form and return promptly in the enclosed envelope, in order to secure your space in the class. Please contact the following for any additional information:   

• Residence Hall, 1-800-621-8559 ext. 8276 Vicky Butler
• Registration, 1-800-621-8559 ext. 8298 Andrea Daily

Once we have received your registration form, we will confirm your enrollment by mailing you a receipt, equipment list, health forms, and other important information. If you have questions specific to the class or equipment needed call or email me. Enrolled students receive a 10% discount at some of our local outdoor stores in Glenwood Springs. Please be advised that final acceptance to the course is dependent upon our review and approval of your completed health and assumption of risk forms. If we have questions, we may call you and may require your physician’s clearance. Your safety and learning are our primary interests.
I look forward to meeting you and to you joining the team at Colorado Mountain College.

Sincerely,

Bruce Kime, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Outdoor Education
800-621-8559, ext. 8246
970-947-8246
bkime@coloradomtn.edu

“The air is still; my breath is still. The sun is shining down and warming my inner spirit. I feel as though I am but a single golden leaf, flowing down the stream-dancing to the flow of life. It’s all so still and quiet. The weeds and flowers whisper in the wind, but the flow of the water overpowers all. I have never seen such beauty. The flowers and moss cover the ground, my heart beats silently with the rhythm of the earth. What more could I possibly ask for than this…?”

“MOUNTAIN O“ is almost over and I wish it wasn’t.  This has been such a great week for me.  I really think it has been a turning point in my life.  I learned a lot of things about myself that I never knew.  I had to face a big fear of mine and I made it through OK....”