We began on July 12, 2001 and spent 21 days in the Beartooth Mountains of southern Montana.  The course route was split between a 15-day, two ration period of backcountry travel section and a 5-day base camp ration where our focus was on rock climbing.

Our group consisted of eleven (11) students and three (3) instructors.  

We were on a new route for OECs which proved challenging and rugged with short sections of 3rd class technical mountaineering terrain during some of our travel days.

We hiked about 63 miles in all, predominantly cross-country off-trail through extensive boulder fields and beautiful alpine meadows.

Heavy rain, hail thunderstorms and snow with violent lightning storms were on the first week of the course putting students on a high learning curve. The last week, five (5) days of violent winds with consistent gusts between 60-80 mph range significantly curtailed our climbing opportunities and curriculum.

Curriculum topics were effectively covered including core areas, student teaching, bear camping, river crossing and fly-fishing.  Student and instructor satisfaction with the course overall was very high.

Summary of OEC course by instructors:        Jim Ferguson, Allen Macomber & Eric Hagburg