Silhouetted outline of a climber on a rock face

First Ascent Wilderness Orientation

Already love what you鈥檙e seeing and hearing about life at 甜瓜视频app? The First Ascent wilderness orientation program gives you the chance to make new friends and discover the beautiful region that surrounds WCU.

Whether you want to simply dip your toe in and spend an afternoon rafting on the Nantahala River or want to immerse yourself in an experience that will take you beyond civilization and deep into the mountains, First Ascent has a trip for you. You鈥檒l return with lasting memories and friends for future adventures.

WCU's Wilderness Orientation Program

Wilderness & Adventure Trips

Wilderness Experience

You will travel from camp to camp and explore mountains, waterfalls, swimming holes, and spend a day rock climbing. You'll leave the trailhead on day 1 with everything you need for 5 days in your backpack. By day 6 you will feel different, more rooted, a different person than when you began. Trips are led by trained staff with experience in wilderness trip leadership and wilderness emergency medicine. Many trip leaders are former First Ascent participants!

Cost: $275 - (Registration Deadline July 1st)

Pre-Orientation Rafting Adventure

Show up early for your orientation session and bond with other incoming students on one of the nation's most exciting whitewater destinations, the Nantahala River. The Nantahala is 9 wet miles of class II-III fun. The experienced guide staff of Outdoor Programs will take you on an afternoon raft trip that you will never forget. Rafting trips are held the afternoon prior to each scheduled orientation session, during the month of June. Please register for the date that corresponds to your Orientation session.

Cost: $40 | Raft Trip Information Sheet

Adventure Sampler

Want to try everything the WCU region has to offer but have a less immersive experience than offered by Wilderness? Adventure is the choice for you!

You and a small group of other new incoming students will go on a road trip and participate in a different activity each day while camping each night in tents at a Forest Service campground or designated road side camping spot. For each day's activity, you will bring only what you need for the day and leave the rest of your gear in the van. Activities include whitewater rafting, rock climbing, a swimming hole hike, canoe trip and a peak ascent hike of one of the tallest mountains in the East.

Trips are led by trained staff with experience in wilderness trip leadership and wilderness emergency medicine. Many trip leaders are former First Ascent participants! In addition to the staff that accompany the entire trip, many days are also visited by additional staff to help with the technical aspects of some trips.

Cost: $300 - (Registration Deadline July 1st)

Student climbing up a rock face on WCU's First Ascent Program

Climber at the top of a rock face and overlook organizes the climbers rope

Students rest and enjoy a waterfall in the forest

Students and guide rafting over a large current on the Nantahala River

Three rafts with students and guides travel down a section of the Nantahala River

Students and guide at a peaceful section of the Nantahala River raise their paddles up for a photo

Rafts coming to the end of the family weekend rafting experience

If you don't see the answer to your question here, please contact Base Camp.

Where do I meet for the Rafting Trip?

At 12:30 p.m. after check-in, you will head to the Campus Recreation Center's Adventure Shop and meet your rafting guide, we'll take care of you from there. Please come having already eaten lunch or bring a bag lunch for the drive.

What if I haven't been rafting, camping, backpacking, or climbing before?

Don't worry, many of the participants have never been done any of these outdoor adventures before. On the trip, your leaders will teach you all the basic skills you will need to be comfortable and successful.

What kind of shape do I need to be in?

You should be in good physical condition for all of the First Ascent options. The least physically demanding option is the First Ascent RAFTING trip. The most physically demanding option is the First Ascent WILDERNESS trip where you will be traveling 2-5 miles a day with 45lb backpacks in mountainous terrain. Contact Base Camp if you have questions about the physical requirements of the program or concerns about pre-existing medical conditions.

Do I need any special equipment for any of the trips?

For all of the First Ascent options, you'll need to provide your own clothing and footwear. Information and clothing lists for each trip is available at . Base Camp Cullowhee will provide all the specialized equipment for the specific activity and has camping equipment (backpacks, sleeping bags, tents, etc) for you to use free of charge.

Where do the First Ascent trips take place?

All of the First Ascent rafting trips tackle the class II/III whitewater of the Nantahala River. Located a short drive from WCU, the Nantahala is America's most visited whitewater destination. Throughout the 9 miles of river that the trip covers, you'll encounter numerous exciting rapids. Along the way, you'll see beautiful wild flowers, breathtaking mountain views, and may even catch a glimpse of the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad steam train.

The First Ascent 5-day backpacking and rock climbing (Wilderness) trip will traverse the fantastic mountains and river bottoms of either Nantahla National Forest or Pisgah National Forest. These hills and valley's contain a thick concentration of granite domes, beautiful waterfalls, and excellent scenery. The First Ascent Adventure program takes place at various locations around WNC based on weather and sports.

The First Tracks ski/snowboard programs head to the great Cataloochee Ski Mountain located just outside of Smoky Mountain National Park. Given its western facing aspect, this mountain can get hit by some great snow offering great turns!

Students and guide rafting down the Natahala River

Students and guide on a hike in Western North Carolina

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