--Thank you!
--Erin Finnegan

EXPEDITION DESCRIPTIONS

6TH GRADE - All of the 6th graders will be going on the Trek trip. The Trek involves hiking with a daypack from campground to campground in the Figueroa Mountain area. Camping gear, cooking gear, and food supplies are shuttled. The Trek is a good introduction to backpacking. It is also a wonderful alternative for those who have backpacking experience. Note: If the Figueroa Mountain area is closed, an alternative location will be used.
IMPORTANT: The Trekkers will need to have good, supportive trail shoes or boots that are broken in before the trip.

7TH GRADE – All of the 7th graders will be going on Ojai Bikes & BOBs. They will carry everything they need for their five-day expedition in their BOB trailers. The route runs along the ocean and up the Ventura River bike trail to Lake Casitas, where they are headquartered for the majority of the expedition.

8TH & 9TH GRADE -
1) Gaviota Kayak Expedition: 25-30 miles of paddling along the Gaviota Coast from Refugio to Goleta Beach. Experienced swimmers only! Ocean experience required!

2) Mountaineering: Mountaineering expedition on Mt. Whitney with hiking and camping in the snow.

3) Advanced Bikes ‘n BOBs: A 5-day (Sunday, March 16 – Thursday, March 20) bikes & Bobs trip. Students will carry everything they need for their five-day expedition in their BOB trailers. The route is at present uncertain as it depends on weather and trail conditions. Total cycling distance will be approximately 40-60 miles. Terrain may be mountainous and challenging.

4) Catalina Backpacking: A 7-day hard backpacking trip across Catalina Island (Sunday, March 16 - Saturday, March 22). Note: This is a 7-day self-contained trip. There can be no coming late or leaving early due to reservation restrictions and complications getting to our remote campsites. Students journey across Santa Catalina Island from Parsons Landing to Avalon. Full frame backpacks required. Hikes are 6-11 miles per day. There is 1 layover day that includes Catalina Island Conservancy talks about the flora, fauna, and the Chumash culture on the island, guided hikes, and an evening astronomy lesson. A $90.00 extra charge covers the boat to and from Catalina, the Conservancy talks, stove rental, fuel purchase and dinner the third night in Two Harbors.

5) Backpacking: A 5-day (Sunday, March 16 – Thursday, March 20) beginning level self-contained backpacking trip in the (unburned part of the) Santa Barbara backcountry. Full frame backpacks required. Hikes are 6-8 miles per day. No prior experience needed.

IMPORTANT: Students on both backpacking trips will need access to a backpack with an internal or external frame, padded shoulder straps and padded hip belt, and a backpacking stove. SBMS has backpacks and stoves for rent. The backpack rental fee is $25.00. They will also need to have good, supportive trail shoes or boots.

9TH GRADE ONLY:
6) Trek: We will need some 9th grade students to volunteer to help on the 6th grade Trek trip (any 9th grade student).

7) Bikes & BOBs: We will need some 9th grade Bike Monkeys to volunteer to help on the 7th grade Bikes & BOBs trip.

LOGISTICS

Discounted Equipment:
Aside from what's available in Whit's Warehouse, several businesses in Santa Barbara extend a discount to SBMS. This discount is to be used for SBMS student trip related items only, unless otherwise stated. Please be respectful of this policy. We appreciate the generosity of these businesses.

Trip Drivers Wanted:
Parents who are approved to drive by SBMS, if you are available to drive a carload of students up to a nearby trailhead and/or back from the trailhead anytime between Sunday March 16 and Saturday March 22, I’d really appreciate your help. If you want to drive, please check with Lilli at school to see if you are an approved driver, then email Erin.

Please provide us with the following information:
1. Your name and phone number.
2. How many passengers (including the driver) you can take in seat belts.
3. Which direction(s) and the dates you’d like to drive.
4. Do you have a vehicle with a trailer hitch and be willing to tow a U-haul trailer?
5. Do you have a pick-up truck or horse trailer to haul gear?

Please be sure to check with Lilli first to see if you are an approved driver.
I will gather all of the offers, and once I figure out what our driving needs are, I will call you back and let you know if we can use your kind offer or not. If I can use you to drive, I will get a detailed map to you. Thank you very much!!