We will begin our Bomber Mountain Adventure at West Tensleep Campground Overnight Parking Lot in the Big Horn National Forest. From there we will backpack into the Cloud Peak Wilderness Area and set up our base camps. From day two's base camp we will forge out on our conquest to summit Bomber Mountain to the crash site of the B-17 Flying Fortress. We will end our trip together back at West Tensleep Campground with our traditional Last Supper at Meadowlark Lodge and Tier 2 Ceremony on Sunday night. Continuing in our commitment to experiential learning, we have carefully chosen the various trailside classrooms in which we'll be conveying the exciting new Tier 2 content.

Because of the unique nature of this trip, your gear, physical fitness, and level of personal preparedness will require more pre-trip attention than the Tier 1 trip(s) you have already participated in. We have provided more detail on these important areas below.

The following measurements are important when considering to participate in a trip of this magnitude:

• The Bomber Mountain Adventure features a cumulative roundtrip distance of approximately 23 miles. Approximate roundtrip hiking distance is 20 miles. Approximate roundtrip climbing distance is 3 miles.
• Fifteen of these hiking miles will take place with a backpack weighing approximately 40 lbs (a bit less on the way back).
• Our entire trip will be spent above 9,000 ft, peaking around 12,000 ft.
• Our summit to the Bomber Mountain crash site will feature a very steep 1,000 - 1,500 ft of elevation gain. This entire strech of terrain is filled with boulders (no trail) and will require dexterity, balance, and lower body/core strength.

Because of the strenuous nature of this trip, after registering, we require each registrant to undergo a physical fitness test to confirm their eligibility for this trip. Should a registrant not meet the physical fitness standards, their registration cost will be fully refunded. Additionally, a commitment to physical fitness by all participating parties will be necessary for the overall safety and enjoyment of the group. After passing the eligibility physical fitness test, each participant will be required to fulfill the time-bound physical conditioning regimen (shown below) in the months leading up to this trip. Failure to complete these required regimens will result in dismissal from the trip. (Before starting any exercise program, consult your physician.) Each participant will need to physically be able to carry their own gear for the duration of the Adventure. Serious Adventure requires serious preparation.

Required Eligibility Physical Fitness Test:

• Registrant must be able to run a mile in eight minutes and thirty seconds to ensure adequate cardio vascular physical fitness.
• Registrant must complete a 4 mile hike with at least 500ft of total elevation gain (including a minimum of 200ft of continuous elevation gain) within a two hours while carrying a 40lb. pack.
• Specific instructions regarding the two above requirements will be sent to the registrant following initial registration.

Required Physical Regimen:

• April: Walk, jog, swim, or pedal a bike for 20 minutes at least three times a week. Gradually increase the length and the intensity of exercises.
• May: Continue excercising. Walk, jog in place, swim, or pedal a bike for 20 minutes or more at least three to five times a week. Gradually increase the length and the intensity of exercises. If you need to purchase a pack or footwear, make sure you have done this by now. See our separate sections for gear recommendations.
• June: Continue exercising. Increase cardio time to 30 minutes per session. Schedule two 3-4 mile hikes. (Make sure to use these and subsequent hikes to break in any new footwear.) Wear your backpack on the second hike with moderate weight in it.
• July: Continue exercising at 30 minute cardio increments. Schedule two more hikes (one of 3-4 miles and one of at least 5 miles). Continue wearing your backpack on these hikes. Increase the weight for each hike until your backpack weighs at least 30 lbs for the final 5+ mile hike.
• August: Continue exercising right up to the day you depart for our Adventure. Come to Wyoming in great physical and mental condition, ready for carrying a 40 pound pack over rugged trails at high elevations.

Helpful links:

• Conditioning For Backpacking
• Hike Farther, Hike Stronger

Making sure you have the right backpack will be important! Everything you bring on this trip must fit inside your backpack.

Each participant's pack should have a capacity of at least 60L. Having enough space and understanding exactly how and what to pack will be crucial (we'll talk more about packing with registrants as the Adventure time draws nearer). Additionally, each participant will be asked to reserve 1/4 of their pack space to help haul group gear and food (approximately 8 lbs) to our base camp location.

We expect your final pack weight to be approximately 40 lbs. Finally, making sure that your pack is fitted to the specifications of your body is very important for your comfort and overall experience. READ THIS ARTICLE before making a purchase. Picking up a rain cover for your pack (or purchasing a pack that comes with one) would be a good idea.

Backpacking can introduce complexities when it comes to choosing a tent. Unlike drive-up camping, weight is an enormous concern when it comes to a tent. Luckily there are loads of lightweight, single or double options when it comes to backpack tenting. If you only own large, heavy tents, THIS ARTICLE will aid you in choosing a backpacking-friendly tent. Don't feel like you have to spend a ton of money a tent, just make sure that it's lightweight, sturdy, and watertight - those are the things that will matter most out in the wilderness.

Here is a list of other gear that will play a vital role in your Bomber Mountain backpacking Adventure:

• Footwear: Sturdy, supportive footware is important when it comes to backpacking. HERE is an article that covers the components, fit, and various types outdoor footwear options out there. Again, don't feel pressured to spend tons of money. You may already have footwear that's suitable for our trip. By test driving your footwear during the pre-Adventure physical regimen process, you'll be able to make sure you're ready to go when Adventure time comes.
• Water Container: Having a trustworthy solution for carrying your personal water during our trek will also be very important. (We will provide a water filtration pump to ensure safe, clean water for camp and personal usage.) Most all modern backpacks have spots to hold water bladders, however Nalgene bottles are also great ways to carry your personal water. It all boils down to personal preference.
• Rain Gear: Lightweight and packable is the name of the game here.
• Sleeping Bag: Finding a sleeping bag that's warm, but also lightweight can sometimes prove to be a costly chore. Supplementing your sleeping bag by utilizing warm base layer clothing is a good idea.
• Sleeping Pad: When high-stakes Adventure is on the line, getting a good night's sleep is vital. THIS article walks you through the different features to look for in a sleeping pad.
• Smaller Items: There are several other smaller items that you will need to bring such as utensils, eating dish/bowl, flashlight. There are also other items that we recommend bringing along such as a hat, sunglasses, chap stick, etc. We will provide each registrant with a detailed list of these items in the months leading up to the trip.