HMI Gap Semesters: Adventure, Conservation & Leadership in Wild Places

The High Mountain Institute, as offered by its name, is foremost an establishment of learning. At HMI, I learned how to to navigate through mountains and canyons, to cook an array of backcountry meals, and to set up the perfect tent. However, the little nuggets of knowledge I acquired are both harder to pin down and perhaps more universally applicable: learning how to share cramped spaces with (potentially smelly) people; counting down from three before doing something that absolutely terrifies you (e.g., crossing a slippery log over a raging Patagonian rapid or diving headfirst with your best friends into a glacial lake); screaming at the top of your lungs when your whole group is frustrated, tired, and confused. HMI really is “where nature and minds meet” because, with each daily skill or challenge, your instructors and your peers encourage you to thrive and test your limits. In the same vein, HMI combines the best of backcountry hard skills (e.g., navigation) and intellectual stimulation (e.g., conservation curriculum) to provide you with an experience that leaves you stronger, both physically and mentally, than you were before.

HMI Gap changed my life. While I remain mostly the same person I was before, I experience more intensely my passions, my family and friends, and the world at large. I chose HMI Gap in search of challenge and wonder; I was delighted to find myself face to face with both of those things virtually every day with HMI.

Spending 80 days, most of which are entirely in the backcountry, with a small community of strangers is remarkably challenging and rewarding. I came out of this trip with backcountry and wilderness skills I had not even known existed, lifelong memories, crazy stories, and seven very close friends. Some highlights of the trip for me include canyon running in southern Utah, learning about environmental studies through a very well-developed curriculum, and spending 21 days in the Patagonian wilderness. On my trip, the group was very heavily extroverted, and our instructors were rotated throughout the three different locations we travelled to (Colorado, Utah, Patagonia). I was not experienced in backpacking prior to this trip, and I still enjoyed it and would now consider myself a relatively experienced backpacker. Most nights (~80%) were spent in a tent and sleeping bag, and we cooked nearly all (~99%) of our meals for ourselves. If you are looking to be challenged physically and mentally and want to reap the benefits of both Type 1 and Type 2 fun, then I would really encourage you to look more deeply into this program.

I came to HMI Gap with absolutely no backpacking experience and left feeling confident I could backpack by myself for weeks and love it. The community we created through the curriculum and the instructors left me laughing endlessly, even in times of struggle. It is probably the most special community I've ever been a part of. My instructors were there to push me, but also to support me whenever as well as being great friends. The expeditions were not easy--but completely rewarding and the places I hiked are some of the most beautiful places I've ever been. I really liked that an environmental studies course was also incorporated because it brought us awareness about what was going on and being said about the places we were backpacking through. In the end, this program pushed me more than I've ever been pushed, which let me leave the most confident I have ever been in myself. It might not always be Type 1 fun, but you'll look back on it as an experience of a lifetime.

This is a great program. Each location is amazing, the instructors are great, and I learned so much about rock climbing that I'll be able to use in the future. In Patagonia, we stayed and hiked through some beautiful places. There was also time in Moab and Chile Chico for some free time in town. Having done NOLS in the past, I would rate this program above that. I had an amazing experience with a bunch of great people.

I think that taking a gap year was one of the best decisions I've made in my life so far. HMI is such a good program and they're doing great things. I won't bore you with all the details of my experience, but in all the places you go, it's in the peak season and the best time of year to be there. This is so much more than a climbing or backpacking trip or whatever other perceptions you might have: it's all of those. Thanks for reading my review.

Hmi gap was truely a one of a kind experience! It was by far the most challenging thing I have ever done both physically and mentally but it could not have been more worth it! Because of HMI gap I ran my first half marathon (something I would not have done if not for the opportunity from this program). I also pushed my body in ways I did think we're possible and discovered a new love for rock climbing, a sport I had never done before. I made amazing friendships with the people on my trip and was laughing so hard I was crying most days just joking around with everyone. The instructors are more your friends than anything else and you really get to know your body and its capabilities in a way I didn't think was possible. I have never seen anything more beautiful than patagonia and I honestly don't know if there is anything more beautiful that exists!

Climbing in Chile and Argentina was definitely a highlight, however one of the most special experiences for me was working on the approach trail to Castleton Tower with the Front Range Climbing Stewards. Everyday while working I got the chance to talk with and hang out with really cool guys who pretty much have dedicated their lives to climbing, all the while in a spectacular place high up above Castle Valley in Utah. After working on the trail for 10 days or so it was really remarkable to see how much of a difference we really made and it made climbing Castleton afterwards feel that much cooler!

As the popularity of gap programs continues to grow, the qualities that each program provides seem to become more similar. The HMI Gap Semester, however, enables experiences for growth that you will not find in any other program. I joined this program, not only to learn about myself, and outdoor ventures, but also to reap in the benefit that the structure of the program provides. This program is mostly self-directed. The group goals arise out of the group needs and your personal goals have a lot of weight when decisions are made. The group size is small enough that your voice is heard and that you can really create the gap semester that you want to. There is the added benefit that the logistics of the semester are put together for you as well. You don't have to worry about being in unsafe places or learning how to travel when you don't know the language. You can learn how to deal with all of these factors without having a high consequence. One of the most important parts of this semester program is the personal growth. The group is small enough that you really get to know each other and about yourself. It's inevitable. But it also prepares you for school or any other adventure that you're about to embark on. It's challenging, and exciting. You learn so much and have a lot of fun doing it. I can't say enough good things about this program. It truly changed who I am and what I want out of my life. I feel more confident and feel ready to take more chances. By participating in this program, you agree to be vulnerable and scared, but also agree to create great friendships, and have an enormous amount of fun.