To sign- up or for more information about The 2009 Leadership Expedition to Cotopaxi, Ecuador, call (617) 933-7306 or email The Program at info@theprogramathletics.com.

Is leadership best learned in the classroom? In 2000, Earth Treks teamed up with the Wharton School of Business to explore alternatives to their traditional methods of teaching leadership. Since then Wharton has expanded the Leadership Ventures program with the goal that every MBA student can and should participate in an experiential based leadership program. Earth Treks leads this initiative through expeditions to Kilimanjaro and Mount Cotopaxi. Now, in partnership with The Program, a leadership and athletic development company for high school aged student athletes, Earth Treks and The Program will offer these same programs to a select group of high school students.

Why Ecuador? Ecuador is perhaps the best place in the world to develop high altitude mountaineering skills. It is also a great place for students to develop their leadership skills. On this skills development expedition, we will be ascending Mount Cotopaxi (19,348 feet / 5,897 meters), Ecuador's second highest peak. Standing above several smaller peaks, it is one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring mountains in the world. Cotopaxi is also the world's highest active volcano, last erupting in 1942 (geologists don't predict any eruptions to take place during our trip). Based in the climber's hut at 15,700 feet, we will spend a day developing the requisite mountaineering skills. Once ready, we will depart at midnight for the summit. The route winds through a complex system of crevasses, crossing small snow bridges and climbing exposed slopes. Be prepared for bitter cold and a long, challenging climb. Summiting, hopefully at dawn, is an incredible accomplishment, rewarded by magnificent views and a well-deserved feeling of pride.

This leadership development and introduction to mountaineering course is the perfect opportunity for you to satisfy your dream of climbing a gigantic glaciated mountain while preparing yourself for the leadership challenges you will face in your life. In addition, Ecuador is a country rich in culture. We will be based in the colonial capital, Quito, where we will tour its beautiful cathedrals and fantastic restaurants during our expedition.

Why The Program? The Program has conducted leadership training for thousands of high school student athletes. Eric Kapitulik, the CEO and founder of The Program, is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, Force Reconnaissance Marine and motivational speaker. He has completed 7 Ironman Triathlons and climbed three of the Seven Summits. The Program's leadership principles are simple: 1) Accomplish the mission, 2) Take care of your people and 3) Never, ever quit. These principles and The Program's leadership curriculum are based on the sum of Eric and his team's experiences. To learn more about The Program's services, team and leadership philosophy, please visit www.theprogramathletics.com.

Why Earth Treks? Earth Treks has led well over 150 expeditions since 1992 and goes to great lengths in the selection of our guides, most of whom have guided expeditions on 3 or 4 continents. Chris Warner, the president of Earth Treks, and one of the senior mountain guides, is the co-author of High Altitude Leadership, published in October, 2008. All of our senior guides are seasoned experiential educators, who have worked with the ET model of leadership development for many years. To learn more about Earth Treks visit www.earthtreksclimbing.com. To learn more about ET's approach to leadership visit www.highaltitudeleadership.com.

To sign- up or for more information about The 2009 Leadership Expedition to Cotopaxi, Ecuador, call (617) 933-7306 or email The Program at info@theprogramathletics.com.

Daily Itinerary