Standing at the summit of Boulder Grand Pass in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, seniors Kay VanAsdale and Payton Seever look behind them to see the lights from the cities of Boulder and, far off in the distance, Denver. It’s nearly daylight and they have been climbing for a few hours, waking up at 2 a.m. to pack up their campsite and start the five mile trail to the 12,077 feet summit.

“When you’re climbing up, it is so difficult,” Seever said. “But when you get to the top you feel like nothing can ever stop you. It was amazing, the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

Seever and VanAsdale spent three weeks of their summer participating in the Specialist in Training program of Camp Chief Ouray in Ouray, Colo. They spent one week backpacking through the southern area of Estes Park, Colo. and Rocky Mountain National Park for a total of 35 miles in 5 days. The next week, they whitewater rafted on the upper Colorado river for 40 miles.

VanAsdale heard about CCO from grade school friends. According to VanAsdale, she researched the program online before convincing Seever to accompany her.

“I wanted to do something fun this summer,” VanAsdale said. “I’m graduating [this year] and going to college, and eventually I’ll be an adult and not able to do stuff like this.”

Their group consisted of nine teenagers, including VanAsdale and Seever, six girls and three boys. They were led by two counselors in their early twenties.

“I only knew [VanAsdale] and now that I went on this trip with [the other teenagers], we talk everyday,” Seever said. “They’re my best friends.”

Both Seever and VanAsdale agree that the hiking aspect presented many challenges.

“The biggest challenge was also my favorite day ever,” VanAsdale said. “We were under all the stars and we hiked up Boulder Grand Pass so we could watch the sunrise, but when you’re hiking you can see the lights from Boulder and Denver in the distance. You’re just out in the middle of nowhere but you can see civilization far off.”

Seever agreed summiting Boulder Grand Pass was “very difficult”.

“Think of the worst gravel road you’ve been on, now put it at a 90 degree angle,” Seever said.

But the biggest challenge for Seever was “staying mentally strong.”

“[You had to be strong] with everything you did because even if you really wanted to take a break you couldn’t because you had 11 other team members…it was very hard,” she said.

Following seniors Kay VanAsdale and Payton Seever’s example and going backpacking? Here’s what you need:

1. A hiking backpack
2. Whisperlites
3. Water purifying tablets
4. Warm clothing for cold nights
5. Sturdy hiking boots
6. Disposable Camera

During their excursion, they went three weeks without modern technology, including cell phones, indoor plumbing, showers and even beds.

“It’s really gross that we didn’t shower for 3 weeks, but at the same time you stop smelling gross,” Seever said.

“I mean we showered twice, but it wasn’t a big deal at all,” VanAsdale said. “I never missed [showering]…I just kind of got used to it.”

According to VanAsdale, the lack of communication technology like cell phones and social media “made it a million times better”.

“It made it better, not having any technology, because that wasn’t the point of the trip,” VanAsdale said. “The point was just to connect with nature and connect with the people around us so technology would have ruined it.”

Both Seever and VanAsdale agree that the most difficult aspect of returning was being “out of the loop” with friends, family and news.

“I didn’t think about it at all but once you gave up your phone and TV you had no clue what was going on in the world until your parents sent you a letter,” Seever said.

VanAsdale describes the trip as “life changing” and said she wants to return to become a counselor next summer.

“I wish I could go back,” VanAsdale said. “ My biggest takeaway, this is cheesy, but just how much I love nature, and then also not having technology for so long and not having any connection to the outside world…it’s kind of humbling because all you have is other people around you and they just become your best friends for that period of time.”