By:
Shane Reynolds, Outdoor Recreation Director & Outfitter
For five Texas teenagers aged 14 to 17, this summer offered a rite of passage far removed from AC and screens. Leaving the Hill Country behind, the group set off on their very first backcountry backpacking expedition to the rugged Indian Peaks Wilderness in Colorado.
The mission was simple: haul everything needed for four days on their backs, navigate the high alpine terrain, and live comfortably in the backcountry of the high Rocky Mountains for a few days.
The initiation was immediate. Day one demanded a grueling 2,000-foot elevation gain with fully loaded packs — a relentless climb that tested everyone’s physical and mental resolve. Yet, once camp was established beside a stunning high alpine lake, the reward far outweighed the toil. Over four days and nights, the boys immersed themselves in the wilderness, mastering camp setups, cooking meals under open stars, and taking on late-evening high-altitude day hikes as twilight settled over the Rockies.
The angling proved extraordinary. The group accomplished a rare alpine slam, catching four distinct species of trout out of the crystal-clear waters: Cutthroat, Brown, Brook and Rainbow. By the time the pack-out came, the initial exhaustion had transformed into a sense of genuine accomplishment. When asked to sum up their maiden voyage into the backcountry, the boys unanimously agreed: it was “an awesome and miserable experience all in one” — the ultimate badge of honor for any true wilderness adventure.
This was one the best trips I’ve guided in my 35 years, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching the boys appreciate the wilderness!
Costa Rica
Golf , Fishing & Adventure Trip
February 1-6, 2027
Join us as we head to the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica for an incredible week of adventure, fun times and some amazing scenery! Beautiful beaches, wildlife sanctuaries, lagoons, rivers and waterfalls make the Central Pacific region an ideal destination for visitors in search of variety. The region’s climate creates a unique landscape that transitions from tropical wet forest to tropical dry forest, providing the opportunity to observe a wide range of plants and animals.
This trip features:
- 6-day, 5-night stay in luxury, ocean-view accommodations at the Los Suenos Resort.
- 2 rounds of golf at La Iguana Golf Course.
- 2 days of fishing on private charter boats.
- Adventure activities including a rainforest canopy tour and sunset boat ride.
- If you don’t fish or play golf, we will have some alternative options.
- Ground transportation and personal guide for duration of stay.
- All dinners (including dinner drinks & spirits) from Monday night, February 1 through Friday, February 5, 2027.
- Prices based on double and single occupancy.
Flight is NOT included. Participants must arrange their own air travel arriving no later than Monday, February 1 into the San Jose (SJO) airport and departing no sooner than Saturday, February 6.
For more information about this trip, contact Shane Reynolds.
Shane Reynolds is the Outdoor Recreation Director & Outfitter at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. He can be reached at outfitter@cordilleraranch.com and 210.616.6051, or at the Cordillera Ranch Outfitter Center at 830.336.4823.
