A Spring Break Adventure in Machu Picchu

For many college students, spring break means beach time, but a group of two dozen intrepid Bucknellians recently chose to take a different kind of vacation through the University's Outdoor Education & Leadership (OEL) program. They took the opportunity to spend a week exploring Peru, including Machu Picchu, the famed 15th-century Inca citadel.

Led by Tony Stafford, director of outdoor education, the students began training together months in advance to prepare for the physical demands of backpacking and camping. Two OEL graduate assistants and three BuckWild leaders, all trained as wilderness first responders, lent their outdoor experience on the adventure.

The result was an unforgettable journey of self-discovery and friendship set against a backdrop of heart-stopping mountain vistas south of the equator. Watch them prepare for the trip, hike through Peru and reflect on their experiences in this video.