The outdoor education literature reveals little on the values of outdoor education activities. The values of aesthetic education can readily be ascribed to values of an outdoor mountain experience--visual, plastic, musical, kinetic, verbal, and constructive. These values are related through senses, muscles, speech, and thought to form expression. In addition to beauty and the aesthetics of an outdoor mountain experience, the freedom felt in the wild country, with its isolation, provides an escape from everyday life, time for self appraisal, and a place to be alone. The Field Studies Council's desire to extend the intellect of a student, the Councils of Physical Recreation's offer to develop physical skills, and the Outward Bound Trust's design for social improvement, are all worthy ends, but they are not the only ends. Unless the teaching or provision of experience is informed by serious appreciation of what is possible outside these three avenues, the benefits hoped for might be equally gained in other contexts at less expense in money, time, and risk. (AH)