Wilderness Skills Course

The Olympia Mountaineers

2009 Wilderness Skills Course

Course: Open to all - Mountaineers and the general public! Wilderness Skills is designed to prepare area outdoor enthusiasts for hiking or backpacking in the forests and mountains and on the trails of the Pacific Northwest. This course (Module) is also the foundation for the Alpine Scrambling and Basic Climbing Courses.

Wilderness Skills provides a basic overview of the top twenty plus topics considered important for safe adventures in the backcounty. The lectures are intended for all audiences and include practical tips and personal experiences to help you get started right or to expand your outdoor abilities. The lectures and interactive presentations include opportunities for hands-on practice in wilderness skills, chances to examine an assortment of clothing and equipment and visual presentations of recent trips through Washington’s breathtakingly beautiful backcountry. Student participation and interaction is encouraged.

The Wilderness Skills Course consisting of 4 evening presentations and one evening Outdoor Skills Workshop (field trip) to a local park site for skills development practice.

Eligibility: open to anyone

Prerequisites: none

Cost: $40 per person or $60 for a family of four. FREE for Mountaineer members.

Registration: Interested persons will be able to register on either Orientation Night or on the first night of class from 6:00 to 6:50 PM on Jan. 20, at the Knox Administration Center at 1113 Legion Way SE, Olympia. Please come early.

Schedule:

Jan. 20 Lecture 1 Knowing the essentials, clothing and equipment. 10 Essentials, clothing, boots and equipment for day hikes or overnight trips - Examine traditional clothing and equipment and the latest high-tech gear and low-tech alternatives

Jan. 27 Lecture 2 Knowing how to prepare for the wilderness. Leave no trace; nutrition; conditioning, introduction to first aid; preventing injuries and handling emergencies.

Feb. 3 Lecture 3 Knowing the wilderness environment. Avoiding hazards and understanding weather for safe, enjoyable travel; where to go and how to get to the great places in the Pacific Northwest; introduction to backcountry navigation.

Feb. 10 Lecture 4 Navigation (Map and Compass). Navigation continued with experience in using Map and Compass. Get hands-on instruction in map reading, using a compass, navigating in the backcountry, terrain association and what to do if lost. Participate in demonstrations on GPS.

Feb. 14 Workshop Wilderness Skills Navigation and Outdoor Workshop. This field trip takes the students to a park to learn and practice their new skills on an outdoor challenge course where they learn using the guided Discovery instructional method while becoming proficient with the 10 essential.

Graduation Requirements: To earn a course completion certificate, students will also accompany Mountaineer leaders on a hike or backpacking trip of their choice. After completion of the course, students have many opportunities to hone new skills on hikes and backpacking trips offered throughout the year. Graduates who want more may enroll in the Olympia Mountaineers Alpine Scrambling or Basic Climbing courses.

Course Objective: The successful graduate has sufficient information and experience to participate in trips of one or more days into the backcountry, select the proper clothing, equipment and meals. Graduates understand the physical and mental demands of backcountry travel and are prepared for most emergencies. Graduates are often ready to plan and organize their own trips.

Clothing / Equipment: Students will need suitable hiking clothing and boots for day hikes, a day pack, and the 10 essentials.

Text: A student manual will be provided. For students wishing to continue with other mountaineering courses, we recommend purchasing Freedom of the Hills published by the Mountaineers (available at most book and outdoor stores).

Location: Lectures are at the Knox Administration Center. The location for the Outdoor Workshop will be announced later.

Time: Classes begin at 7:00 p.m. and last until approximately 9:30 p.m. The time and location for the June 5 Outdoor Workshop is subject to change based on weather and student schedules.

Testimonial: from a past Olympia student

Home

Jan. 20	Lecture 1	Knowing the essentials, clothing and equipment. 10 Essentials, clothing, boots and equipment for day hikes or overnight trips - Examine traditional clothing and equipment and the latest high-tech gear and low-tech alternatives
Jan. 27	Lecture 2	Knowing how to prepare for the wilderness. Leave no trace; nutrition; conditioning, introduction to first aid; preventing injuries and handling emergencies.
Feb. 3	Lecture 3	Knowing the wilderness environment. Avoiding hazards and understanding weather for safe, enjoyable travel; where to go and how to get to the great places in the Pacific Northwest; introduction to backcountry navigation.
Feb. 10	Lecture 4	Navigation (Map and Compass). Navigation continued with experience in using Map and Compass. Get hands-on instruction in map reading, using a compass, navigating in the backcountry, terrain association and what to do if lost. Participate in demonstrations on GPS.
Feb. 14	Workshop	Wilderness Skills Navigation and Outdoor Workshop. This field trip takes the students to a park to learn and practice their new skills on an outdoor challenge course where they learn using the guided Discovery instructional method while becoming proficient with the 10 essential.