DETAILS
This day-and-a-half long course prepares students to navigate through untrailed mountainous terrain to reach summits, alpine lakes, campsites, and viewpoints. Although analog map and compass navigation is an important skill-set for any backcountry traveler, this course will help students use more powerful tools and information-rich resources such as trip reports, computer programs, and GPS apps to plan routes and avoid hazards.
The course consists of an evening classroom session followed by a full-day in the field navigating to an off-trail destination. This destination may be chosen by the course instructor or by students. .
Skills Covered during the course:
- Essential equipment for wilderness travel
- Overview of types of navigation tools
- Using trip reports
- Maximizing use of online maps
- Identifying terrain using maps and satellite photos
- Identifying hazards
- Creating Travel Time Estimates
- Plotting routes and tour plans on digital maps
- Macro route-finding in mountainous terrain
- Micro route-finding in mountainous terrain
- Walking techniques for brush
- Walking techniques for steep untrailed terrain
- Group travel techniques when off-trail
Duration
2 DaysPassport
Not Required for AmericansMinimum Age
13 years oldAccommodation
Tents ITINERARY
Day 1:
3 to 4 hr. classroom session. This will be scheduled in the evening at a location in the Redmond Area.
What will be covered:
Online maps, trip reports, GPS apps, and other navigation tools. How to identify the best route using an online map and digital tools. Route finding "tricks" such as dead reckoning, using handrails, and judging direction of travel relative to slope angle and aspect.
What will be covered:
Online maps, trip reports, GPS apps, and other navigation tools. How to identify the best route using an online map and digital tools. Route finding "tricks" such as dead reckoning, using handrails, and judging direction of travel relative to slope angle and aspect.
Day 2:
This day we will carpool to a trailhead and navigate to an off-trail destination of interest (alpine lake, peak, or viewpoint)
What will be covered:
Identifying and avoiding hazards en route (avalanche, rockfall, cliffs, creek crossings, etc)
Micro-route finding to avoid dense brush and steep terrain
Methods to remember your way
Walking techniques when off-trail and on steep terrain
Traveling as a group when off-trail
What will be covered:
Identifying and avoiding hazards en route (avalanche, rockfall, cliffs, creek crossings, etc)
Micro-route finding to avoid dense brush and steep terrain
Methods to remember your way
Walking techniques when off-trail and on steep terrain
Traveling as a group when off-trail
FAQs
