Backcountry Travel Skills

Do you want to adventure beyond the trail? Are you interested in wilderness navigation and route finding? Do you want to add ice axe skills or snow camping knowledge to your quiver?

The Bushwhacker Climbing Club’s Backcountry Travel Course offers in-depth training in wilderness navigation, snow camping, and ice axe skills. While this course is not a technical climbing course it is designed to give hikers the confidence to venture off trail in a variety of conditions.

Course Requirements

Applicants should have some basic hiking and backpacking experience. The outing will be strenuous with long days; applicants must be in good physical condition.

Applicants will need the following equipment to participate in this course:

  • Mountaineering boots (may be rented; suitable for a 3 day snow outing)
  • Ice Axe
  • Compass (simple base plate compass preferred)
  • Suitable outdoor clothing - no cotton
  • Overnight camping equipment & backpack (the club can provide stoves & tents)

Attendance at all lectures and the workshop is required for participation in the three day outing.

Cost of the Course

The cost of this course is $155.00. The course fee includes one box lunch (map & compass workshop); the course textbook; and outing maps. Students are responsible for all other outing and equipment expenses.

Note that you must be a member of the club to take this course. You are welcome to join the club at any time at Join the Club!.

Registration

Registration will begin on June 16 at 9:00am right here on this page. Please return to this page at that time to sign up.

Schedule

This course will consist of two evening lectures; one full day lecture/workshop; one full-day outing; and a three day outing. Lectures and the workshop will be held in Issaquah.

  • Wed, July 9
    2 hour evening gear lecture & demonstration
  • Sat, July 12
    8 hour map & compass lecture and workshop
  • Wed, July 16
    2 hour evening lecture & gear check
  • Fri - Sun, July 18 – 20
    3 day outing, Mt. Baker backcountry

Questions?

If you have any questions contact us at bwcc_information@bushwhackerclimbingclub.org.

About the Instructor

Jim Merrill has been hiking and climbing in the Northwest since the early 70’s. He has been an instructor in the BWCC Glacier Climbing course for the past two years. Jim has organized and led many wilderness outings. He enjoys backcountry life and being beyond the chaos that is civilization, and enjoys sharing those experiences with friends, new and old.