The Basic Snowshoeing Course offers an introduction to safe and enjoyable winter travel for the beginner. It is designed for people who want to get a taste of snowshoeing and pick up solid foundational skills. Topics of instruction will include selection and use of proper equipment, conditioning, where to go, what to rent, winter travel, safety, and choosing an outing. Students will be eligible to participate in easy snowshoe tours with the confidence of having a foundation in winter travel. See the snowshoe program web site for full details.

Things to consider before signing up:

1) While this is a foundational course, a moderate physical conditioning level is necessary. The field trip involves approximately 3-4 miles of travel round-trip and up to 600 feet total elevation gain on snowshoes. This is the equivalent of approximately 6-8 miles and up to 1,200 feet elevation gain if wearing hiking boots on dry land.

2) If you are new to the outdoors and the Ten Essentials, expect a moderate level of investment in equipment and clothing ($200-600 for new or mostly new items). Used but quality gear and clothing is a good way to begin building your inventory. It is also always wise to rent or borrow snowshoes before investing in them. Check the field trip gear list in advance to begin preparing for the items you will need for this course and for snowshoeing in general. (We will also cover clothing and gear in detail during the lecture.)

Current students and graduates are eligible to join Easy and Easy+ snowshoe trips. Those desiring to join Moderate and/or Strenuous snowshoe trips, which require additional skills and backcountry knowledge, must take the Backcountry Snowshoe Skills course offered in February in addition to this course.

Due to limitations on parking, carpooling for the field trip is mandatory. Read and understand how carpooling at the Mountaineers works. As you register, you will be asked to enter your carpooling status - rider, or driver and how many others you can take, in addition to any already riding with you. You can update your entry if necessary by going to your Profile & then the Carpool button.

Also note that attendance at the lecture is mandatory in order for you to take the Field Trip. There are NO exceptions.

NOTE: This is the signup the Seattle lecture on January 15. Alternatively, you can signup for the Seattle lecture on January 7 or the Eastside lecture on January 10, 2013.

In addition to signing up for one of the lecture dates, you must also separately register for one field trip day (January 19, 20, 26 or 27).

Space at the lectures and on the field trips is limited, so please sign up early to ensure you get the date that works for you.

*** Make SURE you r... More

NOTE: This is the signup the Seattle lecture on January 15. Alternatively, you can signup for the Seattle lecture on January 7 or the Eastside lecture on January 10, 2013.

In addition to signing up for one of the lecture dates, you must also separately register for one field trip day (January 19, 20, 26 or 27).

Space at the lectures and on the field trips is limited, so please sign up early to ensure you get the date that works for you.

*** Make SURE you read and understand all of the above AND all relevant information on our website.

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