Field trip: Introduction to Backcountry Travel for Skiers
Overnight Field Trip - Mount McCausland
A practical application of the course material during a full weekend of touring and snow camping; includes building and spending the night in a snow shelter.
Contacts
- Sat, Mar 21, 2026 — Sun, Mar 22, 2026
- Foothills Backcountry Skiing Committee
- Backcountry Skiing
- All Who Qualify, Adults
- Moderate
- Moderate
- Mileage: 11.0 mi
- Elevation Gain: 2,000 ft
- High Point Elevation: 5,700 ft
- 8 (8 capacity)
- 3 (4 capacity)
- Fri, Jan 9, 2026 at 5:00 PM
- Wed, Feb 25, 2026 at 5:00 PM
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
- iCal Google
Two field trip activities at different locations are available - both locations start from the same parking area. Students can select either activity/location when registering. Final group assignments and trip location selection will be made during the course.
Student groups will travel to the camping area and camp near each other; it will be possible for students and instructors to travel between the campsites.
Each group of students will plan their own tour, so routes, distance, and difficulty will differ. The minimum distance required is 8 miles and 1,500 feet of elevation gain.
Arrive at the Smithbrook parking lot by 7:30 AM. Group with instructors (ready to travel) by 8:00 AM. Depart at 8:30 AM.
Mount McCausland
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Green Trails Alpine Lakes West (Stevens Pass) No. 176S
Green Trails Benchmark Mtn No. 144
USGS Labyrinth Mtn - See full route/place details.
Required Equipment
Avalanche equipment: Beacon, probe, shovel
Skiing equipment: skis with metal edges and touring bindings, boots, poles
Ten Essentials
Winter camping equipment (to be discussed during class): Sleeping bag & pad, cooking system, extra warm clothes, spare waterproof clothing to wear while making snow shelters