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Wilderness Skills - Olympia - 2025

Day Hiking Course

Wilderness Skills

Learn the skills to get outside and safely enjoy Washington's wilderness.

Contacts

Robert Schanz
Robert Schanz
Leader

Open to everyone, Wilderness Skills provides skills and practice for hiking and the "groundwork" for backpacking in the Northwest. It is also required for Alpine Scrambling and Basic Climbing  courses with the Olympia Branch.  The 2025 course will include an evening zoom lecture on January 28 and a field day on February 1 at the Friends Meeting House/Squaxin Park in Olympia.

SCRAMBLING/BASIC CLIMBING STUDENTS ONLY should register following instructions from their course leaders after registering for Alpine Scrambling or Basic Climbing. 

Badges you will earn:

Course Requirements

This course has no scheduled activities.

Roster
Required Equipment

In preparation for the field day students should assemble a day pack with the Ten Essentials, including: 

  • Navigation: map, altimeter, compass, [GPS device], [PLB, satellite communicator, or satellite phone], [extra batteries or battery pack]. We will provide loaner compasses for students to share if you do not already own a quality navigation compass.
  • Headlamp: plus extra batteries
  • Sun protection: sunglasses, sun-protective clothes, and sunscreen
  • First aid: including foot care and insect repellent (if required)
  • Knife: plus repair kit
  • Fire: matches, lighter and tinder, or stove as appropriate
  • Shelter: carried at all times (can be a lightweight emergency bivy)
  • Extra food: beyond minimum expectation
  • Extra water: beyond minimum expectation, or the means to purify
  • Extra clothes: sufficient to survive an emergency overnight

Students should try to assemble this kit with items they already own and are not required to buy extensive new gear; the course will teach them how to improve or tailor gear to their needs and planned activities.

Students should also be prepared for rainy winter weather on the field day, with appropriate rain gear and insulation layers.

Course Materials

You must register for this course to see course materials.