Snowshoe / Winter Camping Course

COVID POLICY:

All participants and instructors are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to take this course. By registering for this course, participants acknowledge that they are or will be vaccinated. BOOSTERS are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED. You will be required to show copies of vaccine cards by one week before the meeting.  More details on the process will be emailed. 

Also, due to the ongoing pandemic and the rise of variants of the COVID-19 virus, we will evaluate the restrictions closer to the course dates and modify the course as needed for the safety of our students and instructors.  

Before signing up for this course please be sure you have access to a winter-capable vehicle.     Lack of access to adequate transportation for the field trip will not be considered a sufficient reason to refund the course fee.

Learn to make a comfortable camp in the snow. This course will cover both winter tent camping and non-emergency winter shelters (primarily options that can be created individually). The course consists of one lecture, one online trip preview session, and your choice of one all-weekend Field Trip, which includes building an individual emergency snow shelter! We show up well prepared on the Saturday, but do not conclude until Sunday afternoon.

What to Expect in the Course

The lecture will address gear choices as well as the practical considerations and techniques of setting up a camp in the snow.   Unfortunately this year tents, food, and cook stoves, pans and utensils will not be shared, as would be the case in normal times.   Each individual, or household must be independently geared up for the overnight trip. 
At the field trip we will begin by snowshoeing a short distance to the camp site.

Please note you must sign up for one Field Trip weekend.   The locations could change- finalization will be determined as the date approaches for each weekend. 

We will set up our tents, and review our setups to share gear choices, and experiences.  We will then turn our focus to the variety of other shelter options and emergency bivouac possibilities. Instructors will be on hand to offer guidance and advice.

Gear: In addition to snowshoeing and overnight gear, each individual will need to  bring at a collapsible snow shovel for tent site and bivouac setups. 

If you are new to winter camping, you will need to source by rental, borrowing, or purchase of the necessary gear (tent shelter, sleeping bag, sleeping pad(s), cook stove (fuel), pan(s), utensils, such clothing as needed to be well prepared for the overnight stay. 

Prerequisites: Completion of Basic Snowshoeing (formerly Snowshoe Lite) or equivalency. Alpine Scrambling and Basic Climbing graduates are also eligible to enroll in this course.

Note that you must attend the lecture before you can participate in the Field Trip.

Questions? Email Tim at: timlawsonwild@msn.com

Financial Assistance

The Mountaineers strives to serve everyone, regardless of ability to pay. We are committed to providing access to outdoor recreation, education and conservation opportunities for all members and youth in the communities we serve. If you would like to take this course and are experiencing financial hardship or limitations, please apply for financial assistance. Here is more information about the Mountaineers Financial Assistance Program.