Wilderness Navigation

***Please read this section in it's entirety.  Click MORE+ to see further details ***

REGISTRATION

This course is open to Students enrolled in the Basic Climb Course until Feb 1st.  After Feb 1st it is open to anyone wishing to take Wilderness Navigation.

BADGES

Upon completion of this course you will earn the Basic Navigation badge. The Basic Navigation badge is a requirement for many advanced courses such as Climbing, Scrambling and Intermediate Snowshoeing. The Basic Navigation badge is valid for 3 years.

DIFFICULTY

This is not a beginner's course. It focuses on "off-trail" navigation requirements for Climbing, Scrambling, Intermediate Snowshoeing and other more advanced courses. As part of the field trip, participants may be required to travel across rugged terrain with fallen logs, creeks, brush, and steep slopes. There are no prerequisites for Wilderness Navigation. This course is suitable for students with little or no navigation experience.

If you are looking for a more introductory course or something focused on "on-trail" navigation, consider "Introduction to Map and Compass", " Staying Found On-Trail Navigation " and/or “Introduction to GPS Navigation, Trip Planning and Workflow”. Note that these courses do not meet the navigation requirements for Climbing, Scrambling, and Intermediate Snowshoeing. Wilderness Navigation does.

COURSE ENROLLMENT

The Tacoma Wilderness Navigation course does not maintain “rolling enrollment”. This means that individuals on the last session’s waitlist are NOT automatically rolled into to the next session. Individuals who were waitlisted for a session must re-enroll when the next course is posted.

We encourage you to enroll even if there is a waitlist. There are always some cancellations before the course begins. No fees are required to be on the waitlist. The waitlist is managed on a first come, first served basis. If a slot opens, you will receive an email offering you the option to register. Payment of course fees are required upon accepting the offer to enroll.

THINGS TO DO

1. Register for this Wilderness Navigation Course and pay the course fee.

2. Register for the online Map & Compass.

3. Register for the In-Person Skill Day

4. Register for the Field Trip

5. Obtain required equipment and materials listed in “Required Equipment” and “Course Materials” tabs

KEEP YOUR DATES

Once you sign up for an activity, please try to keep that date. If you are not able to complete the on line course work or make your scheduled activity, it may not be possible to roll you into a future course or activity. If you must cancel from the course do so very early so others have time to fill your spot or be pulled in from the waitlist. If you make changes at the last minute, it affects everyone. Once the online course is started their will be no refunds issued.

REQUIRED MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

Online course:

Compass, Book and Map. See the Required Equipment and Course Materials tab for details and links.

Field trip:

•  A Tacoma Mountaineers approved compass.
• Sturdy hiking, scramble or climb boots. (No tennis shoes)
• Rain gear and extra warm clothing, including hat and gloves. (No cotton clothing*)
• The Ten Essentials.
• Lunch, extra food and at least 2 liters of water.
• Zip lock bag for map and handouts (gallon size).
• Sharp pencil.
• (optional) Clipboard.

REQUIRED READING ASSIGNMENTS

During the Online Map & Compass activity, you'll have readings from the Burns & Burns book "Wilderness Navigation", 4th Edition. Mountaineers members get a 20% discount when ordering it online from Mountaineers Books as well as purchasing it in person at the Mountaineers Bookstore located in the Seattle Mountaineers Program Center. Please support the Mountaineers by purchasing it directly from the Mountaineers.

Reading is also available in "Freedom of the Hills."