Wilderness Survival Skills

Would you survive an unexpected night out? This 2.5-day course teaches essential survival skills for anyone travelling in the backcountry of Southwest BC. 

Course topics include:

• Trip planning

• Navigation and wilderness travel

• Hazard recognition and avoidance

• Emergency kits and communications

• Shelter building

• Fire Building

• Animal awareness and strategies

• Survival psychology

• Basic wilderness first aid 

The course includes a preparatory Zoom meeting one evening in the week prior, and 2 days (and one night) of practical field training. 

Details

Description

The course starts with a live evening Zoom session, where you'll meet your instructor and group and we'll cover trip planning, logistics, and emergency kits. There will also be an opportunity for questions and discussion. This Zoom meeting will be held in the evening one week before the course (one evening between Apr 14-18, based on participant's availability). 

The bulk of the course occurs during the field-based training over the weekend. You'll meet with the instructor at the trailhead at 9am and hike approximately 3 hours in to the overnight location. From here, you'll learn about navigation, hazard awareness, minimalist camp craft, survival psychology, basic emergency first aid. You will have the opportunity to build your own emergency shelter and fire, and sleep in the emergency shelter that you constructed (or retreat to a tarp shelter if needed!).  After experiencing a night in the local mountains with minimal gear, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to handle unexpected situations with ease—all in a supportive, women-centered environment! 

Location

The location and specific meeting times of the trip will depend on the weather and will be confirmed closer to the date. Trailhead location TBD but is in the Sea to Sky Region. Carpooling can be arranged.