DEADLINE TO REGISTER: BY MIDNIGHT, 2 DAYS BEFORE THE EVENT (MAY 14)

PLEASE READ THE REQUIREMENTS AND ALL DETAILS BELOW PRIOR TO REGISTRATION

Looking to get out multi-day backpacking but not sure where to start? This foundational full day course is for you! Spend time with certified hiking guides and learn to plan a safe and comfortable backcountry experience. You will learn about safety, trip planning, environmental responsibility, practice necessary camping skills and experiment with large amounts of camping equipment.

We're here to support your journey! Join Backcountry Women and professional local guide Matt Peters from Wilderland Adventure Co. in a welcoming environment with other like minded individuals from the Backcountry Women community. This engaging and interactive learning experience will surely provide you with confidence and a foundational skillset to build upon a lifetime of outdoor adventure.

Please read on for full details!

Time & location: The course begins promptly at 9:00 AM - please allow extra time for arrival and settling in (at least 15 min; more if the location is unfamiliar). The timeline and a detailed itinerary is broken down below; please review it. Further instructions and important information will be emailed out to participants.

Course Format & Objectives: 

1. Self Care While Outdoors (9:00 to 10:00am) - We begin the day with understanding the importance of self care in the outdoor context. We discuss topics that build up a knowledge base to ensure students have insight into comfortable, safe and responsible outdoor activity.

• Motivations & Personal Goals.
• Dressing for the Conditions.
• Maintaining Energy Levels (nutrition & hydration).
• Environmental Responsibility.
• Hygiene & Toileting.

2. Trip Planning (10:15 to 11:45pm) - Students will be able to choose an appropriate destination to hike and create a realistic trip plan. Together, we will build a well thought out plan with with an easy to follow Trip Planning worksheet.

• Activities, Route & Scheduling.
• Risk Management (Identifying Hazards & Creating Defences).
• Emergency Planning & Preparedness.
• Equipment Planning & Packing.
• Permits, Permissions, & Etiquette.

3. Camping Skills (12:15 - 1:45pm) - Students will learn important outdoor skills for practical use as well as for emergency situations. The skills taught MAY include and are not limited to:

• Fire Building & Safety.
• Knife/Axe Safety.
• Stove Use & Outdoor Cooking.
• Water Purification.
• Tarp/Shelter (tent) Set Up.
• Packing & Outfitting.

4. Trail Skills & Hiking Tour (2:15 to 3:15pm) - Students will participate in 2 short hikes. The first is an entry level trek to establish good habits while on the trail and basic navigation. The second short hike will include carrying a loaded multi-day pack and learning how to manage heavier loads over longer distances. Designed to provide practical experience for a multi-day trip, we help students establish a solid skillset of pacing, breaks, decisions points, and selfcare for longer periods of time. Overseen with a certified guide, this beginner level front country hike will be at a leisure pace and include ongoing practice and discussion of safe and responsible hiking.

• Pre-trip Checks.
• Stepping, Pacing, & Breaks.
• Basic navigation & Landmarking
• No Impact Wilderness Travel (Leave No Trace).
• Environmental Awareness.
• Local Heritage.

Participant Expectations: Students are expected to fully participate in this course with no exceptions. Students are responsible for transportation, personal food, hygiene, and equipment throughout the course. Students must also acquire appropriate Manitoba Parks Vehicle Permit (as applicable to course location). Students must be comfortable carrying their own pack with full weight for a multi-day hike. We expect to hike between 2-4 kms. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

What is Provided: Students receive a pre-trip email with an updated packing list, and course itinerary. We provide a Student Course Manual, emergency communication device, medical kit, and certified Outdoor Council of Canada field leader. For class demonstrations and education purposes we provide a diverse set of equipment (tarps, fire starting materials, water filters, cooking stoves, packs, tents, etc.) for class use.

This course will run with a minimum of 4 participants and are restricted to any current MB Health Orders at the date of the course.

Gratuities are not included in the course fees and recognition of a good job by your instructor is greatly appreciated. 10-15% of your course fee is recommended as our instructors put diligent effort to ensure your course is all you expected and more.

We look forward to seeing you at our course! 

Further details will be provided to registered participants. Participants are responsible for having a valid e-mail address, communicating with the event organizer regarding any changes in attendance, and for checking e-mail prior to an event.

This event allows cancellation no less than 14 days before start of event. If you are no longer able to attend, please see our Cancellation Policy.