The wilderness skills course offered by the Olympia Mountaineers is designed to prepare outdoor enthusiasts for hiking with a group or independently in the forests, mountains and trails of the Northwest.
Taking the class will give participants information and hands-on experience with the top 20 topics for safe adventures in the backcountry. The topics include the essentials of clothing, boots and equipment; preventing injuries; nutrition; understanding weather; and hands-on map reading and backcountry navigation. The final session will provide students an opportunity to practice their new skills on an outdoor challenge course.
Course graduates will have the necessary information and experience to participate in trips of one or more days into the backcountry, selecting the proper clothing, equipment and meals. They also will have an understanding of the physical and mental demands of backcountry travel and be prepared for most emergencies.
The course begins at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. There also will be sessions on Saturdays and Feb. 9. It will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be held at Columbian Hall, 6794 Martin Way E., Lacey.
The cost is $25 for individuals and $40 per family for Mountaineer members, and $50 for nonmembers and $90 for nonmember families. Register in advance at olympiamountaineers.org or, if space is available, at 5:30 p.m. prior to the first class.
For additional information, visit olympiamountaineers.org or contact the course leader Jim French at JimFrenchwa@comcast.net.
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