Travelling off trail and camping high in the mountains away from any campgrounds.
If you are looking for gaining confidence in the backcountry this is the course for you. This course is the best introduction into wilderness and off trail travel and remote camping. We will teach you all about travelling through the mountains, navigating different terrain using maps and compass, how to plan a route and where to camp.
This is the ticket to blow open your world of exploration. If your a novice hunter and want to get further from the roads to find that trophy. Or a recreator that wants to explore to find those magical spots no one ever goes to. This course will give you the confidence and skills to explore all those out of the way spots that you see on the maps.
Have you ever looked over a map and thought that would be a neat spot to check out. Or, maybe, you just want to go to a place that few people have trod before.
In doing this kind of exploration you need to be much more self sufficient. The gear that you carry and in your navigation skills are more important. Nobody is following you along the trail that can help you should something go wrong.
What does that mean?
Yes, we will be carrying all of our gear!
We will be sleeping in tents and you can have the option of sleeping under the stars or under a tarp set up should you wish to challenge yourself with a bit more exposure. All you need is a good pair of boots, sleeping bag and pad, water bottle and obviously your clothing. We will provide tents, tarps and camp kitchen and food. If you don’t have a large backpack we have some spare ones available on a limited basis so please let us know when you are booking or give us a call.
Taught and lead by an ACMG hiking guide this is the best and safest way to learn independent exploration. We will spend a weekend out in the mountains learning and enjoying exploring a remote spot. This course is a weekend of exploration and fun hiking and learning.
A reasonable level of fitness is required on this course as we will be off trail and and in the mountains for the entire course. The course will take place in any weather but we do modify the locations and route depending on the conditions. So the question is, are you ready to get off trail, you will be after this! Any questions give us a call!
Meet up
We will send you detailed information on our meeting point near to the course. We will meet at the Home Base and car pool to the start of our 2 day exploration.
After an introduction and safety briefing we will do a quick gear check. We have a camp spot picked out for you that is high up by a lake or creek. Our job as a group is to pick our route and adjust as the terrain presents itself. We will encounter some steep terrain, heavy bushwhacking and potential river and creek crossings. Working as a group and under watchful eyes we will navigate through or round any obstacles. We will review any navigation points as they arise. It will all be worth the challenges.
In the evening we will set up some improvised bear hangs and talk about backcountry safety and review the days lessons.
We will then take a different route back taking in some more new terrain to a vehicle pick up to make it a circular route.
We will provide cooking stoves and dehydrated meals. We will ask you to carry a portion of the group gear so please make sure there is space in your backpack.
This course does require a reasonable level of fitness as bushwhacking and off trail travel can be demanding.
