Backpacking Preparation is required for participation in Backpacking 1, 2, Ultralight Backpacking, and Backcountry Survival Techniques. You need to enroll in Backpacking Preparation only once, even if you participate in more than one of the backpacking outings.

course description

syllabus - fall term

syllabus - spring term

This beginning level course (designed for people who have had little or no backpacking experience) emphasizes safe, low impact hiking and camping skills, the use and care of equipment, map and compass use, and environmental awareness. The route traverses a beautiful and varied area in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, known for its spruce forests, extensive dunes, swamps, dense brush bands, lakes, streams and ocean beaches.

This course emphasizes advanced off-trail navigation skills using a map, compass and gps unit. The route includes covers rugged terrain in the western valleys of the Three Sisters Wilderness Area. This is a beautiful area known for its old growth forests, mountain streams in deep canyons, and spectacular views of the Three Sisters peaks.

course description

syllabus

Carrying a heavy backpack is uncomfortable at best, and can lead to significant long term damage to the knees and back. "Ultralight Backpacking" is a course for experienced backpackers who would like to lighten their loads without significantly compromising safety and comfort. We'll follow an interesting (and sometimes challenging) route on the Oregon coast, which may include (as terrain and weather permit) advanced navigation skills, and techniques for negotiating rivers, swamps, and other "interesting" features.

course description

schedule - classroom events

This is a survival course designed for hikers, hunters, skiers, snowshoers, snowmobilers, and others who venture into backcountry areas during the cooler months of the year. The course will also be of value to climbers, since winter-like conditions may be encountered at higher elevations at any time of the year. The course provides the knowledge, skills and practice that are essential to survival in the cool, wet, windy climate of the Pacific Northwest.

course description

schedule-classroom

Backcountry photography preparation is designed to prepare students for the three-day outing. Wilderness Survival is a prerequisite to participation. The course description and schedule of this NEW COURSE will be posted during Winter Term 07.

course description

schedule-classroom events

This course is designed for outdoor enthusiasts who would like to maximize their enjoyment of backcountry photography using film or digital cameras. Course topics include backcountry travel and safety skills, photographic equipment selection, basic principles of photography, techniques for landscape, wildlife and action photography in backcountry settings, care and maintenance of photographic equipment, the protection and storage of film and digital images in adverse conditions and on extended and remote trips, image processing, enhancement and presentation, and image filing and archiving. The course will also include opportunities for review and critique of participant photographs, and a three day outing.

course description

schedule-classroom events

outing equipment