PEOL 333-Backpacking SPRING TERM

This is a two-credit course designed for students with little or no backpacking experience. The course consists of classroom sessions and a three-day backpacking outing to the Oregon Coast. The classroom sessions are structured to prepare students for the outing. Classroom topics include clothing and equipment requirements, a map and compass review, backpacking risks and hazards, conditioning and injury prevention, leave no trace travel and camping ethics, fitness requirements, and trip planning and preparation. Students are required to complete a map and compass worksheet and complete a 2-mile run in less than 20 minutes during an in-class fitness test prior to participating in the outing component of the course.

The focus of the outing component is on learning the basics of backpacking, with an emphasis on the following skills and techniques: Packing a pack; improving hiking efficiency and preventing injuries, using a backpacking stove and cooking basic meals; erecting a tarp and/or tent shelter; camping and traveling using Leave No Trace (LNT) ethics specific to the coastal environment; reading a map and using a map and compass to navigate from point to point.

course description

schedule - tba

This is a two-credit course consisting of classroom sessions and a three-day backpacking outing to the OregonCascades.

The classroom sessions are structured to prepare students for the outing. Classroom topics include clothing and equipment needs, map and compass practice, Global Positioning System (GPS) use, backcountry safety practices and protocols, leave no trace travel and camping ethics, fitness requirements, and trip planning and preparation. Students are required to complete navigation worksheet and complete a 2-mile run in less than 18 minutes during an in-class fitness test prior to participating in the outing component of the course.

The focus of this outing is on developing efficient backcountry navigation skills. We follow an exciting andchallenging route in rugged country that requires the use of intermediate and advanced GPS and map and compass navigation skills. The route is mostly off trail, in the southern portion of the Three Sisters Wilderness Area. The route begins at an elevation of about 4400', and the first campsite is at an elevation of approximately 6200'. If the weather and snow conditions are suitable, we will ascend 6800' Irish Mountain on Saturday, placing and using fixed lines for protection. The campsite on Saturday evening is at an elevation of approximately 6000'. The overall route is long and can be physically demanding, especially in foul weather.

course description

schedule - tba

This one-credit survival course is designed for outdoor enthusiasts who venture into backcountry areas during the cooler months of the year, or travel to areas that have winter-like conditions (e.g. higher elevations) at any time of the year. The course provides the knowledge, skills and practice essential to surviving in the cool, wet, windy climate of the Pacific Northwest. In addition to the obvious safety advantages, the skills and knowledge gained in this course is integral to increasing personal comfort in conventional outdoor activities.The course consists of classroom sessions and a three-day outing.

course description

schedule - tba