North Cascades
Register Now!
_________________
Supporting Documents
"[The course] definitely
lived up to my expectations.
I came to learn the basics
of outdoor leadership and
specific skills sets,
and I got them both."
-Mike C.
More Student Comments
|
|
|
|
|
North Cascades Backpacking; Leadership & Guide Training Course
(12 & 24 days)
|
The North Cascades form a remote, beautiful and exciting range of glaciated peaks, alpine terrain and rolling forests. Spanning nearly a million acres, the landscape for this course runs from lush, densely forested foothills to dry, granite bowls.
Imagine trekking across high, mountain passes, leading your group up massive river valleys or enjoying a sunset while camped beside a turquoise, alpine lake. The variety of terrain and ecosystems in the North Cascades make this course ideal for people looking to develop their backcountry skills.
This comprehensive backpacking course is the perfect setting to achieve your goals whether you are looking to become a professional guide, hone your technical abilities for personal adventures, or expand your leadership skills. It focuses on teaching students to be safe, efficient, knowledgeable and confident outdoor leaders in a backcountry environment.
Course Location North Cascades National Park is a relatively unknown gem of the National Park System and is a backpackers dream. Known as the "American Alps" because of its combination of jagged peaks and glaciers, this park is situated in central Washington, just below the border with Canada. Over 75% of the glaciers in the continental United States are found in the North Cascades. The park abuts Alpine Lakes Wilderness creating a protected area of a million acres spanning a variety of ecosystems.
Across this vast area, the park and wilderness stretch from the lush environment influenced by the Pacific to the drier reaches east of the Cascade Mountains. A convergence of tectonic plates has created dome-shaped volcanic peaks and granite pinnacles creating a veritable playground and classroom for backpackers.
The Instructors and Guides of IWLS are widely recognized as some of the very best in their field and have practical leadership experience from around the globe. They are well trained and have an uncommon enthusiasm for sharing their skill and knowledge, borne out of a passion for outdoor exploration.
The International Wilderness Leadership Schools' educational model nurtures leadership development and creates an awareness of the guiding mentality that is essential for leading safe, fun adventures in the mountains. The combination of technical skills training, experiential education and practical leadership experience make the IWLS curriculum world class.
The IWLS General Curriculum outlines the essential components for effective outdoor leadership. Here are a few points that the course will focus on.
Leadership: Opportunities to lead the group will be abundant and you'll have the time to learn and practice multiple styles of leadership.
Weather: Will the storm arrive in the next 12 hours, or the next 48? Understanding weather patterns and trends will help you plan successful trips in a wilderness setting.
Safety and Risk Management: Safety is always the #1 consideration. As the course progresses, you'll develop an awareness to appropriately asses risk and make safe decisions.
Environmental Ethics: As adventurers in some of the most pristine environments on the planet it is our duty to respect the natural world. All of our courses practice and teach Leave No Trace ® principles.
____________________________________________________________________
IWLS Backpacking Curriculum prepares students for exploration into remote, backcountry settings.
Tents: Staying dry in the wilderness is an essential survival skill. You'll learn how to repair a damaged tent, how to set up camp in high winds, and techniques to secure your dry space for the night.
Stoves and Campfires: The ability to repair a broken stove, make an emergency fire after being submerged in an icy river, and melt snow efficiently for water are key components for leading a group in the wilderness.
River and Stream Crossings: In river crossings, attention to detail and safety are #1. You'll learn and practice safe techniques for wading across a small stream or doing a Tyrolean traverse across a raging river.
Geology: From plate tectonics to granitic batholiths, you'll learn the history of the land you are exploring and how these forces create and influence the environment around you.
Experience Level: No previous experience is necessary for this course. However, with a desire to learn and an enthusiasm for adventure, you'll develop the skills necessary for a lifetime of wilderness exploration.
Certifications upon completion of the 24-day course participants may qualify for the following certifications:
 Certified Outdoor Leader
Wilderness Education Association
24 Day Guide Training Certificate of Completion
International Wilderness Leadership School
|
Click Here for all available certifications.
University credit is available for this and other IWLS courses.
Consider combining three 24-day courses for an IWLS semester!
|
