NoCo Mountain Hiking Course

Application Required.

NOTE:  YOU MUST SUBMIT AN APPLICATION AND RECEIVE PERMISSION TO REGISTER FOR THIS COURSE.  The application form can be found at the link above.  You may register only after you have submitted the application and received permission.

The 2023 Mountain Hiking School (MHS) will be offered this coming spring, March 14 through April 15:

Evening lectures (held at the Fort Collins Senior Center): March 14, 21, 28; April 4, 11

Field trips: March 18, 25; April 1, 8, 15

Outline

The course will be patterned after previous offerings of the MHS, as well as the Denver Group’s Wilderness Trekking School. The planned MHS will consist of five 3-hour lectures (Tuesdays 6:00-9:00 pm) and 5 all-day field trips (Saturdays). The primary subject areas include basic fundamentals such as: gear, nutrition & hydration, natural hazards and weather, trip planning, hiking styles, group dynamics, and back-country ethics. Navigation and route-finding on- and off-trail will be heavily emphasized, using maps, compass and other readily-available tools and iPhone applications (other than GPS). Students will also learn how to deal with emergencies such as illness, injury, getting help and overnight survival. Additional details are available.

Competencies

This course will help prepare students for hiking safely and competently in all seasons in the Colorado Mountains, at varied elevations and under challenging weather conditions. It will also provide invaluable information and experience for those who might want to eventually become official CMC leaders. Completion of the course will also help prepare those who may be interested in enrolling in our springtime Alpine Scrambling Course, Basic Mountaineering Course, as well as other educational clinics & workshops. Four field trips will be conducted at lower elevations where snow may or may not be present, while the graduation hike will be at elevations from over 10,000’ to about 11,500’ and on snow. The “B Level” graduation hike will involve snowshoe travel, ice axe practice on moderate terrain, and a Class 2 ascent of an alpine ridge to a summit offering exceptional views.

Expectations

Students are expected to attend all lectures and field trips in order to receive the appropriate CMC badge.  Enrollees are expected to be CMC members; Northern Colorado Group members will be given priority, 18 years of age, have good fitness and motivation, and provide or purchase all necessary clothing and basic recommended gear (we will provide ice axes for the graduation climb). Necessary purchases can be made after the first classroom where gear will be discussed in detail.  Course fee is $50 and covers materials and facilities. Applications for the spring 2023 course must be received by the Administrative Director, JoAnn Herkenhoff at (JoAnnHerkenhoff@msn.com ) no later than March 1, 2023. The class will be limited to 20 students. Questions about the course may be directed by email to JoAnn.

Please feel free to share this information with friends who may be interested in joining the course.