PPG WTS - Wilderness Fundamentals - 2025 - Session A

Risk Management & Hiking Course

PPG WTS - Wilderness Fundamentals

The Wilderness Fundamentals class is an introduction of important skills and back country knowledge to enable participants to independently plan and safely implement a day’s outing in the great outdoors - away from civilization and all it provides.

schedule / content

Pre-Course Preparation: Includes some online self-paced study and knowledge checks to help students get ready for the class.

Class/Lecture: Occurs over Zoom and covers the fundamentals of choosing back country gear (the Ten Essentials), trip planning, nutrition, conditioning, Leave No Trace (LNT) conservation practices, mountain weather, safety, emergency planning protocol (what to do when things go wrong), and a case study of a recent, Colorado wilderness accident. Zoom info will be emailed to registered participants.

Field Session: This session explores the class/lecture concepts during an actual outing and gives students a chance to further address any questions or concerns while meeting new hiking friends and sharing ideas about gear, snacks, and hiking spots.

notes

This class is a pre-requisite for many of our other PPG courses and will provide participants with a copy of "MOUNTAINEERING: FREEDOM OF THE HILLS" that will be referenced in other courses!  Make sure you have  a good foundation of the basics before expanding your outdoor skillset.

Wilderness Fundamentals Students will earn the "Wilderness Fundamentals Course" badge, and after completing all 3 WTS courses, the "Wilderness Trekking School" badge.

Wilderness Fundamentals is part of the Pikes Peak Group's Wilderness Trekking School (WTS) located in Colorado Springs.  The program may be a pre-requisite for trips or other schools.  If you have any questions, please contact the instructor for this course. Each course stands alone, and is scheduled on the cmc.org calendar with a brief description, prerequisites, and applicable fees.

The PPG Wilderness Trekking School (WTS) includes: Wilderness Fundamentals, Land Navigation, and Intro to Backpacking

The PPG Basic Mountaineering School (BMS) includes: Basic Alpine Climbing, Rock Climbing, Ice Climbing and Advanced Snow Climbing

CMC members are welcome to sign up for each course (as long as they meet the prerequisites) to learn, grow, and challenge themselves while exploring the great outdoors in different and unique ways.

contact

Joe Preiss - ZMQJWP@Gmail.Com

Badges you will earn:

Course Requirements
Course Activity Date Availability Leader
PPG WTS - Wilderness Fundamentals Class
CMC Zoom Lecture
Mon, Feb 3, 2025
Registration opens Dec 1
13 participants
PPG WTS - Wilderness Fundamentals Field Day
Spruce Mountain Trail
Sat, Feb 8, 2025
Registration opens Dec 1
13 participants
Roster
Required Equipment

Day pack with the Ten essentials

What are the Ten Essentials?
https://www.mountaineers.org/blog/what-are-the-ten-essentials

Course Materials
Name/Description