Canada West Mountain School is the premier mountain training and guiding centre in BC. The Premier Mountain Training And Guiding Centre In British Columbia Since 1982. Dedicated Guides. In Business Since 1982. Courses: Avalanche Skills 1 (AST1), Backcountry skiing, Avalanche Rescue.
Are you prepared to deal with an unexpected night out? This 1.5-day course covers essential survival skills for hikers and snowshoers traveling in the backcountry of SW British Columbia.
The training includes a half-day in-person class covering trip planning, hazard recognition and avoidance, emergency kits, survival psychology and navigation skills. During the practical session the next day, you will build your own emergency shelters. After you experience a night out in the local mountains with minimum survival gear, you’ll have the confidence to deal with any situation!
access to our Virtual Training classroom for self-paced online learning in advance of the course dates (required learning).
• 1 x 4-hour classroom in person session (West Van Cricket Club, at the top of Taylor Way in Hugo Ray Park)
• 1x 8-hour field session held outdoors on the North Shore
Program Description:
Online Pre-course learning – The Wilderness Survival course includes an Online Pre-course that is approximately 1 hour of self-paced learning. This will be completed in our Virtual Classroom, with an access link emailed to you after registering for your specific course date.
Day 1 – The training includes a half-day in-person class covering trip planning, hazard recognition and avoidance, emergency kits, survival psychology and navigation skills.
Day 2 – On the field day, you will meet with your group at the pre-arranged trailhead at 9:00 am. The location and final logistics for the Field Training day will be determined in advance of the program start. It will take place on the Vancouver North Shore.
The session is spent in an area that will require hiking to access. This allows the group to work on navigation skills, wilderness travel techniques, and group management strategies while approaching the site. Once at a suitable location, you will learn and apply the skills and techniques needed to plan and prepare for an unexpected night out, including:
• Shelter construction
• Fire building
• Emergency signaling
• Animal awareness and strategies
• Minimalist camp craft techniques
• Basic Wilderness First Aid skills
• Emergency communication strategies
We will then head back to the trailhead for a full wrap-up and debrief.
Location and Times:
Day 1 – 1pm – 5pm
West Vancouver Cricket Club
1290 3rd St, West Vancouver, BC V7S 2Y2
Day 2 – 9am – 5pm
Field Day – Location TBA
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