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Snow Tracking and Winter Wilderness Survival Skills

Snow Tracking and Winter Wilderness Survival Skills
February 6-8, 2009; 7:00 a.m. Fri. - 5:00 p.m. Sun.
Methow Valley, WA; Lead instructor Dave Scott
$375; Food and camping included, Airport shuttle available. Details upon registration.
To Register, call 425-788-1301. (NOTE: Last year this course filled early!)

Hone your winter wilderness survival skills such as shelter construction, snow travel techniques and winter safety while exploring the lives of mountain wildlife through the art of tracking!

Journey with us across the mountains to the beautiful Methow Valley of the Northeast Cascades! Here we will learn and practice the skills of winter camping and survival, while studying the behavior of wildlife in winter through their tracks and sign.

On Friday we will snowshoe in to a backcountry wilderness Rendezvous Hut such as the one pictured at right, looking for tracks and sign of wildlife along the way and in the evening we will eat together, share stories, and learn about techniques for survival in winter conditions. More information on the Rendezvous Huts.

On Saturday we will have the opportunity to put some of our skills to the test including snow shelter construction and fire making. Plan to sleep in your snow shelter on Saturday night and return to the hut on Sunday morning for a hot breakfast.

The Methow Valley is well known for sunny weather, dry snow, and spectacular scenery.

You will need snowshoes for this course. These are available for rent at many outdoor gear and ski shops during the winter season. More information regarding clothing and equipment that you will need for this course is provided in the confirmation letter that you will receive after you register.

Please note that due to the variability and unpredictability of winter conditions, both the location and itinerary of this course are subject to change!

During this course you can expect to:

• Discover the natural history of the Cascade Mountains first-hand and through discussion of what you see in the field.
• Study the ecology of winter wildlife by exploring the lessons that nature offers as you travel.
• Learn basic techniques for tracking and trailing wildlife in snow. Or, if you are more experienced, challenge and expand your knowledge with the assistance of experienced trackers.
• Acquire tips and tricks to safely and efficiently travel and navigate through the wilderness in winter conditions.
• Learn techniques of safe and effective snow shelter construction, putting your skills to the test as you sleep in your own shelter!
• Enjoy yourself and the beautiful natural surroundings of the Methow in winter!

Instructor Biography: Dave Scott. As a child growing up in Austin Texas, Dave found a great love for the outdoors and immersed himself in the natural world through exploration and the close observation of wildlife. In his early 20’s, Dave began to more formally study the natural world at nature and wilderness skills schools across the country, with a focus on ecology, tracking and wildlife behavior. Dave has studied under many of the nation's great naturalists and trackers and has completed intensive study residential programs at the Wilderness Awareness School in Duvall, Washington, and Past Skills Wilderness School, in Bozeman, Montana. In 2004 Dave began a more focused and intense study of bird behavior, bird tracks and sign, and feather identification, and later used this knowledge to design programs for troubled youth in wilderness areas around the country. Through Dave’s programs, which emphasized the interpretation of bird behavior as an avenue to promote the growth of internal and external awareness, many of his students succeeded in altering their behavior and changing the course of their lives. Dave currently teaches naturalist studies, wildlife tracking, and wilderness survival in the Seattle area and is co-author of Bird Feathers -A Guide to North American Species scheduled for publication in 2010.

Learn more about all of our survival courses

NOTE: This course filled early last year, so be sure to reserve your space soon: 425-788-1301

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