PE 185WSA - Winter Survival and Snow Camping Adventure

1 Credit(s)

Prerequisite(s): Ability to walk in the snowy wilderness for short distances with a backpack containing personal gear.

Course Description: Provides training and practical application of learning to deal with the extremes of winter and camping in the snow. The winter environment poses many inherent challenges to travelers and outdoor adventure participants. Every year, individuals and families enter the wilderness and find themselves unprepared for peril due to accident, poor planning, or lack of education. The class requires a three-hour mandatory orientation session on campus to cover winter clothing and equipment, survival essentials, avalanche awareness, snow travel options, snow shelter building, hypothermia, and frostbite prevention and treatment. A one-day snow trip is scheduled before the actual adventure, to learn and practice winter skills in daylight hours. The course culminates in a two-day, overnight snow camping trip. The general schedule is: hike to camping destination, construct snow shelter, set up evening camp preparations, dinner and sleep arrangements. Day two: breakfast, snow activities, lunch, travel back to snow-park, debrief. An additional fee is required.

Course is repeatable.

Course Level: Lower Division Collegiate

Course Learning Outcomes:

CLO#1: Participate in winter wilderness hiking and operate as engaged team member.
CLO#2: Develop skills to plan and allocate material, equipment and food through snow travel.
CLO#3: Demonstrate ability to set up tents, start camp stoves, camp with craft and low impact, navigate with map and compass, hike with a group. (ILO: Critical Thinking)
CLO#4: Apply leadership skills through completion of challenges.