It’s Winter and you decide to take an old logging road to take in the scenery but before long the snow is getting deep and is hard drive through. Now instead of heading home on a cold winter night you are stuck on an old logging road that rarely sees any other vehicles. What do you do?
Exposure to the winter elements can kill anyone in a matter of hours without the right preparation or understanding of the wilderness around you. Challenge yourself and learn to work with Mother Nature to help keep you adapt to old man’s winter.
The Winter Wonderland course is set in the beautiful Mogollon Rim in north eastern Arizona that rises from 4,000ft to 5,000ft and extends from Yavapai County to the boarder of New Mexico. For creature comforts and cold winter nights students stay a fully furnished cabin in the heart of Zane Grey country, the world renowned western author of the 1920′s.
The Winter Wonderland course is loosely based upon Cody’s Winter Survival Skills class he’s taught at Yavapai College since the early 2000’s. Similar to the college class, part of the training will be classroom based inside the cabin supplemented with numerous day trips to the surrounding woods for plenty of hands-on experience.
During the week students learn the principles of cold weather clothing and layering systems so that students understand that some clothing can enchance the likes of hypothermia.
Winter Shelter
Learn how to make winter shelters from simply digging a hole in the snow, trenches and super shelters. Making fire in winter has a whole set of challenges that need to be over come from cold hands, wet wood and gear so the Winter Wonderland encompasses metal matches, magnesium, natural tinder bundles, techno tinder’s, fire lighting when everything’s wet, fire on snow, fire as a tool, fire safety and physics.
While out on day hikes students will get a better idea of collecting water in winterfrom snow and ice, preventing dehydration, water disinfection methods, flavoring options, maximal hydration tips, body water requirements in the cold.
Please note: While every effort is made to cover the skills outlined, some skills may change depending on material availability, weather conditions, or any other reason. Your understanding is appreciated.
This page is for students new and past to post their photos and comments on their experiences their experiences from their unique journey over the past several days in the wilderness.
Winter Wonderland course 2011 >
February 8, 2012
ALSS Courses