Wilderness Skills Seminars
Overview
Wilderness Skills are incredibly varied. The American Alpine Institute offers a wide array of skills related courses at the AAI Mountain Center. The programs presented here are the inaugural programs at the center. In the coming months and years, many additional programs will be added.
Wilderness Navigation Essentials (3-Hours)
The Backcountry Navigation Essentials course is a three-hour introductory course for those who spend time in the wilderness both on and off-trail. This program provides you with the basic skills required to manage wilderness route-finding on trails, in complicated terrain or in whiteout conditions. To learn more about this program, click here.
Wilderness Navigation Comprehensive (Full Day)
The Backcountry Navigation Comprehensive course is a one-day program for those who spend significant time in the wilderness both on and off-trail. This program provides you with both the basic and advanced skills required to manage tour planning and wilderness route-finding on trails, in complicated terrain or in whiteout conditions. To learn more about this program, click here.
Avalanche Awareness (90-Minutes)
The American Alpine Institute offers free Avalanche Awareness seminars throughout the winter season. These short evening programs are designed to introduce winter backcountry enthusiasts to avalanche terrain assessment, winter snowpack analysis and baseline rescue technique. To learn more about these programs, click here.
Leave No Trace Awareness (90-Minutes)
The Awareness program is a perfect introduction to the principals of Leave No Trace. This free program is perfect for groups that are new to outdoor ethics like gym-to-crag climbers, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, church groups, or any other organization or individual that is curious about the nature of Leave No Trace and wilderness ethics.
Know Before You Go (70-Minutes)
AAI offers a variety of "Know Before You Go" programs. These are designed to give those who are at an entry level at a given activity an a baseline from which to begin their journey. Among other things, Know Before You Go topics include Outdoor Climbing, Hiking, Backpacking and Snowshoeing.
Nature and Mountain Photography
Expert photographers from AAI's staff and from the outdoor community share their knowledge and skill in these evening seminars.
Long Distance Hiking - The PCT Bootcamp
Expert Pacific Crest Trail thru-hikers share their knowledge on how to cut weight and move fast on the National Scenic Trails.
Introduction to Wilderness First Aid (Full Day)
AAI guides share how they deal with common injuries in the mountains, while also sharing how to manage common traumatic injuries.
