Wilderness Navigation and Survival Training

As low as:

$860.00 / person

(at 4:1 ratio)
  • STRENUOUSNESS
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  • TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY
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Add-ons

Sleeping mat rental $10.00

Backpack rental $10.00

Navigation Kit $20.00

Includes a map and compass

A four day Wilderness and Survival Training course. Days 1 and 2 (day trips) will cover Wilderness Navigation and Wilderness Survival skills respectively. After a short course break (one week minimum), participants will return for a course review and an overnight Wilderness Survival scenario for Days 3 and 4. 

Sample Curriculum - Wilderness Navigation:

Day 1 (Day Trip) - Custom Wilderness Navigation Skills. 

  • Interpreting features on topographic maps
  • Compass use and features
  • Scale, grid reference and latitude and longitude
  • Relating features on a map to features on the ground
  • Taking bearings in the field and on the map
  • Re-sectioning to determine location
  • Travelling on bearings through terrain

Sample Curriculum - Wilderness Survival:

Day 2 (Day Trip) - Custom Wilderness Survival Skills.

  • Shelter building
  • Fire starting
  • Basic foraging and tracking skills
  • Survival psychology
  • Pre-trip planning
  • Risk management
  • Emergency preparedness
  • Wilderness first aid
  • Ground to air emergency signals
  • Travel

Course Break - (one week or more) to absorb information, course reading, ect. 

Day 3 (Overnight) and Day 4 - Review and Apply Custom Navigation and Survival Skills. Camp Overnight in a Survival Scenario. Debrief.

Included in the price

  • 4 Days (including one overnight) of instruction 

Not included in the price

  • Travel (to and from meeting point)
  • Accommodation (before and after course) 
  • Food
  • Personal clothing and gear (some items available for rent - see gear list for details)

Questions? Check out our FAQ page for details about our booking and cancellation policy, and other commonly asked questions.

Locations


This course is entirely field based and will either be delivered in terrain accessed from either the Old Forbidden Plateau Ski Hill or Mount Washington. 
 
Note that locations are determined by time of year, and where the instructor feels they can best deliver the outlined curriculum, but all locations will be within easy driving distance of the Comox Valley. 

Exact meeting details will be provided in a pre-trip email sent one week before your course.

Sample Itinerary


Day 1 and Day 2 of the course are Day Trips. Day 3 of the course runs overnight into Day 4. 

A typical Day Trip runs from 09:00 to 16:00, and can be delivered year-round. We will begin the day with an orientation in the parking lot before putting skills to use in the field, primarily hiking off-trail. 

Exact meeting details will be provided in a pre-trip email sent one-week prior to your course.

Questions? Check out our FAQ page for details, or send us an email. 

Requirements


While there are no prerequisites for this course, participants should be prepared to:

  • Spend the night outside in a minimal-gear shelter.
  • Hike approximately 3-5 km over rough terrain (including bush and possibly snow) with a pack.
  • Spend two days and one night outside in variable conditions (our courses run in all weather – rain, snow and heat).
  • Provide their own gear (a limited number of maps and compasses are available for rent — please see gear list in next tab).

Questions? Check out our FAQ page, or send us an email. We are always happy to help you find a suitable course and are happy to offer custom or private courses whenever possible.

Day 1 - Wilderness Navigation 

Gear List


The list provided aims to prepare you to be comfortable in the field regardless of the weather. Please ensure that all your gear is functioning and in proper repair. 

Clothing & Footwear

  • Mid-weight jacket, wool, fleece, synthetic or down.
  • T-shirt or long-sleeved shirt, synthetic and/or wool. 
  • Hiking pants, nylon or similar (ideally tough enough to resist tearing on bushes).
  • Rain gear (jacket and pants).
  • Toque or hat.
  • Gloves (plus a spare if weather is wet).
  • Hiking socks - merino wool is best.
  • Boots (suitable for hiking off trail).

For winter and spring courses, please also bring:

We will indicate whether snowshoes are needed in a pre-trip email sent one-week prior.

  • Snowshoes (while there is still snow in the mountains).
  • Walking poles (if using snowshoes).
  • Gaiters (typically needed November through to June).
  • Long underwear (top and bottom), poly- pro, wool or silk.
  • Insulating pants, wool, fleece, or pile.

If you do not own snowshoes, we recommend renting from Ski Tak Hut and can provide discount codes upon request. 

Course Items

Available as a rental add on when you book. 

  • Topographic map — 92 F/11 .
  • Mirrored compass. 

Other

  • Toilet paper (and small bag to pack out).
  • Personal small first aid kit (blister kit) SPF lip balm.
  • Sunscreen.
  • Water bottle (2L capacity).
  • Lunch (prepared ahead of time and consumable on the go).
  • Sunglasses.
  • Backpack (large enough to fit the items on this list).
  • Rite in the Rain notebook and pencil.
  • Thermos (optional).
  • Altimetre (optional).

Rentals

The following can be provided as a rental add on when you book: 

  • Navigation Kit: includes map and compass, and available for $10. 
  • Snowshoes: Available for rent at Ski Tak Hut if required for time of year. Discount codes provided upon request to receive 25% off your rental. 

Rental add ons are non-refundable, but can often be requested up to two days before the course. Please be aware that we have limited supply and these are offered on a first come, first served basis.

Questions about gear? Send us an email or check out our blog. 


Day 2 to Day 4 - Wilderness Survival 

Gear List


Please Note: The survival training can be hard on clothing and sleep gear, etc.
The clothing and gear that you select for this course should be clothing that you are not worried about getting wrecked due to sparks from the fire, etc.  

Temperatures encountered on this trip could range from freezing at night to the twenties by day. The list below should work for these conditions. 

Please ensure that all clothing and equipment is in good working order before the course begins, and feel free to reach out with any gear related questions!

Footwear:

  • Solid hiking boots (waterproof, sturdy enough to carry a pack)
  • Gaiters (in spring or late fall)

Clothing:

Please Note: The survival training can be hard on clothing and sleep gear, etc.
The clothing and gear that you select for this course should be clothing that you are not worried about getting wrecked due to sparks from the fire, etc.  

  • Warm socks, 2 pairs.
  • Base layers (top and bottom).
  • T-shirt or long-sleeve for hiking in (will depend on time of year).
  • Hiking pants (nylon or similar).
  • Mid-weight insulation layer.
  • Waterproof jacket and pants. 
  • Warm outer jacket (down or synthetic).
  • Warm toque.
  • Light gloves (if wet conditions, bring an extra warmer pair).
  • Leather gloves for use with knife and/or axe.

Overnight Gear:

  • Backpack (40-60L, big enough to carry your gear) - limited number available for rent.
  • Pack liner and/or stuff sacks (line sacks with garbage bag to keep everything dry).
  • Gortex (or similar) bivi bag.
  • Sleeping bag (synthetic or down, warm to -5 C).
  • Sleeping pad (Therma-rest style inflatable, or closed cell Ensolite) - limited number available for rent.
  • Survival Blanket or Bivy (SOL Escape Lite recommended – breathable is nice for the West Coast Climate).
  • Tarp (2m x 3m), 2x3 meter tarp or larger. Sil tarp style is good.
  • 15m of cord (no bigger than 5mm), para cord or 550 cord is ideal.
  • Ground sheet (1m x 2m, can be lightweight plastic).
  • Wooden strike anywhere matches with waterproof container or plastic bag for protection against the elements.
  • Eating vessel and utensil.
  • Metal pot or canteen cup style vessel for boiling water. Ideal if the pot has a metal handle above for hanging.
  • Day 3 and Day 4 (Overnight) - 2 x lunches, 1 x breakfast, 1 x supper and snacks.  For tasty, nutritous and locally pre-made dinners check out https://wildedgeketo.com/.

  • Day 1 and Day 2 (Day Trips) - Lunch only with snacks.

Other (required):

  • Compass with sighting mirror, magnetic declination set screw recommended. 
  • 92F/11 Forbidden Plateau Map, water resistant/proof paper recommended with protective bag and pencil (available for rent as “Navigation Kit” add-on).
  • Eye protection for navigating through bush.
  • Knife: a full blade or folding style that locks.
  • Small wilderness hand saw bullet is required.
  • Chopping axe (not a hatchet or a splitting axe).
  • Hat with sun visor.
  • Sunglasses: 100% UV blockage.
  • Sunscreen for body, face and lips: 30 SPF min.
  • Insect Repellant.
  • Personal toiletries (keep to a minimum).
  • Small first aid kit (medication, Advil, blister kit, etc.).
  • Write in the Rain style note book and pencil.
  • Water bottles or hydration system: 1 litre minimum, 2 litres preferred .
  • Water purification: Pristine drops, Aquatabs, UV pen, Handpump, etc. IAG water filter available for use if necessary.
  • Headlamp.
  • Individual bear spray recommended for overnight portion as participants will be "on their own" overnight.

Optional :

  • Small wilderness hand saw: folding saw, wire saw, etc.
  • Bug net for your head.
  • Hiking pole(s): for the ascent and descent and for increased variety in your emergency shelter set up.

Rentals


The following items are available for rent as add ons when you book:

  • Navigation Kit: includes a 92F/11 map and a mirrored compass for $10/day.
  • Backpack: limited number available for $20, offered on a first come, first served basis. 
  • Sleeping pad: limited number available for $20, offered on a first come, first served basis. 

Please note that these rental add ons are non-refundable, but can be requested up to two days prior to the start of your course. 

Questions? Check out our FAQ page and blog for commonly asked questions, or send us an email!

Testimonials

Great course, I learned a ton. It was broken down into two days theory and two days/one night practical.Rob is an amazing instructor with a ton of experience and his teaching style accommodates all learning styles. He is extremely passionate and really wants the students to learn the material. Highly recommend the course and Rob as an instructor! Pat Colvey,