Wilderness Leadership Course
Who do you consider to be a successful leader? What are the qualities
that you look for in a leader? As you progress in your climbing, you may
be looking to organize and lead trips yourself. Perhaps you have taken a
basic climbing course and are wondering about the next step?
The Course Mission Statement is “To educate participants in
wilderness leadership, while underscoring the core values of our
community; that of informed active participation, the power of the team,
and the camaraderie of mountain travel.”
More than technical skills, managerial ability and logistical planning,
wilderness leadership requires an understanding of group dynamics, the
importance of careful preparation and effective team communication, and
knowing the value and power of group decision making.
In this course, we teach the fundamental concepts and skills
needed to plan, organize, and lead an outing in the mountains. Beginning
with a review of the literature on outdoor leadership, the course
covers trip planning, wilderness navigation, team dynamics, decision
making, communication, team building, risk assessment and crisis
response. The goal is for students to learn how to build and lead
climbing teams comprised of informed, active participants.
Students will develop travel agendas as well as spend time leading
the class during the field sessions. While the skills taught in this
course are specifically designed to encourage and teach mountaineering leadership, they also work to develop your skills as an active and
invaluable climb team member.
Course Requirements
Applicants must have completed the Bushwhacker Basic Glacier Climbing
Course or the Backcountry Scramble Course or equivalent. Participants
must be comfortable in the skills of snow travel, map and compass, ice
axe arrest, and snow camping. The field sessions are strenuous, involving off trail snow travel in the
Cascade Mountains.
The course consists of five classroom sessions and three field sessions.
Class room sessions are from 7:30 to 9:30 PM. The location is TBD. Also note that there is a graduation night that, while not mandatory, is strongly advised. Note: Attendance at all class and field sessions is
mandatory in order to complete the course. Field sessions may be
rescheduled due to conditions.
Cost of the Course
The cost for the course is $250, plus active Bushwhacker Club membership ($35/year).
2024 Course Schedule
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Classroom (5 lectures): Every Tuesday March 12- April 16
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Field Session 1: Saturday, March 23 (Alternate date: Sunday, March 24)
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Field Session 2: Saturday, March 30 - Sunday, March 31 (overnight outing)
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Field Session 3: Saturday, April 13 (Alternate date: Saturday, April 20th)
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Potluck Dinner & Field Session 3 Debrief: Tuesday, April 16 (Alternate date: Tuesday, April 23)
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Graduation Night: Tuesday June, 25th (Combined 2024 Glacier and Leadership Course Graduation)