Types of Skills

There are endless skills one can acquire to help them in the outdoors and many of these skills can serve multiple purposes in the wilderness. Our goal is to create more ways for women to learn and use these skills so you feel comfortable and confident relying on them in the backcountry. Courses are lead by qualified, experienced volunteers and third-party guides and instructors.

 
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Backpacking

Planning a backpacking trip is one of the most overwhelming things you can do in the outdoors. We’ll provide a rundown of essential gear and options, how to keep yourself fueled, setting up camp, and things to keep in mind when planning your trip. Our experienced instructors can also share some of their own tips and tricks that they’ve learned over the years they’ve spent exploring the trails.

 
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Navigation

Considered a survival skill, the art of using a compass and map is one that requires a lot of practice. Our orienteering classes go over how to read a topographic map, parts of the compass, how to use your bearings to triangulate your location and reach a destination.

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Backcountry First Aid

NOT A CERTIFICATION COURSE
What happens when you or someone in your group gets injured? Rescue can take hours so learning the skills to stabilize an emergency can better the odds of someone who is injured. Wild Forces’ first aid courses are great for those who don’t need a certification but would like to learn the fundamentals of wilderness first aid.
First aid instructors hold a minimum of a Wilderness First Responder certification.

 
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Plant Identification

Plant identification can be a fun hobby that saves your life one day. Learn plant characteristics, how to use a field guide, plant families, local edible & medicinal plants, and even whip up some recipes with foraged ingredients.

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Survival

A lot can go wrong in the backcountry that leaves you out in the wild longer than planned. Our survival courses will show you multiple ways to build fires and shelters, find water, tie various knots, and what you can do to help search and rescue teams find you faster. Some classes will also include basic map and compass skills as well.

Survival instructors hold a minimum of a SOLO Survival Instructor certification.

 
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Rock Climbing

Climbing is an activity that not only teaches you essential skills you can apply in multiple ways, but it also challenges you mentally and physically - a skill you should learn when conquering the outdoors. Understand climbing gear, communication, knot & rope skills, anchor building, and climbing movement and techniques with our day and two-day climbing and rappelling trips.

Climbing instructor holds the following certifications: AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, Wilderness First Responder, NAI Interpretive Guide