This two day course is taught by Mountain Skills Academy & Adventures by a professional ACMG certified guide. MSAA is offering a special price for BCMC members of $276.25 + GST (regular price for non-members: $325 + GST). 

Develop your Mountain Navigation Skills with the Sea to Sky's leading mountain school. Obtain the complete required skill set & implementation through expert certified guides and our carefully crafted curriculum. Est. 1991 - Trip Advisor; Hall of Fame status,  beloved and trusted by BCMC members!

Course Details:

This course will cover navigation in diverse alpine terrain, regardless of conditions and visibility. Students will learn to create trip plans that include objectives, conditions, avalanche hazard, mountain hazards, terrain, contingency plans, and full white-out navigation plans.

This course will take place over 2 days. The first day will be partially in the classroom in the morning and will focus on basic navigational concepts. The second day will be partially in the classroom in the morning then outdoors in the afternoon, learning and practicing navigational and trip planning skills in the field..

Itinerary:

Day 1: Meet the guide at 8:45am at the classroom location. The guide will have everyone sign a waiver and give a brief overview of the course. Day 1 will focus on the theoretical lessons.

The day will end at approximately 4pm with a debrief and a discussion of the next day’s objectives.

Day 2: Meet the guide at 8:45am at a predetermined outdoor location. The guide will review Day 1’s theoretical lessons before the group practices those skills in the field.

The day will end at approximately 4pm with a course debrief and what the next steps are for students.

Gear List:

• Laptop computer or tablet
• Rite in the Rain notebook style #311 and pencil (mechanical preferred)
• Baseplate compass with sighting mirror and graduation markings (suggested models: Silva
• Ranger CL, Suunto MCA-D CM IN, Brunton O.S.S.)
• GPS, if you have one
• Clothing and footwear appropriate for the weather*
• Food and drink for the day

Curriculum:

Part 1: Map and Compass

• Getting familiar with your compass
• Reading topographic maps
• Making a route plan

Part 2: Navigation

• Taking and following bearings on the map and in the field
• Navigating with a map and compass in good and poor visibility
• Triangulation
• Navigating around obstacles

Part 3: Trip Planning and Decision Making

• Route Planning
• Ranking hazards
• Contingency planning
• Building and following a whiteout navigation plan

We may cover additional topics as time permits.

Payment:

On-line Registration process:

(1) Click “Join this trip” on the left hand side of the page. You will be added to the Waiting List

(2) Once on the Waiting List you will have access to the Course Online Payment on the left side of the page where you will find the promo code. Complete your payment directly with MSAA HERE  using the promo code. Be sure to select the right date in the drop down menu. You will receive a confirmation email from MSAA once your payment is completed.

(3) Forward your confirmation email to courses@bcmc.ca. You will then be added to the Confirmed List.

(4) Keep an eye on your email for further logistic details.

Please use the BCMC covid guidline for transporation. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact MSAA at +1 (604) 938-9242 or Oudi at courses@bcmc.ca.