Wilderness Basics Course to Begin Feb. 6th
The local Sierra Club’s annual Wilderness Basics Course begins Feb 6, gathering local outdoor experts to teach and share tips on how to be safe and comfortable outdoors, enhancing day hikes to backpacking adventures.
Covering Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, the Los Padres Chapter’s popular course is in its 11th year and typically sells out. It caters to all physical levels and ages from teen to seniors.
WBC includes evening hands-on classes and day and overnight adventures, including car camp. Camaraderie always comes along.
Don’t take our word for it, here’s some feedback from WBC graduates.
Gabe Valdez took two solo backtrack trips after he graduated, in the Sespe Wilderness and Mineral King. “Everything I learned in the WBC made my trip safe and exciting. I never felt unprepared for any obstacle I faced. Six months ago, I had never backpacked overnight. I appreciate all the work you put into the course because I couldn’t have had this life experience without it.”
Another graduate, Peter Green, was a self-described skeptic. “I really didn’t expect much … but wow, how wrong I was and how little I knew.”
He bought a $300 tent, a $150 sleeping bag and a sleeping pad from a surplus store before he attended. “After two classes I realized I didn’t know how to pitch the $300 tent, the sleeping bag was not a good fit for the weather where I wanted to go, the sleeping pad was at the surplus store for a reason and the backpack was way too heavy, cheaply made and only good for about two days of travel.”
Peter should have waited: WBC teaches you how to buy smart, assess used and rental equipment and offers contacts who will loan certain gear. Also, local outdoor stores typically give discounts to its students.
Car Camp Knapp’s WBC By Jennifer Tothpal
His advice now is “to learn from experienced leaders and take that next step from day hikes to backpacking adventures in comfort and safety.”
Speaking of safety, WBC has close ties with the Search and Rescue teams in both counties; in fact, some surplus funds from class fees are donated to them. Other “after-cost” funds have been donated for trail maintenance to the Los Padres Forest Assn. and the chapter for use in its free Outings, wildlife protection and trail access.
Sheep Camp monument rest in snow CROP Michael Kuredjian
WHAT IS WBC?
Volunteer leaders teach people the skills to enjoy the wilderness in 8 classroom sessions and guide the students on 4 exciting outings, sponsored by the Los Padres Chapter, Sierra Club.
Evening classes are held at Poinsettia Pavilion in Ventura Feb. 6 to March 27. Day, overnight and car camps are held in both counties. The course serves people of all levels from beginners to seasoned hikers, teens to seniors and outings are student’s choice, ranked from easy, moderate or strenuous. Various discounts apply, and a few scholarships are available.
To register: http://bit.ly/LPWBC19
For information, call (805) 524-7170 or send an email or online here:
Creek help CROP Danielson Monument Photo by Cara Peden
Geologist Jim Danza teaching Photo by Arturo Hernandez
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