[pct-l] Trail skills courses.

[ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com]

Mango,

Though it has been a couple of weeks since your email, you deserve an answer. What is the big chain retailer on the east coast? Eastern Mountain Sports?? Don't they offer classes and clinics like REI? '

Otherwise, check out the local community schools' outdoor programs, etc. for classes, trips and so forth. 

Keith's answer about training at elevation is well taken. What does the pct-l community think? Would everyone else recommend this idea to those from the east or other flatland homes?

Mtnned
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: moodyjj at comcast.net 
  To: ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com 
  Cc: PCT MailingList ; Elisabeth M Chaplin 
  Sent: Monday, June 15, 2009 9:44 AM
  Subject: Re: [pct-l] Trail skills courses.


  Any suggestions for where us PCT-wannabes who live east of the Miss. can get that kind of training?  Specifically, in the SE Appalachians? 

  Thanks,

  Mango


  ----- Original Message -----
  From: ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com
  To: "Elisabeth M Chaplin" <echaplin at gmail.com>
  Cc: "PCT MailingList" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
  Sent: Monday, June 15, 2009 11:28:19 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
  Subject: Re: [pct-l] Trail skills courses.

  Hi, Liz!

  As soon as the snow flies, we begin offering our free Snow Course 3-day 
  weekend clinics.

  They are designed to place you in a nasty on-trail winter thru-hiker-likely 
  scenario with an experienced guide and backcountry instructor so you can 
  learn how to deal with the difficulties and situations encountered while 
  still having a lot of fun learning with your group.

  Here is what we cover:

  Realistic, practical preparation for the cold and wet.
  Carpooling to the trailhead.
  Environmental Awareness for Visual Route Referencing (how to follow a buried 
  trail).
  Flora and Fauna of the High Sierra.
  How to make and safely find water from frozen creeks and lakes.
  Backcountry skiing and snowshoeing (especially across frozen lakes and 
  creeks).
  The common dangers and hazards of snow-hiking.
  How to stay warm and dry in the cold and wet (during the day and night).
  Avalanche awareness and avoidance (how to judge a slippery slope).
  Visual Route Referencing practice day hike to Aloha.
  Snow Camping, what works and what doesn't.
  Ice Axe Training, on the ascent and descent.
  Self Arrest Training, how to control and stop a downhill fall and slide on 
  ice and snow.

  When we had a website, the business was called Mountain Education and ran 
  from 1981 to 2007. Our "website," now, is this Forum and the testimonies 
  from our past students. Many still follow the pct-l; just ask them how it 
  went!

  We conduct the Snow Courses into Desolation Wilderness from Echo Summit, 
  highway 50, South Lake Tahoe, where we live. Many students come from afar 
  and carpool in. For those who live further away than Portland, we suggest 
  attending any of the REI courses available in your area.

  As the season approaches, there will be more conversation on this subject. 
  For more info, just email us back. My wife and I teach the Courses and the 
  interest is growing!

  Mtnned and Lady J
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: "Elisabeth M Chaplin" <echaplin at gmail.com>
  To: <ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com>
  Sent: Monday, June 08, 2009 1:57 PM
  Subject: Trail skills courses.


  > Hi! What you described on the list sounds like an amazing opportunity!  Do 
  > you have a website/mailing list?
  > Cheers, Liz.
  > 805.455.5575
  >
  >
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