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Carlos Cortesi & Brandon Arrastia

Learn the skills to have your own Wilderness Backpacking Adventures.

Join this one of a kind online school to learn survival skills, physical fitness, wilderness navigation and permits required to hike and camp in the most beautiful places in the USA. Join us with over 4 hours of video showcasing technical skills and training to tame and navigate the wilderness.

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Learn the skills to have your own Wilderness Backpacking Adventures.

Join this one of a kind online school to learn survival skills, physical fitness, wilderness navigation and permits required to hike and camp in the most beautiful places in the USA. Join us with over 4 hours of video showcasing technical skills and training to tame and navigate the wilderness.

There are many ways to backpack; so take your time and figure out what is best FOR YOU as you learn the skills in this course. If you only feel comfortable doing a 5 hour hike and practicing some knots, AWESOME. If you feel like spending the night at the local National Forest Campground, GREAT. If you want to do a 5 day mountain climbing adventure, EXCELLENT.

You decide how you proceed, don't let anyone pressure you into thinking you are doing too much or too little. The purpose is to connect with nature, share with friends and family, enjoy new skills and challenge yourself to become better.

There is no rush, although you can quickly get the benefits of backpacking, this is a lifelong endeavor, so sit back, learn a ton and enjoy the ride.

Also, don't miss our adventure breakdown series where we go over our own wilderness adventures and take you in a first look into a wilderness backpacking trip. See you there.  

Thanks to Tobu for letting us use his song "Infectious" with the ending song for our video "1.1.1 Welcome To Wilderness Backpacking".

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What's inside

Syllabus

Learn what Wilderness Backpacking is, The Course Breakdown, Natural Hazards, Backpacking Safety, Physical Fitness, and Wilderness Nutrition.
READ FIRST - DISCLAIMER
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[NEW VIDEO WITH THE FOLLOWING CORRECTIONS COMING NEXT WEEK[

-"Tang" typo correction.

-Classification of KA-BAR as a "Rat Tang" as opposed to "Full Tang".

-Main Frame Filmed outdoors.

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Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Covers essential survival skills like fire making, shelter building, and water purification, which are critical for safe wilderness exploration
Explores navigation techniques, including compass use, map reading, and GPS navigation, which are fundamental for planning backpacking trips
Includes gear reviews of products such as Garmin Instinct and Inreach Explorer, which may be useful for planning and preparing for trips
Discusses wilderness clothing and gear setup for both summer and winter conditions, which is important for adapting to different environments
Features adventure breakdowns from locations such as Mount Rainier and Zion National Park, which may be useful for planning future trips
Includes a section on wilderness photography, which may be useful for those who want to document their experiences in the wild

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Reviews summary

Practical wilderness skills for backpacking

According to learners, this course offers a solid foundation for anyone interested in wilderness survival and backpacking. Students find the coverage of essential skills like fire-making, water purification, and navigation particularly valuable. The course places a strong emphasis on safety, which is appreciated by beginners looking to venture outdoors responsibly. While some of the gear reviews might be slightly specific or occasionally dated, the practical advice on packing and setup is seen as very helpful. Overall, it's considered a highly practical introduction, especially for those new to backpacking and survival, though more experienced adventurers might find some sections too basic.
Some product reviews are very specific.
"There were reviews of specific Garmin products, which were interesting but maybe not universally applicable."
"The focus on particular gear items felt a bit like product placement at times."
"While the Garmin reviews were informative, I skipped them as I own different equipment."
"The gear sections include specific model reviews which can become outdated."
Clear introduction to essential navigation.
"The lessons on compass use and topographic maps were very clear and helpful."
"I finally understood how to use a compass effectively thanks to this course."
"Learning about pace count was a simple but effective technique I hadn't considered before."
"It covers the basics of finding your way, even without modern tech."
Helpful guidance on selecting and using gear.
"The breakdown of different types of knives and their uses was very practical."
"I appreciated the tips on setting up a camp kitchen and choosing sleeping bags."
"While some gear reviews are specific, the general advice on what to pack is great."
"The suggestions for building a basic day pack or extended setup were super useful."
Excellent starting point for newcomers.
"As someone completely new to backpacking, this course was perfect for getting me started."
"It breaks down complex topics into easy-to-understand steps, ideal for beginners."
"If you've never camped or hiked much, this course gives you the confidence to try."
"This course gave me exactly what I needed to plan my first solo backpacking trip."
Thoroughly covers important safety practices.
"The safety tips were invaluable and made me think seriously about planning my trips."
"I feel much more prepared to handle potential hazards after taking this course."
"The focus on 'Rule of Three' and emergency signaling is crucial and well-explained."
"Safety was a priority, and the course did a great job covering how to stay safe in the wild."
Strong focus on foundational wilderness skills.
"I learned core skills like making fire and purifying water, which were explained really well."
"The sections on knots, shelters, and basic navigation are fantastic for getting started."
"This course provided me with the essential survival techniques I needed to feel more confident."
"It really covers the basics like fire, water, shelter - couldn't ask for more for a beginner."
Experienced adventurers might find it introductory.
"If you already have some survival experience, much of this might be review."
"I was hoping for more advanced techniques, but it's definitely geared towards beginners."
"For someone with multiple backpacking trips under their belt, the content is quite basic."
"It's a great intro, but don't expect deep dives into expert-level skills."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Wilderness Survival & Backpacking For Adventures with these activities:
Review Basic First Aid and CPR
Reinforce your knowledge of basic first aid and CPR to prepare for potential emergencies in the wilderness.
Show steps
  • Review your first aid and CPR certifications.
  • Practice basic first aid skills like bandaging and splinting.
  • Review CPR techniques.
Review 'Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills'
Solidify your understanding of essential backpacking and mountaineering techniques by reviewing this comprehensive guide.
View Mountaineering on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills'.
  • Read the sections on navigation, weather, and first aid.
  • Review the chapters on gear selection and usage.
Review 'Bushcraft 101: A Field Guide to the Art of Wilderness Survival'
Enhance your understanding of bushcraft techniques by reviewing this field guide.
View Bushcraft 101 on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Bushcraft 101'.
  • Read the sections on shelter building and fire starting.
  • Review the chapters on tool selection and usage.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Practice Knot Tying
Improve your proficiency in essential camping and survival knots for various shelter, gear repair, and rescue scenarios.
Show steps
  • Gather rope or cordage for practicing knots.
  • Practice tying knots such as the bowline, square knot, and taut-line hitch.
  • Test the strength and security of each knot.
Plan a Mock Backpacking Trip
Apply the course concepts by planning a detailed backpacking trip, including route selection, gear lists, and emergency plans.
Show steps
  • Choose a destination for your mock backpacking trip.
  • Plan your route, considering distance, elevation gain, and water sources.
  • Create a detailed gear list, including weight estimates.
  • Develop an emergency plan, including communication strategies and evacuation routes.
Create a Wilderness Survival Guide
Synthesize your knowledge by creating a comprehensive guide to wilderness survival, covering topics from shelter building to navigation.
Show steps
  • Research and gather information on various wilderness survival techniques.
  • Organize your guide into sections covering shelter, fire, water, food, and navigation.
  • Include illustrations or diagrams to enhance clarity.
  • Share your guide with others for feedback.
Volunteer with a Search and Rescue Team
Gain practical experience in wilderness survival and rescue techniques by volunteering with a local search and rescue team.
Show steps
  • Research and contact local search and rescue teams.
  • Complete the required training and certifications.
  • Participate in search and rescue missions.

Career center

Learners who complete Wilderness Survival & Backpacking For Adventures will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Survival Skills Instructor
A survival skills instructor teaches individuals and groups how to survive in wilderness environments, covering topics such as fire starting, shelter building, and navigation. This role requires in-depth knowledge of survival techniques, strong teaching skills, and the ability to adapt to different learning styles. This course helps individuals to become survival skills instructors by teaching them expertise in wilderness backpacking and navigation. The course's detailed instruction on fire making, knot tying, shelter construction, and water purification provides a strong foundation for teaching these skills to others. Furthermore, the course's sections on safety considerations and risk management are crucial for ensuring a safe learning environment.
Wilderness Guide
A wilderness guide leads individuals or groups on outdoor adventures, ensuring their safety and providing education about the natural environment. This role requires expertise in navigation, survival skills, and first aid. The Wilderness Survival & Backpacking For Adventures course helps build a foundation for those aspiring to become a wilderness guide. The course offers training in survival skills, wilderness navigation, and understanding required permits. Skills like knot tying, shelter building, and GPS navigation will prove invaluable for any wilderness guide. The course's adventure breakdown series, showcasing real-world wilderness trips, provides practical insights.
Expedition Leader
An expedition leader plans and leads trips to remote and challenging environments, managing logistics, ensuring safety, and coordinating team activities. This position demands exceptional leadership skills, wilderness expertise, and the ability to handle high-pressure situations. This course is invaluable for those aspiring to become expedition leaders, offering comprehensive training in wilderness survival, navigation, and risk management. Topics covered in the course include planning for weather, understanding water purification, and using navigation. In addition, the course's adventure breakdown series provides potential leaders with insights into real-world expedition scenarios.
Park Ranger
A park ranger protects natural resources and provides visitor services in parks and recreational areas. This role involves a blend of conservation, education, and law enforcement. This course helps prepare potential park rangers by imparting knowledge of wilderness survival, navigation, and safety. Topics like campsite selection, weather pattern recognition, and wilderness hygiene covered in this course are directly applicable to a park ranger's daily tasks. Furthermore, learning skills in the course such as how to make a campfire, emergency signaling, and water purification may enhance a park ranger's ability to respond to emergencies.
Adventure Photographer
An adventure photographer captures stunning images and videos of outdoor activities, landscapes, and wildlife. This career requires creativity, technical skills, and a passion for adventure. This course helps aspiring adventure photographers by integrating essential wilderness skills with the art of photography. The course includes a module on wilderness photography, covering the basics of capturing memorable moments in the wild. Additionally, skills learned about navigation, weather, and wilderness survival ensures safety and preparedness while pursuing photographic opportunities in remote locations.
Environmental Educator
An environmental educator promotes environmental awareness and stewardship through educational programs, workshops, and outreach activities. Often this involves knowledge of wildlife, natural resources, and environmental issues. This course enhances the understanding of wilderness survival, navigation, and ecological awareness for environmental educators. The course helps educators plan the logistics of outdoor activities through lessons on weather, nutrition, and campsite selection. The course's focus on safety and risk management also helps educators ensure a secure environment in the outdoors.
Search and Rescue Technician
A search and rescue technician is a highly trained professional who responds to emergencies in remote or wilderness areas. They locate and rescue individuals who are lost, injured, or stranded. This course will prove exceptionally useful for search and rescue technicians, offering insights into wilderness survival, navigation, and emergency procedures. The course's coverage of topics such as signaling, fire making, and improvised shelters are essential for survival scenarios. In particular, the course's emphasis on navigation techniques, including compass use, topographic maps, and GPS navigation will improve the search and rescue technician's ability to locate those that are lost.
Outdoor Educator
An outdoor educator leads educational programs and activities in natural settings, teaching participants about ecology, conservation, and outdoor skills. This role requires strong communication skills, knowledge of natural history, and the ability to create engaging learning experiences. This course is beneficial to becoming an outdoor educator by equipping them with expertise in wilderness survival, backpacking, and navigation. Modules on topics such as wilderness nutrition, water purification, and campsite selection are directly relevant to providing a well-rounded educational experience. Furthermore, the course's emphasis on safety and risk management helps ensure a safe and positive learning environment.
Adventure Travel Consultant
An adventure travel consultant helps clients plan and book unique and exciting outdoor experiences, providing expert advice on destinations, activities, and logistics. Knowledge of wilderness environments, safety protocols, and travel planning are important for this role. This course is directly relevant to the career, educating consultants on wilderness survival, navigation, and adventure planning. Skills like understanding permits, selecting campsites, and planning for weather help the consultant provide informed recommendations. The course's real-world adventure breakdown series helps the consultant convey a realistic idea of the conditions faced.
Trail Crew Member
A trail crew member constructs and maintains hiking trails in parks, forests, and other natural areas. This physical and hands-on role requires knowledge of trail building techniques, tool safety, and environmental stewardship. This course helps trail crew members by providing them with knowledge of wilderness survival, navigation, and outdoor skills. The course's instruction on topics such as knot tying, campsite selection, and weather awareness are applicable to the daily tasks of a trail crew member. The course's tips on fitness will also prove useful.
Climbing Guide
A climbing guide leads individuals or groups on rock climbing or mountaineering expeditions, ensuring their safety and providing instruction on climbing techniques. This demanding role requires extensive climbing experience, knowledge of safety protocols, and strong communication skills. This course helps aspiring climbing guides by educating them on wilderness survival, navigation, and emergency preparedness. Topics in this course are about gear, clothing, campfire building, emergency signaling, camping knots, water purification, and GPS navigation.
Naturalist
Naturalists study and interpret the natural world, educating the public about plants, animals, and ecosystems. They often work in museums, nature centers, or parks, leading guided walks and giving presentations. This course complements the skills of a naturalist by providing them with expertise in wilderness survival, backpacking, and outdoor navigation. The course helps them understand ecological relationships and environmental conservation through modules on wilderness nutrition, water purification, and campsite selection. The course's focus on safety and responsibility helps naturalists guide learners in immersive outdoor experiences.
Ecologist
An ecologist studies the relationships between living organisms and their environment, conducting research to understand ecological patterns and processes. Field work is often a significant component of the ecologist's work. The understanding of wilderness survival, navigation, and safety imparted by this course helps ecologists successfully complete their field work. The course's breakdown of weather patterns, campsite selection, and wilderness hygiene help ecologists safely conduct research and collect samples in diverse environments. This role typically requires an advanced degree.
Conservation Officer
A conservation officer, also known as a game warden, enforces laws and regulations related to wildlife, natural resources, and environmental protection. This role requires a deep understanding of the outdoors, as well as strong communication and law enforcement skills. This course may complement the skills of a conservation officer by enhancing the individual's knowledge of wilderness survival, navigation, and ecological awareness. The course may be useful to understand how to navigate the wilderness and to understand safety tips and techniques. This role typically requires a bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
Geocacher
Geocaching is an outdoor recreational activity in which participants use a Global Positioning System receiver or mobile device to hide and seek containers, called "geocaches" or "caches", at specific locations marked by coordinates all over the world. The Wilderness Survival & Backpacking For Adventures course helps build a foundation useful for those aspiring to become a Geocacher. The course offers training in wilderness navigation. Skills like use of GPS and compass along with night navigation will prove invaluable for any Geocacher. The course's adventure breakdown series may be useful in providing practical insights.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Wilderness Survival & Backpacking For Adventures.
Is widely considered the bible of mountaineering and backpacking. It covers a vast range of topics, from basic gear selection and usage to advanced climbing techniques and wilderness medicine. It's a valuable resource for understanding the fundamentals of safe and responsible backcountry travel. While not required, it provides a depth of knowledge that complements the course material.
Provides a practical guide to essential bushcraft skills. It covers topics such as shelter construction, fire starting, tool selection, and foraging. It great resource for those looking to expand their knowledge of wilderness survival techniques. This book is more valuable as additional reading than it is as a current reference.

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