1. Please note that these website pages have been transferred to cmc.org, and will not be updated.

2. How do I apply for the Wilderness Trekking School?

3. What gear and equipment will I need?
4. What is the Refund Policy?
5. What if I miss a group meeting or field day?
6. What are the prerequisites for WTS?
7. What if I am afraid to participate in an exercise?
8. What is the cost of WTS?
9. Who are the WTS instructors?
10. Can I waive WTS?
11. What are the differences between WTS, Day Hiker School, and Backpacking School?
12. What are the prerequisites for Technical Climbing School (formerly Basic Mountaineering School – BMS)?
    

1. How do I apply for the Wilderness Trekking School?

Sign up online on this website!  If the class is full, you can add your name to the waitlist, and we’ll ask you to complete the application if a spot becomes available. Flexibility on field days by selecting “Either Saturday or Sunday” will improve your admission opportunity.

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2. What gear and equipment will I need?

We strongly urge you to wait to purchase any new items until after the first lecture night. We also encourage you to borrow or find used gear until you know what best fits your needs. You will need normal hiking equipment, with particular emphasis on the Ten Essential Systems. The first lecture, group meeting, and first field day (Dry Land Travel) will include information on gear and how to maximize use of items you may already own. Your instructor team will have a variety of suggestions for you.

Some important required items:

• Compass:  A rectangular, mirrored compass is required for the course, with a rotating dial marked in 2 degree increments.
  • CMC technical schools require a compass with declination adjustment. WTS does not use this feature, but we encourage purchasing a compass that will meet your future needs.
• Boots:  sturdy enough for off-trail use and waterproof, $90 and up.
• Daypack with hip belt: recommended size is 30-40 liters or more (minimum 2000 cubic inches), large enough to hold the Ten Essential Systems, $60 and up.
• Hiking clothes that are not cotton.
• Rain gear: rain jacket, rain pants, and possibly a pack cover, $20 and up.
• Emergency shelter for an unexpected overnight: from a closed cell foam pad and plastic bag or tarp, up to a high tech bivy sack, $10 and up.
• The Ten Essential Systems
• Helmets and ice axes: WTS will provide for use on the Snow Day.

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3. What is the Refund Policy?

Tuition refund requests must be submitted by email to the CMC office. Requests made 31 days or more before the date of the first lecture will be processed at 100% of the amount paid less a $35.00 processing fee.  Requests made 8 to 30 days before the date of the first lecture will be processed at 100% of the amount paid less 25% of the amount paid.   No refunds will be given for requests made 7 days or less before, on, or after the date of the first lecture.  Tuition cannot be carried over to future sessions.

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4. What if I miss a group meeting or field day?

To graduate from the Wilderness Trekking School, students must view all videos, attend all group meetings, and participate in all required field days.  Please review the schedule carefully before enrolling to ensure you can fully participate.

• Group Meetings – There isn’t a practical way to make up a missed group meeting. If you miss more than two group meetings, you will need to retake the course.

• Field Days – Students who miss a field day due to an emergency may get credit by attending a make-up field day. Make-up field days will be held during the current session, subject to instructor availability. The missed field day may also be taken during the next two WTS sessions without charge. If you miss more than one field day without making it up in the current or next two sessions, you will need to retake the course.  Note – Students will have much more fun and more learning continuity if they are able to do all field days with their assigned group.

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5. What are the prerequisites for WTS?

Admission to WTS is open to current CMC members who are at least 18.

Potential WTS students do not need to possess any previous hiking experience. Although much of the field days is instruction rather than active hiking, you will need sufficient conditioning and stamina to complete at least 4-6 miles on- or off-trail. (You will indicate your hiking level during registration.) The field trips cover a variety of terrain and varying degrees of difficulty in all types of weather conditions.  Be prepared to spend a full day (and many times, into the evening) in the field on every trip.  These trips will start at 6:00 to 8:00 am.

By the end of the course, you will need to have the gear and equipment (Ten Essentials) necessary to support the field trip exercises.

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6. What if I am afraid to participate in an exercise?

There are some exercises during the field trips that may be a little unsettling or uncomfortable until you have some instruction and safety assurances. We ask that you keep an open mind and be willing to try something new. No student will be required to do anything against his or her will.

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7. What other expenses can I expect?

Early Bird registration is $150 for current CMC Members; $170 beginning one week before class starts.

See question 2 above for gear and equipment requirements and costs.

Students are expected to reimburse drivers for their share of the CMC mileage rate of $.30 per mile per vehicle for travel from carpooling locations to the various field day destinations and to share in parking and park fees. Depending on the destinations, this could be a total cost per vehicle of $10 to $30.

Many groups opt to socialize after the field day.

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8. Who are the WTS instructors?

The instructors are all volunteers who wish to share their knowledge and love of hiking. Some have been teaching for many years. Senior instructors have assisted in previous WTS sessions, have been highly rated by students and assistants, and are current CMC trip leaders. Assistant instructors have successfully completed WTS, have been recommended by their instructors, and may also be trip leaders.

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9. Can I waive WTS?

For the sake of safety and integrity, WTS waivers are not granted lightly. You may download and print the WTS Waiver Application Form from this site.

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10. What are the differences between WTS, Day Hiker School, and Backpacking School?

Day Hiker School is a hybrid online and in-person modular approach to covering the same material as WTS. Details are at: Day Hiker School (cmc.org)   WTS is a prerequisite for Backpacking School. WTS teaches you about day hiking, unplanned wilderness overnights, snow travel, and self-arrest techniques. Backpacking School requires the skills and knowledge taught in WTS and provides instruction and experience on overnight and multi-night trips. Please see the Backpacking School website for additional details.

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11. What are the prerequisites for Technical Climbing School (formerly Basic Mountaineering School – BMS)?

Please visit the Technical Climbing School website for more information.

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