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BACKCOUNTRY SKILLS CLINICSWhen J.R.R Tolkien said, "Not all those who wander are lost", he wasn't talking about the BC backcountry... Each year, there are more than 1,600 search and rescue incidences in BC alone.
Are you new to backcountry pursuits? Do you romanticize the wilderness, yet feel uncomfortable with your capacities once you're in it? Perhaps you're experienced, but want to brush up on your skill sets. Ideal for beginners and intermediate wilderness recreationists, Callaghan Country's Summer Skills Clinics with local & established ACMG Guide, Dave Sarkany, are dedicated to raising awareness of backcountry safety and building an informed community of wilderness explorers. Upcoming 2022 Clinic Dates...
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Navigation Skills for Backcountry Pursuits: June 18
An introductory clinic covering the basics of mountain navigation with local and established ACMG Guide, Dave Sarkany. This full-day clinic will provide participants with classroom theoretical review and in-the-field practical skills:
-printed topographic map layout to form an understanding of projection, datum, scale, distance, and contour lines
-referencing location through Lat/Long and the UTM grid
-understanding components of standard handheld compasses
-adjusting to the local magnetic declination to be able to follow a bearing off a map
-use of resection/triangulation
These skills will be brought together for modern navigation using digital maps stored on personal phones for the purpose of navigating with the units GPS/electronic compass and altimeter.
Instructor Bio: Dave Sarkany has lived in Whistler for 27 years. He has been very active in the mountains and on the ocean throughout the region since the early 1980’s., and has specialized in guiding for the last 20 years. In the mountains Dave is recognized as an ACMG Ski Guide and Hiking Guide (Association of Canadian Mountain Guide) and a CAA Professional Member (Canadian Avalanche Association).
An introductory clinic covering the basics of mountain navigation with local and established ACMG Guide, Dave Sarkany. This full-day clinic will provide participants with classroom theoretical review and in-the-field practical skills:
-printed topographic map layout to form an understanding of projection, datum, scale, distance, and contour lines
-referencing location through Lat/Long and the UTM grid
-understanding components of standard handheld compasses
-adjusting to the local magnetic declination to be able to follow a bearing off a map
-use of resection/triangulation
These skills will be brought together for modern navigation using digital maps stored on personal phones for the purpose of navigating with the units GPS/electronic compass and altimeter.
Instructor Bio: Dave Sarkany has lived in Whistler for 27 years. He has been very active in the mountains and on the ocean throughout the region since the early 1980’s., and has specialized in guiding for the last 20 years. In the mountains Dave is recognized as an ACMG Ski Guide and Hiking Guide (Association of Canadian Mountain Guide) and a CAA Professional Member (Canadian Avalanche Association).
Equipment:
Skill:
- Compass/Phone
- Appropriate outdoor attire and daypack (some of this clinic will be held outside; even if the weather forecast calls for warm, sunny weather, be prepared for a variety of weather conditions)
- Pack Lunch and snacks
Skill:
- Moderate fitness needed - the group won't be travelling too far but some hiking will be necessary.
Clinic offered Saturday, June 18
- 8:00am sign in
- 8:15am class-room theory
- 9:15am on-the-bush field class
- 2:30pm hike back to base
- 4:00pm end of day Q&A
'Surthrival' in the Backcountry: June 19
With a focus on ’expecting the unexpected’, this is an introductory clinic designed to equip you with the skills and confidence for effective response to ‘misadventures’ in backcountry/wilderness winter environments. Established ACMG Guide & Whistler SAR Member, Dave Sarkany, will develop your sense of preparedness, awareness, creativity, control, and physical resiliency, should a backcountry adventure go bad. This full-day clinic will provide participants with a mix of classroom theoretical review and in-the-field practical skills:
Instructor Bio: Dave Sarkany has lived in Whistler for 27 years. He has been very active in the mountains and on the ocean throughout the region since the early 1980’s., and has specialized in guiding for the last 20 years. In the mountains Dave is recognized as an ACMG Ski Guide and Hiking Guide (Association of Canadian Mountain Guide) and a CAA Professional Member (Canadian Avalanche Association).
With a focus on ’expecting the unexpected’, this is an introductory clinic designed to equip you with the skills and confidence for effective response to ‘misadventures’ in backcountry/wilderness winter environments. Established ACMG Guide & Whistler SAR Member, Dave Sarkany, will develop your sense of preparedness, awareness, creativity, control, and physical resiliency, should a backcountry adventure go bad. This full-day clinic will provide participants with a mix of classroom theoretical review and in-the-field practical skills:
- Packing the 10 essentials, and the importance of enough clothing
- Leaving an effective route plan
- Understanding navigation tools
- Defining your location with Lat/Long & UTM by map & GPS
- Backcountry communications: SatPhone/PLB/Inreach/VHF Radio/Cell Phone/Flares/Whistle/Voice
- Scenario analysis and S.T.O.P. methodology
- Effectively signalling for rescue (who to call, what do they want?)
- Preparing injured persons for SAR rescue and helicopter extraction prep
- How to make yourself visible/ready for rescue
- Meeting your physiological needs: fire, water, warmth
- Put up a truly effective tarp to withstand conditions
- Surviving for extended periods 1 day/+1 night/+another day…(sorry, no bushcraft)
Instructor Bio: Dave Sarkany has lived in Whistler for 27 years. He has been very active in the mountains and on the ocean throughout the region since the early 1980’s., and has specialized in guiding for the last 20 years. In the mountains Dave is recognized as an ACMG Ski Guide and Hiking Guide (Association of Canadian Mountain Guide) and a CAA Professional Member (Canadian Avalanche Association).
Equipment:
Skill:
- Compass/Phone
- Appropriate outdoor attire and daypack (some of this clinic will be held outside; even if the weather forecast calls for warm, sunny weather, be prepared for a variety of weather conditions)
- Pack Lunch and snacks
Skill:
- Moderate fitness needed - the group won't be travelling too far but some hiking will be necessary.
Clinic offered Sunday, June 19
- 8:00am sign in
- 8:15am class-room theory
- 9:15am on-the-bush field class
- 2:30pm hike back to base
- 4:00pm end of day Q&A
Competency for Wilderness Backpacking: June 26 & 27 (Overnight Program)
An introductory clinic to wilderness backpacking, this 2-day in-the-field program with an integrated overnight component is designed to equip you with the skills and confidence to embark off-the beaten path and into the world of backcountry camping. Focused competency development will include:
-pre-trip route and safety planning (evaluation of terrain, hazards, precautions, equipment, and emergency protocol)
-on-route navigation and situational awareness (individual, party members, surroundings)
-'Leave No Trace' principles in practice
-responsible recreating in wildlife country
-backcountry etiquette, responsibilities, and communications
-camp selection and set up
-intro to weather observation and analysis
-intro to local ecology (flora, fauna, geography, geology, and human culture)
-emergency skills and effective rescue facilitation
Instructor Bio: Dave Sarkany has lived in Whistler for 27 years. He has been very active in the mountains and on the ocean throughout the region since the early 1980’s., and has specialized in guiding for the last 20 years. In the mountains Dave is recognized as an ACMG Ski Guide and Hiking Guide (Association of Canadian Mountain Guide) and a CAA Professional Member (Canadian Avalanche Association).
An introductory clinic to wilderness backpacking, this 2-day in-the-field program with an integrated overnight component is designed to equip you with the skills and confidence to embark off-the beaten path and into the world of backcountry camping. Focused competency development will include:
-pre-trip route and safety planning (evaluation of terrain, hazards, precautions, equipment, and emergency protocol)
-on-route navigation and situational awareness (individual, party members, surroundings)
-'Leave No Trace' principles in practice
-responsible recreating in wildlife country
-backcountry etiquette, responsibilities, and communications
-camp selection and set up
-intro to weather observation and analysis
-intro to local ecology (flora, fauna, geography, geology, and human culture)
-emergency skills and effective rescue facilitation
Instructor Bio: Dave Sarkany has lived in Whistler for 27 years. He has been very active in the mountains and on the ocean throughout the region since the early 1980’s., and has specialized in guiding for the last 20 years. In the mountains Dave is recognized as an ACMG Ski Guide and Hiking Guide (Association of Canadian Mountain Guide) and a CAA Professional Member (Canadian Avalanche Association).
Equipment:
Skill:
- Compass/Phone
- Appropriate outdoor attire and daypack (some of this clinic will be held outside; even if the weather forecast calls for warm, sunny weather, be prepared for a variety of weather conditions)
- Pack Lunch and snacks
Skill:
- Moderate fitness needed - the group won't be travelling too far but some hiking will be necessary.
Competency for Wilderness Backpacking (Overnight component) - Saturday June 25 & Sunday 26
- 8:00am sign in, 3 hrs in class theory and trip prep
- Field Day 1 and Camp Set-up
- 7:30am Camp Clean-up
- Field Day 2
- 4:00pm debrief with Q&A
evo Backcountry can be found in Whistler’s Crystal Lodge at 4154 Village Green #106, Whistler, BC V8E 1H1. This sister store is dedicated to providing the latest gear, rentals, and expert advice for hiking, camping, and wilderness pursuits.
