True wilderness and solitude expand when the snow comes down. Want to learn how to camp in the snow safely, comfortably, and with like-minded people? The Snowcamping Section’s annual training series, now offered for the 48th year, has taught generations of people the skills for winter navigation, shelter construction, staying warm, cooking, and other winter tips and tricks.
The training series teaches groups of adults, families, and youth during a full-day classroom session in Emeryville, followed by two weekend trips (one two-day, one three-day) in the Sierra to practice what we’ve learned. Each group has leaders with years of experience and multiple assistant leaders to guarantee a small student-to-leader ratio.
Kids and snow are a natural match for big fun, so families with children ages eight and older have a special group that focuses on the unique challenges and joys of taking kids into the winter backcountry. There are also many alumni trips for graduates of the training series. Youth groups may be accommodated as space and staffing allow.
This training is not for the complete backcountry rookie; all students must apply and we ask that all applicants be in good physical shape and have backpacking experience.
The early-bird application due date is November 30; the final due date is December 17. The mandatory full-day classroom training is January 7. Trip dates vary by group. Sign up soon to select dates that work for you and get the early bird discount. A limited number of scholarships are also available. For more information and to sign up, visit www.snowcamping.org.
Photo by Walter Hsiao.