Classes & Events
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Wilderness First Aid
Saturday, June 1 - Sunday, June 2 • Hendersonville, NC
Hammock Camping Workshop
TBD
Monthly Virtual Series
TBD
Survival 101
TBD
Backpacking 101
TBD
Other upcoming courses…
Beginner Climbing: September 9 **FULL**
Beginner Rappelling: September 10 **FULL**
Anchor Building (Intermediate Climbing/Rappelling Skills): November 11
Orienteering Hike (Copy)
Orienteering Hike to Shortoff Mountain
Sunday, March 28 • 9am-2-ish PM • Wolf Pit Trailhead (Linville Gorge)
Join Wild Forces’ Lead Orienteering Instructor, Jamie Young, for a beginner-friendly, but slightly challenging, hike up to Shortoff Mountain in Linville Gorge. This on-trail class offers the opportunity to learn and practice map and compass skills in a real environment. Shortoff Mountain is the iconic plateau located at the most southern end of Linville Gorge. The hike up to the top involves several switchbacks as we climb around 1200' in elevation. This mountainside has suffered several fires in the past decade that have left it a rather exposed trail which offers tons of open views and opportunities to locate topographic landmarks like Lake James and Table Rock.
You will receive a link to some pre-course material to familiarize yourself with some orienteering fundamentals before hitting the trail. We strongly recommend participants review it so they can jump into putting skills into practice and/or have questions ready so we can help you pick up the skill quicker during the hike!
Trail Details
Length: 5.5 miles
Elevation: 1200’
Difficulty: Moderate (challenging elevation gain)
Terrain: Exposed (little shade & wind protection), rocky/rooty (good boots and sunscreen recommended!)
Class/Hike Duration: 5 hours
Parking: dirt parking area at trailhead, please do not block any gates
Road Conditions: High clearance vehicle recommended but not totally required. Smaller vehicles, please navigate slowly to avoid any deep holes or runoff-ruts.
What to Bring
10 Essentials for Day Hiking is a great place to start, at the bare minimum we recommend the following:
Good close-toed shoes with traction (please, no flip flops or sandals unless you regularly hike in shoes like Chacos, Tevas, Bedrock, etc.)
Layers- Shortoff is a very exposed trail so you will want to bring along extra layers to protect from potential wind chill and/or sun exposure
Rain gear
Backpack
2-3 Liters of water
Snacks & Lunch
Headlamp/Flashlight
First Aid including any personal medication (insulin, epi-pens, imitrex, etc. Please chat with your instructor to let them know where emergency medication is located in your pack, if needed)
Notebook & pencil (pencil preferred for using on maps)
Hiking/trekking poles- *optional
Battery pack for phone/camera- *optional
Survival gear - *optional: knife, fire starters, emergency shelter, etc.
Maps & Compasses are provided but feel free to bring along your own.
We use and recommend the following in class:
Map: Pisgah Map Company
Compass: Suunto M-3
Compass: Suunto M-2 (mirror)
a mirror is a great feature in a compass for a few reasons, so we do recommend this version over the basic model
Your Instructor: Jamie Young
Certifications: Wilderness First Aid
Growing up in Western North Carolina, Jamie spent her summers hiking and backpacking in the Appalachian Mountains. While attending Appalachian State University, she completed courses in Backpacking, Orienteering, Backcountry Ethics, and worked at the University's outdoor center. She has been volunteering with local women's groups for the past few years leading beginner backpacking and camping trips. Recently she has volunteered as an instructor offering classes in basic map and compass skills as well as orienteering workshops.
Cancellation/Refund Policies and other FAQ’s can be found HERE.
Orienteering Hike
Orienteering Hike to Shortoff Mountain
Sunday, March 28 • 9am-2-ish PM • Wolf Pit Trailhead (Linville Gorge)
Join Wild Forces’ Lead Orienteering Instructor, Jamie Young, for a beginner-friendly, but slightly challenging, hike up to Shortoff Mountain in Linville Gorge. This on-trail class offers the opportunity to learn and practice map and compass skills in a real environment. Shortoff Mountain is the iconic plateau located at the most southern end of Linville Gorge. The hike up to the top involves several switchbacks as we climb around 1200' in elevation. This mountainside has suffered several fires in the past decade that have left it a rather exposed trail which offers tons of open views and opportunities to locate topographic landmarks like Lake James and Table Rock.
You will receive a link to some pre-course material to familiarize yourself with some orienteering fundamentals before hitting the trail. We strongly recommend participants review it so they can jump into putting skills into practice and/or have questions ready so we can help you pick up the skill quicker during the hike!
Trail Details
Length: 5.5 miles
Elevation: 1200’
Difficulty: Moderate (challenging elevation gain)
Terrain: Exposed (little shade & wind protection), rocky/rooty (good boots and sunscreen recommended!)
Class/Hike Duration: 5 hours
Parking: dirt parking area at trailhead, please do not block any gates
Road Conditions: High clearance vehicle reccommended but not totally required. Smaller vehicles, please navigate slowly to avoid any deep holes or runoff-ruts.
What to Bring
10 Essentials for Day Hiking is a great place to start, at the bare minimum we recommend the following:
Good close-toed shoes with traction (please, no flip flops or sandals unless you regularly hike in shoes like Chacos, Tevas, Bedrock, etc.)
Layers- Shortoff is a very exposed trail so you will want to bring along extra layers to protect from potential wind chill and/or sun exposure
Rain gear
Backpack
2-3 Liters of water
Snacks & Lunch
Headlamp/Flashlight
First Aid including any personal medication (insulin, epi-pens, imitrex, etc. Please chat with your instructor to let them know where emergency medication is located in your pack, if needed)
Notebook & pencil (pencil preferred for using on maps)
Hiking/trekking poles- *optional
Battery pack for phone/camera- *optional
Survival gear - *optional: knife, fire starters, emergency shelter, etc.
Maps & Compasses are provided but feel free to bring along your own.
We use and recommend the following in class:
Map: Pisgah Map Company
Compass: Suunto M-3
Compass: Suunto M-2 (mirror)
a mirror is a great feature in a compass for a few reasons, so we do recommend this version over the basic model
Your Instructor: Jamie Young
Certifications: Wilderness First Aid
Growing up in Western North Carolina, Jamie spent her summers hiking and backpacking in the Appalachian Mountains. While attending Appalachian State University, she completed courses in Backpacking, Orienteering, Backcountry Ethics, and worked at the University's outdoor center. She has been volunteering with local women's groups for the past few years leading beginner backpacking and camping trips. Recently she has volunteered as an instructor offering classes in basic map and compass skills as well as orienteering workshops.
Cancellation/Refund Policies and other FAQ’s can be found HERE.
Navigation Hike - Shortoff Mountain
NAVIGATION HIKE • SHORTOFF MOUNTAIN
December 26 • 8am • Located in Linville Gorge
Join Lead Instructor, Jamie Young, for an on-trail navigation class to learn and practice essential skills of navigation. A map and compass are considered part of the “10 Essentials” but many don’t even know how to use them. During this moderate to strenuous hike, you will get the opportunity to take in some great views while learning this essential wilderness skill. It takes patience and practice to master the skills of orienteering so we encourage those who have taken a class in the past to join us so you can stay on top of your game!
Backcountry Emergency Skills Overnight
BACKCOUNTRY EMERGENCY SKILL-BUILDING TRIP
Nov 6-7 • Shining Rock Wilderness • Canton, NC
Level up your backcountry emergency skills with Lead Instructor, Sara Basse, as she leads an emergency-focused skill building backpacking trip in Shining Rock Wilderness. This trip will be focused on introducing you to how to think when you find yourself in an emergency situation. This includes introduction and real-time uses of navigation, survival, & first aid skills. The biggest takeaway from this trip is to learn how to start thinking quickly, preventively, and resourcefully.
Backpacking 101 Overnight Trip - Elk Knob
Backpacking 101 Skill-Building Trip
OCt. 9-10 • Elk Knob State Park • Beginner-Friendly
Join Lead Instructor, Jamie Young, for an beginner-friendly overnight backpacking trip at Elk Knob State Park. We’re entering perfect camping weather and it’s time to learn and brush up on your outdoor skills. Jamie will be leading this low-impact hike to our campsite in Elk Knob State Park. During this trip, she’ll be introducing you to some essential skills like map & compass work, fire building, and essential backpacking 101 knowledge like gear selection, Leave No Trace, blister prevention, staying hydrated, and bear-proofing your food.
Navigation Hike - Sams Gap to Big Bald
Navigation Day Hike
Sam’s Gap to Big Bald - 13 miles on the AT
Sunday, Sept. 12 • 8 am
Join Instructor, Sara Basse, on this “big mile” hike along the AT to learn some map and compass skills in the field. This route gives us the opportunity to identify a visual landmark we’d like to reach and use a map and compass in real time to navigate to the location. We lose visual contact with the landmark, forcing us to rely on our tools to confirm our directions. (We’ll be on the AT, so we won’t actually be “relying”) Upon Big Bald summit, we’ll get the opportunity to identify some landmarks to help us learn how to triangulate where we are. This beautiful 360 summit is on private land and is only accessible by the AT or by staying at the lodge.
Navigation Hike - Aug. 28
NAVIGATION DAY HIKE - August 28 • 9am
7ish miles • Moderate Hike w/ some Strenuous Sections
Join Wild Forces Instructor, Jamie, as we enjoy an easy hike at Mount Mitchell State Park. This hike is just under a mile but we will be using this time to learn and refine map & compass skills while on the trail. With sweeping views at the tallest mountain on the east coast, we will have the opportunity to apply basic skills to learn the essentials around finding bearings and triangulating.
Plant Identification & Foraging
Plant Identification & Foraging
Sunday, Aug. 15 • Whittier, NC
Join us for an all-day women’s outdoor education course to learn the basic skills of identifying and foraging plants. We’ll learn the basic parts of plants that help us narrow down to identify, what the various families are and their characteristics, and local flora that you will find along your adventures in the blue ridge mountains that you can harvest for edible and medicinal purposes.
Navigation Hike - Balsam Nature Trail
Sunday, July 18 • 9 am
Join Wild Forces Instructor, Jamie , as we enjoy an easy skill-building hike at Mount Mitchell State Park. This hike is just under a mile but we will be using this time to learn and refine map & compass skills while on the trail. With sweeping views at the tallest mountain on the east coast, we will have the opportunity to apply basic skills to learn the essentials around finding bearings and triangulating.
Rappelling Linville Gorge - June 26 (Copy)
Beginner’s Trip at Table Rock Trailhead
Join us for a day in the Gorge while we learn some basic rappelling and climbing skills. This trip will be primarily rappelling but many skills and techniques we use overlap with fundamental climbing skills. This trip is a great way to experience a new activity that challenges you mentally while also enjoying amazing views and the company of a supportive group of women.
Rappelling Linville Gorge - June 26
Beginner’s Trip at Table Rock Trailhead
Join us for a day in the Gorge while we learn some basic rappelling and climbing skills. This trip will be primarily rappelling but many skills and techniques we use overlap with fundamental climbing skills. This trip is a great way to experience a new activity that challenges you mentally while also enjoying amazing views and the company of a supportive group of women.
Navigation Day Hike - June 19
Navigation Day Hike
Sam’s Gap to Big Bald - 13 miles on the AT
Join Instructor, Sara Basse, on this “big mile” hike along the AT to learn some map and compass skills in the field. This route gives us the opportunity to identify a visual landmark we’d like to reach and use a map and compass in real time to navigate to the location. We lose visual contact with the landmark, forcing us to rely on our tools to confirm our directions. (We’ll be on the AT, so we won’t actually be “relying”) Upon Big Bald summit, we’ll get the opportunity to identify some landmarks to help us learn how to triangulate where we are. This beautiful 360 summit is on private land and is only accessible by the AT or by staying at the lodge.
Backpacking Shakedown Trip
Beginner Shakedown Overnight Trip
Buncombe Horse Trail • 1pm Overnight Trip
Join Wild Forces Instructor, Jamie Young, on an overnight trip catered to beginners who are just starting to explore and use their new equipment. This trip is meant for you to refine and get familiar with your gear, learn ways to lighten your weight, explore different packing methods, see what others are traveling with, and learn some essential backpacking. Jamie will also be utilizing the incredible views to go over some map and compass techniques, so you will have an opportunity to brush up on some navigation skills.
Backpacking 101 (Copy)
BACKPACKING 101
Lake James State Park • 10am - 4 pm
Planning a backpacking trip is one of the most overwhelming things you can do in the outdoors. We’ll provide a rundown of essential gear and options, how to keep yourself fueled, setting up camp, and things to keep in mind when planning your trip. Our experienced instructors can also share some of their own tips and tricks that they’ve learned over the years they’ve spent exploring the trails.
Backcountry First Aid - June 6
Backcountry First Aid
Eno River State Park Shelter • 10am - 4pm
NOT A CERTIFICATION COURSE
What happens when you or someone in your group gets injured? Rescue can take hours so learning the skills to stabilize an emergency can better the odds of someone who is injured. Join us for this essential class to learn how to stabilize common injuries, build a lightweight first aid kit, preventative steps, engage with real-life scenarios, and understand the rescue evacuation process and what you can do to help a rescue team.
Navigation (Copy)
NAVIGATION - Lake James State Park
Considered a survival skill, the art of using a compass and map is one that requires a lot of practice. Our orienteering classes go over how to read a topographic map, parts of the compass, how to use your bearings to triangulate your location and reach a destination.
Survival (Copy)
Survival 101
Eno River State Park Cox Mountain Group Camp • 10am - 4pm
There’s a lot of ways things can go wrong in the backcountry. Losing your trail or enduring an injury can result in your spending more time in the wilderness than you planned or prepared for. Learning how to build the essentials to stay warm, safe, and hydrated can help your odds in the event. In this class you’ll learn various ways to build fire & shelter, access water, learn essential knots, how to pick out a useful knife, and understanding the search & rescue process.
Camping: Eno River State Park June 4-6
Eno River State Park Group Camp • June 4-6
If you are attending our June 5 Survival Class or June 6 First Aid class at Eno River State Park, we welcome you to join us at our group campsite for the weekend!
Survival (Copy) (Copy)
SURVIVAL 101
Lake Norman State Park • 10am - 4pm
There’s a lot of ways things can go wrong in the backcountry. Losing your trail or enduring an injury can result in your spending more time in the wilderness than you planned or prepared for. Learning how to build the essentials to stay warm, safe, and hydrated can help your odds in the event. In this class you’ll learn various ways to build fire & shelter, access water, learn essential knots, how to figure out where you are, and understanding the search & rescue process.
Backpacking 101 (Copy) (Copy)
Backpacking 101
Stone Mountain State Park • 10am - 4 pm
Planning a backpacking trip is one of the most overwhelming things you can do in the outdoors. We’ll provide a rundown of essential gear and options, how to keep yourself fueled, setting up camp, and things to keep in mind when planning your trip. Our experienced instructors can also share some of their own tips and tricks that they’ve learned over the years they’ve spent exploring the trails.
Survival
SURVIVAL 101
Gorges State Park • 10am - 4pm
There’s a lot of ways things can go wrong in the backcountry. Losing your trail or enduring an injury can result in your spending more time in the wilderness than you planned or prepared for. Learning how to build the essentials to stay warm, safe, and hydrated can help your odds in the event. In this class you’ll learn various ways to build fire & shelter, access water, learn essential knots, how to figure out where you are, and understanding the search & rescue process.
I Don't Suck at Outdoors Camping Trip
I Don’t Suck at Outdoors Skill-Building Trip
***FULL***
This multiday camping trip will offer campers the opportunity to learn from 5 qualified volunteer instructors who will be teaching outdoor essentials from backpacking, survival, first aid, yoga, and Leave No Trace.
Backcountry First Aid
BACKCOUNTRY FIRST AID
NOT A CERTIFICATION COURSE
Join us for this essential class to learn how to stabilize common injuries, build a lightweight first aid kit, preventative steps, engage with real-life scenarios, and understand the rescue evacuation process and what you can do to help a rescue team.
Navigation
NAVIGATION - 2 classes
Considered a survival skill, the art of using a compass and map is one that requires a lot of practice. Our orienteering classes go over how to read a topographic map, parts of the compass, how to use your bearings to triangulate your location and reach a destination.
Backpacking 101
BACKPACKING 101
***FULL***
Planning a backpacking trip is one of the most overwhelming things you can do in the outdoors. We’ll provide a rundown of essential gear and options, how to keep yourself fueled, setting up camp, and things to keep in mind when planning your trip.