Navigation Day Hike - Sept. 12
Sam’s Gap to Big Bald - 13 miles on the AT (strenuous in length with a couple hard sections)
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.
Trail Detail: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/north-carolina/appalachian-trail-sams-gap-to-big-bald
We will cover:
Anatomy of a Compass
Reading a Topographic Map
Understanding & Adjusting Declination
Using Bearings to Reach your Destination
Learn to Triangulate Your Location
Things to consider regarding First Aid & Survival in the backcountry
This class is for:
Women who are looking to learn map & compass skills
Women who know basic navigation but want the opportunity to use it in the field
Women who want to push some big miles and take in some great views!
You will need:
Standard 10 essential Day hike
Emphasis on packing extra socks, head lamp, and rain gear
2.5-3 Liters of water
Map & compass provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own! See below for recommendations
Recommended Compasses:
Map: National Geographic #1502 Appalachian Trail - Davenport Gap to Damascus
Your Instructor: Sara Basse
Certifications & Affiliations: WFR, SOLO Survival Instructor, NOLS Administrative Risk Management, Henderson County Rescue Squad
After Sara attended her first Wilderness First Aid Class, she fell in love with wilderness medicine and immediately saw the value in teaching those skills to outdoor enthusiasts. She organized outdoor events for women for 3 years but it was very early on that she realized how eager women were to learn the skills they needed to feel safe and confident on the trail. Sara is now a wilderness guide, certified Wilderness First Responder, certified Survival Instructor, volunteer member of Henderson County Rescue Squad, and currently working on her EMT certification. In 2020, Sara founded Wild Forces, a non-profit dedicated to creating more opportunities for outdoor education and leadership roles for women. She believes knowledge is power in the wilderness and sees education as a way to spark new passions and feel more confident in the outdoors.
Liability
All participants are required to sign a liability waiver and emergency contact form prior to this event. Backcountry trips will have these formed emailed to you prior to the trip. Classroom-style events will have these forms in-person the day of.
Transparency
The money collected from this course goes to the cost of our permits to continue to operate these classes, reserved space, and supplies used for this class. Wild Forces Instructors are volunteers. Third-party events and guides are at cost, Wild Forces does not take any percentage of funds collected.
Cancellation
We can issue a refund up to 24 hours prior to the class, June 29 9 am. We cannot issue a refund for day of cancellations and no show participants. We will leave the trail no later than 8:20am. We will try to wait if you are running late but due to the nature of this hike, we have to leave asap to make it back in time. Please allow 3-5 days for the refund to process.
Transaction & Privacy
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