Winter Mountaineering School

If you're looking to expand your winter hiking, backpacking and mountaineering skills, or possibly looking for an alternative vacation this coming winter, you may want to note that the Adirondack Mountain Club has just published the dates for this years' Winter Mountaineering School.

For more than 50 years the Adirondack Mountain Club has hosted the annual Winter Mountaineering School near Lake Placid, New York. They typically cover the following areas of instruction:

* Winter backpacking skills
* Snowshoe, crampon and ice axe techniques
* Proper clothing and temperature management
* Steep snow and ice travel
* Safe above-treeline travel under winter conditions
* On- and off-trail navigation; map and compass review
* Trip planning
* How to pack a winter backpack
* Group gear review
* Hydration and nutrition
* Constructing snow shelters and a winter backcountry kitchen
* Wilderness first aid
* Avalanche awareness
* Decision making and risk management
* Winter "Leave No Trace" principals

Past participants have included three season hikers and backpackers looking to expand their winter skills, as well as more experienced skiers, trip leaders and winter mountaineers who are wishing to refine their skills or are looking for some excitement and adventure. The organization has an experienced, all-volunteer staff, with a low student-to-instructor ratio.

They offer weekend day hikes, weekend backpacking, and weeklong backpacking options from January 28 through February 3, 2011. The deadline for registration is January 15 , 2011. You may also want to note that space is limited, so it might be a good idea to register quickly.

For more information, please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

Outdoor roundup

A few outdoor related items for Monday morning:

* The Appalachian Trail Conservancy isn't doing too well in the online voting for the Chase Community Giving campaign. As of 9:00 a.m. this morning, they stand at 42nd in the voting to win a $1-million grant from Chase Bank. Voting for the grant ends on November 22nd - so there's still time to help this organization if you want to cast your vote.

* Trailspace.com posted an excellent article yesterday on winter hiking. The article offers detailed tips on staying warm and enjoying a hike during the winter months.

* A local Paducah, Kentucky TV station has a pretty good video posted on their website that highlights the Bald Eagle Watch Tours on Kentucky Lake in the Land-Between-The-Lakes area. The LBL is home to several bald eagles that live here year-round, however, their populations triple during the winter months when many birds migrate in from the north.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, hiking gear store, and more.