Wilderness Trekking School - DENVER

Wilderness Trekking School "WTS" is for all – whether you want to bag a few 14ers – OR – just want to enjoy the scenery of Colorado.

WTS is a great introduction to the Colorado Mountain Club and a place to meet new friends. WTS is Colorado Mountain Club’s largest school, a comprehensive course on mountain hiking. Students are all ages, from 18 to 70+. If you’re new to hiking, WTS gives you the opportunity to learn how to travel safely – and with confidence – in the backcountry. If you’re an experienced hiker, WTS gives you a chance to review, to enhance your skills, and possibly to fill in some gaps. WTS also fulfills one of the requirements for taking Backpacking School and Alpine Scrambling Course.

Topics covered include:

  • gear
  • map & compass
  • weather
  • nutrition and hydration
  • backcountry emergency
  • travel techniques
  • avalanche awareness
  • Leave No Trace, and more.

The course consists of five Tuesday night in-person group meetings, five field days, five streaming videos, and weekly homework (yes, really!). Students view the videos and read the WTS Manual and related materials on their own, coming to the meetings prepared with their questions and contributions. Field days are outdoor education, typically travelling on or off trail for five or more miles. Students are divided into groups of 8-11, based on preferred field day, with some consideration for hiking level and age. Instructor teams consist of a senior instructor and two assistant instructors. Students have the opportunity to learn techniques of safe backcountry travel and to practice in a supportive environment. Students plan and complete a hike with their field group. WTS is a great place to learn and practice new skills, make new friends, and become a safe backcountry traveler.

For complete details see Course Materials and Registration.

Note:  If you are unable to commit to this schedule and its team-based approach, you might consider taking Day Hiker School, which is a modular approach to covering the same material. Details are at: Day Hiker School