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Backcountry Wilderness Navigation Clinic

  • Map & Compass

Upcoming Events

Mt. Tabor Open House Navigation Clinic
October 30

Backcountry Wilderness Navigation

Hike off trail and into a Wilderness area while you learn how to use a map & compass in the real world. Knowing how to use a map & compass is a lot of fun, it’s impressive on your resume, and of course it is a really useful skill for every outdoorsperson! You’ll get to explore away from crowded hiking trails in seldom seen areas while practicing your new skills under the guidance of experienced leaders. This trip is especially valuable for those who would like to become College Outdoors trip leaders.

How to Register

Registration Opens: Friday, October 15th, 2021
Trip Fee: $25 / $12*

*If you qualify for any federal financial aid, the trip fee is cut in half thanks to scholarship funding from ASLC. We accept cash, checks, credit/debit cards, and apple/samsung/google pay. 

To register for a trip, stop by the College Outdoors office in Templeton 244 or call us at 503-768-7116 once registration is open. Some trips fill up fast! The registration process can be a bit confusing your first time, you can learn more by reading How to Sign Up for a College Outdoors Trip.

Trip Type

Day Trip

Physical Demands

No experience necessary! We’ll teach you everything you need to know about hiking off-trail and using a map & compass to navigate, so this trip is perfect for those looking to practice their skills, or learn a completely new skill.

Participants should be prepared to hike, carrying a day pack, on uneven terrain in the woods without a trail. You’ll be out for several hours, but the hiking mileage will be low (usually <3 miles) since it takes time to navigate.

Accessibility accommodations are available, contact outdoors@lclark.edu.

What to Expect

  • ☐ Sleeping indoors
  • ☐ Sleeping outdoors
  • ☐ Electricity
  • ☐ Wifi
  • ☐ Cell phone service
  • ☐ Heating
  • ☐ Beds
  • ☐ Bathrooms
  • ☐ Gender-inclusive bathrooms
  • ☐ Showers
  • ☐ Wheelchair accessible
  • ☑ Food for any Dietary Restrictions

Amenities

Pre-Trip Meeting

College Outdoors trips have a Pre-Trip Meeting (PTM) prior to the trip to help you prepare, which takes place at the Sequoia warehouse on the Graduate Campus.

At this meeting you’ll meet the trip leaders and other participants, learn more about the trip activity, location, and schedule, and be given a packing list of everything you need for your trip. The trip leaders and Sequoia staff will then help you find and borrow anything on the packing list that you’d like to borrow. We have high-quality outdoor clothing and equipment, and it’s all free to use for your trip!

If you miss a Pre-Trip Meeting, check your email for important info you missed. 

Sequoia Warehouse

Sequoia is the College Outdoors warehouse, located on the Graduate Campus. Everything you’ll need is available for free when you come on a College Outdoors Trip. At Sequoia you will find:

  • Clothing needed for your trip, including any relevant outerwear and specialty items needed for the activity. Sizes range from XS - XXL and come in gendered an non-gendered designs. 
  • Gear needed for your trip, such as sleeping bags, backpacks, water bottles, and much much more.
  • Equipment such as tents, cookware, first-aid kits, and boats, which trip leaders will pack for each trip as needed.
  • Gender-neutral bathrooms, which can also be used as changing rooms.
  • Staff available to answer your questions.