Trekking Course

Lesson 1 • Understanding Trek Grading Systems

Explains how difficulty grades are assigned based on elevation, distance, and technical exposure. Enables trekkers to match personal ability to appropriate routes.

Lesson 2 • Physical Fitness for Trekking

Outlines cardiovascular, muscular, and flexibility benchmarks required for various trek grades. Provides self-assessment tools to identify fitness gaps before departure.

Lesson 3 • What Trekking Is and Isn't

Defines trekking versus hiking, mountaineering, and backpacking using objective criteria. Establishes shared vocabulary used throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Footwear and Layering Systems

Covers boot types, sock systems, and the three-layer clothing principle for temperature regulation. Proper footwear fit directly reduces injury risk on multi-day treks.

Lesson 2 • Shelter and Sleep Systems

Compares tent designs, sleeping bag temperature ratings, and sleeping pad insulation values. Selections are matched to expected overnight temperatures and terrain.

Lesson 3 • Backpack Selection and Fitting

Teaches torso measurement, hip-belt adjustment, and load distribution for packs of varying volume. Correct fit prevents back strain and improves balance on uneven terrain.

Lesson 4 • Navigation Tools and Accessories

Introduces maps, compasses, GPS devices, and trekking poles as standard kit components. Accessory selection is tied to terrain type and trek duration.

Lesson 1 • Compass Navigation Techniques

Teaches bearing calculation, declination adjustment, and triangulation for position fixing. These skills provide a reliable backup when digital tools fail.

Lesson 2 • Reading Topographic Maps

Decodes contour lines, map scales, symbols, and grid references for trail navigation. Map literacy is the prerequisite skill for all route planning in this chapter.

Lesson 3 • Field Navigation Practice

Integrates map, compass, and GPS skills through simulated and real-terrain navigation exercises. Students demonstrate accurate position finding and route adjustment.

Lesson 4 • Digital Navigation and GPS Use

Covers waypoint creation, track recording, and offline map use on GPS devices and apps. Digital tools are integrated with paper map skills for redundancy.

Lesson 1 • Trail Food Selection and Preparation

Evaluates freeze-dried, dehydrated, and whole-food options by weight, nutrition, and preparation time. Food choices are matched to stove availability and trek duration.

Lesson 2 • Hydration Strategy and Water Needs

Establishes daily water volume targets adjusted for altitude, temperature, and exertion level. Hydration planning includes identifying and scheduling water source stops.

Lesson 3 • Water Treatment and Purification

Compares filtration, chemical treatment, UV purification, and boiling for field water safety. Method selection is based on water source type and available equipment.

Lesson 1 • First Aid Kit Assembly and Use

Defines a tiered kit structure scaled to group size, trek duration, and remoteness level. Students practice locating and using each item under simulated field conditions.

Lesson 2 • Patient Assessment in the Field

Applies a systematic scene-safety and primary-survey protocol to evaluate an injured trekker. Structured assessment prevents missed injuries and guides treatment priorities.

Lesson 3 • Altitude-Related Illnesses

Identifies acute mountain sickness, high-altitude pulmonary edema, and cerebral edema by symptom progression. Descent protocols and medication use are covered as primary interventions.

Lesson 4 • Musculoskeletal Injuries

Covers field assessment and management of sprains, strains, fractures, and dislocations. Improvised splinting and evacuation decisions are central skills in this section.

Lesson 1 • Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

Uses a likelihood-consequence matrix to evaluate objective and subjective hazards on a planned route. Risk assessment outputs directly inform go/no-go decisions and mitigation strategies.

Lesson 2 • Search and Rescue Coordination

Explains how search and rescue operations are initiated, structured, and supported by trekking parties. Trekkers learn their role in assisting rescuers and managing a lost-person scenario.

Lesson 3 • Emergency Communication Systems

Compares satellite messengers, personal locator beacons, and two-way radios for remote communication. Students configure a device and practice sending a distress signal.

Lesson 4 • Weather Interpretation for Trekkers

Reads weather forecasts, cloud patterns, and barometric trends to anticipate dangerous conditions. Weather awareness is integrated into daily route and timing decisions.

Lesson 1 • Wildlife Interaction and Food Storage

Establishes safe wildlife viewing distances and food storage methods to prevent habituation. Bear canister and hang techniques are demonstrated for different environments.

Lesson 2 • Campsite Selection and Setup

Applies durable-surface and dispersal rules to select and configure low-impact campsites. Students practice the 200-foot rule and site restoration techniques.

Lesson 3 • Fire Ethics and Stove Use

Evaluates when campfires are appropriate and teaches minimum-impact fire practices and stove alternatives. Fire ethics are applied to high-use, alpine, and fire-restricted zones.

Lesson 4 • Core Leave No Trace Principles

Introduces all seven LNT principles as an integrated ethical framework for wilderness travel. Each principle is linked to specific trekking behaviors and decision points.

Lesson 1 • Group Dynamics and Leadership

Applies leadership styles, group decision-making models, and conflict resolution to trekking teams. Effective leadership directly reduces risk and improves group performance.

Lesson 2 • Simulated Trek Leadership Capstone

Students lead a full simulated multi-day trek incorporating navigation, safety, LNT, and group management. Performance is evaluated against a structured leadership competency rubric.

Lesson 3 • Technical Terrain Movement

Develops skills for safe movement on steep, loose, snowy, and river-crossing terrain. Techniques are selected based on terrain type and available equipment.

Lesson 4 • High-Altitude Acclimatization Strategies

Applies climb-high-sleep-low protocols and acclimatization schedules to high-altitude trek planning. Physiological adaptation timelines are used to build safe ascent profiles.