Posted 9/24/24

​

​

 

 

 

 

CT Region MTR I

CT Nordic, Winding Trails - Farmington, CT

 

Description

Open to all in the Eastern Division interested in the Mountain, Travel, and Rescue 1 course.

 

This course includes both classroom and field sessions to ensure that students can apply what they have learned to real life situations.  Specific field practice includes practice in navigation, travel, survival skills, a search and rescue exercise, and an overnight campout at Winding Trails.

 

Are you a Ski Patroller, outdoor enthusiast, or SAR (search and rescue) team member looking to expand your survival and travel skills in the backcountry environment?  Are you a weekend-adventurer seeking the knowledge and skills to travel and enjoy yourself in reasonable safety and comfort in the outdoor environment?  If so, this course can help you get prepared.

 

Logistics

Dates: 8am Saturday, Feb 15 through 2 pm Sunday, Feb 16

Cost: TBD [covers cost of food, coffee, etc. and the cost of copies for handouts]

Prerequisites:  Complete online FEMA course: ICS 100 & 700; readings in Freedom of the Hills and complete an online introduction to the course

 

To register for the course, use course number on NSP website; then go to Patroller School and pay course fee.

 

For questions and info - contact Instructor of Record (IOR):

David Albano  - mountainsarecalling46@gmail.com

 

Course Overview

Students taking the Mountain Travel & Rescue 1 (MTR1; MTR Fundamentals) course will learn a variety of skills, including:

• hydration and nutrition

• weather patterns and route selection

• proper clothing and adaptation to the wilderness environment

• medical and survival skills

• teamwork and group dynamics

• incident command system and basic search and rescue operations

• knot tying and low angle rope rescue skills

• emergency transport and improvised toboggan construction

• land navigation with map & compass and GPS

 

Preparing for this course – reminders & recommendations

[also see Gear Checklist on separate document]

 

Clothing

Course activities will be both inside and outside, regardless of the weather. Dress in layers so that you can easily adjust your wardrobe to stay comfortable. Even if there is no snow on the ground, bring your ski clothing/winter backcountry clothing for warmth, particularly after the sun sets. 

 

Please have proper footwear. Hiking/winter boots will be used for most outside exercises.

 

Check the weather forecast. Plan for the worst and hope for the best.

 

Shelter

• We will be sleeping outside on Saturday night.  A quality two-person tent is adequate.  If you have a four-season tent, bring it. If you have a choice of different sized tents, bring the one with the smallest footprint.

• Bring a tarp or ground cloth to put under your tent. Your tarp can also be used for the emergency shelter exercise.

• Be sure to check your tent before you leave home and make sure that it has all of the parts (stakes, poles, ropes, fly, etc.).

• A few hardy souls have slept out in their improvised shelters, but a tent is strongly suggested.

• Hammocks are okay too if your hammock system can keep you dry and warm.

 

Sleeping Gear

It can be cold at night, so prepare accordingly.

• If you do not have a zero-degree (or lower rated) sleeping bag, borrow one and/or bring an extra sleeping bag. Sleeping bags can be put inside of each other as well as used for padding.

• Bring one or two good quality pads to insulate you from the cold ground. Closed cell foam and self-inflating pads are good if you have them, but air mattresses are not. Blankets or an extra sleeping bag can also serve as padding/insulation from the ground.

• It is recommended to wear a hat and/or hood at night to reduce the heat loss.

• A “camp” pillow can also add to your comfort.

• In the event of an emergency, there will be a designated shelter nearby.

 

Food

Breakfasts will be provided.  Participants should provide two trail lunches and a dinner.

 

Saturday

Breakfast – bagels, coffee, etc. will be provided

Lunch – bring bag/trail lunch

[food, coffee, tea, etc. during breaks will be provided]

Dinner

• Bring something easy to cook at the campsite and, possibly, to share [We will have a best camp meal contest, so be creative!]

• Bring a backpacking (camp) stove and fuel to heat your dinner

• Please bring your own pots/pans and utensils for cooking and eating

• If all goes according to plan, we will gather by the campfire for dinner

 

Sunday

Breakfast

• bagels, coffee, etc. will be provided

• Unless you get up early, there is no time allotted for cooking.

 

Lunch – bring bag/trail lunch

.

Additional Equipment

You should be able to borrow or improvise most of the equipment needed for this weekend.  If in doubt, bring extra equipment and cache it in your car.  It is better to have it nearby and not need it.

 

There is no requirement to backpack or otherwise transport your gear any significant distances. However, you should have the means to transport your cooking gear, shelter, and sleeping gear from the parking lot to the campsite.  The hike from the parking lot to the campsite is less than a mile.

 

In addition to your food, winter clothing, shelter, and sleeping gear, please bring the following equipment with you:

• Compass [hand-held GPS with fresh batteries—optional]

• Headlamp

Sunset is at around 5:30 PM. Bring a flashlight/headlamp with fresh batteries. 

• Backpack or other method, such as a sled/pulk, to carry gear (we will walk less than a mile to make camp)

• Camp chair (optional)

 

References and Resources

Here is some good reference material.  At a minimum, skim through the REI article and then the Princeton Outdoor Action Guide to Winter Camping; they are both divided by topics and so you can find information you need as you prepare and pack for the course.

 

REI Expert Advice:

• How to Go Winter Camping and Backpacking

http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/winter+camping.html

• Princeton Outdoor Action Guides: Winter Camping

http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/winter/wintcamp.shtml

• Snow Shelters

http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/winter/wintshel.shtml

• Hypothermia And Cold Weather Injuries

http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/safety/hypocold.shtml

• An introduction to Backcountry Winter Camping

http://www.scoutscan.com/resources/snocamp.html

• The Lightweight Backpacker: Winter Camping Tips

http://www.backpacking.net/wintertips.html.com

​

​