Wilderness Survival Boy Scouts of America Laurel Highlands Council Quebec Run Wild Area Wharton Township, Pennsylvania
This overnight course, set in the beautiful 7,441-acre wild area of Forbes State Forest, is designed to improve the confidence of anyone who spends time in remote locations by providing fundamental, hands-on training in dealing with, or, better yet, avoiding, emergency situations. This course will emphasize basic skills, equipment, and preparedness, with the expectation of rescue within 72 hours. It will focus on the “Seven Priorities of Survival”: psychology of survival, wilderness first aid, fire, shelter, signaling, water, and food.
TIME FRAME
CONTACT INFO
COURSE DIFFICULTY
The course will be designed to be intellectually and physically challenging. We will begin and end the course with a hike as you work to improve your land navigation skills. You will spend the night in a personal emergency shelter that you will build earlier in the day. You will be issued basic shelter material at the course start, but you must arrive prepared with appropriate gear, food, and clothing as outlined in the attached Equipment List. Bathroom facilities will not be available during the outing.
This course is geared towards participants of all skill levels and backgrounds so no particular experience or athletic ability is necessary. We only require that you bring the necessary equipment, your sense of adventure, and your Positive Mental Attitude. From there, we will work together to take care of the rest. However, please note the activity description below so that we can all get the most out of the program LEVEL OF PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY – ADVANCED: Physically challenging course. Will include hikes and other activities with varying distances at a steady pace; varying terrain; and will include off-trail sections, rough spots, unexpected obstacles. It is only intended for those in good physical condition.
Chief Instructor: Email: Main Office: Mobile Telephone:
Erik Kulick
[email protected] 412.362.3218 412.913.6000 (used during course dates only)
Course I: Monday, 15 July, 2013 (10:00 am) – Tuesday, 16 July (4:00 pm) Course II: Thursday, 1 August 2013 (10:00 am) – Friday, 2 August (4:00 pm) Please plan to arrive at least 20 minutes prior to the start of the course to address any issues regarding paperwork, equipment, questions, etc., or unexpected travel delays.
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EQUIPMENT LIST
WHAT TO BRING … OR NOT TO BRING Required Items:
Optional Items:
• Hiking Boots • Appropriate Clothing (non-cotton recommended) • Appropriate Outerwear (for season & conditions) • Backpack Sleeping Bag (appropriate for season) • Water Bottle(s) and/or Bladder - 3L minimum • Water Purification System or Chemical Tablets • Cooking Kit (with lid & utensils) • Knife (fixed or folding) • Flashlight or Headlamp (and spare batteries) • Whistle (standard whistle only – not a buckle type) • Rescue Mirror • Watch • Firestarter (“flint & steel” type) Meals & Snacks • Trash Bag • Toiletries / Toilet Paper • Any necessary medications • Duck Tape - 3 feet (Hint: wrap around pen or water bottle)
• Extra under/outer garments • Gaiters • Hat / Bandana • Cooking Stove • Multi-tool • Camp Saw • Gloves • Orienteering Compass • Map Case • Trekking Poles • Notepad & Pencil • Mobile Telephone • Camera • Insect Repellant • Sunscreen • Sunglasses • Personal First-Aid Kit • Soap – biodegradable only • Chem-Lite (ie: glow stick)
At the start of the course, True North will provide the following items: shelter material, cord, area map, and compass.
Please note the following about the Equipment List:
EQUIPMENT ISSUES
✔ If equipment is listed as “required,” and you don’t bring it, then you may not be allowed to participant in the course. ✔ If you have any questions about this equipment list, or if you have suggestions about any items that you wish to bring or think might be helpful, please don’t hesitate to contact Erik. ✔ Be sure that you have the required water with you at the start of the course. While we will purify water throughout the weekend to replenish whatever you drink, there is no water source at the trailhead. ✔ Keep in mind when choosing your clothing … while Spring, Summer, and Autumn days in the Laurel Highlands can be quite warm, the nights can be quite cold so please prepare accordingly. ✔ Mobile Telephones … You may bring a cell phone, but please use it sparingly. We will discuss their usage at the trailhead briefing. Please also refer to our policy described below.
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OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES Prohibited Items: True North does not allow participants to bring electronic games, alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, or firearms on any of its courses or excursions.
TRUE NORTH POLICIES & PROCEDURES
Medical Conditions: Any participant with allergies, asthma, heart conditions, diabetes, or other condition that may require medical attention MUST carry the appropriate medications (eg: epi-pen, inhaler, insulin, etc.) AT ALL TIMES. The participant should also be sure to disclose such information, and any specific medical issues, on the Medical History Form that is provided each participant prior to the start of the program. Weather: True North conducts its courses and trips in all types of weather conditions. As such, True North does not cancel or temporarily suspend its programs unless weather conditions jeopardize the safety of its participants. Such weather conditions that may result in a program being cancelled or temporarily suspended include, but is not limited to, lightening, flooding, extreme heat or cold, etc. Consequently, True North runs its programs rain or shine. In order to best prepare for your course, and to help improve your physical comfort throughout, we strongly recommend that you regularly check the weather forecast in the days leading up to the event. One particular source that we recommend is the National Weather Service (www.weather.gov). No matter which forecasting service that you use, though, be careful that you check it for the Laurel Highlands and not your local geographical region. Mobile Telephones: At True North, we certainly appreciate that even in the backcountry, it can be important that you be able to periodically contact the outside world. After all, we know what it’s like to need to check-in with loved ones, monitor an important issue at home, or even to “tuck in” children at night. We simply request that you use your mobile telephone sparingly and be respectful of the other participants and instructors. Please note, though, that cellular reception at Quebec Run Wild Area is extremely limited. Also, in order to maintain the energy level of your telephone battery, we strongly recommend that you either turn it off, or place it in “Airplane Mode.” We will discuss this in more detail at the trailhead briefing. In Case of Emergency … For those who may need to contact You: If in case of an emergency someone needs to contact you, certainly they may immediately dial your mobile telephone as their first choice. However, since cellular services is extremely limited at best, or because your mobile telephone may be switched off to conserve power, here are two other options for them: 1. During normal business hours, contact the DCNR Forbes State Forest Ranger Station in Laughlintown: 724.238.1200 2. After hours or weekends, contact Fayette County EMS (dial 9.1.1 or 724.430.1277) and ask the dispatcher to contact the “On-Call Ranger” at the DCNR Forbes State Forest Ranger Station in Laughlintown.
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Laurel Run Trailhead Parking Lot Ø Quebec Run Wild Area • Wharton Township, Pennsylvania. Ø Located on Skyline Drive (1/10 mile North of Wirsing School Road)
GATHERING POINT
HOW TO GET THERE
Directions From Downtown Pittsburgh: (Approximately 2 hours driving time) • Take I-376 (Parkway East) EAST for roughly 14.5 miles to the PA Turnpike / I-76.
TRAVEL INFORMATION & DIRECTIONS
• Follow the PA Turnpike / I-76 EAST to Exit 75 (New Stanton). • Once out of the toll booth, follow the signs for Route 119 SOUTH. • Follow Route 119 south for roughly 30 miles through the towns of Connellsville and Uniontown. • Just past Uniontown, merge on to Route 40 EAST. • As you follow US 40 eastbound, you will begin climbing the long, steep grade up the mountain. When you crest its summit, you will see The Summit Inn on your right. Immediately past this hotel, turn RIGHT on to Skyline Drive / SR 2001 heading SOUTH. • Once turning on to Skyline Drive, reset your odometer to 0.0 and note the following landmarks: Ø at the 4.8 mile mark, you will pass Laurel Caverns on your right. Ø at the 6.7 mile mark, be sure to stay on Skyline Drive as it bears very sharply to the right (with the poorly maintained Quebec Road bearing off ahead to the left). Ø at the 7.0 mile mark, you will come to a “Y” in the road -- take the LEFT fork of this juncture which continues as Skyline Drive (please note that the only sign at this juncture is for Mud Pike Road which continues off to the right). Ø at the 9.5 mile mark, you will pass a Quebec Run Wild Area parking area on your left … Keep driving! • At the 10.2 mile mark, turn LEFT into the Laurel Run Trailhead parking area. • Look for the instructors from True North Please refer to the next page for reference maps …
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REFERENCE MAPS
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