What types of communities exist on, within, and beneath the snow pack? What does it take to not only survive, but to thrive in snow-covered environments? We will explore these questions from a variety of perspectives: macroscopic to microscopic, external to internal, research to experience. The major topics will be ecology, snow science, outdoor leadership, and wilderness medicine.

We will examine the microbial ecology of the snowpack and the ecology of snow-covered ecosystems. We’ll also study how snow changes over time and use this information to assess avalanche hazards, both through terrain analysis and field studies. Our studies of outdoor leadership will range from logistics to group process; from calculating the amount of calories and food needed for an expedition to resolving conflicts in groups. Students will also learn winter travel and camping skills and then combine all of these skills with field investigations of snow-covered ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest.

We will complete a Wilderness First Responder training and receive a nationally recognized certification. This advanced medical training is the outdoor industry standard for guides that take people into remote areas for recreational and/or educational activities. This intensive 80-hour training will run from Jan 12-20. During this time, class will start at 8 AM and go until 5-6 PM each day.

There will be a significant field component to this class, regardless of weather. Students must provide their own winter camping gear. Winter travel and safety gear (snowshoes or skis, avalanche shovel, transceiver, and probe) will also be needed, but some of this gear is available on campus and can be shared. There will be a multi-day field trip that will be scheduled after the snowpack develops (think snow!).