Name: Disaster+Travel+Wilderness First Aid (In-Person) Certification Course
Start: 2024-06-01T12:00:00.000Z
End: 2024-06-02T23:00:00.000Z
Location: Washington

I am returning to Trail Days this year, so come join us for the largest hiking and backpacking festival in the USA! We are camping at tent city. Come prepared for the usual wild, amazing menagerie with the 2024 AT and past through hikers, that is the hallmark of this event. In addition we will watch one of our own (Rod from the class of 2023) march in the through hiker parade! In addition to all the fun, you will find many of the best of the backpacking gear vendors displaying their wares, and where Wayne Gregory himself, taught me to fit internal frame packs! Details can be found by Googling "Trail Days 2024" for all the details. Rod, Peter and myself are going down on Thursday, so call or text me (if cell service is not good), to let me know how to catch up so we can make room for you at our camp, and any questions you may have! This is an event you have to do....before you die, so why not this year with us! Spontaneous can be the best, so come join us....and be prepared for rain, just in case! 😉

The Washington Backpackers Meetup Group

Jim Newman

Peter Figgis

Trail Days!

Tent City

Please Join me over Memorial Day Weekend for the 1st backpacking trip of the year to Dolly Sods. Unsure of the weather condition, but rain or shine I will be out there. You must have your own gear and be ready to survive the wild west of West Virginia.

Dolly Sods Wilderness Highlights:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/iFcHrDS230g.

* Many view points: Lion’s Head; Bear Rock.
* The Appalachian version of tundra views.
* Grassy Meadows.
* Amazing Mountain, ridge line and valley views.
* Wind Carved Sandstone.
* Cascading Waterfalls, swimming holes.
* Water Crossings.

**Details**

This hike is moderate with some elevation gain, we will backpack up to 21 miles on this trip. Check the weather before coming down. Pack appropriately. Pack light don't bring the kitchen sink with you.

Arguably one of the most unique, and beautiful hiking areas on the East Coast. The high plateaus of Dolly Sods are made up of wind carved sand stone, stunted red spruce, grassy meadows, and sphagnum bogs. The characteristic meadows are the result of logging that took place from 1899 to 1924. During the Second World War the U.S. Army used the area for artillery and mortar training, and at the trailheads the Army Corp of Engineers still displays signs warning hikers that there may be unexploded ordinance in the area.

The name Dolly Sods derives from a combination of Dahles, a local 18th century family, and Sods, meaning an open mountain top or meadow. After WWII the area fell into neglect, and was threatened by multiple construction and mining project proposals. Then in the early 1970’s concerned environmentalists, along with The Nature Conservancy, began purchasing the land for preservation and recreational use. Today the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area comprises 17,371 acres.

Much of this area is a high elevation windswept plateau with spruce forests, heath/laurel thickets and some spectacular vistas. The highest point in the area is Mt. Port Crayon at 4770. Unlike anywhere else in WV, the Dolly Sods Wilderness and surrounding areas of the Monongahela National Forest offer a landscape that you can see across for long distances without climbing any hills.

## Bear Rocks was listed as one of West Virginia’s most Instagrammable spots! Lion’s Head is known for its unique rock face that resembles the silhouette of a lion.

Trip: 3 nights 4 days / 21 miles backpacking trip to Dolly Sods Wilderness area.

Mileage split: 1.0 Friday / 8.4 Saturday / 5.2 Sunday / 6.5 Monday
Elevation: Moderate. +3,793, -3793.
Difficulty level/Terrace: Moderate elevation change. Some sections are muddy with bogs.
Experience level: Suitable for experienced day hikers like to learn backpacking or moderate to advanced backpackers.
Weather: Bipolar syndrome: Within 24 hours, it can be sunny, warm, windy, foggy, wet, muddy, raining, and cold. Please wear water proof boots, bring extra 2 pairs of wool socks, wind jacket, rain coat..

Route Type: Modified loop.
**See: https://www.hikingupward.com/MNF/DollySodsLionsHead/**

Water Source: Near campsite.

Campsite: Free.

Friday Nite: 1 miles up Bear Rocks Trail (522) at the intersection of Dobbin Grade (526)
Saturday Nite: Big Stonecoal Trail (513) along Stonecoal Run.
Sunday Nite: "The Forks" along Red Creek / Red Creek Trail (514)

Detailed TOPO map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5152038.pdf
https://wvhighlands.org/archive/Maps/Dolly%20Sods%20Wilderness%2024K%20Maps.pdf
Area: Monongahela National Forest.

Trailhead: Bear Rocks Trailhead, Dolly Sods Wilderness (39.06460448773933, -79.30326195865516)
Parking fees: Free.

Meetup time at Trailhead: 7pm
Friday Nite campsite location in case you are late:
1 miles up Bear Rocks Trail (522) at the intersection of Dobbin Grade (526)

**Please print out your map.**

TRANSPORTATION: NOT organized. Please coordinate among yourselves. Please treat our driver fair by sharing gas cost.

Gears: You are responsible for your preparedness.
The New 10 Essential Systems: https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html
Navigation (map & compass)
Sun protection (sunglasses & sunscreen)
Insulation (extra clothing, socks)
Illumination (headlamp/flashlight)
First-aid supplies (include NSAID, such as Advil or Aleve)
Fire (waterproof matches/lighter/candle)
Repair kit and tools
Nutrition (extra food, such as dehydrated food)
Hydration (extra water)
Emergency shelter (tent/plastic tube tent/garbage bag)

\*\*\*Outdoor Ethics: Leave No Trace 7 Principle
A. HIKE SAFE: ITS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
B. Fully Prepare for emergency.
C. Your attendance on any organized event signifies that you have read and accepted the terms of this liability waiver.

Buck

Tim 

Leah

Memorial Day Weekend / 21 miles Dolly Sods Wilderness Backpacking Trip 

Brushy Ridge Road & Bear Rocks Trail

In your own home, at your own leisure (anytime -- not just the date of this event): now you can learn a ton in the online portion of Disaster + Travel + Wilderness First Aid! COURSE TOPICS VIDEOS are almost exactly as MEDIC SOLO always presents them with the latest on disaster and wilderness medical science. Intermixed at several points we guide you to practice various skills.

Choose one of two ways to learn:
a) Take the self-guided course (no certification) $99.
b) Take the self-guided online course and attend a skills scenarios workshop (one day on-line) and get certified $249 (Early Bird).

Register here: [https://solowfa.com/register-online-SOLO-disaster-wilderness-first-aid-course.html](https://solowfa.com/register-online-SOLO-disaster-wilderness-first-aid-course.html)

In order to get certified, you will start watching our highly-rated, self-paced videos one month prior to your Skills Scenarios Workshop date and:

* Practice skills at home before your Workshop date, send us photographs and our Instructors will provide you with kudos and constructive ideas.
* Pass the multiple-choice quiz and test is what verifies that you're ready for your workshop day with an instructor.
* Attend your online Skills Scenarios Workshop full day with a live instructor and a live human patient. Use a unique software which nearly replicates the in-person learning experience.
* Gain as much to more hands-on learning experience as compared to an in-person course.
* Instructors give individual live feedback to students while you perform hands-on skills in your own home.
* Graduates receive the internationally-renowned SOLO 2-year WFA Certification.

Upcoming online Skills Scenario Workshop dates:
April 28, 2024
May 11, 2024
June 2, 2024
June 15, 2024

Sneak peek at the course:
[https://www.solowfa.com/online-sample.htm](https://www.solowfa.com/online-sample.htm)

Email us at [courses@solowfa.com](mailto:courses@solowfa.com) with questions.

Matthew Rosefsky

Amy Black

Sean Delean

ONLINE (self-paced) Wilderness First Aid available ALL DAYS NOW until May 31st

Online event

Hands-on learn how to save life & limb, when mired in the wilderness of an urban disaster zone, travel or rural area far from hospital, or natural area miles from an access point, during the critical minutes or hours before ambulance arrival. Come away with actual do-it-yourself care-giving skill and confidence, and 2-year SOLO certification. Counts as WFR Recertification, too. No prerequisites.

YOUR SPOT IS NOT RESERVED UNTIL YOU'VE COMPLETELY REGISTERED AT WWW.SOLOWFA.COM \***Spaces are limited. REGISTER: www.solowfa.com or 434.326.4697**

Can't make these dates? Check out more course locations and dates on our website.

WHO: Open to the general public, adults & teens with solid attention spans. Know your loved ones are safe wherever they are.

WHY: Mired in a disaster zone, travel or rural area far from a hospital, or natural area miles from an access point ... accidents, destructive weather, and terrorism happen, and all-too-often members of a group are not capable of dealing with the emergency. This leads to improper care of the patient, and endangers the entire group. Many recreational accidents are preventable, and improper care of trauma can compound even simple injuries. Very few first aid programs actually address the issues of providing emergency care in a setting where 911 is overwhelmed or not immediately reachable. In this course, classroom instruction and Q&A are interwoven with practical work and problem-solving exercises. Hands-on experience - a most powerful learning tool - during scenarios comprise \~50% of class.

TIMING: This is a 2-day class, Saturday and Sunday, 8:00am -7pm each day.

Fee: $295 (Earlybird)

Note: another organization in the region charges $350! You save $55.

Disaster+Travel+Wilderness First Aid (In-Person) Certification Course

Washington

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