Young Adventurers in DC

 
 
 

We will be doing a 3-day backpacking route in Dolly Sods Wilderness in West Virginia totaling about 24 miles. This area is frequently compared to hikes in the Western part of the US. This route is moderately challenging, so be prepared physically to hike while carrying a full pack. You will experience river crossings, bogs, peaks, open meadows and dense forests. It its truly a magnificent area. The elevation is relatively little given the length of the hike (only 3,000 feet elevation over 24 miles).

I have 5 sets of backpacking gear that will be provided as a part of the cost of the trip. I will also be planning and preparing meals for the group as well. This means that if it's your first time backpacking, you have all the resources you need to be successful! Just bring your personal gear like clothes, hiking shoes, and water bottles and you are all set!

You have the option to meet at the trailhead, or to carpool with me from Washington, DC to the trail. We will meet at the trail at 11am.

Throughout the trip, there will be some skills lessons so that beginner backpackers can feel comfortable, safe, and knowledgeable.

This event is limited to 5 participants, and is cross-posted in other groups. Your spot is not reserved until you have paid.

Cost: $250 (you’ll just venmo me @robert-deaton-1)
Includes:

• Backpacking Gear (backpack, tent (shared), sleeping bag, water filtration, cooking supplies, etc)
• Transportation to and from the trail (if desired)
• Meals on the trail (Saturday-lunch and dinner; Sunday-breakfast, lunch, dinner; Monday-breakfast and lunch)
• New Friends

Does not include:

• Personal gear such as clothing, water bottles, etc. (I will provide you with a list of things you need to bring)
• Food and Beverage you purchase during the ride to and from the trail

Sign-up Process:

1. RSVP on Meetup
2. Venmo Me
3. Text me your email address (I'll send you some info - you will have to sign a waiver before participating). My number is (919)[masked].
4. Make sure you have all the gear/equipment you need for the trip!

Carpool: From[masked]th St. NW, Washington, DC 20011
Carpool Time: 8:30am
Nearest Metro to Carpool: Georgia Ave/Petworth
Parking: There is free street parking on Saturdays and Sundays.

Trailhead:
4944 Brushy Ridge Rd, Maysville, WV 26833

Expectations:

• You are physically capable of hiking 10 miles in a day with a 35-40 pound pack on your back.
• You must fill out the liability waiver (I will have a paper copy for you)
• You let me know in advance if you plan to bring any of your own gear

Reach out to me if you have any questions!

 
 
 

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) On-line only- view our 7-hour course at home, do the self-guided practice and receive a certificate of completion. Fee: $115.
This option, more INFO and REGISTRATION / TO GET STARTED: www.solowfa.com/online-course.htm
B) Blended learning-view our 7-hour course at home NOW, and receive a 3-year credit to attend one of our in-person dtWFA classes in order to practice skills learned with one of our seasoned instructors. Upon the successful completion of the in-person class, you will receive a 2-year SOLO WFA certification. Fee: $245.
This option, more INFO and REGISTRATION / TO GET STARTED: www.solowfa.com/blended-learning.htm

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

Testimonials:
• "Fantastic online program."
• "The quality of teaching and the personality of each instructor was ABSOLUTELY STELLAR. There is a lot more to learning than just the textbook curriculum, especially with medical situations."
• "It was much less stressful having the opportunity to be taught on my own schedule rather than having two intensive days."
• Much appreciation for the ability to click "pause" to take notes and write down questions (which MEDIC will answer), and ability to rewind and replay demonstrations, explanations, etc. -- can't do that in a live class.
• Full transparency, all feedback surveys, unfiltered: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18qcXYJt-CUoLW0hqLtFRmGv7H858iflrq7fguSk6zfM/edit?usp=sharing

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Let's all please do our part to maintain social distancing, and do what we can to prevent problems and treat injured people, so as to reduce demands on hospitals. Exercise outdoors, where allowed, is great to boost your immune system; however we've found many people on trails are not respecting social distancing when passing by. If you decide to go out, when you see someone you'll pass by, please proactively step off trail at least 6 feet. Try to leave no trace as best you can, stepping only on durable surfaces like bare rock when possible. Thanks!

Now is a time when your dtWFA skills may be needed most.
• Hospital beds are filling up and we need to reduce their demand. If with dtWFA skills you treat someone and they no longer need to go to the hospital, fantastic and so helpful in many ways.
• Some parks are seeing their highest-ever mid-week daytime visits. More people are outdoor adventuring and most don't have the skills you're considering learning, and may be in need especially as more first-timers go explore the outdoors.
• Hopefully the following will never happen: fewer EMTs staffing ambulances and thus a call to 911 for medical assistance is less responsive, or outbreaks occur within hospitals and those entire facilities end up being quarantined and unavailable ... leaving it up to dtWFA-trained folks to provide care.

Thank you everyone, for all that you do to strengthen our communities, making disaster and wilderness areas safer for all.