This October I will be helping instruct a course on expedition planning through the Backpacking Light Wilderness Trekking School. The course will include a three week online study portion followed by one week trek in the field.

This will be the second time I have participated in this course, the first time as an instructor. Last years course was an incredible experience, we had perfect weather and the scenery was absolutely breathtaking. In case you missed it, here is the video I did of last years trek:

The WT2 Expedition Planning course is truly unique in the outdoors world. It's mission is to teach people how to plan a group expedition and then provide them with the opportunity to execute it. This isn't about picking a trail and following it. This is about setting a goal, figuring out how to do it, then working together as a team to achieve it. Last years trek was done using a map with nothing labeled except for contour lines and a few strategic landmarks. No GPSs, watches, or other electronic gadgets allowed.

Additionally, Ryan Jordan and I plan on doing the trek in minimalist footwear. This should prove to be interesting (and fun!) considering the potential weather conditions that can be experienced in Montana this late in the season.

I am very excited to have the opportunity to participate in the course again this year. If you are at all into hiking, backpacking and group travel or want to learn more about what it takes to plan an expedition, I highly recommend you check-it-out. Go here for more details.