ZION Wilderness Survival School, LLC

Wilderness Survival and

Backpacking Tips

by HikingwithMike.com

PLEASE NOTE: SCHOOL HAS BEEN SUSPENDED INDEFINITELY. WE WILL ADVISE OUR VISITORS ONCE COURSES RESUME. MEANWHILE, WE ARE HERE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. JUST DROP US AN E-MAIL.

Are you hearing the “Call of the Wild,” but you’re hesitating to venture out into the wilderness because you are concerned for your safety or don’t feel you have the necessary skills? Are you an experienced backpacker, but feel the desire to learn more about wilderness survival? Whatever your reasons, ZION Wilderness Survival School, LLC by HikingwithMike.com © provides an experience that is ideal for gaining new skills and meeting people who share your interests, all while taking a fun-filled trek or Jeep base-camping and day hiking. You will be awe struck by the spectacular beauty surrounding our school facility - we are located within the borders of Zion National park, and our base camp overlooks Zion's beauty, with incredible views everywhere.

Skills taught:

Backpacking Trips – planning and logistics
Trailhead safety
Campsites – selection, safety and etiquette
Constructing a Water Still & Finding Water Sources
Fire Starting & Fire Safety
Constructing a Survival Shelter – Quinze (snow), lean-tos, debris huts
Map Reading & Basic Compass Usage
Global Positioning System usage - Basics
Getting Found – signaling, staying calm, making a plan
Basic First Aid and CPR
Crossing Streams
Leave No Trace guidelines
Staying Alive
Gear Needs
Wilderness knots
Food – finding and preparing
Animal Encounters
Dealing with Pests
Toilet & Hygiene issues
Solo Hiking and Backpacking
And much more…

ZION Wilderness Survival School's standard courses take place primarily at our spectacular Zion National Park location, a 7.25 acre site within the borders of the Park. Other locations may be used, as well., including California's Sierra Mountains.

Basic Wilderness Survival Skills are taught “as we go.” They are woven into the Camping and Hiking experience. No boring classrooms or tedious lessons. Groups are kept small – seldom more than six people in a course. A copy of Mike’s The Complete Backpacking, Hiking and Wilderness Survival Manual is included in your cost. On-the-Trail Courses take place primarily in and around Southern Utah environs. Youngsters (ages six to fourteen) are welcome, but at least one guardian will be required to attend, as well. Hands-on training, group discussions, fun skills projects, and spectacular scenery mix for a unique experience. Meals range from bring your own to group meals - prepared by all.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Zion Wilderness Survival School, LLC by HikingwithMike.com owns two school locations. One is a 20 acre property thirty minutes north of St. George near the community of Enterprise, Utah. The second and primary location, our Zion National Park site, is where we are permanently located. This location is used for assembly, camping, meals, showers and bathrooms, as well as for hands-on training in shelter building, snares and traps, knots, map and compass work, etc. We will continue to hike the surrounding majesties of Zion, which surround the school property, subject to availability of permits. We will also hike the incredible Red Cliffs Desert Reserve and Snow Canyon State Park as part of each course.