Essential Eligibility Criteria: Backpacking Programs
The health and well-being of our participants and guides are priorities. The wilderness environments we travel through are rugged, dynamic, remote, and physically and emotionally challenging. These environments, along with the activities conducted therein, require participants to be willing and capable of working hard, taking responsibility for themselves, and communicating effectively with the group.
The predominant language used during Wildtender programs is English. Fluency is not required, but the ability to understand instruction and directions, particularly when it comes to safety, is necessary.
A qualified person is one who can meet the Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC) for participation in the program, defined below:
Ability to understand and follow verbal and/or visual instructions individually and in a group whether supervised or not, including during stressful or dangerous situations, and effectively communicate to instructors or other participants.
Ability to stay alert, detect, and identify hazards and safety concerns when explained, and to follow safety protocol even when unsupervised.
Ability to detect, identify, independently navigate, travel through, and maintain balance on trails with potential hazards including but not limited to: rough, steep, sandy, or muddy terrain; slippery and uneven surfaces; moving water such as rivers, creeks, surf, or tides; low overhanging branches, loose rocks, boulders, and encroaching vegetation; and potentially hazardous animals or insects.
Ability to travel 10 miles or more per day, with up to 3,000 ft or more of elevation gain/loss per day. Travel duration can range from less than one hour to more than 12 hours in one day and occur on successive days.
Ability to travel over and negotiate through aforementioned wilderness terrain without any access to civilization, with a pack weighing up to or exceeding 40 pounds, including all primary necessities of food, water, medicine, shelter, and some shared group gear.
Must have average strength, endurance, basic balance, and ability to travel through such terrain with a pack weighing up to or exceeding 40 pounds.
Have the ability to have a third point of contact for balance purposes, such as with hand(s) or to hold a walking stick/trekking pole, for travel through deep rivers or ascending/descending slopes.
Ability to travel and camp in a variety of temperatures, ranging from below freezing at night, to potentially over 80°F during the day.
Ability to set up and dismantle personal camping equipment such as shelter and sleep system.
Ability to identify and maintain personal health in variable and inclement weather including but not limited to: heat, sun, rain, wind, and cold.
If taking daily or prescription medications, ability to maintain proper dosage and self-medicate without assistance from guides or others.
Ability to identify and recognize hazards posed by other participants such as fatigue, state of mind, and other influences of judgment and decision-making.
Ability to self monitor personal well-being (emotional and physical) and communicate personal needs effectively to others.