Advanced Wilderness Survival

The goal of our Advanced Wilderness Survival is to give you the confidence to not only survive a wilderness emergency but also to lead others when it matters most. Unlike typical search-and-rescue situations, where victims often wait passively to be found, this course equips you with the skills and knowledge to be proactive—protecting yourself and others, expediting rescue within 72 hours, and returning home with pride.

You’ll learn the same modern wilderness survival techniques taught to U.S. military personnel. This includes knots and lashings, first aid and prevention, water procurement, tool improvisation, and fire-building in all weather conditions. The course also includes our Basic Land Navigation training so that you also understand the fundamentals of using a map and compass. Throughout your course, you’ll complete hands-on projects and challenges, building skills in risk assessment and management to help prevent emergencies and respond confidently if they occur.

This course is open to participants of all skill levels, outdoor activities, and backgrounds so no prerequisites are required. Each class is routinely attended by a mix of folks, from novices to outdoor enthusiasts. Regardless, they all share the desire to learn an invaluable skill.

You'll learn from highly skilled instructors who also regularly train members of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force. We have years of experience working with folks of all backgrounds, skill levels, and learning styles.

Highlights

You’ll get the best of military survival training with just a little of the hardship! You can bring plenty of food and snacks, and you’re welcome to bring your stove, but you’ll also be encouraged to cook over open coals. You can pack a sleeping bag, yet each night you’ll rest in a shelter you’ve built yourself. Instead of using a sleeping pad, you’ll learn to improvise ground padding from natural materials. After all, the best way to learn is by doing—and this course ensures you put your new skills and knowledge into real-world practice.

Related

The physical difficulty of this course is Moderate to Strenuous. This course involves some hiking while wearing a backpack (to carry your food and gear), walking, and other activities over short to moderate distances at a steady pace over varying terrain that may include off-trail sections, rough spots, unexpected obstacles, and low to steep inclines and declines. This course is conducted in varying weather conditions, including hot, cold, humid, rain, wind, and snow, or a mixed combination. This course is suited for those in good physical condition and ready for an active day.

This course is run as four day sessions with three overnights. It begins at 9:00 a.m. on Day I and concludes by 12:00 p.m. on Day IV.

Once you book a slot, then one of our staff will follow up personally with an email. It will include three short forms for you to complete and return to us. We will also send you the course information sheet, which will contain all of the details that you will need to prepare and arrive (like required and optional gear; exact rally point; general driving directions; and overnight recommendations).

This course is often run as a private one to better meet the specific needs and schedule of our clients. Please contact Erik to learn more (412.913.6000 or erik@exploretruenorth.com).

We typically reply to emails and telephone calls within 1-2 hours. Please note, however, that it may be as long as 24 hours if we are away teaching.

The minimum age for this course is 18 years.