Yellowstone Backcountry Skills

$1,123 | Tuition & Lodging

Dates:
June 22 - 24

Location:
Lamar Buffalo Ranch

Meals Included?:
No

Instructors:
Debra Dirksen, Ph.D, John Dirksen, M.S., Orville (Butch) Bach, Jr. Ed.D

Age:
18+

Program Type:
Field Seminars

This course will introduce you to the skills necessary for exploring and enjoying Yellowstone's backcountry. You will learn about the proper gear and equipment, how to navigate by map and compass, hiking and camping in grizzly country, no-trace camping techniques, the proper use of a campfire where permitted, cooking techniques, and you'll also receive an introduction to some delicious meals courtesy of your camp cook extraordinaire, Dr. Dirksen.

About the instructors

Orville Bach has worked for the National Park Service as a Seasonal Interpretive Ranger for 47 years, mostly in Yellowstone, and is currently serving as a backcountry volunteer and Fire Lookout in Yellowstone. He is the author of Exploring the Yellowstone Backcountry, Tracking the Spirit of Yellowstone: Recollections of Thirty-One Years as a Seasonal Ranger, and Reflections from Yellowstone and Beyond. He has traveled Yellowstone’s backcountry during all seasons, including an 18-day wilderness ski trip through the park.

John and Debra Dirksen have spent almost every summer in Yellowstone’s backcountry for the past 40+ years, often serving as volunteers. The two met at Old Faithful Inn in 1984 and married 8 months later. They have had many Yellowstone backcountry adventures in the following 38 summers in Yellowstone. Dr. Debra Dirksen is the Dean of Education at the University of Western New Mexico. She is well known for her backcountry cooking skills and style. John Dirksen has taught classes in backpacking and has spent 55 summers backpacking the trails of the Yellowstone ecosystem and many trails of surrounding forest lands. The summer of his 73rd birthday, he reached a total of 25,000 miles backpacking in Yellowstone! John and Debra have been volunteering for the Yellowstone Backcountry Office for the last 15 years as “Backcountry Cabin Specialists” and enjoy every moment they get to spend time in the park.

Testimonials

"The experience fulfilled my expectations. I would love to see a backpacking course in the near future with these same instructors." - Ricardo, NV

"Fabulous trip. The food was great and I learned a great deal. So enjoyed the Lamar Buffalo Ranch. It was very well run. The instructors were great and very knowledgeable." - Alison, CA

Download Program Information:

Yellowstone Backcountry Skills Course Letter

More Information:

Lodging | Age Restriction Details

SUMMER ACTIVITY LEVEL SCALE

Be prepared to hike up to 1 mile per day, comfortably, through relatively flat terrain on maintained trails.

Be prepared to hike up to 3 miles per day, comfortably, with elevation gains up to 600 feet. Some off-trail hiking possible.

Be prepared to hike up to 5 miles per day, comfortably, with occasional elevation gains up to 1000 feet in undulating terrain.

Be prepared to hike up to 8 miles per day, at a brisk pace, comfortably, with climbs up to 1500 feet on dirt trails. Loose rocks, uneven footing, and off-trail hiking are possible. Good coordination is recommended.

Be prepared for brisk aerobic, destination-oriented hiking up to 12 miles a day. You should be physically conditioned to do these hikes comfortably. Elevation changes up to 2000 feet on dirt trails or off-trail. Loose rock, uneven footing, steep hillside traverses, and stream crossings are possible. Good coordination is required.

WINTER ACTIVITY LEVEL SCALE

Leisurely hikes up to 1 mile per day through relatively flat terrain on maintained or snow-packed trails.

Hikes on snow-packed trails, or snowshoe or ski trips, up to 3 miles per day with climbs up to 250 feet.

Brisk hiking, snowshoeing, or skiing up to 5 miles per day with climbs up to 500 feet, including some trail-breaking in snow.

Brisk aerobic snowshoeing or skiing up to 8 miles per day with climbs up to 1000 feet; or steep, rugged, off-trail skiing or snowshoeing—including breaking trail in variable snow conditions.

Brisk aerobic snowshoeing or skiing up to 12 miles per day with climbs up to 1500 feet; or steep, rugged, off-trail skiing or snowshoeing—including breaking trail in variable snow conditions.