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Outdoor Skills

Winter River Exploration

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Course Overview

Come explore the wild rivers and gorges of the North Shore at its seasonal zenith, the end of winter. The unique combination of ice, snow, and sun conditions that generally occur at the end of winter provide excellent travel opportunities for those who want to explore. We will travel up one of the river gorges of the North Shore on snowshoes. We will learn risk management regarding ice conditions and navigating frozen waterfalls, rapids, and currents (ice permitting). We will duck into caves etched out over thousands of years and poke around in rock formations generally inaccessible to humans except for during these few precious weeks. The class includes a hot meal together, either served around a fire on the river or shared back on campus between the morning and afternoon outings. We will use teachable moments to identify flora, fauna, and geology. Students meet on campus and carpool to the river. Open to families—for kids under 12 please call to discuss. Your materials fee includes lunch. Participants should be reasonably fit and able to snowshoe three miles.

Required Tools

  • Appropriate winter clothing including: non-cotton layers, wool socks, lined boots, head and hand gear
  • A pair of snowshoes
  • Ski poles 
  • If children are coming, a plan regarding sleds or other accommodations must be made in advance
  • Water bottles
  • Backpack or knapsack for extra clothing is highly recommended

Optional Tools

  • Camera 
  • Snacks
  • Backpack with extra clothing
     

Dates

Sat, Feb 10th, 2018

Course Details

Skill Levels: Beginner to Advanced
Hours: 9am-3pm
Intergenerational age: 12+
Tuition: $85.00
Materials fee: $10.00

Required

You will need the following tools for this class:

appropriate winter clothing including:  non-cotton layers, wool socks, lined boots, head and hand gear
a pair of snowshoes
ski poles 
if children are coming, a plan regarding sleds or other accommodations must be made in advance) 
water bottles
Backpack or knapsack for extra clothing is highly recommended

Optional Tools

camera 
snacks
backpack with extra clothing

More Information

Once registered, students will receive a confirmation email with further class information. Please call us if you haven't received it within 24 hours.

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Meet the Instructor

North House Folk School photo of instructor, Mark Gordon
Mark Gordon
Two Harbors, MN

Meet the Instructor

North House Folk School photo of instructor, Katya Gordon
Katya Gordon
Two Harbors, MN

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Winter River Exploration