December 16-20 is the annual Maine Wilderness Guides Organization winter guide training course, and I’ll be working with Kevin Slater of Mahoosuc Guide Service again this year to put it on.

It’s a great opportunity for those who are new to winter living and guiding to get some experience in the bush and learn about ice, winter ecology, winter safety, winter gear, dog teams, and more. For more information, go to the MWGO site.

From the site:

This workshop is designed to cover the skills needed to safely guide in the winter. Whether you are guiding snowmobile, dogsled, ski or snowshoe/toboggan trips there are a lot of skills required of a guide that are specific to the winter environment.

The following topics will be covered in depth:

– Hypothermia – recognition, prevention, treatment

– Frostbite – recognition, prevention, treatment

– Ice Reading – characteristics, formation, safe route selection

– White-out navigation – map & compass, GPS, traditional Inuit techniques

– Minimal Equipment – for any type of winter travel – human powered or snowmobiles

– Snow machine Travel – off trail, freighting loads with quamotiks & toboggans, dealing with slush, the “well outfitted” snow machine, tow ropes vs. tow bars

– Winter bivouac – Spending a night out with the clothes on your back, snow & bough shelters
Client Concerns – Looking after your ³sports² in the winter

– Winter Camping Techniques – Setting up a safe, dry, warm traditional winter camp, fire building with and without matches

– Dog & Human Powered Travel – Depending on snow/ice conditions we will also cover the basics of snowshoe and dog team use.

Location:  Umbagog Lake area

Cost: MWGO members $375.00, non-members $450.00
Arrive by 7PM on Tuesday and wrap up by 4PM on Saturday