The Everett Branch of the Mountaineers offers a navigation course, open to anyone interested in backcountry navigation using a map and compass and topographical map reading.  This year two classes were held in March (1st & 22nd).  Students enrolled in other Mountaineers courses, from backcountry skiing, climbing and alpine scrambling are required to take the course, but many of this year's participants were simply looking to refine the map & compass skills needed for those weekend adventures in the back country.  A separate course also offered by the Mountaineers covers GPS navigation.

"The Everett Mountaineers Alpine Scrambling Course provides instruction on how to travel safely off-trail and scramble to mountain summits. Most Northwest mountain summits are accessible by scramble routes. Scrambles are typically strenuous, and usually involve off-trail travel over rock, snow, or brush.  The scramble course provides a program of instruction about proper equipment, clothing, navigation, route-finding, avalanche avoidance, weather awareness, rock and off-trail scrambling, wilderness ethics, snow travel, ice axe arrest, and glissade techniques. The course goal is to teach the skills necessary to scramble enjoyably while minimizing risk."