ADV21023

This field-based course is an exploration of mountain landscapes and the physical, biological, and cultural geographic factors at work in mountain environments. We will survey mountain-building processes, geomorphic processes and landscape evolution, mountain weather and climate, snow dynamics, basic glaciology, biogeography of mountain flora and fauna, and human cultural lifeways in high mountain environments. This course has a regional focus but also includes a survey of mountain regions and mountain people across the globe. Students will also gain sustained experience practicing the skills necessary for safe and efficient travel in remote mountain environments, including on and off-trail backpacking, snowfield travel, scrambling, hazard assessment, decision-making, food planning, backcountry cooking, and group and camp management. We will also cover land management with a focus on federally designated wilderness in mountain regions.