Type of course

The course can't be taken as a single course.

To enrol course the student must have passed the first year of the Bachelor programme of Arctic Friluftsliv.

Obligatory prerequisites

Course content

The course, Safe Guiding in the Arctic, is taught throughout the whole of the academic year. It is mainly practically oriented, but also includes a theoretical approach. It comprises field excursions and courses of longer and shorter duration in the varied nature of the Arctic throughout the year.

The course content is related to the content of the first year in the bachelor program in Alta, but is this year an high arctic specialization, in a nature and climate that raise high demands on the students personal skills, mental strength and group awareness. The course aims to gradually build-up the candidate's expertise in hiking, skiing and camping in the Arctic nature.  

Main instruction courses and field trips:              

• Glacier course: Excursion to glacier, with introduction to trekking and camping in the Arctic nature.
• Multiday hiking excursion with camping over several days: Moving camp and focus on procedures for trekking and camping, and navigation using a map and compass.
• Day trips with a focus on trip planning; conscious decisions along the way and safe leadership of groups in the Arctic nature.
• Arctic winter camp: procedures and methods for overnight camping with tents; snow bivouac and emergency bivouac; navigation with GPS. Clothing and equipment in cold weather.
• Avalanche course: knowledge of snow, avalanche and rescue.
• Arctic winter skiing. Focus on overall planning and calculated assessments in a complex and challenging Arctic nature
• Exam skiing trip: teacher-led skiing in small student groups. Students independently plan and lead guests on skis.

Objectives of the course

Knowledge

• Broad theoretical knowledge of topics related to safe travel and camping in the arctic nature
• Knowledge of the large scale meteorology for the Arctic in general and the local effects and weather prediction in special.
• Knowing the dynamics of an avalanche, typical avalanche weather, detecting weak snow layers and avoid avalanche terrain, run out zones and terrain traps.

Skills

• The methods and procedures of leading groups safely on glaciers, sea ice and in the Arctic summer and winter terrain.
• Rescue operations on glaciers and avalanches.
• Establishing and safely managing a tent camp in summer and winter.
• Establishing a snow bivouac and emergency camp.
• Planning for short and long trips by using Ferdråd and including guests
• Orienteering with a map, compass and GPS.

General competence

• Have skills in assessing routes, campsites and group organization in a complex arctic nature.
• Be aware of their own limitations and that of the group and plan travel according to ability.
• Be aware of the impact strong winds can have on a camp site and emergency procedures if a tent cannot be used.

Language of instruction

Teaching methods

Assessment

Requirements

The following course requirements must be approved before the candidate may be allowed to take the exam:

• One hundred percent participation in all field trips and courses, including preparation and follow-up work.
• Reports and all forms of follow-up work (eg. Photo and video presentations, group work, etc.) after each trip. Teams decide what type of preparation and work will be carried out in relation to each trip.
• Approved participation on the glacier course and pass the companion rescue and glacier guide test.
• Approved participation on the multiday hiking excursion and pass the trip planning and navigation test.
• Approved participation on the arctic intro winter excursion and pass the GPS navigation and snow bivouac  test.
• Approved participation on the avalanche course and pass the test on avalanche awareness and companion rescue.
• Approved 5 snow and avalanche observations on regobs.
• Approved participation on the arctic winter skiing excursion

Exams

Individual practical training  - oral examination. The candidate should practically demonstrate knowledge related to the course based on a given assignment. The assignment will emphasize the safety and experience aspects of the guiding profession. During the presentation there will also be an oral dialogue between the student, teacher and examiner. The candidate will also be questioned and examined on other parts of the course

The grade will be given by letters from A-F, F is fail.

Re-sit examination

Re-sit examination will be in  arranged.