Frequently Asked Questions and their answers:
Q: There are a lot of outdoor programs. Why should I do Pemi West and not some other program?
Q: Can my friend from home participate in Pemi West with me?
Q: Can I do Pemi West if I've never been backpacking before?
Q: What if I've never done any mountain climbing before?
Q: Is this course more like school or more like a vacation?
Q: Where does the name Pemigewassett come from?
Q: What if I don't have the proper equipment yet?
Q: Can I bring my own climbing gear?
Q: There are a lot of outdoor programs. Why should I do Pemi West and not some other program?
A: One thing you need to think about is what you want to get out of an outdoor program. There are several kinds of programs out there. Many programs will simply lead you on a backpacking trip in the wilderness without necessarily expecting you to gain the skills that you would need to then turn around and lead a course with your friends. This kind of course is not Pemi West. We expect you to be an active participant, and will expect you to learn the camping, cooking, and mountaineering skills you need to be a successful wilderness traveler and leader.
Many programs offer a combination of short trips of different types in completely different places, often driving a few days between locations. This is not Pemi West either. At Pemi West our goal is to give you one longer more intensive experience, so that you can master a set of skills and fully experience one specific area; in our case, the mountains of the Olympic National Park and everything they have to offer. You will likely go for 3 weeks without seeing any sort of civilization, an opportunity that few people in today's world get to experience.
This being said, you may still be wondering why to do Pemi West when there are a few other programs that operate under a similar philosophy. Pemi West offers the smallest student to instructor ratio among similar programs. Our groups will never exceed 8 students and sometimes are smaller. Every group always has two instructors. This means that you receive a lot of attention from our staff. Smaller groups also mean more opportunity to practice certain skills and use certain pieces of equipment, and also more opportunity to take part in group discussions.
You will also find that Pemi West offers more extensive natural history instruction than other programs, in addition to a service project which we complete in the wilderness. Participants enjoy knowing that they have not only gained knowledge but have also given back an essential contribution to the park they have come to love. Lastly, you will receive Wilderness First Aid skills at Pemi West. These skills are ones you will carry with you into the outdoors for the rest of your life.
Pemi West will challenge you, and you will be expected to participate actively in all aspects of the program. You will be constantly practicing and learning new skills (while having a blast at the same time). If you are the sort of person who likes to “do” rather than have things done for you, then Pemi West is the program for you.
Q: Can my friend from home participate in Pemi West with me?
A: Yes, by all means. To facilitate interactions with others, however, we may not place you in the same hiking, tent or cook group.
A: Pemi West instructors are people who have a unique blend of qualities and talents. First off, they are all people who love teaching, the outdoors, and being around young people. Secondly, they are all expert wilderness leaders and backpackers, having led and taught in other programs before Pemi West, and spending much of their spare time doing the kinds of things that they teach to you. Thirdly, they are all certified with a minimum of Wilderness First Aid, but most have Wilderness First Responder or EMT certifications. Lastly, they all have an area of expertise, or in most cases, areas of expertise, which they love to share with others. We strive for a balance of the following areas of expertise in our staff: natural history (particularly local flora, fauna, and geology), mountaineering skills, climbing skills, first aid skills, interest in cultural anthropology (local human history), and expertise in fostering leadership skills. You will find that our leaders will become your friends and mentors. They will take sincere interest in your well-being and development both on the course and after you leave, should you seek their advice later. We prefer to use co-ed instructor teams. Our leaders keep themselves busy in a range of occupations during the rest of the year, including teaching, ski patrolling, schoolwork, biological and geological research, work for other outdoor programs, national and international mountain guiding, and work for various environmental agencies.
Q: Can I do Pemi West if I've never been backpacking before?
A: This should not be an issue at all. All we ask is that you bring a positive attitude and a strong desire to learn. Backpacking is physically demanding, and fitness is essential. It is not unreasonably demanding, however. This is not “boot camp.” It is about having a fun, rewarding, and meaningful experience in the wilderness. In keeping with our philosophy, we will start with the basics and progress from there. Naturally, some things will not be easy at first, but with daily practice, your confidence will build up, and you’ll find that survival in the hills will become second nature.
Q: What if I've never done any mountain climbing before?
A: Most participants come to Pemi West with no mountaineering experience. We teach the fundamentals of mountaineering from the basics on upwards, so that you will be fully qualified and prepared to tackle any of the challenges we may encounter. When traveling on steep, or exposed terrain, you will be wearing a helmet and be on belay (tied into a harness, using a rope which is held taut by your climbing partner and anchored to the rock or snow), so that there is little chance of falling. Perceived risk is high, but actual risk is minimal.
A: Any active sports, running routine, or hikes in the mountains around your home will get you in shape for the trip. If you do weight training, include leg extensions to strengthen your quadriceps muscles around your knees. This will help support your knees on our hikes downhill. Also, if you are buying new hiking boots, we strongly recommend that you not only water-proof them, but also wear them a lot--on hikes, to school, and whenever else you get the chance. This is called “breaking in your boots.” By wearing a liner sock (a thin sock worn under your regular sock) when you hike around, the two socks will rub together instead of the sock and boot rubbing against your skin. This, in combination with breaking in your boots properly, will help prevent hotspots or blisters. In your training hikes, if you do find a hotspot developing on your foot (which is a red sore that forms before a blister does), please do all that you can to prevent it from turning into a blister by putting on one of the following over the spot: duct tape, mole skin, second skin, or a band aid. You can also prevent hotspots and blisters from forming by making sure your boots are laced snugly. Often, hikers have to retighten their bootlaces part way into their hike. You might have to do the same.
One of the most important things to prepare is your mental attitude. Develop a strong can-do perspective towards trying new things. Learning to be positive is a life skill that will enable you to have the most fun ever as you explore the challenges of the outdoors.
Q: Is this course more like school or more like a vacation?
A: Think of it as a vacation in which you will learn probably more than you did this year in school, simply by participating in your groups’ activities and having fun at the same time. For example, natural history will be brought to life as you experience it first hand. Many of our past participants have had life changing experiences, claiming to have learned invaluable lessons about themselves and how they relate to others. They also have stated that they became much more self-sufficient. You will find that all of the skills you learn will have applications in parts of your life that you couldn’t have even imagined. By the end of the course, you will be qualified to lead yourself and others in a lifetime of wilderness adventures.
Q: Where does the name Pemigewassett come from?
A: Pemigewassett (pronounced pemmee-juh-wasset) is a Native American name originating in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Pemigewassett West is a program associated with Camp Pemigewassett for boys in Wentworth, New Hampshire. Pemi West was founded in 1997 to give 15-18 year-old girls and boys a solid introduction to and appreciation of the wonders of safe travel in rugged mountain environments. In addition to basic backpacking skills, our course focuses on three main skill areas: leadership, mountaineering, and natural history. Camp Pemigewassett was founded in 1908, with wilderness skills and natural history being at its core from its inception.
Q: What if I don't have the proper equipment yet?
A: Pemi will assist you in finding appropriate equipment with advice as to certain brands, styles, and good deals etc. should you ask. Unfortunately much of the equipment is expensive, but it is an investment that will last a lifetime. If you're willing to plan ahead and shop around, good used equipment can be found, as well as items on sale. Pemi provides all of the mountaineering and climbing equipment i.e. helmet, rock shoes, harness, carabiners, ice axe etc.
Q: Can I bring my own climbing gear?
A: You are welcome to bring your own climbing gear if you have it. We will inspect your harness, if you bring one, and may require you to use one of ours depending on its style and condition.
Pemi West complies with the National Park nondiscrimination requirements, and carries out its activities in the Olympic National Park under a Special Use Permit granted Camp Pemigewassett by the National Park Service
