You are confirmed for the 2017 Fall Land Navigation course, on October 22nd, 2017
Classes run 9 am – 4 pm and will be held on private property, just outside the small town of Helotes, TX.
Here is some info regarding the land navigation class this Sunday, October 22nd, starting at 9 AM.
This will be a great class in a stunning location on a creek-fed lake with a lodge. Unless the weather is really wet, we won’t be using the lodge – all classes will most likely be outdoors.
However, the lodge has restrooms and a kitchen for food preparation provided we clean up after ourselves.
During the morning it is mostly classroom and short map exercises (to include a compass course). All afternoon will be an orienteering challenge that ranges from easy to moderately difficult.
We will be sending out the gate code on Saturday night, so make sure to watch your email for this. It is changed specifically to grant our group access to the land.
If nobody is at the gate because you arrive too early, there is a small area there you can pull over and park at while waiting for someone to open the gate for you. Don’t worry if nobody is there right when you pull up, we will get there and get you in as soon as possible if we’re not there at the moment.
My phone number is 210-807-0891 in case you need to text or call me.
Here are the directions:
The Ranch is about 7 miles outside of Helotes on the NW side of San Antonio.
1) From San Antonio direction –> Get to 1604 (Anderson Loop) and Bandera Road (Hwy 16). For folks coming from Austin, this is about another 5 miles west of where you would turn off onto I-10.
2) Exit on Bandera Rd. (Hwy 16) From 1604 and head North/West (away from SA and toward Bandera). Check your odometer mileage.
3) Stay on Bandera Rd. You will pass by the town of Helotes and then a stop light at Scenic Loop Drive.
4) The ranch entrance will be on your right (the North/East) side, about 7.5 miles from 1604 and Bandera Rd. intersection (about 5.5 miles from Scenic Loop Drive intersection). Before you get there, you will pass an Indian Hindu Temple and Yoga place on your right. Right before you get to the ranch you will pass a golf course on your right. You will start going up a small hill after the golf course. About halfway up the hill on your right you will see a big white sign in the middle of a field that says “Rancho Blanco” (White Ranch) and usually has a US flag on one side and a TX flag on the other. This is the ranch.
There is a GATE CODE required to get into the ranch. We will email you the gate code by the weekend
5) Stay on the main road once you are inside the gate. It is about 3 miles from the gate to the Lake/Lodge. The road is asphalt all the way to the lodge and lake.
5) Stay on the main road once you are inside the gate. It is about 3 miles from the gate to the Lake/Lodge. The road is asphalt all the way to the lodge and lake.
There are some sharp turns and steep hills with very limited visibility, so please drive slowly and carefully – NO FASTER THAN 25MPH.
The road has a little bit of shoulder, but is basically only wide enough for one car.
The road will cross a dam and you will see the lodge on the lake at that point. There is a big parking lot in front of the lodge that we will park in. We’ll meet in front of the lodge, on the grass.
If your feet are tough and you want to run around in flat-soled, quiet shoes, go for it. Otherwise, good walking or hiking shoes or boots, as the terrain is typical, rough hill country. You may possibly get your feet wet, so bring at least one extra change of socks, and maybe an extra pair of shoes if you want.
Bring enough water and/or gatorade to get you through the full day (a gallon would be good).
A Camelback is good for carrying it around with you while walking around.
Plan on walking anywhere from 2 miles in easy terrain to up to 5 miles in rough terrain for those who want more challenge.
Bring enough “backpack” food for the trail if you need it (trail mix, energy bars, fruit, jerky, etc), and a sack lunch. PLAN ON EATING LUNCH AT THE RANCH AS THERE IS NOT TIME ENOUGH TO LEAVE TO GO ANYWHERE ELSE FOR LUNCH!
– Bring a compass if you have one, but we have extras if you don’t have one and can’t get one before Sunday.
– Notebook and something to write with.
– Watch or some kind of time-piece
– Cellphone (primarily for safety)
– Camera and/or video if you like to help remember things that way as well.
I’m sure it goes without saying, but no alcohol, drugs (aside from prescription or OTC as needed) or firearms permitted.
We should be wrapped up by around 5PM and will all leave as a group.
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WILDERNESS SCOUT PRIMITIVE SKILLS WEEK
If you are enrolled in and taking the scout primitive skills week that will follow the next day, you will receive a second email with a more in-depth gear list and what to expect for that course. You are welcome to leave the land navigation course and caravan together to our school. Camping is of course free for enrolled students.
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Weather: The school will not cancel classes due to weather conditions unless there is severe flooding or other extreme events. This course will go on, rain or shine. Please do make sure to pack for any type of weather though, cold or hot so that you are adequately prepared.
Cancellation Policy: make sure you are aware of our cancellation policy. We are now 5 days prior to the class.
Here is some info regarding the land navigation class this Sunday, October 22nd, starting at 9 AM.