Wilderness 101 - Guide written by Maurice Phipps

 College of Education and Allied Professions      August 10, 2022

Wilderness 101 is the companion guide for new adventurers. Aimed at preventing newcomers to the outdoors from ending up in “survival” situations due to a lack of preparedness, this guide imparts introductory knowledge and skills to readers applicable across a range of potential activities, including hiking, river crossing, camping, backpacking, rock climbing, mountaineering, via ferrata, canyoneering, coasteering, seatrekking, caving, canoeing, kayaking, rafting, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and maintaining a low environmental impact. Based largely on course material taught by author Maurice L. Phipps for 32 years, readers will learn how to prepare for and meet the variety of conditions and situations that they may face in the wilderness.

Maurice L. Phipps is professor emeritus of parks and recreation management in the Department of Human Services at Western Carolina University. He has been involved with the Wilderness Education Association since 1982 as an instructor, board member, and Presidential Council member. Phipps has received several teaching awards from Western Carolina University and three service awards from the Wilderness Education Association.