Yellowstone Association Institute Press Releases

Yellowstone Association Institute Press Releases Index

Hoodoo Basin and Geyser Geology Backcountry Courses

June 14, 2006

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK – Spectacular hiking, abundant wildlife viewing and expert instruction will be some of the highlights of two backcountry courses being offered this summer by The Yellowstone Association Institute. These courses discuss geology and wildlife ecology and management via multi-day backpacking trips.

Institute course attendees commonly view wildlife such as wolves, grizzly and black bear, elk, bison and bighorn sheep while trekking through the park’s less-traveled areas in the Institute’s backcountry courses. The two upcoming courses will explore different facets of Yellowstone:

Hoodoo Basin Basecamp (July 21-27, $700) participants will venture into the alpine scenery to explore the hoodoo rock formations and wildlife of Hoodoo Basin with naturalist and folklorist Jim Garry, M.S., and backpacking specialist Angela Patnode.

Geyser Geology Backpack (Aug. 10-13, $400) participants will explore mudpots, fumaroles and other thermal features with Yellowstone geologist Cheryl Jaworowski Ph.D. and backpacking specialist Angela Patnode.

“The high country of the Hoodoo Basin is breathtaking, with stunning hikes to view rock formations and wildlife,” says Sarah Richey, Program Manager for the Yellowstone Association Institute. “The Geyser Geology backpacking course will give participants an in-depth understanding of the park’s popular thermal features, through intimate field observations and exploration.”

Both courses are taught by Park biologists and professional backpacking instructors, and include full orientations of routes, equipment and safety procedures. These are two of the 10 remaining backcountry courses the Institute is offering this summer, at a variety of physical difficulty levels, and covering a wide array of topics. Each wildlife backcountry course is led by two instructors: one recognized Yellowstone wildlife biologist, and one expert backpacking instructor. Participants supply their own food and personal backpacking gear. Courses include full orientations of routes, equipment, and safety procedures.

The Institute is a nonprofit field school operated by the National Park’s official educational partner, the Yellowstone Association. The Institute offers a variety of courses in ecology, wilderness skills, and natural history year-round in Yellowstone National Park.

To enroll in this or another field seminar, or to request a catalog that includes a full description of all summer and fall courses, please contact the Yellowstone Association Institute at PO Box 117, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190 307-344-2294. Complete information is also available at www.YellowstoneAssociation.org.