Cold Weather Survival Training in the Haut-Jura

Day 1

- 8 p.m. Welcome participants at the meeting point and briefing on the course (meal not provided)

- Preparation of equipment and mental preparation for survival

- 12 a.m. Bedtime

Day 2

- 7.30 a.m. Wake up with breakfast and briefing on the fundamental principles of survival in the cold and snow: what is a survival situation (priorities, dangers, objectives, etc.), then distribution of tasks with awareness of the risks of the cold on the body

- 8.30 a.m. Departure from the gîte: introduction to orienteering techniques in the wilderness, vegetation observation, stress management, gathering, etc.

- 12 p.m. Arrival at the bivouac site: choice of a suitable place to set up the bivouac, learning how to build a fire (the 3 basic techniques without matches or lighters, depending on the weather), then role-playing and reminder of the law

- 12.30 p.m. Learn the various techniques for making a bivouac in a snowy region (igloo, tree shelter, moulded dome shelter, sliced shelter, snow cave, depending on the weather) and divide up the tasks

- 3.30 p.m. Learn how to make drinking water (make a device to collect or purify water)

- 4.30 p.m. Learn how to make homemade weapons (bows, arrows, harpoons, traps, etc.) and reminder of the regulations on trapping and hunting

- 5.30 p.m. Departure for an expedition: if there is time - gathering edible plants and fruits, learning hunting and fishing techniques, collecting edible insects, setting traps, etc.

- 6.30 p.m. Meal around the fire made up entirely of the fruits of the afternoon's fishing, hunting and gathering

- 8 p.m. Evening meal: stories, impressions, group cohesion, reminders of the various techniques learnt during the day, then recognition of the different constellations to learn how to find your bearings with the stars

- 10.30 p.m. Bedtime

Day 3

- 7 a.m. Wake up

- 7.30 a.m. Departure for an expedition: collecting plants and insects and collecting the water distilled the day before

- 8.30 a.m. Lunch around the fire: stories, impressions of the night, group cohesion, reminder of the various techniques learnt, followed by an introduction to first aid and making a stretcher

- 9.30 a.m. Introduction to recognising forest animal footprints

- 10.30 a.m. Camp breaks up: tidying up the site and raising awareness of respect for the environment

- 11 a.m. Departure from the bivouac: orienteering in the wilderness with map and compass

- 1.30 p.m. Return to the gîte: meal (tartiflette or other), shower, comfort, debriefing, etc.

- 4.30 p.m. End of the course

Material to be provided:

- a backpack
- a floor mat
- a sleeping bag
- a hiking outfit
- a spare pair of socks
- a raincoat, a pair of gloves, a hat
- a water bottle or flask of waterplastic water
- a bowl, a spoon and a glass (preferably metal)
- a headlamp
- a pair of sunglasses
- a knife
- a rubbish bag
- soap, towel and tap dance for the gîte

Cameras, GoPro and SIM-free phones are permitted.