June 8 - 13, 2025*
*Summiting Mt. Shasta adds two additional days (optional)
6 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS from $2,395
8 DAYS / 8 NIGHTS from $3,545
Including Mt. Shasta Ascent
Trip Highlights
The 27th Annual Wilderness Medicine Skills Course at a spectacular riverside location, with 16 CME credits
Enjoy four days of whitewater rafting on three of California's finest rivers. Learn to guide a raft, or just paddle and enjoy!
An emphasis on hands-on skills training and scenarios led by renowned instructor Howard Donner, MD
Practice wilderness survival skills, navigation, and river rescue. Learn how to kayak, stand-up paddleboard, and more!
Savor delicious farm-to-table meals prepared by Chef Lauren! Unwind with riverside wine tasting and happy hour
Learn snow travel & self rescue skills, then summit majestic 14,180 ft. Mount Shasta (optional)
Welcome to The Premier Skills Course in Wilderness Medicine
This highly-acclaimed course is designed for clinicians from all specialties (physicians, PAs, NPs, nurses, and medics) who want to learn state-of-the-art wilderness medicine, survival, and wilderness travel skills in a spectacular outdoor setting. Non-medical guests (at least 13 years old) are welcome to participate in the course to whatever extent they’d like - and their recurring feedback is also very positive.
The CME lectures (16 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits) include exciting demos, interactive workshops, and patient scenarios. Learn from leaders in the field of wilderness medicine including Howard Donner, MD.
Participants will experience four days of whitewater rafting on some of the country's finest rivers and savor delicious farm-to-table meals crafted by Chef Lauren. There's also an optional challenge to summit the breathtaking Mt. Shasta at 14,180 ft.
Wilderness & Expedition Medicine Skills Include:
- Hypothermia, frostbite, heat illness, and altitude illness
- Field management of wounds, fractures, dislocations, and sprains including reduction and improvised splinting techniques
- Snake envenomations, wilderness ENT problems
- Backcountry evacuation, improvised carries, packaging, and litters
- Waterborne illness/disinfection
- Patient assessment in an austere/wilderness setting
- Preparing a medical kit for travel, adventures, and expeditions
Wilderness Survival & Travel Skills Include:
- Fire starting, shelter building, signaling, attaining water
- Ropes & knots for survival and rescue
- Blister prevention and treatment
- Whitewater rafting skills and cold-water immersion
- Flood and swift-water crossing techniques
- Wilderness rescue, communications, emergencies in airplanes
- Basic mountaineering, ice axe, and snow travel skills (optional, taught by SWS Mountain Guides)
Where does this course take place?
Your home for the course is Paradise Point, a private 20-acre riverside retreat surrounded by the rugged Mt. Shasta, Marble Mountains, and Siskiyou Wilderness areas of N. California. It is an ideal location for whitewater rafting on some of America's finest rivers. All delicious meals and drinks (wine, beer, non-alcoholic drinks) are included!
Despite its secluded wilderness location, traveling to Paradise Point is easy. We recommend flying into Medford Airport (MFR) which is a well-connected regional hub that's a relatively short drive away (rent a car, or inquire about an optional round-trip shuttle service).
Non-medical professional family and guests (at least 13 years old) welcome!
Itinerary Snapshot
Wilderness Medicine & Survial Skills Course
& Whitewater Rafting Adventure
The itinerary below is our planned schedule. However, times are estimates and topics may vary depending on a variety of factors.
DAY 1
10 AM: Introductions and Overview (please arrive anytime before 10 AM). Breakfast snacks available for those arriving early
11:00 AM: High Altitude Illness
12:00 PM: Lunch
1:00 PM: Practical wilderness medicine skills, carries, and packaging
2:30 PM Survival Skills: Emergency Shelter, Fire Building, Priorities
4:00 PM: Happy Hour
5:15 PM: Flood, Switftwater Rescue, and Mechanical Advantage
6:30 PM: Dinner
DAY 2
6:45 AM Optional: Guided Yoga
7:30 AM: Breakfast
8:30 AM: Hypothermia and Cold Water Immersion
9:45 AM: Ropes and Knots for Survival and Rescue
11:00 AM Survival Skills Part 2: Signaling for Rescue, Equipment
12:00 PM: Lunch
1:00 PM: Whitewater rafting on the Klamath River (class III whitewater = moderate, fun) at the base of the Marble Mountains in Northern California. Expect fantastic wildlife and scenery.
4:00 PM: Happy Hour
5:15 PM: Preparing a Medical Kit
6:30 PM: Dinner
7:30 PM Optional: Natural History and Wildlife of the Klamath River Lecture
DAY 3
6:45 AM Optional: Guided Yoga
7:30 AM: Breakfast
8:30 AM: Blisters and Wound Care Management
9:15 AM: Splinting Workshop of Common Ortho/Soft Tissue Injuries
1:00 PM: Vans leave for Whitewater Rafting (lunch on the river) on the Klamath or Clear Creek including fun rapids in a deep canyon with world-class scenery (class III whitewater, river flow dependent).
4:00 PM: Happy Hour and Optional Bean Bag Toss (Cornhole) Tournament!
5:15 PM: Reducing Shoulder Dislocations, Frostbite
6:30 PM: Dinner
7:30 PM Optional: Short Movie Night: I Need to Catch a Fish
DAY 4
6:45 AM Optional: Guided Yoga
7:30 AM: Breakfast
8:30 AM: Heat Illness
9:30 AM: Rescue Communications
11:00 AM: Vans leave for Whitewater Rafting on the Klamath or Clear Creek including fun rapids in a deep canyon with world-class scenery (class III whitewater, river flow dependent). Lunch on the river, swift water crossing practice on the river.
4:00 PM: Happy Hour
5:15 PM: Medical Emergencies in the Air, Water Treatment
6:30 PM: Dinner
DAY 5
6:45 AM Optional: Guided Yoga
7:30 AM: Breakfast
8:30 AM: Patient Assessment and Scenarios
11:00 AM: Vans leave for Whitewater rafting on the breathtaking Salmon River with class III to IV rapids (fun, exciting rapids. River flow dependent).
4:00 PM: Happy Hour and Optional Skills Challenge
6:30 PM: Dinner
Sierra Wilderness Seminars. Includes snow travel, crampons and ice axe, and self-rescue techniques.
DAYS 7-8 (optional): Guided ascent to the summit of awe-inspiring Mt. Shasta (14,180 ft.).
About the Whitewater Rafting during this unique course
This course includes four days of fun and exciting whitewater rafting. Three of the days are on beautiful class II / III sections the Klamath River and the breathtaking Clear Creek. The Klamath and Clear Creek are excellent rivers for all skill levels. These rivers flow through rugged, gorgeous, forested canyons, and each has an abundance of wildlife. For instance, we commonly see bald eagles, osprey, black bears, deer, and river otters.
On the fourth day of rafting, we travel to the nearby Salmon River. Here we experience more challenging class IV whitewater, coupled with crystal clear water in a spectacular rocky gorge. However, if you prefer not to participate in more challenging whitewater, we have an optional itinerary on a fun class II / III section of the Klamath.
Our professional whitewater guides for this trip include two former members of the US National Whitewater Rafting team!
Nearby side trips you can do on your own before or after the Wilderness Medicine and Survival Skills Course!
We raft 3 fantastic rivers on this trip!
Weather and river flow permitting
Klamath River
The Klamath is famous for its beautiful scenery and wildlife! Thus, it is protected as a National Wild & Scenic River. And the Klamath has playful class II-III whitewater which is great for all skill levels.
Clear Creek
Pristine and remote Clear Creek has almost surreal beauty! Here you will experience crystal clear water in a deep bedrock gorge surrounded by lush forest. In addition, frequent and fun class II-III rapids pepper the run.
Salmon River
The Cal Salmon is a whitewater classic! The river flows through a steep, intimate, granite gorge of breathtaking beauty. Here you will experience emerald pools punctuated by frequent exhilarating class III-IV rapids!
Dates & Pricing
The earlier you book, the more choice of available dates you'll have. Prices are based on double occupancy.
Trips include: All meals & drinks, 4 days of whitewater rafting, tent, sleeping pad ($150 discount for participants who bring their own tent/pad)
June 8 - 13, 2025
WTM Intensive Skills Course Only
Medical professionals: $2,395
Adult Guests (Non-medical professionals): $1,795
Guests 13-18 years: $995
$789 Optional CME Cost
(16 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™)
$100 Optional round trip van transfer from MFR airport to Paradise Point
(Participants can also rent a car or bring their own)
Available - Filling Quickly
June 8 - 15, 2025
WTM Intensive Skills Course & Mt. Shasta Climb
Medical professionals: $3,545
Adult Guests (Non-medical professionals): $2,945
Guests 13-18 years: $2,145
$789 Optional CME Cost
(16 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™)
$100 Optional round trip van transfer from MFR airport to Paradise Point
(Participants can also rent a car or bring their own)
Available - Filling Quickly
Questions? Ready to reserve your spot?
Speak to an expert at Bio Bio Expeditions
1-800-246-7238
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Testimonials From Your Colleagues
"Wow! Expectations met and exceeded! The site was perfect. Phenomenal instructors and good human beings. The content of the lectures was interesting and well delivered. The guide staff went out of their way to make sure everything was taken care of and had a smile the entire time they were doing it. Food was delicious and accommodated all diets. Happy hours and desserts were amazing! I couldn't be happier. Thank you :)"
MINDY CHAIREZ, RN (2021 SKILLS COURSE PARTICIPANT)
"Best CME ever! This will be a trip we will remember forever! Awesome itinerary! Wonderful faculty-tops in knowledge! I learned many new things from all of the faculty."
KEN MASON, MD - ANESTHESIOLOGY
"Faculty were all personable and very knowledgeable and fun! I love to listen to them! I loved the hands-on course content. Guide staff was great and very helpful. Excellent meals. Course was very well set up and organized."
Heather Smith, RN
"I couldn't think of anyone better than Howard Donner to teach a course like this. He is a true expert in the field. His lecture style sets the right tone for the week. Howard is truly awesome! Fabulous CME!"
LESLIE CHO, MD - EMERGENCY MEDICINE
"I don't have enough good things to say about this trip. I have already been spreading the word amongst my colleagues."
KURT BITTER, MD
COURSE CONTENT INCLUDES
- Altitude Illness
- Hypothermia
- Frostbite and Other Cold Injuries
- Environmental Heat Illness
- Traveler's Diarrhea, Giardia & Other Waterborne Wilderness Infections
- Surviving the Unexpected Night Out
- Lightning Injuries
- Improvised Medical and Trauma Care
- Management of Fractures and Dislocations
- Preparing for Foreign Travel
- Backcountry Medical Kits
- Wilderness Wound Management
- Patient Assessment in Wilderness Settings
- Wilderness Dermatology
- Marine Hazards & Envenomations
- Snake Envenomation
CME ACCREDITATION INFORMATION
"This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of the Center for Emergency Medical Education and Wilderness and Travel Medicine. The Center for Emergency Medical Education is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians."
The Center for Emergency Medical Education designates this live activity for a maximum of
16 AMA PRA Category 1 CME CreditsTM.
Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
This trip is planned, outfitted and conducted by Bio Bio Expeditions, or subcontractors arranged by Bio Bio Expeditions. Please note that Wilderness and Travel Medicine, LLC is responsible for the CME Educational content only. In addition, Wilderness and Travel Medicine reserves the right to change or substitute the faculty for any CME course without advance or prior notice to participants.
For more information or to register for this trip please call
Bio Bio Expeditions at 1-800-246-7238
UPCOMING CME DESTINATIONS BY DATE
Jan 25 - Feb 1, 2025
Jan 27 - Feb 4, 2025
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Jan 29 - Feb 9, 2025
Japan Ski & Snowboard Adventure
Feb 2 - 8, 2025
Mar 15 - 22, 2025
Apr 2 - 19, 2025
Apr 20 - 30, 2025
April 23 - May 10, 2025
Apr 25 - May 5, 2025
The National Conference on Wilderness Medicine: Santa Fe, NM
May 28 - June 1, 2025
Skills Course Rafting & Mt. Shasta
June 8 - 13, 2025
The National Conference on Wilderness Medicine: Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort, UT
July 26 - July 30, 2025
Deluxe African Safari: Zimbabwe
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Aug 31 - Sept 10, 2025
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Sept 12 - 22, 2025
Sept 18 - 26, 2025
Sept 21 - Oct 5, 2025
Sept 28 - Oct 9, 2025
Oct 5 - 15, 2025
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Oct 12 - 17, 2025
Oct 25 - Nov 7, 2025
Classic Patagonia - Torres Del Paine
Jan 29 - Feb 9, 2026
Apr 20 - 30, 2026