June 11 - 17, 2022 ( June 11-19, if summiting Mt. Shasta, optional )
June 10 - 16, 2023 ( June 10-18, if summiting Mt. Shasta, optional )
7 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS from $1,995
Our staff at 1-800-246-7238 is ready to help
Trip Highlights
The 21st Annual Wilderness Medicine Skills Course at a spectacular riverside location, with 15 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 instructors Howard Donner, MD & Sheryl Olson, RN
Practice wilderness survival skills, navigation, and river rescue. Learn how to kayak, stand-up paddleboard, and more!
Unwind with riverside wine tasting and happy hour. Enjoy delicious meals and campfires under the stars
Learn snow travel & self rescue skills, then summit majestic 14,180 ft. Mount Shasta (optional)
The Premier Skills Course in Wilderness Medicine
This highly-acclaimed course is designed for clinicians from all specialties (physicians, PAs, NPs, nurses, medics) who want to learn state-of-the-art wilderness medicine and survival skills in a spectacular outdoor setting. There will also be a wide variety of hands-on skill-building and patient scenarios to reinforce key concepts.
The CME lectures (15 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits) include exciting demos and interactive riverside workshops. Learn from leaders in the field of wilderness medicine including Howard Donner, MD and Sheryl Olson, RN.
Wilderness & Expedition Medicine Skills Include:
- Management of wounds, fractures, dislocations, and sprains
- Hypothermia, frostbite, heat illness, and altitude illness
- Patient assessment in the wilderness setting
- Evacuation and rescue techniques
- Preparing an effective medical kit for foreign travel
- Many other key skills and common wilderness problems
Wilderness Survival & Travel Skills Include:
- Fire starting, shelter building, signaling
- Orienteering (map/compass, GPS, etc.)
- Whitewater skills and swiftwater crossing
- Ropes and knots for travel and rescue
- Basic mountaineering and snow travel skills (optional)
- Crampons, ice axe, and self-rescue skills (all snow skills are taught on Mt. Shasta by SWS Mountain Guides)
Where does this course take place?
Your home for the course is Paradise Point, a private 20-acre riverside retreat in the rugged Mt. Shasta/Marble Mountains Wilderness areas of Northern California. It is an ideal location for whitewater rafting on some of America's finest rivers. All delicious meals and 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 (please inquire about shuttle service).
Spouses and guests welcome!
Itinerary Snapshot
Wilderness Medicine Skills Course
& Whitewater Rafting Adventure
DAYS 1-2 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.
Workshops / Lectures: Hypothermia, Whitewater Medicine, Useful Ropes and Knots, Snakebites, Altitude Illness, GPS and Compass Navigation.
DAY 3 Whitewater rafting on Clear Creek including fun rapids in a deep canyon with world-class scenery (class III whiteater).
Workshops / Lectures: Wilderness Infectious Diseases, Planning a Wilderness Medical Kit, Splinting of Common Ortho Injuries, Soft Tissue Injuries.
DAY 4 Whitewater rafting on the breathtaking Salmon River with class IV rapids (fun, exciting rapids).
Workshops / Lectures: Planning a Survival Kit / Skills, Frostbite
DAY 5 Wilderness survival/navigation workshops and team survival “olympics” competition. Short hike to our favorite Clear Creek swimmng hole in the afternoon.
Workshops / Lectures: Shallow Water Crossing, Wilderness Eye / ENT Problems, Lightning Injuries and Prevention.
DAY 6 Outdoor workshop on practical wilderness medicine skills, including team patient scenarios.
DAY 7 (optional): All-day outdoor workshop, "Snow School," on basic mountaineering on Mt. Shasta with Sierra Wilderness Seminars. Includes snow travel, crampons and ice axe, and self-rescue techniques.
DAYS 8-9 (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!
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!
Course pricing:
Primary Registrant: $1,995
Adult Guests: $1,495
Guests (13-18 years): $995
Optional CME Fee: $695 (Approved for 15 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits)
Optional Mount Shasta Summit Climb (14,180 ft.) Trip Extension:
June 17-19, 2022: $750 (no previous experience required, includes a required one-day snow skills course)
Questions? Ready to reserve your spot?
Speak to an expert at Bio Bio Expeditions
1-800-246-7238
A few of the publications Bio Bio Expeditions has been featured in:
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
Faculty for the Wilderness Medicine and Survival Skills Course
Howard J. Donner, MD: Co-author of The Field Guide to Wilderness Medicine. Featured in two successful NOVA documentaries including; Deadly Ascent, and the critically acclaimed film: Everest: The Death Zone. Medical operations consultant for NASA for 5 years. Medical advisor for Telluride's Search and Rescue team. Staff physician for the Himalayan Rescue Association for 2 seasons. Began his career as a professional river and mountain guide, now a Certified Flight Instructor and professional skipper. Has advised mountaineers, rescuers, Olympic athletes, pilots and aerospace personnel throughout his career.
Sheryl Olson, RN, BSN: Outdoor Survival and Navigation Instructor, Flight Nurse, Wilderness Safety Instructor, Cruise Ship Nurse, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Kyle Allred, PA: International guide on five continents; Whitewater guide and instructor for over 20 years. Co-founder of MedCram.com Medical Education Videos; Wilderness survival instructor and co-founder of MedWild.com Instructional Videos.
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
15 AMA PRA Category 1 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
June 1 - 5, 2022
Skills Course Rafting & Mt. Shasta
June 11 - 19, 2022
June 12 - 17, 2022
Deluxe African Safari: Zimbabwe
July 29 - Aug 8th, 2022
Sept 1 - 6, 2022
Sept 4 - 14, 2022
Sept 14 - 24, 2022
Sept 20 - Oct 4, 2022
Sept 22 - 30, 2022
Sept 29 - Oct 10, 2022
Fly Fishing for All Levels - Northern California
Oct 9 - 14, 2022
Oct 26 - Nov 6, 2022
Cuba Marine & Havana Experience
Nov 9 - 19, 2022
Jan 20 - 29, 2023
Classic Patagonia - Torres Del Paine
Jan 24 - Feb 4, 2023
Northern Patagonia Adventure
Jan 27 - Feb 4, 2023
Classic Patagonia - Torres Del Paine
Feb 16 - 27, 2023
Mar 25 - Apr 1, 2022
Mar 30 - Apr 16, 2023
Apr 7 - 17, 2023
Apr 20 - May 7, 2023
Skills Course Rafting & Mt. Shasta
June 10 - 18, 2023
June 12 - 18, 2023
Aug 27 - Sept 6, 2023
Sept 1 - 6, 2023
Deluxe African Safari: Zimbabwe
Sept 2 - 12, 2023
Sept 6 - 16, 2023
Sept 9 - 14, 2023
Hiking Tour of Provence
Sept 21 - 29, 2023
Oct 1 - 15, 2023
Oct 16 - 30, 2023
Sept 21 - Oct 2, 2023
Oct 22 - Nov 6, 2023
Oct 8 - 18, 2023