Patroling Is All About Riding, Become A Backcountry Trail Patroller Today

The Backcountry Trail Patrol Association will be holding its 2012 National Mountain Bike Patrol (NMBP) training on April 21 and 22, at Springvale County Park shop, 3361 MN Hwy. 95, west of Cambridge, Minn. Training will start at 9 a.m. and  include classroom, hands-on and field scenario training. Saturday will be basic NMBP training in patrol procedures, trailside bike repair, communications and trail care.

Sunday will be additional training for those desiring to patrol the CAMBA trails on the Chequamegon National Forest, including US Forest Service safety and risk management, land navigation (map, compass and GPS), emergency survival and basic search and rescue operations. The training is free, and there are no local dues although there are dues for National Mountain Bike Patrol membership and patroller certification.
 
IMBA’s National Mountain Bike Patrol (NMBP) consists of dedicated volunteers partnering with land mangers, landowners and emergency personnel to assist, educate and inform all trail users in order to enhance their recreational experience. The NMBP program organizes and supports more than 60 volunteer bike patrol groups and 600 trained patrollers. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcMTEQhTxsQ&feature=player_embedded

NMBP volunteers:
• Assist in medical and mechanical emergencies
• Educate trail users of proper etiquette
• Inform land managers, land owners and trail users of trail conditions through monitoring efforts
• Work with land managers to maintain and/or gain trail access for mountain bikers
• Offer volunteer medical support at outdoor races and events
• Collaborate with local clubs on trail work days, clinics, group rides and Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day events.

The Backcountry Trail Patrol is an independent, volunteer trail safety, education and assistance organization that provides services to all trail users in the forests and parks of Minnesota and western Wisconsin, through mountain bike patrol in the riding season and x-c ski and snowshoe patrol in the winter.

The Backcountry Trail Patrol is one of the oldest member units of the National Mountain Bike Patrol, and we are affiliated as volunteer partners with the US Forest Service on the Chequamegon-Nicolet (WI) and Chippewa (MN) National Forests, Isanti County Parks Department and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

In the event of really adverse weather conditions, the training will either be rescheduled, or moved to the new Trail Shed at Sand Dunes State Forest in Orrock and we will contact those who have registered accordingly.
 
New Backcountry Trail Patrol members are required to have a minimum of 16 hours of Wilderness First Aid training and current CPR certification.
 
For more information  see their website at: www.trailpatrol.org 

Please register by e-mail no later than April 6, 2012 at:  backcountry@trailpatrol.org.

Article Published: 03-05-2012