Trip
Bellingham, WA
Education, Mountain Biking
Questions? Let us help! Call us at
1-866-386-1590
1-866-386-1590
Ride the world class trails of Galbraith Mountain while learning preventative and emergency first aid management skills adapted specifically for mountain bikers.
Our partners at Backcountry Medical Guides are offering these two wilderness medicine courses so you can explore on your mountain bike with confidence and a greater understanding of best practices for emergency situations. These courses are specifically tailored for mountain bikers. Join us in beautiful Bellingham, Washington for this unique guided experience.
WFA - The Wilderness First Aid For Mountain Bikers course covers the essentials of wilderness and emergency medicine, tailored to injuries and scenarios most common in mountain biking. You’ll spend a combined 13 hours on-trail for skills and scenario training, with 4-6 hours of self-paced precourse work issued 4 weeks prior to the course. Practice treating life threats, stabilizing injuries, and evaluating and managing medical and environmental hardships.
WFR - This program is a first-of-its-kind Wilderness First Responder designed specifically for active mountain bikers. You’ll learn to plan, risk manage, respond to emergencies, and make important evacuation decisions in familiar yet challenging environments. The net result is a professional-grade education that will allow you to go further with the skills and confidence needed to “adventure well.” Join us on the renowned trails of beautiful Bellingham, WA for this special offering.
WFA - The Wilderness First Aid For Mountain Bikers course covers the essentials of wilderness and emergency medicine, tailored to injuries and scenarios most common in mountain biking. You’ll spend a combined 13 hours on-trail for skills and scenario training, with 4-6 hours of self-paced precourse work issued 4 weeks prior to the course. Practice treating life threats, stabilizing injuries, and evaluating and managing medical and environmental hardships.
WFR - This program is a first-of-its-kind Wilderness First Responder designed specifically for active mountain bikers. You’ll learn to plan, risk manage, respond to emergencies, and make important evacuation decisions in familiar yet challenging environments. The net result is a professional-grade education that will allow you to go further with the skills and confidence needed to “adventure well.” Join us on the renowned trails of beautiful Bellingham, WA for this special offering.
Please click your preferred course and dates to view specific itineraries.
Select Your Trip
Select Your Trip
Itinerary
WFA/WFR-R Itinerary
Note that the itinerary is subject to change due to inclement weather, unsafe route conditions, determined in the guide’s best judgement, or any other reasons beyond our control.
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1
Day 1:
Galbraith Mountain: 9:00AM- 4:00PM
Ride: 7-10 miles, 900 feet vertical, ‘Intermediate’
Trails: SST
We’ll meet at the Whatcom Falls Pump Track at 9:00AM for check in, CPR skills lab, and Risk Management Labs. We’ll hop onto our bikes and head down the SST Mountain Bike Trail on Galbraith Mountain, stopping for skills and scenario practice. Around noon, there is a trailside lunch break before the afternoon, when we will continue riding with intermittent stops for trauma skills and scenario practice. The day wraps up around 4:00PM +/- 30 minutes. -
2
Day 2:
Galbraith Mountain: 9:00AM- 4:00PM
Ride: 7-10 miles,
Trails: Bob's and SST
Meet at the Whatcom Falls Pump Track for another day training on the world class trails of Galbraith Mountain. The course meets again at 9:00AM and finishes back at the lot at 4:00PM +/- 30 minutes.
Trip Package Includes
- WFA or WFR (depending on your choice of course) certification good for 2 years
- CPR: AED Adult/ Child/ Infant, valid for 2 years
- Professional guiding and instruction
- Manual with lecture notes
- Pre-course learning
- 20% off service and 10% off rental at evo Seattle store
- 20% discount code at evo.com (exclusions apply)
Not Included
- Airfare
- Transportation to and from the trailhead
- Hotel accommodations
- Meals
- Personal gear (Such as a mountain bike)
- Guide gratuities
- Travel insurance (we recommend World Nomads)
Area Information
Bellingham
Nestled in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, 30 miles from the Canadian border, Bellingham, Washington has recreation opportunities in all directions. Between the North Cascades beautiful peaks, the town’s abundant trails, or Bellingham’s waterfront and island access, outdoor recreation is a cornerstone of this vibrant community.
Gallery
Gallery
FAQ
FAQ
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What if I need to cancel?
Before 1 month of the start of the event students receive a 75% refund, excluding 25% deposit. Between 1 month and 2 weeks students receive a 50% refund. Within 2 weeks of the course students will not receive a refund, however 50% of course fees can be applied towards additional BMG programs. Any cancellations made by Backcountry Medical Guides will result in a full refund (including 25% deposit) or transfer to an available course of equal value. -
Where is the course located?
These courses are located near Bellingham, WA. BMG will send you detailed instructions on where to meet the group. -
I need local accommodations. Do you have recommendations?
Camping is available at Larrabee State Park. Airbnb, and hotel / motel accommodations are plentiful. -
What COVID-19 policies do you have in place?
Anyone attending a BMG Course is required to have a COVID-19 Vaccine. In accordance with Backcountry Medical Guides’ duty to mitigate and maintain an environment that limits known or avoidable risk and hazards, we have adopted this new policy to safeguard the health of our employees and their families, our customers and students, and the community at large from infectious diseases due to Covid -19. This policy will comply with all applicable laws and is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health authorities, as applicable. We will continue to monitor the situation surrounding covid and adjust our policy as needed with guidance from the CDC and local policies. -
What are the prerequisites to participate in this course?
There are no prerequisites for these courses. -
How physically fit do I have to be for this course?
This program is designed to be highly experiential. Thus, students will be expected to be comfortable riding 10+ miles through intermediate terrain, and both ascend and descend 1000 feet. For skills practice you will need to be able to get on and off the ground, squat, and lift the weight of your bike. -
Who are the guides?
Andrew Trimakas- Paramedic Mike Wallace, MD: Pursuing his passion for medicine, his journey continued to medical school after two years of adventure traveling through the South Pacific and Europe. Mike spent the next chunk of his life skiing the Wasatch and biking the Utah desert while training in Emergency and Wilderness Medicine. He now works as an ER physician in Bellingham, WA.
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Are rentals available?
Not through BMG. However mountain bikes can be rented at evo Seattle for 10% off. -
What if I need to change the dates of my trip?
Participants are allowed to transfer to a different course if done so 1 month or more, prior to the start date of the originally registered course. To transfer there is a $40 non-refundable transfer fee. Only one transfer is allowed per registration and absolutely no refunds will be granted after the transfer. For transfers made after 1 month before the original registered course date, 50% of course fees can be used to transfer into a different course. Participants will be liable to pay the remaining balance after 50% of course fees have been applied to the course. -
When and how do I meet up with the group?
You will receive detailed instructions regarding when and how to meet the group from BMG. -
What is the maximum number of guests on the trip? Is there a minimum number of guests needed to run the course?
There are a maximum of 12 guests for this course. The guest:guide ratio is 6:1, with groups of 12 being split into 2 groups due to COVID. The minimum number of guests required to run the course is 8. -
Is there a minimum age required for this trip?
You must be 14 years or older to attend the WFA course. You must be Ages 18+, or 14+ with a registered guardian chaperone for the WFR course. -
Is transportation provided?
Transportation is not provided
Testimonials
A destination near you
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Trip
Questions? Let us help! Call us at
1-866-386-1590
1-866-386-1590
Select Your Trip
Itinerary
Wilderness First Aid
Note that the itinerary is subject to change due to inclement weather, unsafe route conditions, determined in the guide’s best judgement, or any other reasons beyond our control.
-
1
Day 1:
Larrabee State Park: 9:45AM- 4:30PM
Ride: 7-10 miles, 900 feet vertical, ‘Intermediate’
Trails: Interurban, Fragrance Lake Road, Two Dollar
We’ll meet at South Whatcom Fire Station 18 at 9:45AM for check in, CPR skills lab, and Risk Management Labs. We’ll hop onto our bikes and head down the Interurban Trail to Larrabee State Park, stopping for skills and scenario practice. Around noon, there is a trailside lunch break before the afternoon, when we will ascend up the Fragrance Lake Trail (900 feet vertical) with intermittent stops for trauma skills and scenario practice. Typically we descend via the Two Dollar trail. The day wraps up around 4:30PM +/- 30 minutes. -
2
Day 2:
Galbraith Mountain: 9:45AM- 4:30PM
Ride: 7-10 miles,
Trails: Towers (South Side Approach), Unemployment Line, Atomic Dog
Switch gears and meet at the Samish Road Parking Lot for a day training on the world class trails of Galbraith Mountain. The course meets again at 9:45AM and finishes back at the lot at 4:30PM +/- 30 minutes.
A destination near you
Coming Soon
Trip
Questions? Let us help! Call us at
1-866-386-1590
1-866-386-1590
Select Your Trip
A destination near you
Coming Soon
Trip
Questions? Let us help! Call us at
1-866-386-1590
1-866-386-1590
Select Your Trip
A destination near you
Coming Soon
Trip
Questions? Let us help! Call us at
1-866-386-1590
1-866-386-1590
Select Your Trip
Itinerary
Wilderness First Responder Course
Note that the itinerary is subject to change due to inclement weather, unsafe route conditions, determined in the guide’s best judgement, or any other reasons beyond our control.
-
1
Day 1:
Larrabee State Park: 9:45AM- 4:30PM
Ride: 7-10 miles, 900 feet vertical, ‘Intermediate’
Trails: Interurban, Fragrance Lake Road, Two Dollar
We’ll meet at South Whatcom Fire Station 18 at 9:45AM for check in, CPR skills lab, and Risk Management Labs. We’ll hop onto our bikes and head down the Interurban Trail to Larrabee State Park, stopping for skills and scenario practice. Around noon, there is a trailside lunch break before the afternoon, when we will ascend up the Fragrance Lake Trail (900 feet vertical) with intermittent stops for trauma skills and scenario practice. Typically we descend via the Two Dollar trail. The day wraps up around 4:30PM +/- 30 minutes. -
2
Day 2:
Galbraith Mountain: 9:45AM- 4:30PM
Ride: 7-10 miles,
Trails: Towers (South Side Approach), Unemployment Line, Atomic Dog
Switch gears and meet at the Samish Road Parking Lot for a day training on the world class trails of Galbraith Mountain. The course meets again at 9:45AM and finishes back at the lot at 4:30PM +/- 30 minutes. -
3
Day 3:
Chuckanut Mountains: 8:30AM - 5:30PM
Ride: 6-12 miles, 900 feet vertical, intermediate and advanced terrain and trail options
Trail Options: Burnout Rd. gravel climb, Hemlock, Raptor Ridge, Salal, Double Down, Two Dollar
We’ll meet at either the North Chuckanut Mountain trailhead or the North Lost Lake Trailhead. -
4
Day 4:
Chuckanut Mountains: 8:30AM - 5:30PM
Ride: 6-12 miles, 900 feet vertical, intermediate and advanced terrain and trail options
Trail Options: Burnout Rd. gravel climb, Hemlock, Raptor Ridge, Salal, Double Down, Two Dollar
We’ll meet at either the North Chuckanut Mountain trailhead or the North Lost Lake Trailhead. -
5
Day 5:
Galbraith Mountain South Side: 8:30AM- 5:30PM
Ride: 7-10 miles
Trail Options: Huff & Puff, Whoopsie Woodle, Pump Track, Lair of the Bear, Atomic Dog
Day 5:
Galbraith Mountain South Side: 8:30AM- 5:30PM
Ride: 7-10 miles
Trail Options: Huff & Puff, Whoopsie Woodle, Pump Track, Lair of the Bear, Atomic Dog
Meet at the South Side Parking Lot on S. Samish Way for another day training on the world class trails of Galbraith Mountain. The course meets again at 8:30AM and finishes back at the lot at 5:30PM
Trip Package Includes
- WFA or WFR (depending on your choice of course) certification good for 2 years
- CPR: AED Adult/ Child/ Infant, valid for 2 years
- Professional guiding and instruction
- Manual with lecture notes
- Pre-course learning
- 20% off service and 10% off rental at evo Seattle store
- 20% discount code at evo.com (exclusions apply)
Not Included
- Airfare
- Transportation to and from the trailhead
- Hotel accommodations
- Meals
- Personal gear (Such as a mountain bike)
- Guide gratuities
- Travel insurance (we recommend World Nomads)
A destination near you
Coming Soon
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