EWES WILDERNESS GUIDE COURSE LEVEL 1 - Main Module
If you have reached this page, you probably liked what yo read on the first page and decided you want to learn more. On this page I will tell you more about the main Module that takes place in Spain and Andorra. I will tell you something about the setup of the module and what my main take aways were. As stated on the main page, I will not go into too much detail, since many of the learnings happen in the unexpected.
BEFORE GOING TO SPAIN
You have to sign up for the course online through the EWES website. When I signed up a few months before the course started, it was already full. Luckily, due to some cancellations, I managed to secure a final spot. After signing up, you’ll be asked to fill out a form detailing your previous outdoor experience. You’ll also have an online call with one of the EWES guides to ensure there’s a good fit between you and the program.If there’s a match, you’ll soon meet your fellow participants through several online meetings. Each meeting introduces one of the many subjects you’ll be learning during the course, ensuring you don’t go in completely unprepared. In addition to these meetings, there are a few things you’ll need to prepare, both individually and as a group. EWES provides a somewhat vague packing list—most likely on purpose—to challenge you in deciding what to bring. Don’t expect EWES to hand you all the details on a silver platter. As a group, you’ll also have to plan and prepare food for the first two weeks, which can be quite a challenge. Everyone has different preferences and dietary needs, making it tricky to find a balance. Even after packing and preparing everything, you’ll probably still feel uncertain. Did I bring enough? Do I have the right gear? Just know that you’ll likely have made some mistakes—but you’ll figure it out along the way, and you’ll be just fine!
THE FIRST TWO WEEKS
For the first two weeks, you’ll stay at the same venue, which offers plenty of opportunities for the instructors to provide optimal training. Every two or three days, a different trainer will arrive to teach a subject they specialize in. One of these trainers will give a wilderness first aid course, for which you’ll receive an official certificate valid for three years. The training sessions will take up the entire day. Before and after training, you’ll need to prepare food. Cooking for large groups using gas burners takes quite a while, so meal prep becomes a significant part of the daily routine.
In the evenings, you’ll also be working on a protocol for the final week, during which you’ll go on a mini-expedition in Andorra. You’ll approach this expedition as if you were guiding it, meaning every safety hazard must be identified, and every turn documented. This requires a lot of time and effort, as you’ll have a heavy workload and little time to complete it—all while working together. Good communication and planning are essential, as tasks must be divided, and evening meetings are needed to align all the work.
You’ll learn a lot from this process. I had never thought so deeply about the safety hazards on my trips before. While it’s impossible to prepare for every risk, it’s valuable to know what to be aware of and how to handle potential dangers.
You’ll have some free time on the weekends when no trainers are around. However, you’ll likely spend most of it finishing the protocol, washing your gear, and doing groceries. During one the weekend days one of the guides still on the venue took a other parcipant and I on a private navigation trip we asked for, which was awesome. In general, it’s best to set aside any expectations of me-time—at least for a while!
THE FINAL WEEK
For the final week, you will move to Andorra. During the first two weeks you have learned a lot about managing groups and taking the lead. In the final week you will put this to practice and learn more about hard skills. You will practice making fires, navigating in the mountains and learn how to properly set up a tarp. You will also be more on the move, exploring the beautiful nature that can be found in Andorra. There is not much more to be said about the final week on this blog. Just know you will be challenged in many ways, both individually and a a group.
AFTER
After three weeks in Spain, you’ll likely be happy to return home and reconnect with familiar faces. Personally, I was ready to reflect on everything I had experienced, especially since there’s little time for self-reflection while on the course due to the lack of personal time. It’s valuable to look back and think about how I responded in more stressful situations, and how stress affected others in the group. One thing I really enjoyed was watching everyone in the group take charge in their own way. It allowed me to see different leadership styles and figure out which one fits me best, while also gaining insight into how these styles can impact you on a personal level. I also felt excited to plan new adventures, feeling more confident in tackling what lies ahead.
Like any trip, it’s hard to put all your good intentions into practice once you’re back home. Surrounded by buildings, and with no wild nature to enjoy where I live, it takes real dedication to avoid slipping back into old habits and neglecting the goals I set for myself during the course. However, these three weeks in Spain taught me a lot about myself and the possibilities that being outdoors offers.
After this trip, I attended the Cold Module in Norway in february 2025. It you want to know more about this module, or if want to go back to main page of the course, click the buttons below!