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Be sure to check out the
Backpacking Building
Blocks (B3) Series!
Here are all of
our Hikes.
Here are all of
our Backpack
trips.
Here are all of
our Snow
Shoe trips.
Minimum Snow
Shoe Standards.
Hiking & Backpacking
The Hiking Committee is
made up of Mountaineers
members interested
in hiking and backpacking. Our featured program in 2013 is the
Backpacking Building Blocks (B3) Series.
The PCT Series, sponsored by the
Foothills Branch in 2010-2012, will not again be offered in 2013.
Instead the Hiking & Backpacking Committee is focusing on
development of the
new Backpacking Building Blocks course. While
a special Pacific Crest Trail Series course is no longer available,
the Foothills Branch is committed to remaining the Mountaineers home
of and the champion of the PCT.
We will continue to provide
hiking and backpacking opportunities involving segments of the PCT
in Washington and Oregon as part of our branch's "regular" hiking
and backpack activity postings. And we also hope to continue to
offer car-camping weekends involving the opportunity to hike on two
adjacent segments of the PCT, along with offering opportunities for
club members to assist the PCT Association with trail maintenance
work in the central Cascades. In addition, our new backpacking
course will likely include several backpacking trips on the PCT.
The Foothills Branch love affair with the beauty and uniqueness
of the PCT lives on.
Many of us seek the
solitude of the wilderness, while others are
interested in great views. Still others like the challenge and fitness
that comes from hiking back country trails.
To lead hikes for the
Foothills Branch, hike leaders must attend a hike
leader orientation course and lead one hike mentored by an experienced
hike leader.
Becoming a Hike Leader
The Hiking Committee:
The Hiking Committee is a
group of volunteers who
teach hiking-related
courses, some are hike & backpacking leaders, and promote safety
and fun among
Mountaineer hike participants.
Committee Members:
Chair Person: Steve LeBrun,
stevelebrun@comcast.net
The following Courses are
offered by the Hiking Committee.
- First Aid Course (AFA)
- New
Hiker's
Orientation
-
Equipment,
clothing,
boots,
Ten
Essentials, safety, trip planning and more.
- Hike
Leader
Orientation
-
Skills
to
organize
and
lead hikes.
- Intro
to
Backpacking
-
(Short
weekend
Backpacks)
- Lightweight
Hiking
&
Backpacking
Hikes & Backpacks:
Choose a hike for your
level of fitness and interest.
The Hiking &
Backpacking Committee offers a variety of hikes.
The surest way to a bad
experience with the Mountaineers is to sign up
for a hike beyond your capabilities. Start small and work your way up
to longer and more difficult hikes. Remember, almost all Mountaineer
hikes have some elevation gain. So if you are not accustomed to hiking
in mountainous terrain start with a short distance and low elevation
gain. If hiking is a social activity, sign up for leisurely paced
hikes. If hiking is your way of getting a good workout, try faster
paced hikes.
Hiking Committee Policies
Who is eligible to go on
hikes & backpacks with the Mountaineers
Foothills Branch?
- Mountaineer members
- Guests may go on 2
hikes per year, but must have a singed waiver on
file.
- Everyone is
responsible for being at the appropriate level of
conditioning, wearing adequate clothing and having essential gear.
- Pets are not allowed
on Mountaineer hikes unless listed as “Hikes
with dogs”.
How do I sign up for a
hike?
The best way is to view
hike listings and sign up on the main
Mountaineers web site. To view Foothills Branch hikes, chick on
“Hikes”. To view other branch hikes go to the main web site:
www.mountainers.org and select activity search.
Carpooling to the hike
trail head is encouraged.
Cancellations - Please
cancel at least two days before the hike.
What equipment do I need?
The following equipment
is required on all Foothills Branch hikes:
1.
The
Ten
Essentials
2.
Daypack
3.
Food
and
water.
4.
Sturdy
boots
and
clothing
suitable
for
the
destination, weather and length of hike.
For addition information
on Foothills Branch hikes, please send e-mail
to
stevelebrun@comcast.net
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