Guidelines for Backpacking Trips!

Trip Classifications

Backpacking involves overnight hiking trips and all overnight gear (e.g. tent, stove, sleeping bag, etc.) must be carried by trip participants. Trips are rated according to difficulty level using the following guidelines for daily mileage distance and elevation gain:

(E) Easy: Up to 8 mi. RT, up to 1200' elevation gain
(M) Moderate: Up to 12 mi., 1200'-2500' gain
(S) Strenuous: Up to 14 mi., 2500'-3500' gain
(VS) Very Strenuous: Over 14 mi. and/or more than 3500' gain

Backpacker Responsibilities

Any person who participates in a Mountaineers backpack is expected to assume and fulfill the following responsibilities. The backpacker should:

• Be adequately prepared for the trip selected. This includes bringing along the Ten Essentials and proper gear and equipment for the season, weather and location of the outing.
• Be in physical condition adequate for the trip selected.
• Be a responsible group member and abide by the decisions of the leader or by the consensus of the group.
• Be a responsible carpooler or safe, responsible driver.
• Follow correct procedures for trip sign up, canceling and wait listing.
• Have a signed waiver on file with the Mountaineers before registering for the hike.

Equipment

The Ten Essentials are required on all trips, plus a backpack, sleeping bag, shelter (tent, tarp, bivysack, etc.) adequate food, extra clothing and sturdy hiking boots. Depending on the destination and leader, gear may be shared.

Appropriate Clothing and the Layered Approach

Due to the wet, cold, and unpredictable weather of Washington's mountains and coast, cotton clothing, including jeans, is not considered safe or acceptable on Mountaineer backpacks. Cotton absorbs and retains water (rain, sweat)extremely well, and this contributes to rapid loss of body heat. In turn, this can bring on hypothermia, the lowering of the body's internal temperature. Hypothermia can cause death even in less than extreme weather conditions. There are a number of acceptable substitutes of cotton, including (but not limited to) polyester, nylon, wool, silk, or any number of proprietary versions or blends of these fibers. Examples: CoolMax, Ultimax, MTS and Capilene fabrics for first layer/wicking properties, polyester fleece fabrics such as Polartec and Propile for second and outer layer/insulation; waterproof (coated nylon or equivalent) or waterproof/breathable (Gore-Tex or equivalent) shell layer for protection from wind and rain.

Boots

True hiking boots are recommended for all Mountaineers backpacks (no running shoes, sandals, etc.). They should be all leather or combo leather & Gore-Tex/type (for waterproofness), hi-top (for ankle support), and have a very stiff or lug type sole (for better traction in all conditions). This type of boot is loosely considered "stand" for Mountaineers backpacks, and many leaders may not allow low-top hiking boots. Call the leader about any question of appropriate footwear, if in doubt. Note: if you can bend the boot almost in half (toe to heel) or you can twist the boot more than just a small amount, it is not a true hiking boot and will not provide an adequate level of comfort or safety for many trail conditions.

Backpacking Checklist

Click here for the Backpacking Checklist. It is an excerpt from the backpacking class handout.

Permits and Fees

There are now fee requirements for national forest trails, national park access and state park trails. NWFP - NW Forest pass ($30 annual, $5 day - per vehicle)
SP - State park pass ($5 day - per vehicle)
NPF - National Park fee (Mt Rainier NP/Olympic NP; $30 annual, $10/ 7 day pass - per vehicle)