Backpacking Building Blocks (B3) Course

Backpacking Building Blocks (B3) is a comprehensive season-long course with the objectives to:

WHEN YOU REGISTER FOR THE B3 COURSE, PLEASE ALSO REGISTER FOR EACH OF THE BASICS LECTURES AND THE DEMO DAY AND ANY OF THE OPTIONAL LECTURES YOU ARE INTERESTED IN.   If you can't attend one of the required sessions, email Cheryl Talbert at cascadehiker@earthlink.net to work out how to make up the class.  If your schedule is uncertain and you can't commit to a session at the time you register, you may come back and register later if space is available by clicking on Manage My Registration from the course page.  Space is limited so reserve your spot as soon as you can.  

INTRODUCING MENTOR GROUPS IN 2018! 

In 2018 we will be introducing small mentor groups to the course as an optional component for those who want to join one.  These groups, led by one or more experienced backpack leaders, will be made up of students of similar experience and course objectives who would like some extra personal assistance and encouragement to get started, and/or for people who want to get to know a few others at their same level to feel more comfortable getting started on group trips.  Please complete this required confidential survey  to help us understand your experience and personal objectives in order to assign you to a compatible mentor group.  Then, mentor groups will meet at one or both of our basics lectures to discuss their group's priorities and begin to make plans.  Mentor groups could operate as simply as a discussion forum for questions and advice, or as in-depth as planning gear shopping and backpack trips with their group.  If you prefer not to join a mentor group, please still complete the survey and you will have a chance to opt out after the lectures.

GROUP BACKPACK TRIPS!

Beginning in the early spring, a series of backpacking trips from overnights to 5 days or more will be offered through the summer on the backpacking activity page of the Mountaineers website, progressing in length and strenuousness, to help you get in shape, to expand your multi-day backpacking skills, and to introduce you to our amazing backcountry with experienced Mountaineers leaders and trail companions you will come to know and trust.  These backpack trips are open to all qualified Mountaineers members, but B3 students will get advance notice to allow you to get first-in-line access!

B3 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS:

To graduate, students must complete the Basics classes, 3 backpack trips of which at least one is two nights or more, and at least one trail maintenance trip of at least a day.  One of the three backpack trips can be a private trip as long as the student does the primary planning, supplies and carries their own gear, sets up their own camp and plans-carries-prepares their own trail food; the other two can be any Mountaineers-led backpack.  Trail maintenance trip options will be made available early in the season and signups coordinated to make it easy for students to get involved. 

ARE THERE PRE-REQUISITES TO REGISTER FOR B3?

There are NO badges, experience or fitness requirements to register for B3 - you simply need to be a Mountaineers member with an interest in learning to backpack and the basic physical capabilities to walk a trail with a loaded 25-40 pound overnight pack.  To become a member, go to this link  and scroll down to select the membership type that fits for you.  (If you are signing up with your spouse, you can save some money by creating a Family membership.)   Then you will be taken to a screen  to pay for the membership, and you'll be prompted to fill out information to set up an account.  Once your account is set up you'll be able to register for the course.  

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE to significantly reduce the cost of your membership and registration!  It takes a week or so to be approved, but most applications are granted.  However, you must apply for financial assistance BEFORE you pay for your membership or register for the course - refunds are not available.  To apply for financial assistance for your membership fee, complete and submit the form at this link.  You can still hold your spot in this course while you wait for your application to be processed - to do so, call Mountaineers Member Services at 206-521-6001, explain that you have applied for financial assistance but want to hold a spot in the Backpacking Building Blocks course, and they will save you a spot in the order that requests are received.

WANT TO TAKE YOUR KIDS BACKPACKING?    WANT TO MEET OTHER FAMILIES TO BACKPACK WITH?  We're offering a second year of our very well received Backpacking with Kids course, for parents with some backpacking experience who want to take their children (little ones to teenagers) backpacking. Learn more about planning, on the trail, gear, tips and tricks, etc.  Check it out here!

INTERESTED IN LEADING OR INSTRUCTING FOR B3?   If you love to backpack and have a passion for getting people outdoors safely and/or teaching people new skills, consider joining us as a backpack leader or instructor.  Contact cascadehiker@earthlink.net if you think you might be interested!