Backpack Leaders' Badge Course - Foothills

Note:  This course is sponsored by the Foothills Branch--Backpacking Committee and is intended for those backpackers that desire/are planning to lead backpack trips through our branch.  If you have a preference to lead for/or clear affiliation with, another Mountaineers Branch, please contact that branch regarding training options there.

This course will be organized around groups of up to four (4) aspiring backpack leaders, each group/SIG having an experienced leader/mentor.  The course will take place during the period March to end of June 2026 (to allow everyone to be ready to start leading trips in the most active backpacking season) and will include two elements that need to be registered for as part of enrolling in the course:

• An introductory zoom lecture that will covering the policies, processes and expectations involved in being a Mountaineers backpack leader as well the particularities and requirements of this course.  Scheduled for March 24th
• One instructional backpack trip with your leader-mentor and up to 3 fellow students (aspiring backpack leaders).  Field trip options will be forthcoming and offered in April and May.  Students can request a trip, but may need to be flexible to accommodate all students.

 In addition to the two set course elements shown above, student/mentees are required to do a Mentored-led trip where they are in-charge of all planning, posting, communication, vetting and trip leading. The SIG's Instructor/Mentor will accompany and be overseeing/observing each Mentee as they lead.  These trips will be "open trips'--all Mountaineers members that qualify are allowed to participate.   Trip allowed size will be a minimum of eight.  All members of that SIG can also come on any of the trips if they desire.  So in summary, students will need to attend  a minimum of two backpack trips total. One instructional trip with their SIG and one as the Primary Leader doing the Mentored trip.  All these trips, including the Mentored trip need to completed by June 30, 2026 unless their Instructor/Mentor grants an exception.

Beyond doing your Mentored-led Trip via/during this course, students wishing to gain their full Backpack Leaders Badge will need to complete a  Wildness First Aid Course and a Navigation Course (either on-trail or off-trail versions).  These are completed outside of this course and are offered frequently throughout the year, but do fill up fast as they are required for all leader's badges in all activities.  These two need not be completed by the start of the course, but the students need to have registered for these and planned to complete them by  Sept. 1st of this year--hopefully earlier so you can lead some trips in prime season.

Please contact Rob Erickson, Course Leader, for any questions and/or permission to join this course.