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 three (3) aspiring backpack leaders per Mentor, each group/SIG having one or more experienced leader/mentor.  The course will take place during the period April to end of June (to allow everyone to be ready to start leading 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.  
• One instructional backpack trip with your leader-mentor and upto five fellow students (aspiring backpack leaders).  See options below.  Students can request a trip, but may need to be flexible to accommodate all participants.  Two trip options are currently available (see registration tabs below).
  • Geyser Valley April 12-13
  • Duckabush May 31-June 1st
  • A third trip to Suiattle River will open if student demand dictates

 In addition to the two set course elements shown above (Introduction lecture and Instructional Trip), student/mentees are required to attend one more backpack trips to complete the course--their Mentored-led trip. In the Backpack Mentored-led trip the student will be incharge 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 these 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.  

In addition to the three backpack trips listed above students who want to earn a Backpack Leaders Badge will need to complete:

• The Wilderness First Aid Course --additional fee
• A Navigation Course (either Staying Found for on-trail navigation or Wilderness Navigation for off-trail navigation) --additional fee
• The New Hike, Urban Walk and Backpack Leader Seminar (an evening online interactive lecture)

These three items are completed outside this course and are offered frequently throughout  the year. However they do fill up fast as they are required for leaders' badges in multiple Mountaineers activities.  The New Hike, Urban Walk and Backpack Leaders Seminar should be completed before the student leads their mentored trip and the other two courses need to be completed by  Sept. 1st of this year--hopefully earlier so you can gain your badge and begin leading some trips this summer.  

An application is required and subsequent permission granted to join this course (see and use the "Application Required" tab on the right side-bar).  Applicants need to demonstrate basic backpacking proficiency and have completed at least two Mountaineers backpacking trips.  Please state in your application your explicit interest in this course.  I will review the applications and then reach out to each applicant.  If you have questions about your readiness or general questions emailed to me are also welcome-- rob98166@yahoo.com

For those given permission for the course--you will need to register for three items: The Course, the lecture and one of the field trips.

Trip leading with the Mountaineers has been a really great experience for me.  My hope is this course could be a gateway for others taking up this most important service to our Mountaineers community.  Rob  Erickson, Course Leader