Backpacking Course
The Essentials of Backpacking
The Essentials of Backpacking course will bridge the gap between day trips and experiencing the wilderness overnight.
- Thu, Mar 6, 2025 - Thu, Oct 30, 2025
- Committee: Olympia Hiking & Backpacking Committee
- Members: $125.00 Guests: $140.00
- Availability: 30 (30 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
Learn all you need to be safe and efficient while backpacking on weekend or multiday trips in the Pacific Northwest. You will learn about planning, gear, tips and tricks to help make overnights comfortable in the wilderness. This course is for all adults.
Students are encouraged to have completed Wilderness Skills or Hiking Skills or the equivalent. Learn about appropriate gear, trip planning, on the trail tips, food, safety, and other tips and tricks. Each student will participate in one of the overnight backpacks lead by one of the course instructors. There will be several trips offered over the summer and early fall. During the summer months, backpacking trips will be offered on the Mountaineers backpacking activity page for both adults and families to participate in. They will be designed to help you use the skills from class, as well as continual growth. These are not a required part of the course, but we hope that you will participate in them.
Scholarships are available.
Badges you will earn:
Backpacking Course
| Course Activity | Date | Availability | Leader |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essentials of Backpacking Show Us Your Gear | |||
| Lions Park, Olympia |
Thu, Apr 10, 2025
Registration closed Mar 3
|
30
participants
8 instructors
|
|
| Essentials of Backpacking Field Trip | |||
| Lake Sylvia State Park/Montesano City Forest |
Sat, Apr 26, 2025 -
Sun, Apr 27, 2025 Registration closed Mar 6
|
20
participants
10 instructors
|
|
Low Impact Recreation
Stewardship Credit
HOW TO REGISTER FOR THIS COURSE
- Click the register button.
- Pay the fee.
- Register for the in person Lecture, the two online classes, gear demo field trip "Gearapalooza," show us your gear day, and the group campout field trip.
- Before signing up for this course please be sure you have access to adequate transportation. Lack of access to adequate transportation will not be considered a sufficient reason to refund the course fee.
HOW TO GRADUATE FROM THIS COURSE
Students who attend the course lecture, the gear demo field trip, and the Lake Sylvia Backpack will earn the Backpacking Course Badge.
In addition students must complete:
- the one-hour E-Learning Course: Low Impact Recreation Skills
- participate in at least one stewardship activity to earn Stewardship Badge
- Students have up to two years to complete the graduation requirements. In addition students will have the opportunity to earn the Basic Backpacking Skills Badge by successfully completing one additional Mountaineers backpacking trip.
EQUIPMENT COST:
Backpacking gear is an investment. This course will equip you with the knowledge to select the gear that will best suit your budget and your style of backpacking.
Our course focuses on providing a range of options so that you can make wise purchases the first time. Experienced day hikers venturing into backpacking that have adequate clothing and 10 Essentials can expect to spend upwards of $700 to $800 or more for a basic backpacking gear set up. New backpackers with very little gear can expect to spend about double depending on their gear selection. NOTE: please do not worry about gear! We will help you make the right choices for you to get outdoors.
- You can reduce your investment by checking out backpacking gear from the Mountaineers Gear Library in Seattle or inquiring with your local REI store about rental options.
- There may be options to borrow over night gear: tent/sleep pad/backpack/stove.
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