New Backpack Leader Seminar - Seattle - Online Classroom

This seminar is for experienced backpackers who are interested in becoming a Seattle Branch backpack leader, especially those who are planning to lead their mentored backpack within the next six months.  It covers information specific to leading Mountaineers backpack trips, which are different from private backpacking trips and from other kinds of Mountaineers trips. Participation in this seminar is a requirement for becoming a backpack leader with the Seattle Branch.

The seminar is led by experienced Mountaineers backpack leaders, and includes scheduled time for small-group scenario discussions and general Q&A.  Please bring your questions, concerns and ideas, and we’ll do our best to address them.  Plan to participate.

If you only want to learn the requirements for becoming a Seattle Backpacking leader, see How to become a Backpack Leader for the Seattle Branch.

This seminar is open to those with the Basic Backpacking Skills badge.  If you are an experienced backpacker who does not yet have that badge, see Basic Backpacking Skills Equivalency.

This seminar is not the same as the New Hike Leader seminar. Nearly all of the topics are unique to backpacking and are not part of the New Hike Leader seminar.  This seminar does not cover day hikes.

Topics

• Mountaineers policies relevant to Backpacking.
• Review of how to become a backpack leader for the Seattle Branch.
• Legal considerations including protection from liability.
• Overview of common destinations for Mountaineers backpacking trips across Washington as well as neighboring states and provinces.
• Conventions for transportation and carpooling.
• Conventions for sharing permit fees, parking fees, and other costs among the group.
• Conventions for canceling a trip.
• Conventions for sharing gear on trips of various lengths.
• Tips for creating and maintaining a compatible group
  • Crafting the trip posting.
  • Vetting participants.
  • Maintaining a positive group dynamic during the trip.
• Using the Mountaineers website before and after a trip.
• When and how to post an Incident Report.
• COVID policies and tips for backpacking.

tbd