Backpacking Course
Introduction to Backpacking
Hands on course for new backpackers that includes two lectures, a gear practice/review session and two overnight backpacking trips: one student field trip and one additional trip of your choice.
- Info
- COVID-19: Learn about our most up-to-date guidance for participants and leaders on our COVID-19 Response page. All participants and leaders must agree to the COVID-19 Code of Conduct before participating in this Mountaineers course.
Contacts
- Tue, Apr 6, 2021 - Thu, Sep 30, 2021
- Committee: Tacoma Hiking & Backpacking Committee
- Members: $115.00 Guests: $125.00
- Availability: 8 (24 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
If you are new to backpacking or perhaps a returning backpacker who has not been out for some time, this course will prepare you to safely and confidently enjoy overnight or multiple day routes. Experienced leaders will provide instruction and coaching on:
- Basics of trip planning and route selection
- Gear -how to select without going broke, and how to use it
- Nutrition and Fitness
- Leave No Trace wilderness ethics
- and much more
Requirements to complete the course include:
- Attend both lectures and the gear practice day session
- Take two qualifying overnight backpacking trips
- Earn the Low Impact Recreation Badge by viewing the online video
- Earn the Stewardship Badge by completing one stewardship activity
Registration Instructions:
- Register for both online lectures.
- Register for only one of the six gear practices according to your availability. Gear practice trip leaders may change as the dates approach.
- Field trips will not open for registration until April 7th (see below)
- Field trip registration instructions:
- April 7th-13th: Registration for field trips opens to students. Please only register for one field trip.
- April 14th: You may register for additional field trips.
- April 19th: Field trips will be opened to general club registration to fill the remaining spaces.
Optional: Fitness for Hiking and Backpacking - Online Classroom. A Zoom session to help you get in shape at home for Hiking & Backpacking on March 18, 2021 @ 6:30pm
Badges you will earn:
Basic Backpacking Skills
Backpacking Course
| Course Activity | Date | Availability | Leader |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intro to Backpacking Lecture 1 | |||
| Online Classroom |
Tue, Apr 6, 2021
Registration closes Mar 30
|
8
participants
3 instructors
|
|
| Intro to Backpacking Lecture 2 | |||
| Online Classroom |
Tue, Apr 13, 2021
Registration closes Mar 30
|
8
participants
3 instructors
|
|
| Gear Practice Day | |||
| Owen Beach |
Sat, Apr 24, 2021
Registration closes Mar 30
|
0
participants
0 instructors
|
|
| Owen Beach |
Sat, Apr 24, 2021
Registration closes Mar 30
|
1
participant
0 instructors
|
|
| Owen Beach |
Sat, Apr 24, 2021
Registration closes Apr 22
|
6
participants
0 instructors
|
|
| Owen Beach |
Sun, Apr 25, 2021
Registration closes Mar 30
|
4
participants
0 instructors
|
|
| Owen Beach |
Sun, Apr 25, 2021
Registration closes Apr 23
|
4
participants
0 instructors
|
|
| Owen Beach |
Sun, Apr 25, 2021
Registration closes Apr 23
|
5
participants
0 instructors
|
|
| Intro to Backpacking Field Trip (optional) | |||
| Dosewallips River Road Trail |
Sat, May 1, 2021 -
Sun, May 2, 2021 Registration opens Apr 7; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
1 instructor
|
|
| Ancient Lake |
Sat, May 8, 2021 -
Sun, May 9, 2021 Registration opens Apr 7
|
7
participants
|
|
| Second Beach |
Sat, May 15, 2021 -
Sun, May 16, 2021 Registration opens Apr 7
|
7
participants
|
|
| Ipsut Creek Camp |
Sat, May 22, 2021 -
Sun, May 23, 2021 Registration opens Apr 7; Instructor registration open now
|
3
participants
1 instructor
|
|
| Duckabush River |
Sat, Jun 12, 2021 -
Sun, Jun 13, 2021 Registration opens Apr 7
|
5
participants
|
|
| Packwood Lake |
Thu, Jun 17, 2021 -
Fri, Jun 18, 2021 Registration opens Apr 7; Instructor registration open now
|
3
participants
1 instructor
|
|
| Navaho Pass |
Sat, Jul 10, 2021 -
Sun, Jul 11, 2021 Registration opens Apr 7
|
5
participants
|
|
| Pete Lake |
Fri, Jul 30, 2021 -
Sat, Jul 31, 2021 Registration opens Apr 7; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
1 instructor
|
|
| Gem Lake |
Sat, Aug 7, 2021 -
Sun, Aug 8, 2021 Registration opens Apr 7
|
7
participants
|
|
| Indian Heaven |
Fri, Aug 20, 2021 -
Sun, Aug 22, 2021 Registration opens Apr 7; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Low Impact Recreation
Stewardship Credit
The lectures will be held via Zoom. Students will need a device with internet access to attend the lectures, a full-size screen is recommended in order to best view the content.
There are no other gear requirements for the lectures, but there are gear requirements for the Gear Practice Day Hikes. Gear requirements will be covered in detail at Lecture 1, giving students ample time to prepare.
| Name/Description |
|---|
| Introduction to Backpacking Manual 2017 Manual for backpacking that includes much of the presentation material but not all; plus some additional material not covered in class |
| Mountaineers Trips |
| Sample Food List |
| Sample Gear List |
| Lecture 1-Intro to Backpacking 2020 |
| Lecture 2-Intro to Backpacking 2020 |
| Graduation Application-Intro to Backpacking 2020 MS Word Doc |
| Graduation Application-Intro to Backpacking 2020-PDF Use either the MS Word doc or the PDF - whichever format is most compatible with your system |