Introduction to Backpacking

If you are new to backpacking or perhaps a returning backpacker who has been out for some time, this course will prepare you to safely and confidently enjoy overnight or multiple day routes with our experienced backpack leaders.

THIS COURSE INCLUDES:

• One short Welcome Zoom meeting to learn about the course and meet your course leaders.
• One in-person Gear Day, a backpacking school where you'll be immersed in learning through lectures and small group gear demonstrations by our course leaders and experienced instructors at the Tacoma Clubhouse
• One in-person practice camp. For this session you will bring your backpacking gear and practice carrying your loaded pack on a day hike, setting up camp, and cooking with your group. An optional overnight arrangement in a car camping environment is included for students who would like to spend the night to test out their gear setup. The practice camp is now located at Kitsap Forest Theater in Bremerton, WA.
• One goodie bag to get your excitement about backpacking kicked off for the season.

WHAT YOU ALSO GET:

• Resources for choosing gear  before you hit the trail with your overnight gear.
• Learn about Leave No Trace wilderness ethics when backpacking in the backcountry, how to select your gear without going broke, how you use all that new gear, and the basics of trip planning and route selection.
• Opportunities to select as many course backpack trips as you want through September. Most students choose trips through the course to fulfill their graduation requirements, but you can certainly choose more than two.
• Join trips that challenge you mentally and physically to reach your greatest potential and your personal goals.
• Create lasting relationships with other students who are learning or returning to backpacking just like you.
• Access to the backcountry with experienced leaders who enjoy being outside and coaching students to increase their confidence with their outdoor skills. 
• Go to some of the most gorgeous and jaw-droppingly beautiful landscapes Washington has to offer. Camping there makes it even better!

OPTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN MORE!

• Ultralight Backpacking and Thru-Hiking. Learn about how you can incorporate ultralight strategies to improve your backpacking game on April 8.
• Dehydrating Backcountry Food and Snacks. Learn what you need to know about creating and dehydrating your own trail food and snacks in this two-part course with a zoom meeting on April  9 and an in-person workshop on April 16. 
• Backpack Route Planning. In-person clinic for students only where you can gain hands-on experience learning about helpful resources and plan your own backpacking route on May 5.
• Backpacking Food Potluck. Bring your backpacking stove and cook with us at this potluck on May 22. 
• For more opportunities about a variety of topics search backpacking seminars and clinics. These are designed to augment the backpacking program regardless of the hosting branch.

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 gear set up purchased from common outdoor retail stores. New backpackers with very little gear can expect to spend at least $1,500, depending on their gear selection.  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. 

HOW TO REGISTER FOR THIS COURSE

• Click the register button.
• Pay the fee.
• Register for the Welcome Zoom meeting, Gear Day, and the Practice Camp.
• Refunds will not be granted on or after March 11, 2026.
• 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.

SCHOLARSHIPS

The Mountaineers is dedicated to making the outdoors accessible to everyone. We offer gear loans and scholarships to reduce financial barriers. If money is keeping you from getting outside, please apply for a scholarship. If you'd like to help make the outdoors more inclusive, consider making a tax-deductible donation.

HOW TO GRADUATE FROM THIS COURSE

• Attend the Welcome Zoom meeting, Gear Day, and the practice camp.
• Take a minimum of two qualifying overnight backpacking trips: one course backpack trip and one more of your choice.
• Earn the Low Impact Recreation Badge by viewing the online video.
• Earn the Stewardship Badge by completing enough hours to qualify for the badge. This may involve participating in multiple stewardship activities to earn the badge.
• Submit your graduation application to the course leader no later than October 1, 2026. Graduation requirements must be completed no later than this date.

HOW TO CONTACT THE COURSE LEADER

Contact Haley Thompson by email at hlreeves25@gmail.com for questions about the course. I will do my best to respond to you promptly, however, if you do not hear back from me over a weekend, I may be hiking or backpacking and will get back to you as soon as I can.