Backpacking Course
The Essentials of Backpacking
The Essentials of Backpacking course will bridge the gap between day trips and experiencing the wilderness overnight.
Contacts
- Wed, Jul 1, 2020 - Fri, Sep 18, 2020
- Committee: Olympia Hiking & Backpacking Committee
- Members: $60.00 Guests: $90.00
- Availability: 12 (25 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
You will learn about planning, gear, tips and tricks to help make overnights comfortable in the wilderness.
This course is for all adults. Student will be required to have completed Wilderness Skills or Hiking Skills or the equivalent.
An evening information session for all adults is Wednesday, July 22, 6:00-9:00pm, at The Olympia Friends Meeting Hall. 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.
Badges you will earn:
Backpacking Course
| Course Activity | Date | Availability | Leader |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essentials of Backpacking Lecture | |||
| Olympia Friends Meeting House |
Thu, Mar 6, 2025
Registration opens Jan 13; Instructor registration open now
|
23
participants
5 instructors
|
|
| Online Classroom |
Thu, Mar 13, 2025
Registration opens Jan 13; Instructor registration open now
|
22
participants
0 instructors
|
|
| Online Classroom |
Thu, Mar 20, 2025
Registration opens Jan 13; Instructor registration open now
|
22
participants
0 instructors
|
|
| Essentials of Backpacking Gear Day Lecture | |||
| Squaxin Park |
Sat, Mar 22, 2025
Registration opens Jan 13; Instructor registration open now
|
22
participants
0 instructors
|
|
| Essentials of Backpacking Show Us Your Gear | |||
| Lions Park, Olympia |
Thu, Apr 10, 2025
Registration opens Jan 13; Instructor registration open now
|
12
participants
0 instructors
|
|
| Essentials of Backpacking Field Trip | |||
| Dosewallips River/Abandoned National Park Road |
Sat, Apr 26, 2025 -
Sun, Apr 27, 2025 Registration opens Jan 13; Instructor registration open now
|
10
participants
1 instructor on waitlist
|
|
Instructors will work with the students to identify places to obtain backpacking equipment. Students will need all the essential clothing, footwear, 10 essentials and equipment for day hikes and will need to own, borrow or in some way, have access the basic equipment for backpacking including; backpack, shelter system - tent, fly, ground cloth; sleeping system - sleeping bag, sleeping pad, pillow; cooking system - stove, cooking pot, utensils; water treatment options, camp and personal clean up and food for an overnight trip.
| Name/Description |
|---|