Backpacking Skills Equivalency Application Please fill out this form to apply for the Basic Backpacking Skills badge. This application is for those who already have the skills encompassed by the Basic Backpacking Skills badge. If you are enrolled in a backpacking course that automatically awards this badge upon completion, you do not need to complete this application. Fill out and submit this application. The application will be sent to the applicable Backpacking Chair for review. Equivalency is for members only. If you are not already a member, consider joining The Mountaineers! = required field Your Name Your Email Are you a current Mountaineers member? You must be a Mountaineers member to receive a skill badge. Yes No I'm a Guest Member Which branch are you affiliated with? If your branch does not have a backpacking committee, please indicate your preferred branch - otherwise we will direct you to the next closest branch. Note that the options below reflect where we currently have backpacking committees. FoothillsKitsapOlympiaSeattleTacomaI don't know/I have no preference. What phone number can we use to reach you? Instructions to Applicants: This form was developed to cover the basics of backpacking skills and should be completed thoughtfully. An adequate response is expected to be about a paragraph in length and should demonstrate your knowledge of the particular focus area. YOUR BACKPACKING SKILLS & EXPERIENCE Please describe two backpacking trips you have completed in the last 3 to 5 years, including length in days and miles, season, location, and date. Speak to the skills you used during those trips with specific reference to those listed in the Basic Backpacking Skills Badge. Trip 1 Trip 2 WILDERNESS FUNDAMENTALS Please describe the ten essentials that you carry on a typical backpack trip and why they are important. KNOWLEDGE OF CORE BACKPACKING GEAR AND SKILLS Please describe the contents of your typical backpacking kit for an overnight summer trip. Include what you would bring for your pack, shelter, sleep system, clothing, water purification, food storage, and cook kit. How might your typical kit change based on conditions? What changes are made to your clothing, food, and footwear in unfavorable conditions? FOOD Please describe your choices when it comes to backpacking food options. How do you decide how much, and what kind of food to bring on a given trip? Speak about why calories matter and how you package and prepare food at camp. FOOD SAFETY Please describe some common food-related safety considerations when carrying, storing, and cooking in the backcountry, and steps you take to minimize your impact on wildlife and the environment while backpacking. CHOOSING THE TYPE OF BACKPACKING TRIP THAT SUITS YOUR STYLE, EXPERIENCE, AND CONDITIONING Please describe the types of trips you prefer (ex. Thru hikes, loops, out-and-back), daily distance and pacing, and what your typical pack weight (base weight and total weight) is for an overnight trip. PERSONAL PREPARATIONS FOR A BACKPACKING TRIP Please describe how you find information on expected weather and trail conditions for your trips. Thank you for your interest in our backpacking programs! We will forward your application on to one of our volunteers, who will review it and get in touch with you about how to move forward. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Member Services at info@mountaineers.org. reCAPTCHA
Backpacking Skills Equivalency Application Please fill out this form to apply for the Basic Backpacking Skills badge. This application is for those who already have the skills encompassed by the Basic Backpacking Skills badge. If you are enrolled in a backpacking course that automatically awards this badge upon completion, you do not need to complete this application. Fill out and submit this application. The application will be sent to the applicable Backpacking Chair for review. Equivalency is for members only. If you are not already a member, consider joining The Mountaineers! = required field Your Name Your Email Are you a current Mountaineers member? You must be a Mountaineers member to receive a skill badge. Yes No I'm a Guest Member Which branch are you affiliated with? If your branch does not have a backpacking committee, please indicate your preferred branch - otherwise we will direct you to the next closest branch. Note that the options below reflect where we currently have backpacking committees. FoothillsKitsapOlympiaSeattleTacomaI don't know/I have no preference. What phone number can we use to reach you? Instructions to Applicants: This form was developed to cover the basics of backpacking skills and should be completed thoughtfully. An adequate response is expected to be about a paragraph in length and should demonstrate your knowledge of the particular focus area. YOUR BACKPACKING SKILLS & EXPERIENCE Please describe two backpacking trips you have completed in the last 3 to 5 years, including length in days and miles, season, location, and date. Speak to the skills you used during those trips with specific reference to those listed in the Basic Backpacking Skills Badge. Trip 1 Trip 2 WILDERNESS FUNDAMENTALS Please describe the ten essentials that you carry on a typical backpack trip and why they are important. KNOWLEDGE OF CORE BACKPACKING GEAR AND SKILLS Please describe the contents of your typical backpacking kit for an overnight summer trip. Include what you would bring for your pack, shelter, sleep system, clothing, water purification, food storage, and cook kit. How might your typical kit change based on conditions? What changes are made to your clothing, food, and footwear in unfavorable conditions? FOOD Please describe your choices when it comes to backpacking food options. How do you decide how much, and what kind of food to bring on a given trip? Speak about why calories matter and how you package and prepare food at camp. FOOD SAFETY Please describe some common food-related safety considerations when carrying, storing, and cooking in the backcountry, and steps you take to minimize your impact on wildlife and the environment while backpacking. CHOOSING THE TYPE OF BACKPACKING TRIP THAT SUITS YOUR STYLE, EXPERIENCE, AND CONDITIONING Please describe the types of trips you prefer (ex. Thru hikes, loops, out-and-back), daily distance and pacing, and what your typical pack weight (base weight and total weight) is for an overnight trip. PERSONAL PREPARATIONS FOR A BACKPACKING TRIP Please describe how you find information on expected weather and trail conditions for your trips. Thank you for your interest in our backpacking programs! We will forward your application on to one of our volunteers, who will review it and get in touch with you about how to move forward. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Member Services at info@mountaineers.org. reCAPTCHA