Foothills Backpacking Committee

• Provide new and experienced backpackers with the latest knowledge, gear info and practical experience to be skilled, safe and successful on overnight or longer trips; 
• Teach participants to pack light by balancing camp comfort with pack weight and trail comfort;
• Providing participants with information about the latest backpacking gear and food choices; and
• Connect you with trusted trip leaders and compatible companions, by offering an array of trips of varying intensity in the fabulous Northwest backcountry.   Our backpack trips offered through the B3 course provide an additional component of coaching and hands-on demonstration to help students gain confidence and try out different gear options.
• The large majority of our backpacking trips are open to all qualified Mountaineers members, to build a strong backpacking community and connect students with experienced backpackers.

In early 2024, we initiated a series of Alumni Backpacks (we like to call these 'Beyond B3, or "B4"!) offered exclusively to our B3 graduates!  Find these as they are offered by using the link below!

In 2017, we launched a new Backpacking with Kids course (thanks to a team of very dedicated backpacking-parents and volunteers led by one of the best of them all, Birgit Grimlund!) This course consists of a parents-only information session, a practice overnight in a local park to get everyone used to the idea of camping, and then two backpack trips with distances and activities tailored to different ages of kids.

In March 2024, we launched a 'Relaxed Pace' trip initiative. This is an elective initiative for our leaders who would like to intentionally lead their trips at a more relaxed pace.

We also offer Mountaineers members a range of backpacking and related skills classes to dig deeper, including:

• Ultralight Backpacking Gear and Strategies
• Lightweight Backpack Food Planning and Prep
• Conditioning for Hiking and Backpacking
• "Staying Found" On-Trail Navigation
• Essential Trip Planning Tools and Skills for Backpackers
• Tips and Tricks for Women Backpackers

These classes and seminars are offered just once or twice a year, with signups beginning in the early spring. We also host a lively Foothills Mountaineers Backpacking Facebook Group where backpackers inside and outside the club share trip photos, ask one another for input about gear, methods and destination options, and stay connected with our growing community of Foothills Branch Backpackers.  Check it out here!

INTERESTED IN LEADING BACKPACK TRIPS FOR THE MOUNTAINEERS?

The Foothills Backpacking Committee is a great home for any Foothills Branch member who would like to 'give back', learn valuable outdoor leadership skills, connect up with compatible backpacking companions, and gain greater control over where and when their Mountaineers backpack trips will go.  We do this by:

• Offering a regular New Hike/Backpack Leader Seminar  where you can learn the expectations and procedures for being a Mountaineers backpack leader and learn from experienced leaders in a small-group discussion format how to handle some of the most common leadership challenges on hikes; 
• For leaders who would like more support and mentoring through the process of becoming a backpack leader, Rob Erickson (backpack leader extraordinaire!) has set up a Mentored Backpack Leader course in which experienced backpacking leaders will help you through the steps to become a badged leader including supporting you as a mentor on a trip that you will lead.
• Providing mentors and other assistance for new leaders as they set up and lead their first Mountaineers backpack; 
• Offering a wide range of  Backpack Leader Resources and regular updates on skills and tools; and 
• Providing generous rewards for our active leaders including free and subsidized core-skills training and REI gift cards.

WANT TO HELP SHAPE OUR PROGRAMS FOR THE FUTURE?

Our combined hiking/backpacking committee meets once or twice a year to review our programs for the past year and brainstorm how we can improve past offerings and add more value for members with new offerings. This is a very creative, dynamic and committed group of fun people, and everyone's ideas count.  Join us, and help us shape the programs we deliver to members in the future!  Contact Foothills Backpack Committee chair Christina Buckman at christina.buckman.2011@gmail.com  to find out how you can get involved!