This 2 day 1 night training course provides the beginning backpacker with a guided hands-on experience hiking and camping in a beautiful outback wilderness setting. The instructor / guide will provide expert advice and coaching through a series of demonstrations, discussions and activities. By the end of this course you will have the skills necessary to safely navigate and camp overnight in the wilderness. This course provides excellent preparation for future longer backpacking adventures, including our Intermediate Backpacking course.

Skills Covered:

• Wilderness travel etiquette
• Leave No Trace principles
• Navigation with map and compass
• Proper foot care and pack adjustments
• Campsite selection
• Pitching a tent
• Food protection
• Camp stoves and fires
• Outdoor Cooking
• Water Purification
• Wilderness hygiene

• Good physical condition
• Participants needs to arrive with backpack and personal gear (see details on PDF)
• A desire to learn backpacking skills

June 2-3
July 7-8
August 18-19 (cancelled)

This 3 day, 2 night course is designed to take a beginning backpacker to the next level of outdoor skills and independence.  The trip involves intermediately difficult terrain covering increased mileage and elevation.  The instructor / guide will provide expert advise and coaching on intermediate topics through a series of demonstrations, discussions and activities.  This course builds on your basic backpacking experience and provides the additional skills necessary to safely organize and manage your own personal trek.

Skills Covered:

• Basic Trip Planning
• Nutrition and Basic Meal Planning
• Group Gear
• Intermediate Navigation
• Basic Wilderness Safety
• Basic First Aid
• Wilderness Knots

• Good physical condition
• Participants needs to arrive with backpack and personal gear (see details on PDF)
• Introduction to Backpacking course or similar experience
• A desire to learn backpacking skills

July 20-22
August 24-26

This 7 day intensive course is designed for experienced backpackers who are looking to expand their skills or to take on the additional responsibility of leading groups into the wilderness.  The instructor / guide will provide expert advise and coaching through a series of advanced demonstrations, discussions and activities. Emphasis will be placed on wilderness leadership, planning, safety, decision making, and group dynamics.

In addition this course will circumnavigate the Sawtooth Range outside Bridgeport, California. This region hosts some of the most spectacular terrain and scenery in the High Sierra.

Skills Covered:

• High Adventure Trek Planning
• Cross Country Travel
• Leadership Skills and Philosophy
• Wilderness Safety
• Wilderness Medicine
• Special considerations leading kids

• Good physical condition
• Participants needs to arrive with backpack and personal gear (see details on PDF)
• Intermediate Backpacking course or similar experience
• A desire to learn backpacking skills

August 5-11