Your first steps toward confidence in the wilderness
Is this trip for you?
No experience? Been a while since you have been in the woods? Love the outdoors, but don’t feel confident striking out on your own or with a few friends? This is the trip for you! Backpacking 101 teaches the basics during a supervised trip into the wilderness. Groups of no more than 6 make sure that you get the attention and education you need to feel more at home in the forest.
What will you learn?
Our goal is for you to learn as much as possible and to demonstrate new skills that will make you feel more confident on a self-sustained trip to the wilderness.
Some of the skills we will cover are:
- Shelter—tents, tarps, and how to set them up effectively
- Sleeping Gear—what to choose, different options and price points
- Nutrition—How much food do you need, what kinds of food and preparation methods
- Hydration—How much water is needed, water treatment and cost/weight options
- Backpacks—Selecting the right pack for you, proper fit and weight distribution
- Other—Clothing, footwear, safety and sanitation, and Leave No Trace principles
What is a Backpacking 101 trip like?
Our typical trip meets around 10 am on Friday. You will receive your gear and group food as well as instruction in properly fitting and loading your pack. Transport is provided to the trail head. We will hike 1 - 2 miles to our first campsite. You will receive hands on instruction in site selection and camp set up. We will prepare dinner and you will receive your next block of instruction. Each person will sleep in the individual tent provided unless previously arranged for 2 persons (couples, parent/child, etc).
Day 2 will follow much the same schedule only it will include breakfast preparation, and camp breakdown before heading out for the next hike ( with a break for lunch). Sunday will consist of breakfast, camp breakdown and a hike out to meet our transport. We will return to our vehicles, gear will be checked back in.
Gear and Supplies
Walking In The Woods provides the following gear for Backpacking 101 participants:
- Back pack
- 1 person tent (unless a 2 person tent is requested)
- Sleeping bag, appropriate to the time of year
- Hiking Poles
- Camp Chair
- Water Container
- Water Filter
- Food for 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches and 2 Dinners
- Stove
- Fuel
- Cooking gear and utensils
Supplemental Gear List
This is a list of additional personal items that you should consider bringing on your trip. These items will make your trip more pleasant, depending on what you would like to have on hand.
- Hiking Boots—Well fitted and broken in. New boots are not recommended at all.
- Athletic Shoes/Camp Shoes—Something to wear in camp when not hiking, allows your feet to rest.
- Good hiking socks—3 pair, wool, synthetic or blend. NO COTTON.
- Clothing—Check weather, but minimum of 2 t-shirts, long sleeve shirt and a light jacket. Synthetic pants/shorts. Rain gear. (Avoid cotton clothing if possible).
- Snacks—This will supplement our regular meals and you will need extra calories. Pack at least 1000 calories in the form of energy bars, nuts, chips, crackers, cheese, dried fruit or mixes. Snacks should be light and packable so avoid fresh fruit or bulky foods.
- First Aid—Motrin, Aleve, band aids, antibiotic ointment, blister cream, etc.
- Toiletries—toothpaste, tooth brush, toilet paper, NO cosmetics or deodorants
- Medications and Supplements—anything you take each day
- Pocket knife or multi-tool
- Sunblock and sunglasses
- Bug Repellent
- Camera
- Baggies—for trash, snacks and other uses
- Whistle
- Garbage Bag
- Matches or lighter
- Bandanna
- Pencil and paper
- Cell Phone—optional since service is sporadic.
Things to NOT bring along
- Laptops, music players or other electronics. Only cell phones please.
- Anything already included.
Please email us with any questions you might have about what to bring.