Backpack Section: Basic Backpacking Course

Basic Backpacking Course 2024

Safe, Enjoyable, and Responsible Wilderness Travel

April 3, 10, 17, 24, 27; and outings May 4-5/May 11-12/May 30-June 2/June 13-16

 

[Class members on a trip to Kibbe Lake, Yosemite National Park]

Join the Loma Prieta Chapter of the Sierra Club for our 2024 Basic Backpacking Course. The course is offered as a four-part online symposium followed by a day of outdoor instruction, demonstration, and hiking. You’ll learn the essentials of backcountry travel that make it safe and enjoyable for you, and sustainable for the places you visit. We will place special emphasis on the gear, skills, and planning required to be responsible stewards of our precious wilderness ecosystems.

Each evening installment will cover several related topics followed by an open discussion and question session. We will then convene at Huddart Park in Woodside, CA for a Saturday of additional instruction, skills demonstration, and a day hike in our backpacking gear. The course will culminate in overnight backpacking trips in Henry Coe State Park in Morgan Hill, CA in May and Sierra trips in June (space limited; dates may be affected by the snowpack).

The Basic Backpacking Course has been offered by the Loma Prieta Chapter for over five decades.

Class Format

 
The course consists of four online sessions, an in-person Saturday demonstration and group day hike, and optional overnight class trips. The online portion will be given via Zoom each Wednesday evening in April. The in-person demonstration and day hike will take place on Saturday, April 27 at Huddart Park near Woodside, CA. The course trip options are Saturday-Sunday, May 4-5 and Saturday-Sunday, May 11-12, both at Henry Coe State Park near Morgan Hill, CA. We currently plan to offer two options for Sierra trips, May 30-June 2, and June 13-16. Additional trips may be offered depending on interest, weather, and instructor availability.
 

Course Schedule

 

  • Wednesday, April 3, 7pm (Online)
    Topics: Welcome and the Ten Essentials; Backpacks; Shelter; Sleep Systems
     
  • Wednesday, April 10, 7pm (Online)
    Topics: Clothing, Footwear and Hiking Poles, Food and Cooking
     
  • Wednesday, April 17, 7pm (Online)
    Topics: Campsite Selection; Hydration and Water Treatment; Leave No Trace; Sanitation, Waste, and Garbage
     
  • Wednesday, April 24, 7pm  (Online)
    Topics: Backcountry Hazards and Emergencies; Navigation Overview; Trip Planning
     
  • Saturday, April 27, 9am (in-person)
    Skills Instruction, Demonstrations, Gear Check, and Day Hike in Your Gear
    Werder Shelter, Huddart Park, Woodside, CA
     
  • Saturday-Sunday, May 4-5 (in-person)
    Class Overnight Trip, Option 1
    Henry Coe State Park
     
  • Saturday-Sunday, May 11-12 (in-person)
    Class Overnight Trip, Option 2
    Henry Coe State Park
     
  • Thursday-Sunday, May 30-June 2 (in-person)
    Sierra Trip, Option 1
    Kaiser Wilderness
     
  • Thursday-Sunday, June 13-16 (in-person)
    Sierra Trip, Option 2
    Kaiser Wilderness

Note: Participation course overnight outings requires sufficient attendance at the online sessions and mandatory attendance at the April 27 demonstration and day hike. No exceptions.

The private Zoom link will be provided to registered students prior to the first class.

Instructors are volunteers from the Backpack Section and receive no compensation.

Registration

This course has reached capacity and we are developing a waiting list. Registration fees will only be collected if you are admitted to the course.

Use the link below to add yourself to the waiting list:
https://act.sierraclub.org/events/details?formcampaignid=7013q000002I2o7AAC

Questions? Email course coordinator Jeff Stanger <jdstanger [at] gmail.com>

Requested Registration Fee

$100 via Venmo or PayPal, collected separately from the online registration, unless registering with Meetup where you can pay while registering. A personal check will be accepted upon request, but will delay your confirmed registration.

COVID Protocols

 

While proof of vaccination or negative test is not required for the in-person events, full vaccination is nevertheless strongly recommended. If you are experiencing any COVID symptoms or have been recently exposed to COVID-19, please do not attend the in-person events. Class size will be limited in order to allow ample physical distancing among participants.

Waivers

 

Hiking and backpacking are strenuous physical activities, often far from medical care and facilities. Signed health and safety waivers will be required in order to participate in the in-person day and the class trip.

 

For more information, visit basicbackpacking.org or email jdstanger [at] gmail.com