Basic Backpacking Course 2025
Safe, Enjoyable, and Responsible Wilderness Travel
April 2, 9, 16, 23, 26; and local outings May 3-4/May 10-11; Sierra outings TBA in June

Join the Loma Prieta Chapter of the Sierra Club for our 2025 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
Course Schedule
- Wednesday, April 2, 7pm (Online)
Topics: Welcome and the Ten Essentials; Backpacks; Shelter; Sleep Systems
- Wednesday, April 9, 7pm (Online)
Topics: Clothing Systems; Footwear and Hiking Poles; Food and Cooking; Hydration and Water Treatment
- Wednesday, April 16, 7pm (Online)
Topics: Leave No Trace, Sanitation, Waste, and Garbage; Navigation
- Wednesday, April 23, 7pm (Online)
Topics: Backcountry Hazards, Emergencies, and First Aid; Trip Planning
- Saturday, April 26, 9am (in-person)
Skills Instruction, Demonstrations, Gear Check, and Day Hike in Your Gear
Werder Shelter, Huddart Park, Woodside, CA
- Saturday-Sunday, May 3-4
Class Overnight Trip, Option 1
Henry Coe State Park
- Saturday-Sunday, May 10-11
Class Overnight Trip, Option 2
Henry Coe State Park
- Thursday-Sunday, May 29-June 1 (pending)
Sierra Trip, Option 1
Kaiser Wilderness
- Thursday-Sunday, June 5-8 (pending)
Sierra Trip, Option 2
Kaiser Wilderness
- Thursday-Sunday, June 12-15 (pending)
Sierra Trip, Option 3
Kaiser Wilderness
- Thursday-Sunday, June 19-22 (pending)
Sierra Trip, Option 4
Kaiser Wilderness
Important Note: Participation course overnight outings requires sufficient attendance at the online sessions and mandatory attendance at the April 26 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
Use the link below to register for the course. Space is limited. The course usually fills up:
Questions? Email course coordinator Jeff Stanger <jdstanger [at] gmail.com>
Requested Registration Fee
$125 via Venmo or PayPal, collected separately from the online registration, unless registering with Meetup where you can pay while registering.
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, email jdstanger [at] gmail.com