Backpacking 101 Course
Spring Session: April 6, April 20, and May 4 - FULL
Summer Session: June 8, June 22, and July 13
Fall Session: September 28, October 12, and October 26
If you're hoping to learn to backpack confidently on your own, this is the course for you! Participants will attend three workshops throughout the spring, covering topics including planning, gear and clothing, food, hygiene, special considerations for female hikers, and what to expect on trail and in camp. During those workshops, you'll have the opportunity to plan details of a backpacking trip with guidance from your instructor.
"The entire trip was a learning experience and I became a confident backpacker as [our guide] showed us all the ropes. She
was positive, encouraging, and patient as we practiced our new skills." - J.O., Women's AT Backpacking Trip, July 2019
Cost:
$150 per session (3 workshops included in each session)
Scholarships and sliding scale fees are available for this course. Please reach out to our office at trips@blueridgehikingco.com for more information.
This course will run if there are a minimum of 2 participants signed up. If the minimum has not yet been met, we'll contact participants two weeks before the first workshop to discuss options. The maximum group size is 7 participants.
Sign-Up Details:
To book this course, go to our trips calendar and select the course start date (June 8th or September 28th). You will find the course listed there.
Itinerary:
This course includes 3 virtual workshops:
- Workshop 1 will cover Planning (permitting, itinerary considerations, seasons, budget) and Gear and Clothing (the big 3, needs vs wants, fabric, layering principles).
- Workshop 2 will cover Food (calories per day, balanced nutrition, food storage), Safety (basic safety skills, precautions to take before leaving home, navigation), and Special Considerations for Female Hikers.
- Workshop 3 will cover Hygiene, What to Do Before Leaving Home (gear checklist, printing permits, last minute gear checks), and What to Expect on Trail and in Camp (timing for your hike, camp chores, nighttime worries, what to do before bed).
Summer Session includes workshops on June 8, June 22, and July 13. Fall Session includes workshops on September 28, October 12, and October 26. Workshops typically last 1-2 hours, with plenty of time for questions at the end! Sessions will be recorded, and participants will have access to the recordings after each session.
Instructor:
Your instructor for this course will be Nancy East. Nancy retired from a career as a vet in 2020 to pursue opportunities that took her outdoors more. She is passionate about sharing the natural world and teaching hikers how to stay "safe and found". She is a Southern Appalachian Naturalist and is on Haywood County's Search and Rescue Team. Nancy has hiked all 800 miles of trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park four times, and co-holds the speed record for the Smokies 900 Miler Challenge. She shares stories and educational content on Hope and Feather Travels.
What to Bring:
We recommend that all participants come prepared with questions and bring a notebook to take notes.
Cancellation Policy:
Payment in full is required to register. Course cost includes a 15% non-refundable administrative fee. Reservation may be cancelled up to 1 week before the first session for a refund (minus the 15% fee). Within 1 week, a 50% refund will be offered. Within 48 hours, no refund will only be offered.
If your instructor does an exceptional job, please show your appreciation with a tip. Our team of highly trained professional guides never expects but always appreciates a tip. Industry standard gratuity is 15-20% of trip cost.
If you have any questions regarding this trip, you can reach us by phone at 828-713-5451 or by email at trips@blueridgehikingco.com.
