Lightweight Backpacking Course 2024

April 6, 2024
April 19-21, 2024

A class in advanced skills and gear for low-impact, long-distance wilderness travel.

Imagine backpacking, and feeling like a you're on a day-hike. How much farther could you go? How much more could you see? Find out in our class for experienced backpackers on lightweight and ultralight backpacking skills, gear, and techniques.

Course Schedule

Saturday, April 6, 2024
10:30am-4:30pm, with breaks
Online sessions

Friday-Sunday, April 19-21, 2024
In-person lessons followed by 2-night outing
Henry Coe State Park

Course Description

The classroom sessions will begin online on Saturday, April 6, 2024, divided into in three 90-minute sessions between 10:30am and 4:30pm. Topics covered include:

Still not tired after 20 miles
of hilly lightweight backpacking in
Henry Coe State Park

• Philosophy and style
• What's in your pack?
• Clothing as a system
• Lightweight systems: shelters, packs, and sleeping gear
• Home-made gear
• Tarp skills
• A day on the trail (time management)
• Safety and preparedness
• Meal planning
• Trip planning
• Logistics and resupply

A weekend outing will follow two weeks later on Friday, April 19 through Sunday, April 21. It will begin on Friday morning with day of outdoor lectures and demonstrations, followed by a short hike to camp before dark. On Saturday we'll begin an overnight backpack covering at least 10 miles per day. In order to participate in the outing, students may be advised to replace one or more significant components of their existing backpacking gear kit to stay within recommended pack-weight limits.

The class is limited to 12 people on a first-come basis. Anyone under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The outing is limited to classroom participants only. First preference for class registration will be given to Sierra Club members.

This class is offered for experienced backpackers as a follow-on to our Basic Backpacking Course, and assumes that level of knowledge. We consider backpackers adequately experienced if they have either a minimum of 25 days on the trail (at least 12 total nights-out), or they have taken a formal beginners class (ours or an equivalent) and have 6-8 nights-out experience. Extra "points" for solo travel or snow camping experience are considered.

The $100 course fee includes a text book and other class materials but does not include costs and fees incurred for transportation, parking, permits, gear, or meals for the outing. Instructors are volunteers from the Backpack Section and receive no compensation. Any class proceeds, after expenses, are donated to conservation and trail maintenance groups.

Registration

Option 1: Email instructor Jeff Stanger jdstanger [at] gmail.com

Option 2: See the Sierra Club event calendar https://act.sierraclub.org/events/details?formcampaignid=7013q000002I2o7AAC

Course Fee: $100 (collected after initial registration and acceptance into the class, via Venmo or PayPal)