Summary
Spend the weekend with Cascade Mountain Adventures in our most time efficient women only backpacking skills experience. Leave as a safe, confident, and incredible wilderness backpacker.
Rating: Beginner - Intermediate
Group Size: 4
Duration: One Night Overnight
Price: $299 /per person
Introduction
Are you an experienced hiker and camper ready to jump into wilderness backpacking? This women-only backpacking skills intensive weekend is for you.
Spend two days and one night in a beautiful Washington State Park learning how to wilderness backpack. You will learn about overnight trip planning, gear options, packing your overnight pack, water filtration, backcountry meal preparation, and so much more.
This adventure is geared for women that don’t want to waste time - you’re ready to hit the trail. We’re ready to teach you the skills you need to make it happen. Our goal is to make sure you are ready to hit the trail as a safe and confident wilderness backpacker.
Looking for something a bit slower-paced or want more hands-on practice for multi-day adventures? Join us for a two-night introduction to multi-day backpacking weekend! Spend more time outdoors and go further with your wilderness backpacking experience.
Prerequisites
No Previous Backpacking Experience Required
Hiking Experience Encouraged
Able to Walk 2-3 Miles Over Varied Terrain
Able to Carry ~30 Pounds
Sense of Adventure
Why Join Us
This women-only backpacking experience is designed for outdoor women ready to jump into wilderness backpacking. You’re ready to learn how to select and set up your own backcountry site, safely manage your own backcountry kitchen, and filter your own water. We’re ready to make sure you learn the skills you need to make it happen.
Learn the skills to plan, select year gear, and safely enjoy your own overnight backpacking adventures. Our objectives include learning to select overnight destinations, planning for current conditions, establishing a backcountry campsite, effective layer management, self-care skills, and Leave No Trace considerations.
The Cascade Mountain Adventures team has years of experience leading safe and successful backcountry overnight trips. Our two-day backpacking intensive class gives you have the skills you need to be a self-sufficient wilderness backpacker. This event is held in a ‘near wilderness’ location, in a dedicated and private wooded environment, near enough to civilization to be a perfect practice location. The access is easy but the wildlife and environmental considerations are real.
Overnight gear - backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and camp chairs - can be provided for this event. You are invited and encouraged to bring your own backpacking gear if you already have it.
It’s not all work and no play though. Our goal is to learn essential skills and have plenty of time to enjoy our time in the outdoors. Our event outdoor locations have some hidden gems waiting to be explored.
Included
Supportive Expert Instruction
Overnight Camping Gear (Backpack, Tent, Sleeping Bag, Sleeping Pad, Camp Chair)
Group Cooking Gear (Stoves & Fuel)
Backcountry Meals (Breakfast & Dinner)
Small Group Size
Beginner Oriented Pace
Take Home Gear - Over $50 Value
Emergency Communication Gear
Not Included
Required Personal Clothing & Gear (Gear List)
Personal Food (Covid-19 Update)
Personal Hygiene / Self-Care Items
Transportation To/From the Trailhead
WA State Park Discover Pass (for Parking)
Itinerary
You will meet in a beautiful Washington State Park, get to know your group, and prepare to head to your overnight campsite location. Your leader will review your itinerary, expected destination(s), trail conditions, and the essentials of wilderness travel preparedness. Leave No Trace wilderness ethics will also be reviewed with the group.
Day One
Your group will meet at a central location and prepare for your weekend outdoor backpacking class experience. Your leader will host a gear overview session and area orientation before your group packs their overnight backpacks. You will then set off on an approximately 1/2 mile hike to our near-wilderness campsite. You will carry your own tent, personal gear, and personal food. Your guide will share additional details about the area, tips for efficient travel, and on-trail self-care along the way. This is a short hike, led at a beginner-friendly pace, to accommodate all fitness levels.
Once at our overnight location, your guide will assist you in selecting a tent site location and support you in setting up your tent as needed. Your group will review wilderness safety considerations, layer management, self-care considerations, risk assessment, wilderness campsite management basics, and so much more.
Camp setup will be followed by a skills session on wildlife safety and wilderness food storage. You will then leave camp for a short hike and another opportunity to stretch your legs. The hike will take your group to another outdoor site and an introduction to wilderness navigation and outdoor trip planning. The group will enjoy some downtime after our afternoon session - great for reading or simply enjoying time in the woods - before dinner. Your evening will end with a hearty backcountry meal, prepared as a group, before turning in for the night.
Your leader will review the essential skills for staying warm and comfortable in your tent overnight. A clear night will also allow for stargazing before tucking into your warm sleeping bag.
Day Two
Your second day will begin with hot coffee to greet the day. (we’ve got you covered on the caffeine front but will have cocoa and tea as well) Your group will then prepare breakfast - you’re working those stoves! - and enjoy one more morning in the woods. Our final morning together will focus on next-level outdoor trip planning and group leadership essentials. Your guide will then support you in breaking down camp and hold a final skills session on leaving a clean wilderness campsite. You will then hike back down to the parking lot before a final recap and trip debrief. It will then be time to head home with a brand new set of incredible wilderness skills. Expect to be back at the parking lot by 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm.
COVID-19 Updates - 2021 Season
The world has been forced to make unforeseen adjustments and we are too. We continue to make the safety, comfort, and well-being of our clients and team our top priority. With this is mind, we are making the following changes this winter season.
Shared Tents with Household Members Only - Individuals in Single Tents
No Shared Gear - Participants Assigned Individual Group Gear
No Food Provided - Participants Supply Personal Freeze-Dried / Instant Meals
Face Masks Required When Social Distancing Not Supportable
We will also require confirmation that you do not currently have, been recently diagnosed with, or have been in close proximity with those diagnosed with COVID-19. This form will be shared with you at sign-up and required prior to event participation.
We are also strongly encouraging clients to consider the purchase of travel insurance for all Cascade Mountain Adventures programs. Our Cancellation Policy remains unchanged. Travel insurance may reimburse eligible program fees in the event of a health-based cancellation. We recommend Trip Assure with the inclusion of ‘Cancel For Any Reason’ coverage.
Registration Fee
$299 /per Participant
Questions?
See our Frequently Asked Questions or Contact Us. Please also review our Cancellation Policy before registering for an event.
We also encourage clients to consider the purchase of travel insurance for all Cascade Mountain Adventures programs. Travel insurance may reimburse eligible program fees in the event of a health-based cancellation. We recommend Trip Assure with the inclusion of ‘Cancel For Any Reason’ coverage.
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