Introduction to Backpacking

Are you a hiker that would like to expand your outdoor experiences by trying out backpacking? This course, Introduction to Backpacking is for you! PEEC and the Los Alamos Mountaineers are sponsoring a 2 day (overnight) backpacking trip where you can try out carrying a backpack, sleeping in a tent, purifying drinking water, and cooking over a backpacking stove. PEEC/LAM have backpacks, tents, and sleeping bags to loan for this trip.

Pre-Meeting:

There is a mandatory pre-trip meeting on Monday evening, May 12 at Los Alamos Nature Center. We will describe the gear that is needed and distribute backpacks, tents, and sleeping bags as participants need. We will cover “leave no trace” principles. We will also review the mandatory gear that each participant must bring.

Where to Meet:

We will meet at 9 am on Saturday morning May 17 at Los Alamos Nature Center, 2600 Canyon Rd.

Full Description:

The backpack will take place in Upper Water Canyon in Los Alamos County. The hike into our camp site is about ¾ of a mile from the trailhead. We will hike into the campsite on Saturday morning, set up camp, and eat lunch. During Saturday afternoon, we will hike a 5 mile loop (700 ft elevation gain/loss) with our backpacks from/back to our camp site. We will cook dinner and sleep overnight at the campsite. On Sunday morning, we will hike out the ¾ mile trail to the trail head. Participants will return borrowed gear when we return to the trailhead.

Qualifications:

Prior to the pre-meeting, each participant must:

• Have completed 5 hikes of 5 miles or more with a 10 pound knapsack (describe our hikes at May 12 pre-meeting)
• Wear broken-in hiking boots (bring to pre-meeting)
• Bring a rain jacket or poncho (bring to pre-meeting)

For interested participants who do not have this required experience or this gear, and would like to get prepared for this kind of Introduction to Backpacking course, we will send out guidance for hikes and buying rain gear and hiking boots. We want you to have a positive experience, and so we do not want you to take the course without the required hiking experience and personal gear.

Admission: 

• $30/non-member adult / $25/PEEC or LAM member adult
• $20/non-member child (15 and under) / $15/PEEC or LAM member child (15 and under)

About the Leader:

Jean Dewart is leading this trip as a collaboration between the Los Alamos Mountaineers and PEEC. Jean has led many other backpacking trips over the years.