GetBackpacking! 2015

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Is becoming a backpacker one of your goals for 2015? Or is backpacking at least something you’ve thought about?

Our GetBackpacking! program, launched in September, is designed to make a bonafide backpacker out of you. This five-week program consists of four weekly training hikes in full packs and a graduation three-day backpack trip. During the four training hikes, which will be of increasing length, we will practice a different backpack skill: packing, setting up camp, cooking a meal, knowing exactly where you’ve packed certain items for quick retrieval. On our graduation trip we will leave mid-afternoon on a Friday and spend two nights in the woods. Our first training hike is Sunday, January 18. Our subsequent training hikes will be the following three Sundays, with the graduation backpack trip February 13-15.

Intrigued by our GetBackpacking! program, or by backpacking in general? On Thursday, January 15, we will hold an introductory session at the Great Outdoor Provision Co. store in Cameron Village. We’ll tell you how the program works, we’ll talk about the weekly hikes and skill sessions, we’ll talk about the weekend graduation trip. We’ll talk about how backpacking technology has changed over the past 20 years, and we’ll also talk about some of the great places to backpack in the region. Don’t have the basic gear? Not a problem; we’ll talk about our rent-to-own program and about getting you equipped. We’ll have refreshments and a raffle item or two as well.

Each session is limited to 12 participants, and signup will begin at the January info session. If more than 12 are interested in the program, we’ll hold a lottery; if you don’t get into this session, you should be able to get into our next session starting March 1. Sign up for the January 15 session to learn more.

Learn more about the program — and discover 10 great places to backpack in the region — by going here.