What we’re about
COVID-19 Policy:
We take our health and your health seriously. All Trips will include precautions specific to that activity from your Trip Leaders.
We ask all participant who have a fever, or flu-like symptoms to stay home
This group welcomes backpackers of all levels, from beginner to long-trail alumni, to share their interests, expertise and enthusiasm for backpacking. Our group is centered in the Twin City metro area but welcomes members from broader MN and surrounding states as well.
The agenda is up to you. We always welcome input and trip ideas from all of our members.
We share, discuss and learn about equipment, techniques and experience to make living in the wilderness comfortable, safe and fun.
WE MAY EVEN GO BACKPACKING!
We label our backpacking trips as "Base", "Intermediate", or "Advanced" so members can pick events they are ready for. See below for trip level descriptions.
Links to helpful information:
Trip Difficult Rating: Comparison Chart
Past trip summaries
Trip Difficulty Rating: Descriptions
Helpful Information for Backpackers
Suggestions for Trip Leaders
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Backpacker Meal CreationMaple Grove Library, Maple Grove, MN$42.00
EVENT DESCRIPTION
We will make 12 different backpacker meals:- 6 breakfasts
- 6 dinners
We will also make pocket cozies for cooking these meals in the field.
We'll break up into six small groups, each group making two of the meals for everyone. Each group will have a lead chef giving direction.
By default, each attendee will take home one of each meal (12 total) plus a cozy. If you would like to customize your meal count, reach out to Craig M through meetup messages at least one week before the event.
TIME
Show up before 1:30pm. If you can't make it till later, that's OK but we need to be gone by 5pm.COST
We charge ingredient cost only, $3.50/meal. For default 12 meals the total is $42/person. Pay Craig M at the event with Venmo, Zelle, Paypal, cash, or check. I need to purchase ingredients in advance based on attendee count, so please do not reserve a spot unless you plan to attend.RECIPES
We will make recipes from Skurka Adventures who host backpacking trips across the US. These are their top 12 customer rated and trail tested recipes. Most of these recipes are available online.Breakfasts
- Cheesy Potatoes
- Quickstart cereal
- Southwest egg burrito
- Cacio e Pepe Oatmeal
- Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding
- Fruit & Cream Porridge
Dinners
- Beans & Rice with Fritos & Cheese
- Peanut noodles
- Mushroom & Bacon Risotto
- Polenta & Peppers
- Coconut cashew curry
- Pesto noodles
We will assemble and package dry ingredients plus a desiccant packet into quart-size BPA-free zip-lock freezer bags, intended for freezer bag cozy cooking on the trail. Some ingredients will be packaged individually inside their own ziplock. And a few perishable ingredients will not be provided (olive oil, butter, tortilla, real cheese) so you will need to purchase on your own.
We'll label each bag with cooking instructions.
FOOD SAFETY AND LONGEVITY
Meals with perishable ingredients should be kept in your freezer until use.### By signing up for this event, you assume all responsibility for your safety and well-being and release the Minneapolis/St Paul Backpacking Meetup group, organizers, events organizers, and members from any (and all) personal injury and property damage liability. ####
- The Great Gear Up & GatherSaint Paul Brewing, St Paul, MN
## Bring your outdoor friends and swap out gently used gear at an open-air market in the heart of Saint Paul!
What: Paddle Bridge’s The Great Gear Up & Gather
When: Sunday, April 28, 2024 from Noon until 5:00 pm
Where: St. Paul Brewing courtyard and patio
Details:
Paddle Bridge is collaborating with Saint Paul Brewing for use of their space and we are excited for the opportunity to build community around getting outside. Friends can browse (or sell!) with beer in hand, learn about partner organizations at booths, and take a break inside or on the patio until the auction kicks off.## Sell, buy, barter or swap out your outdoor gear!
There will be a dedicated area for a trunk gear sale with an adjoining boat auction site. Gear sale items are not strictly paddling – we welcome any gently used or new equipment you are looking to rehome. Here’s our tips to boost your trunk sale experience:
- Several friends, one car: pool your gear and ride together. This will maximize the number of vehicles we can host and increase the amount of gear available at the market. Can you fit the most junk in your trunk? ;)
- Oversized items or vehicles? Try to fit what you can inside or on top of your vehicle. *If* you think you’ll need more than a standard parking space, ask us about overflow options.
- Solo-seller? We appreciate that you don’t want to take up an entire parking space if you only have a few smaller items to rehome. If there’s enough interest, we may set up a communal sale space. Let us know you’re interested!
- It’s your cash; we’re keeping our hands out of your transactions. Plan to handle your own sales and purchases on-site. We recommend having the ability to use cash and accept cards or e-Payment services like Venmo, PayPal or CashApp.
- Ya betcha can! Saint Paul Brewing is permitting guests to browse the trunk sale area in their main parking courtyard with beverages in hand. You can also walk between their outdoor patio and courtyard with refreshments. Note: no open containers will be allowed at the boat auction location.
>> Register your vehicle for the trunk sale.
## Interested in participating in the boat auction? Reach out to info@paddlebridge.com for registration details.
Our goal is for this to be a grassroots get-together for new and old outdoor rec communities. We hope to see you there!
