Training Hike #1: Bruneau Dunes State Park - Level I/II

Join us for our first training hike at the fascinating Bruneau Dunes State park. The "Sahara desert" of Idaho.

What is a training hike?
A training hike is a planned, progressively challenging walk on trails or terrain that intentionally simulates the physical demands of an upcoming backpacking trip. Its purpose is to safely build endurance, strength, joint durability, and trail skills while carrying increasing pack weight under realistic conditions.

1. We will increase one to two variables per training hike: distance, elevation, or pack weight. If we are varying distances, we are considering round trip distance.
2. Training hikes will approximately match Idaho Hikers and Backpackers backpacking physical ability and difficulty levels.

** Key characteristics of training hikes:

1. Goal-oriented: matches the expected distance, elevation, and terrain of the target trip.
2. Progressive overload: distance, elevation gain, pace, and pack weight increase gradually
3. Pack practice: use the same shoes, socks, poles, and pack you’ll backpack with (highly recommend but we understand you may not have all items - bring as many as you have).
4. Conditioning focus: improves aerobic endurance, leg strength, and downhill resilience
5. Skill rehearsal: pacing, fueling, hydration, blister prevention, and foot care
6. Recovery aware: spaced to build adaptation while avoiding overuse
   You will learn and practice at least one safety and one backpacking skill.

As you can see these are not just "hard" day hikes. These are well planned to get you ready for the backpacking season.

For this training hike:

• Please pack your backpack with 10-15% of your body weight. E.g., if you are 170 lbs: 17-25 lbs. If you don't have all the backpacking gear, you can use water bottles, rice bags, books, etc.
• We will hike about ~ 6 miles and gain ~ 550 feet. This may not seem like much but with a weighted backpack and sandy terrain this will feel difficult. The hardest part is the final short climb up to the top of the sand dune.
• It can be wet/windy this time of year in the park so bring a rain jacket & rain pants (alternatively a rain parka - Frogg Toggs makes a good but cheap one).
• Bring snacks/lunch/2-3 litters water and electrolytes
• We will learn one Safety Skill and one backpacking skill: Lightning safety and the rest step without and with poles.

If the weather is good, you can consider booking a campsite the night before and meeting us there.
BOOK HERE

The route is out and back and will involve shuttling in a shared car between the start and finish locations (~ a 10 minute drive). ROUTE We meet at the visitor center then drive to the observatory, ultimately hiking back to the visitor center.
The cost to enter the park is 7$ per vehicle.

*If you would like to carpool from Boise to Bruneau Dunes State Park, work out with others a good place to meet and carpool. I would suggest Albertson's Grocery Store 6560 S Federal Way in Boise. I will meet you at the visitor center as I will be coming from Pocatello so I am unable to offer a carpool from Boise. Please be on time. If you are not sure you will be able to finish the hike, I would suggest driving yourself.
Equipment:
* Trekking poles, gaiters, sunglasses, change of clothes/socks, backpack cover -- these would be helpful.

I understand that during my participation in this Outing, I may be exposed to risks and hazards, foreseen or unforeseen, which are inherent and cannot be eliminated without diminishing the Outing.
These inherent risks include, but are not limited to, the dangers of serious personal injury, property damage, and death (“Injuries and Damages”) from exposure to the hazards of travel, location, and weather.
I agree that the Organizer (s) has not tried to contradict or minimize my understanding of these risks. I know that Injuries and Damages can occur by natural causes or activities of other persons, animals, trip members, trip leaders or third parties, either as a result of negligence or because of other reasons. I understand that risks of such Injuries are involved in adventure travel such as this Outing and I accept that I must exercise extra care for my own person and for others around me in the face of such hazards.
I understand that on this Outing there may not be rescue or medical facilities or expertise necessary to deal with the Injuries to which I may be exposed.
To the fullest extent allowed by law, I agree to WAIVE, DISCHARGE CLAIMS, AND RELEASE FROM LIABILITY the Organizer from any and all liability on account of, or in any way resulting from Injuries and Damages, even if caused by the negligence of the Organizer or other participants in any way connected with this Outing. I further agree to HOLD HARMLESS the Organizer (s) from any claims, losses, Injuries and Damages caused by my own negligence while a participant on the Outing.
I understand and intend that this assumption of risk and release is binding upon my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns. I have read the Outing description and this Release of Liability in its entirety and I freely and voluntarily assume all risks of such Injuries and notwithstanding such risks, I agree to participate in the Outing. I have read, I understand, and I agree to this Release of Liability.