1. B3 Course Roadmap
“Backpacking Basics” Lecture 1 – Thurs March 22, King County Library Service Center, Issaquah
Course overview, key concepts and skills
“Backpacking Basics” Lecture 2 – Thurs March 29, Mountaineers Seattle Program Center
Essential gear
Hands-On “Demo Day” – Sat March 31, Eastgate Elementary School, Bellevue
Outdoors, 9AM to 3PM – food, clothing, footwear, shelters, sleep systems, packing a pack
In discussing this slide, make the point that B3 is an integrated SEASON --- these classes, but also three trips to graduate, and an intent at some social connection via web page, facebook, sharing trip photos, a couple of get-togethers

2. Optional Field Trips/Skills Classes
Free to B3 Students:
Lightweight Backpack Gear Seminar: evenings – Monday Apr 9 in Redmond, Monday April 16 in Seattle
Trail Emergency Preparedness/First Aid): evenings - Monday April 2 in Mercer island, Monday May 7 in Issaquah
Lightweight Backpack Food Planning and Prep: evenings - Tues May 8 in Seattle, Tues June 12 in Issaquah
Other handy optional classes:
“Staying Found” On-trail Navigation: full day – Sat April 14, Sat May 5 at Tradition Lake, Issaquah ($25 fee = half-price for B3 students)
Conditioning for Hiking and Backpacking – evening classes with licensed trainer. Level I– Weds March 14, Seattle ($30); Level II– Weds Apr 17, Seattle ($30)
Tips and Tricks for Women Backpackers: free evening seminar, Friday Apr 13, Seattle
Long Distance Backpacking: free evening seminar, Thurs May 4, Seattle
Optional beginner field trips – number and timing to be decided once mentor groups begin to make their plans
Backpacking with Kids! Lecture, practice car camp & field trips
In discussing this slide, make the point that B3 is an integrated SEASON --- these classes, but also three trips to graduate, and an intent at some social connection via web page, facebook, sharing trip photos, a couple of get-togethers

3. Backpack Trips You need 3 backpack trips to graduate.
1 can be private if you plan and carry all your gear and food (guided supported trips don’t count).
You can plan trips with just the other people in your mentor group
You can choose B3-only beginner trips (to be posted after the Demo Day)
You can also select from a wide range of trips on the Mountaineers backpacking activity page (easy to challenging) – all led by experienced volunteers.
No pre-requisites other than experience and fitness appropriate to the trip.
Some trips may require advance leader permission, if fitness or technical demands are beyond a basic level.
You’ll get advance notice of trips by , but you must register for them on the Mountaineers backpacking activity page.
When you complete a trip, please Lori Heath and Cheryl Talbert with the dates, where you went and with whom.
You can take as long as you want (even into future years) to complete your grad requirements without paying again unless you want to retake a lecture or seminar.

4. Mountaineers Backpack Ratings
YOU are responsible to ensure that you are fit and experienced enough to complete a trip successfully BEFORE you register!!

5. B3 Course Logistics Stewardship Activity
Trail or lookout maintenance, beach or park or trail cleanup, exotic weed removal, tree or native plant establishment are good examples
The Mountaineers offer stewardship activities on the Stewardship Activity Page.
Washington Trails Association offers day-long trail maintenance work parties and longer ‘Volunteer Vacations -
Other entities are North 350 Blades (supporting the PCT), Washington Coast Savers, Mountains to Sound Greenway, and many more

6. Other Logistics
Registration for a Mountaineers seminar or trip is a commitment!
Please don’t register for a seminar or trip until you are sure you can go! Don’t worry, there will be plenty of trips!
If you have to cancel, do so well in advance! Gives waitlisted people a chance to sign up and make plans; gives carpools a chance to rearrange plans.
“No shows” and a pattern of multiple repeat late cancellations could hinder you from being approved to come on future trips.
Leaders may cancel or move a trip at the last minute if weather or snow/trail conditions are expected to be poor.
We encourage carpooling, and can help with arrangements, but you are responsible for your own carpools (can’t leave cars overnight at many P&R lots).
Don’t have a car? the other participants on the roster as early as possible before the trip. The Mountaineers and your trip leader are not responsible for finding you a ride, though your trip leader will assist on request.

7. Conditioning for backpacking
The best way to get in shape for backpacking is to put on a loaded pack and start hiking!
Begin with shorter, less strenuous hikes with a daypack or light backpack. Gradually increase the length and elevation of your hikes and increase your backpack load.
As you improve your endurance, switch to longer, more challenging hikes. Build up until you can do a full day comfortably with your likely pack weight on the kind of terrain and distance you want to achieve.
Strength and Core Training are very valuable! Stair-steppers, elliptical trainers for cardio and strength, weights for leg and core strength.
Don’t neglect flexibility and balance work!!
Be patient and listen to your body. Sign up for trips you’re capable of.
Sign up for our ‘Conditioning for Hiking and Backpacking’ classes and develop a personal training program tailored to your needs!

8. Getting geared up for backpack trips
At a minimum you will need these basic gear items for your first group trip
Warm clothing layers, wool or synthetic
Sturdy footwear, wool or synthetic socks
Raincoat and rainpants (Frogg Toggs are inexpensive!)
Sleeping bag or quilt (sufficient for the season and conditions)
A shelter – tent or bivvy
A way to treat and carry water (at least 2 liters – Smartwater bottles are great!)
Hat and sunglasses
A headlamp or small lightweight flashlight
Personal first aid
A pack that fits your torso length! liters
Start by borrowing and sharing wherever possible (share-able items starred above)
MANY gently used and/or heavily discounted options are now available! (see student resource list for suggested sources of low-cost gear)
Here is a suggested beginner-backpacker gear list, developed in conjunction with REI

9. Navigation Learn basic navigation skills to Stay Found!
Get a good topographic map of your trail - learn what the lines and symbols mean, how to orient yourself and the map
Review it before each trail day and regularly as you go along – practice “reading” the terrain, route and distance you’ve traveled by relating your map to the “real world” using natural or artificial boundaries, junctions, streams, other features
Learn how to use watch, compass, altimeter with your map to figure out where you are
DON’T RELY ON GPS ALONE. Batteries and satellite links can fail.
You don’t need to be an expert to start backpacking, but is your responsibility to seek and practice these skills over time to be safe and successful on the trail! Mountaineers leaders are not tour guides!
We can help! Check out our hands-on ‘Staying Found’ navigation class for hikers and backpackers!

10. First Aid Two categories of First Aid gear
Stuff you might need along the trail
Tweezers, antibiotic cream, bandaids, blister treatment, anti-inflammatories
Stuff you carry and hope to never use
Major wounds, bone breaks, etc
Carry enough first aid gear to be able to deal with major issues, such as a bleeding wound, bone break or hypothermia, for as long as it could take to get yourself out.
Build your own kit with gear you know you need – learn how to use it!
Be prepared with a game plan before each trip for how you’ll handle an emergency! Ten essentials, exit routes, communication, leave itinerary and contact info with someone at home.
Take our ‘Trail Emergency Preparedness’ class, a Red Cross CPR-First Aid class, or one of the excellent Wilderness First Aid classes offered by the Mountaineers, Remote Medical International and many others.