Backpacking School

Backpacking School Schedule: (Expand this section by clicking the More+ icon below)

Registration opens March 1st 2024
(NOTE: Registration is capped at 36 students currently but will likely be expanded as we organize volunteers to lead more students!  Register and get on the wait list if the school is at capacity!!)

Prerequisites are:

Must be a CMC member and hold one of the following "badges" or completion of these classes:

• Wilderness Trekking School
• Day Hiking School
• Wilderness Trekking Skills Badge

If you have completed one of these courses and are missing the badge, or are looking to receive a waiver if you have the required skills, please contact the Wilderness Trekking Director - John Linder: John Lindner hautesnow@yahoo.com

Classes are held at the American Mountaineering Center, 710 10th St. in Golden

• Class 1 - Wednesday, June 5, Check-in at 6:00pm, Starts at 6:30pm @ AMC(Full School)
• Class 2 - Tuesday, June 11, 6:30pm @ AMC (Full School) 
• Class 3 - Field Shakedown – Saturday, June 15, 7:30am - 1pm @ AMC (or Nearby Park) (Full School)

Trips (All Trips and Prep Meetings are with the small groups)

• Prep Meeting 1 - Wednesday, June 19th, 6:30pm (Virtual/In-Person based on Group pref) 
• Field Day 1 Overnight – June 22 - 23
• Prep Meeting 2- Tuesday, July 9th, 6:30pm (Virtual/In-Person based on Group pref) 
• Field Day 2 Overnight – July 13 - 14
• Prep Meeting 3- TBD based on FD3 dates. 
• Field Day 3 - 3-day Trip, dates to be determined by each group and will be completed by Sept. 30 (student sorting will be by date availability for this trip)

Registration for the Backpacking School requires the completion of the Wilderness Trekking School Badge (Or existing WTS / DHS student) or WTS Waiver (found under the Course Materials).

Any questions about this please contact cmcbackpacker@gmail.com

Buying Gear for the school?

Remember, CMC Members have access to Pro Deals through Expert Voice, go to this link for more info! https://www.cmc.org/members-volunteers/member-benefits/my-benefits 

Group Structure Overview:

The Backpacking School is broken up into smaller groups to order to give the attention and detail needed for these topics. These groups are between 7-10 students in size with 2-4 Instructors. To organize these groups before the first class a Student Survey will be sent out before the first class.

The Basic Backpacking School topics include:

• Gear and clothing
• Camp craft and skills
• Cooking, nutrition and stoves
• Organizing your: trip, pack, tent and camp
• Navigation
• Basic first aid
• Staying warm
• Leave No Trace principles
• Packing and packing lighter
• Avoiding problems with animals and weather

The CMC Backpacking instructors are passionate and experienced hikers who love the outdoors, enjoy sharing their knowledge, and deeply know their gear and skills.