Backpacking & Hiking Course
Backpacking School
The CMC Basic Backpacking Course is a fundamentals course going over the essential skills needed to be safe and prepared when venturing into the mountains on overnight or multi-night trips. The course is designed to enable individuals to be prepared and confident in their ability to not only survive, but have fun while camping in backcountry areas with no facilities. The school includes in-person class time, as well as multiple overnight trips. The final trip is a 2 night / 3 day trip. Register and join the waitlist if the school is at capacity, more spots may open up.
Contacts
- Wed, May 7, 2025 - Tue, Sep 30, 2025
- Committee: Denver
- Members: $175.00
- Availability: 45 (45 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
EXPAND THIS SECTION TO SEE ALL DATES AND INFORMATION.
Registration opens March 1, 2025.
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
- Pre-Class Gear List Review - Wednesday, May 7, 6:30 pm on Zoom. This will be recorded and sent to any students who cannot attend, or register after the date.
- Class 1 - Wednesday, June 4, Check-in at 6:00pm, Starts at 6:30pm @ CMC HQ
- Class 2 - Wednesday, June 11, 6:30pm @ CMC HQ
- Class 3 - Field Shakedown – Saturday, June 14, 7:30am - 1pm @ TBD
- Class 4 - Final Class and Trip Prep - Wednesday, June 18, 6:30 pm (location TBD)
Trips (All Trips and Prep Meetings are with the small groups)
- Prep Meeting 1 - Wednesday, June 18, 6:30pm (Part of Class 4)
- Field Day 1 Overnight – June 21 - 22, 2025
- Prep Meeting 2- Wednesday, July 9th, 6:30pm (Virtual/In-Person based on Group pref)
- Field Day 2 Overnight – July 12 - 13, 2025
- 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.
Badges you will earn:
Basic Backpacking Course
This course has no scheduled activities.
Backpack
Tent
Stove
Sleeping Bag / Pad
Sturdy hiking boots
| Name/Description |
|---|
| Registration Link for BKPS 2023 Registration Link for the 2023 Backpacking School Season |
| BKPS Welcome Letter.pdf |
| BKPS 2023 Mission Statement.pdf |
| BKPS 2023 Class Curriculum.pdf |
| WTS-Waiver.pdf |