Backpacking 101 Skill-Building Trip
Elk Knob State Park • Saturday, Oct. 9 - Sunday Oct. 10
Join Lead Instructor, Jamie Young, for a beginner-friendly overnight backpacking trip at Elk Knob State Park. We’re entering perfect camping weather and it’s time to learn and brush up on your outdoor skills. Jamie will be leading this hike to our campsite in Elk Knob State Park. During this trip, she’ll be introducing you to some essential skills like map & compass work, fire building, and essential backpacking 101 knowledge like gear selection, Leave No Trace, blister prevention, staying hydrated, and bear-proofing your food.
You must have all of the gear for this trip. Please make sure your apparel and sleep system can keep you comfortable in temperatures into the 40s.
Skills we’ll cover:
General backpacking 101 discussions - gear, basic first aid, food storage, etc.
Map & compass
Intro to survival: fire starting & shelter building
This class is for:
Women who are beginner backpackers that want to learn to become more self-sufficient
Women of all levels of experience who need easier, lower-impact trails
Women who have experience backpacking and just want to get out with a fun group
The Trip:
Meet at Elk Knob State Park parking lot by the Backcountry Trailhead (map will be sent out) at 10am
Hike in is an easy 1.75 mile trail with little elevation gain/loss other than a short, but steep section
Campsite is NOT hammock-friendly, tents will be required for shelter
You will need:
Food & Snacks
Water- 2-3L
Layers - prepare for low 40s- upper 30s
Provided but if you’d like to get your own:
Compass
Recommended:
Ferro rod or other alternative fire starter
Your Instructor: Jamie Young
Certifications: Wilderness First Aid
Growing up in Western North Carolina, Jamie spent her summers hiking and backpacking in the Appalachian Mountains. While attending Appalachian State University, she completed courses in Backpacking, Orienteering, Backcountry Ethics, and worked at the University's outdoor center. She has been volunteering with local women's groups for the past few years leading beginner backpacking and camping trips. Recently she has volunteered as an instructor offering classes in basic map and compass skills as well as orienteering workshops.
Contact: jamie@wildforces.org
Liability
All participants are required to sign a liability waiver and emergency contact form prior to this event. Pleas register with an active email address as this will be how we communicate with you and send you paperwork.
Transparency
The money collected from this course goes to the cost of our permits to continue to operate these classes, reserved space, and supplies used for this class. Wild Forces Instructors are volunteers. Third-party events and guides are at cost, Wild Forces does not take any percentage of funds collected.
Cancellation
We can issue a refund up to 24 hours before the class- 10am Friday, Oct. 8 . We cannot issue a refund for day of cancellations and no show participants. Please allow 3-5 days for the refund to process.
Transaction & Privacy
Wild Forces does not share personal information or data.
We use a third party, Stripe, to complete this transaction safely and securely. You can view Stripe’s policies here: https://stripe.com/privacy