Backpacking and Wilderness Skills

The Backpacking and Wilderness Skills curriculum introduces students to the essentials of overnight backcountry travel while building confidence and independence in the wilderness. This program focuses on practical, hands-on training that prepares participants for overnight backpacking trips with emphasis on Leave No Trace

Students Will Learn:

• Equipment selection
• How to pack a pack
• Meal planning and backcountry cooking
• Water treatment and hydration strategies
• Stove selection and operation
• Knots and hitches for tents and food bags
• Food storage and caching methods
• Construction of a comfortable, low-impact campsite
• How to go to the bathroom outdoors
• Leave No Trace principles
• Many additional backcountry skills

Many people assume that they can easily acquire these skills while on their mountaineering courses, either because they usually pick up new skills quickly or because they are strong athletes.  But acquisition of these skills takes patience, openness to experience, and proactive adaptation.  Staying dry, staying warm, staying hydrated, walking without discomfort, and knowing your whereabouts are things we take for granted in everyday life, but they are achievements in the backcountry.

Prerequisites

• Good physical fitness
• Ability carry a 45-50 lb backpack

Inclusions and Exclusions

Inclusions: Included in the course cost are group technical climbing equipment like ropes and pickets, transportation to the climbing areas from AAI headquarters, all permits and camping fees, and the guide fee.

Exclusions: Not included in the course cost are all personal clothing and climbing gear, rentals, gratuities to the guide, meals while on the course, or travel insurance.

Program Discounts

Overnight backpacking experience is a prerequisite for many of our courses, including all of the public, multi-day introductory alpine courses taught in the Cascades.  Because of this, we offer discounts when paired with the following courses:

• Glacier Skills and Crevasse Rescue $50 off
• Baker Skills and Climb $50 off
• Alpinism 1 $75 off
• Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership 1 (AMTL 1) $75 off

Navigate with Confidence

While this program includes backcountry navigation, time on the mountain is limited. Many climbers choose to expand their skills by adding our dedicated Backcountry Navigation Comprehensive program. This add-on gives you extra practice and confidence with route-finding, map reading, and glacier navigation, ensuring you’re fully prepared to move independently and efficiently in the backcountry.