Introduction to Backpacking

Backpacking can be a life-changing experience, but sometimes your first trip(s) can be full of painful lessons - too much gear, wrong gear, bad food, blisters and other "I wish I had known . . . " moments. Learn how to minimize mistakes and maximize the experience by joining us at our new store location on Scottsdale Road between McDowell and McKellips for a free, rapid-paced, 90 minute class to learn the basics of:

How to select, fit and load a backpack

Tent styles and site selection

The best sleeping gear for your needs

How much food to pack

Basic map navigation

Water treatment

What clothes to take

Why Excel and a postal scale are your friends

How to love your feet

We're not going to be able to make you an expert on all these topics in just 90-ish minutes. But we can guarantee you'll be much better prepared after this class so you don't have to learn everything the hard way on the trail. Class size is intentionally small, and there is no such thing as a dumb question.