Beginner Backpacking Education Series: Day Training Hike with a Backpack — Kinnickinnic State Park, River Falls, WI

Sun, 12:00pmJul 242022

Max Trip Size: 8 people

Description:

After you have completed the Beginner Backpacking Series “Choosing, Fitting & Packing Backpacks” education session, come join us for a day training hike to experience firsthand what it’s like to hike with a fully loaded backpack! We are offering multiple dates and times throughout June and July, pick one that works for you!

As part of this activity, we will ask you to dump out your backpack so we can help ensure you pack the right things in the most effective way. Use the MN Rovers backpacking gear list as a starting point for what you might pack: https://mnrovers.org/trip-planning/packing-and-gears-list/backpacking/

We will be hiking 3-5 miles at a pace of approximately 2mph when moving. Don’t worry! We’ll take breaks for snacks, water, and adjustments.

To register, send an email to [email protected] indicating the date you’d like to attend.

Gear:

Wear what you’d wear and bring what you’d bring for backpacking.
Remember to bring your own snack and/or lunch and bring water.
Personal backpacking gear – bring it if you’ve got it!
Pack for a 2 night, 3 day trip.
Use the equipment locker for a backpack if needed. To borrow and pickup equipment from the equipment locker, contact the equipment directors 2 weeks prior at [email protected]
Stoves/tents/sleeping pads/bear vaults from equipment locker should only be reserved for overnight trips (but bring your own if you have it)

Weigh your pack prior to this day hike. Plan to achieve 30-40 pounds. If you need additional weight, add water bottles. Water is easy to dump if needed.
Wear good hiking footwear!
Bring a blister kit/first aid kit, hiking with a loaded backpack is more stressful on your feet and body.
Be prepared for all conditions, rain or shine.
- Rain gear
- Sun screen
- Activity is cancelled only in cases of severe weather (lightning, hail, tornadoes)

Pre-requisites:

Participants must have already attended the Beginner Backpacking Series “Choosing, Fitting & Packing Backpacks” education session.
Current Rovers membership is required to register and attend. We recommend turning on auto renew!
You must be capable of day hiking up to 5 miles.
RSVP is required to attend. Your spot is not confirmed until you receive a confirmation email.

Other Info:

The Beginner Backpacking Series is made possible by 20+ awesome MN Rovers members generously donating their time. Please thank your volunteers for all of their efforts to make this program happen.
We strongly suggest working on your physical fitness prior to this day hike. This day hike is intended to help you experience carrying a pack, but not to gain physical stamina.
Please view the REI pack fitting video prior to attending this activity.
If you own your own pack, we recommend a professional pack fitting from REI or Midwest Mountaineering prior to this activity.
This activity is a prerequisite for Beginner Backpacking Series overnight trips.

You will receive an email from the coordinator(s) approximately 1 week prior to the day hike with information regarding exact meetup point.
Trip slots are limited, so in the event of a no-show/no call, you will only be able to sign-up for future trip waitlists.
Slots in this activity are prioritized for first time attendees. Attending a second day hike is only by waitlist.

Coordinator(s):

Sarah C.

Liability waiver for non-members

"*" indicates required fields

Trip Date*

Trip Name*

Trip Coordinator’s Name*

Trip Coordinator’s Email*

Participant’s Name*

First Last

Participant's Email*

18 or older?*

Yes

Parent/Legal Guardian's Name*

First Last

Consent*

I HAVE READ THIS RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY AND UNDERSTAND THAT I AM GIVING UP CERTAIN RIGHTS BY SIGNING IT.

Minnesota Rovers Outdoors Club (“MN Rovers”) conducts various outdoor recreational activities (“MN Rovers Activities”). I am willingly and voluntarily choosing to participate in MN Rovers Activities. This Waiver and Release of Liability applies to the specific activity “Activity” outlined below as well as to other MN Rovers Activities.

SUMMARY: I agree that MN Rovers will not be held responsible for anything that happens to me at a MN Rovers Activity.

I understand that the MN Rovers Activities that I am and will be participating in are potentially dangerous and involve the risk of personal injury, psychological harm and/or death. I hereby, on behalf of myself, my heirs, representatives, successors, executors, and administrators knowingly and voluntarily enter into this waiver and release of liability and hereby waive any and all rights, claims or causes of action arising out of my participation in the MN Rovers Activities, and do hereby release and forever discharge MN Rovers, their affiliates, managers, members, agents, trip coordinators, staff, volunteers, representatives, predecessors, successors and assigns (“Released Parties”), for any physical or psychological injury, including but not limited to illness, paralysis, death, damages, economical or emotional loss, that I may suffer as a direct result of my participation in the MN Rovers Activities including traveling to and from an event related to any MN Rovers Activity. I assume all related risks, both known or unknown to me, of my participation in the MN Rovers Activities. I acknowledge that the Released Parties are not responsible for errors, omissions, acts, or failures to act of any party or entity conducting a specific event or activity on behalf of MN Rovers.

SUMMARY: I agree to reimburse MN Rovers if MN Rovers or its Released Parties get sued by me, by someone on my behalf, or by any third party related to my participation in a MN Rovers Activity.

I agree to indemnify and hold harmless MN Rovers against any and all claims, suits or actions for liability, damages, compensation or otherwise brought by me, by anyone on my behalf, or by any third party, including attorney's fees and any related costs, if litigation arises pursuant to any claims made by me, by anyone else acting on my behalf or by a third party because of my participation in a MN Rovers Activity. If MN Rovers incurs any of these types of expenses, I agree to reimburse MN Rovers.

SUMMARY: I am financially responsible for my own medical care as well as damage to equipment or facilities caused by me.

I hereby consent to receive medical treatment deemed necessary if I am injured or require medical attention during my participation in a MN Rovers Activity. I agree to be financially responsible for any costs incurred as a result of such treatment. I am aware and understand that I should carry my own health insurance. In the event that any damage to equipment or facilities occurs as a result of my or my family’s willful actions, neglect or recklessness, I acknowledge and agree to be held liable for any and all costs associated with any actions of neglect or recklessness.

MN Rovers and I agree that this Agreement is clear and unambiguous as to its terms, and that no other evidence will be used or admitted to alter or explain the terms of this Agreement, but that it will be interpreted based on the language in accordance with the purposes for which it is entered into. I also understand that if any portion of this release and waiver is deemed overreaching or void for any reason, all other portions not deemed overreaching or void remain valid and in effect. If a court should find that any provision of this agreement to be invalid or unenforceable, but that by limiting said provision it would become valid and enforceable, then said provision shall be deemed to be written, construed and enforced as so limited.

I HAVE READ THIS RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY AND UNDERSTAND THAT I AM GIVING UP CERTAIN RIGHTS BY SIGNING IT. I fully understand its content, and that this release cannot be modified orally. I am signing it voluntarily and freely and am at least 18 years of age, or as a legal guardian agreeing on behalf of my minor child/ren and am competent to sign. I understand that this release does not apply to any intentional, willful, or wanton acts on the part or on any of the Released Parties. I also understand that if any portion of this release and waiver is deemed overreaching or void for any reason, all other portions not deemed overreaching or void remain valid and in effect.

Last Revised: October 2024

Comments

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.