- Max Trip Size: 6 people
This hike is open to registered participants in the 2024 Beginner Backpacking Program who have completed the education session on Choosing and Fitting a Backpack. Come join us for a day training hike to experience firsthand what it’s like to hike with a fully loaded backpack!
The goals of the day hike are to:
- Think about exactly what you need to bring. Some folks have been surprised at the amount of time it takes to gather gear, plan food, choose clothing, and fit it all into a backpack. You’ll want to start this process well before your hike day.
- Experience how it feels to carry 25 to 35 pounds for four to five miles.
The gear shakedown and hike will take 3 to 4 hours plus driving time. You must participate in the full event in order to progress to an overnight.
Please carefully read all the information below. To sign up, send an email with your name, hike location, hike date, and cell phone number to [email protected]. If you have a second choice, please include that as well. Hikes fill up quickly. Your place on the hike is not secured until you receive a confirmation email.
How it works:
You will be hiking 4-5 miles at a pace of approximately 2 mph when moving. Don’t worry! We’ll take breaks for snacks, water, and pack adjustments. As part of this activity, we will ask you to dump out your backpack so we can help ensure you’re aware of what to pack in the most effective way. Use the MN Rovers backpacking gear list as a starting point: https://mnrovers.org/trip-planning/packing-and-gears-list/backpacking/
The quality of your planning is an important part of this experience and determines if you’re ready to move on to an overnight trip. You do not need to purchase any new equipment for a good gear shakedown. Feel free to use substitutes for gear you don’t yet have. Later, you’ll be able to borrow Rovers equipment when you go on an overnight trip.
Gear:
- Please view the REI pack fitting video prior to attending this activity.
- The idea is to wear what you’d wear and bring what you’d bring for backpacking on a two-night/three-day trip. The expectation is that you gather as full a set of food, clothing, and personal items as you can. You may need to substitute for other gear.
- Use the equipment locker for a backpack if needed. To borrow and pick up a backpack from the equipment locker, contact the equipment directors ASAP at [email protected]. Please do not request other items from the locker. You will be able to borrow stoves/tents/sleeping bags & pads/bear vaults for overnight trips. For Day Hikes, the locker is for borrowing backpacks only.
- Personal backpacking gear – bring it if you’ve got it! Or use your car camping gear. Or approximate the weight and volume with towels, tent poles and a rain fly, a car camping pot, etc. Use water bottles to achieve weight (which are easy to dump if needed).
- Weigh your pack prior to this day hike. Plan to achieve 25-35 pounds. Minimum weight is 20 pounds.
- Wear good hiking footwear!
- Bring a blister kit/first aid kit, hiking with a loaded backpack is stressful on your feet.
- Remember to bring water and a snack or lunch.
- Be prepared for all conditions, rain or shine. We cancel only in cases of severe weather (lightning, hail, tornadoes). Bring both rain gear and sunscreen.
Other Info:
- We strongly suggest working on your physical fitness prior to this day hike. You must be able to day hike at least 5 miles. This backpacking practice hike is intended to help you experience carrying a pack, not to gain physical stamina.
- If you own your own pack, we recommend a professional pack fitting from REI prior to this activity.
- This activity is a prerequisite for Beginner Backpacking Program overnight trips.
- You will receive an email from the coordinator(s) approximately 1 week prior to the day hike with the exact meetup point and other information.
- 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.
- Participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation and any parking or state park fees.