Backpacking Skills Series
Ages 15-18.
Join us for the Wild Hearts Backpacking Skills Series, a hands-on adventure designed to teach you everything you need to confidently head into the backcountry and how to think and operate like a professional backpacking guide!
We’ll kick things off Wednesday afternoon by learning how guides plan trips—from building meal plans and managing group gear to understanding risk, logistics, and what it takes to lead others safely in the outdoors. Thursday is all about prep, where you’ll practice packing like a guide, dialing in efficient systems, layering for changing conditions, and preparing both yourself and your team for the field.
From Friday through Sunday, we’ll take these skills onto the trail and step into real guide roles. You’ll learn how to set up and manage a campsite, lead group travel and pacing, cook efficiently for a team, purify water, manage risk, and make decisions in real time—all while practicing clear communication and leadership. Along the way, you’ll also train in essential guide-level skills like Leave No Trace, backcountry hygiene, food storage in bear country, and how to create a safe, supportive, and well-run group experience.
This experience is designed to give you a true introduction to what it means to be a backpacking guide. You’ll leave not only with strong technical skills, but with the confidence, leadership mindset, and real-world experience to take your next steps toward guiding, leadership roles, or bigger backcountry adventures.
Previous backpacking experience is suggested.
Trip Registration
If you are interested in attending this trip, please fill out the registration form below:
Trip Deposit
Cancelation Policy
Please notify Wild Hearts within 72 hours of registering or 2 weeks prior to the adventure (whichever is first) if you will not be able to attend the adventure. This allows time to open the spot for another participant to join.
Cancelations made outside of the cancelation policy window will not be eligible for a trip deposit refund.