Backpacking and Wilderness Skills
Backpacking and Wilderness Skills
This weekend backpacking excursion is tailored for individuals with minimal or no prior overnight camping exposure in the wilderness.
Located in the Keylong, Lahaul and Spiti, the program encompasses equipment selection, navigation techniques, meal preparation and cooking skills, as well as guidance on choosing optimal campsites.
Location : Keylong, Himachal Pradesh
Difficulty : Easy, Beginner
Duration : 3 Days (2 nights in the outdoors)
Season : May - November
Includes
Includes
Tuition for the program includes the guides' fee and all group equipment. Personal equipment is not included in the program cost, but it can be rented from our equipment shop. A complete list of recommended and required equipment will be sent to you upon registration. Course participants will carpool to the trailhead
Pre-requisites
Pre-requisites
Good general physical fitness
Medical Fitness
If you have any health-related concerns , please download the Medical Statement form which goes over a medical checklist. If you answer “yes” to any of the questions there, please get medical clearance from your doctor prior to reaching Keylong. You will need one separate clearance for every question to which you answer “yes.”
Schedule
Day 1: Arrive at Keylong, Gear Check, Course briefings and setting up staging camp at 3300m
Day 2: Mix of hiking and outdoor training sessions. We hike up to 4000m, cross the DrilbuRi pass and setup Camp 2.
Day 3: Full day Hike, Descent down to Gondhala Side. Leave for Manali in the evening.
Overview
This weekend course is for hikers and outdoor lovers who are new to camping in mountains or the wilderness. By the end, you'll know how to plan and enjoy a multi-day backpacking trip on trails and campsites.
Course Details
Max Ratio - 5:1 or 10:2 (Students:Guides)
Capacity - 10
Skills Covered
- Equipment Selection and Packing
- Land Navigation Basics with Map and Compass
- Meal Planning and Outdoor Cooking
- Water Treatment and Hydration
- Backpacking Stove Selection and Safety
- Knots and Hitches for Securing Tents and Food
- Food Storage and Caching
- Leave No Trace Principles
- Low-Impact Campsite Construction
- Outdoor Bathroom Etiquette
- And Many More Backcountry Skills
Curriculum
Backpacking Experience
Backpacking demands a myriad of skills and habits, often dismissed as trivial, which collectively pose a significant challenge to beginners.
Key Components of Backpacking
- Packing a Backpack: Proper packing, considering the terrain and movement, is crucial. The weight distribution required for a long hike on gentle switchbacks differs from that of an off-trail climb across unstable talus.
- Eating and Drinking: Even endurance athletes often misunderstand the nutritional and hydration needs of all-day backpacking.
- Walking Pace: Maintaining an efficient walking pace in mountainous terrain can be surprisingly difficult. Learning the sustainable pace for all-day backpacking is essential.
- Boot Wear: The choice of socks, insoles, and lacing patterns significantly impacts hiking enjoyment.
- Clothing Selection: Efficient clothing selection is critical for backpacking success. Lightweight items, intelligently layered, provide the necessary insulation, wind, rain, and sun protection without adding excessive weight.
Our overnight backpacking course aims to introduce participants to these essential backpacking skills.
Got a question?
Just call us!
9810619083
or info@skimo.in
This course runs as a public, group outing every other weekend in the summer months. It can also be taught as a private program for you, your family, or a group of friends, with custom dates and length appropriate to your needs. Call us with any questions.
Important Info
- Booking Deposit: A 50% deposit is required upon booking.
- The remaining cost will be settled upon your arrival at the location