Backpacking 101

Meet: Starbucks near EVK @ 9am

Return: 5ish pm

Member: $39 Non member: $49

Participant Driver: $20

Activity: Learning basic backpacking skills and putting them to use on an overnight

Difficulty: (3/10) medium-easy Distance (miles): 3-4 miles each day Elevation (ft): 200ft

Recommended Prior Experience: None required

Location of Trip: Joshua Tree National Park // Boy Scout Trail

Native Land: Serrano and Western Shoshone

Come learn basic backpacking skills with us! We will take you through a 2-3 hour seminar on campus on Friday the 17th before taking you on an overnight backpacking trip in Jtree where you will be able to put your new skills to work. This seminar/trip is perfect for anyone with no prior experience who is looking to get a taste of backpacking.

Contact the Guides:

Ariana: cobaclem@usc.edu

Luke: lalozano@usc.edu

Josh: mccampbe@usc.edu

What to Bring:

• sunscreen

• 2 liters of water (nalgene = 1 liter)

• sunglasses (Pit Vipers encouraged)

• hat

• hiking shoes or some sort of athletic footwear

• 2 pairs of socks

• gloves (if you have)

• Deserts are cold so please bring warm clothes!

• toiletries

• mess kit (plate/bowl/utensils)

• mug

• headlamp/flashlight

• toilet paper and ziplock for it

• personal trash bag (grocery bag works)

• optional

  • tent

  • sleeping bag

  • sleeping pad

Please Review Our Cancellation and Refund Policy:

All SC Outfitter trips have a no-refund policy unless a substitute participant can be found. In the event your trip requires added reporting measures of participants (plane tickets, external providers, rental services, etc.) dropping the trip close to the date of the trip will not allow for the spot to be re-filled. See the details on trip pages for specific deadlines and reference our complete cancellation/refund policy here.

TRIP DIFFICULTY RATING SYSTEM

• Difficulty rating for trips

  • 1: No physical activity.

  • 2: Leisurely walk.

  • 3: 2-5 miles less than 1000 ft of total elevation gain on well maintained trails. About 2-3 hours continuous activity

  • 4: 4-6 miles, about 1000 ft of elevation gain, well maintained trails. About 3 hours of continuous activity.

  • 5: 6-8 miles, about 1500ft of elevation gain on maintained trials. 4-5 hours continuous activity

  • 6: 8-10 miles, about 2000 ft of elevation gain, well maintained trails. 4-6 hours of continuous activity.

  • 7: 10-14 miles, over 2500 ft of elevation gain, variable trail conditions possible. Full day of continuous activity.

  • 8: At high altitude. 12-16 total miles, over 3000 ft of elevation gain, variable trail conditions possible. Full day of continuous activity.

  • 9: Technical skills may be necessary. At high altitude with physical elevation gain. Scrambling over rocks likely involved.

  • 10: u gunna die

**If you have any questions or concerns about the physical activity, recommended prior experience, or gear needed on any kind of trip please contact the guides as soon as possible!!