The Tahoe Rim Trail Association is offering a Backpacking 101 class.

It is led by seasoned guides and Snowcamping 101 instructors Wayne McClelland and Jordan Summers. This class will go over all the basics of backpacking from how to pack to choosing a campsite and cooking your meals.

The two will guide participants to Gray Lake on a 5-mile hike with 2,000 feet of elevation gain. You must be able to hike 5-plus miles per day at elevation with a 20-30 pound backpack. Participants must provide their gear, food and clothing.

Backpacking 101 is designed to equip people with the confidence to plan a safe backpacking trip. This course will start in the classroom, but then the skills you just learned are tested in an overnight experience. Specifically, your guides/instructors will cover: trip planning; packing; basic orientation skills; bear awareness; campsite selection and set-up; cooking hints and demonstrations; principals of Leave No Trace.

Course time: 10am July 10-2pm July 11

Cost: Suggested $60 donation

For more information, and for prerequisites for this course, call (775) 298.0012 or email programs@tahoerimtrail.org.