Advanced Backpacking Bootcamp-Illinois

Event Disclaimer

This event suits anyone in Class 1, 2, or 3. All levels of experience are welcome. Visit this page for an explanation of how we classify events.

Our guides are here to assist you if needed. Still, with multiple clients and safety in mind, If you are thinking about attending this event, we ask that you have a basic understanding of hiking and the outdoors and have the strength to carry a pack of up to 40 pounds in weight for up to 8 hours. Additionally, spending time outdoors affects everyone physically, spiritually, and emotionally differently. We know the outdoors helps people "heal" differently, but we ask that you consider that when registering for such outdoor excursions.

Event Details

This course is designed for new backpackers, backpackers who have not been out on trail recently, and those who want to enhance their skills and apply the knowledge they already possess. You will be hiking and camping in beautiful backcountry settings during this event. Our primary goal is to help reinforce the knowledge base that backpackers already have so that they can safely plan and execute a multi-day hike. We will share information such as staging vehicles, deciding how to select a campsite, advanced water filtration techniques, and planning appropriate daily mileage.

Under the guidance of the instructors, participants will determine campsites, mileage per day, water sources, and other important factors over 2.5 days. Basic first aid principles and basic knots, map reading, and fire-starting techniques will be reviewed. This event will involve hiking approximately 12 miles over 2.5 days, including a 2-mile night hike on Friday! The terrain we will be hiking may contain steep hills, ravines, drop-offs, ledges, unstable and rocky terrain, and wooden crossings, and can be strenuous at times. The trails may also be wet, slippery, muddy, and rocky. Drinking water will be obtained and filtered from area creeks or provided by event hosts. This event will include night hiking and setting up a campsite in the dark.

Plan to complete a 2-4 mile night hike on Friday after dark. Temperatures can range from 30 to 60 degrees, but plan on bringing cold-weather and rain gear.

Meals

Participants are expected to bring their meals and snacks for the entirety of the event. If you need help planning meals, contact us before the event. Meal packages are also available and can be purchased during checkout.  

Gear

Members are responsible for obtaining their gear, or you can rent gear from True North by selecting the "Admission w/Gear Rental" ticket option.

We suggest the following information as a basic guide in preparation for our event. If you purchase gear and are unsure what to buy, please get in touch with us for guidance.

Required Gear

● Backpack (properly fitted) Typical pack for a 2-5 day outing is 40-60 liters.

● Sleeping bag

● Sleeping pad

● Tent

● Stove

● Cookware

● Trowel

● Small Compass

● Appropriate footwear (trail runners or boots)

● Water filter

● 25' of paracord (minimum)

● Individual First Aid Kit

● Headlamp (spare batteries)

● Rain Gear (poncho, Frog Toggs, rain suit)

● Toiletry Kit

● Fire starting kit

● Small knife

● Spare set of clothing

● Spare set of socks

● Appropriate backpacking meals for the length of the event

● Emergency blanket

● Hydration system or water bottles

● Whistle

● Quick Dry towel

● Biodegradable soap

● Personal Medications

Optional Items

● Trekking Poles

● Baselayer (inclement weather)

● Rain gear (inclement weather)

● Camp shoes (Crocs or similar)

● Insect repellent

● Earplugs

Rental Gear

Rental is available for an extra fee and includes the following:

-Osprey Backpack

-River Country Products 1 or 2-person tent

-North Face, Eureka, or Kelty Sleeping bag

-Thermarest sleeping pad

-UL Pillow  (fleece pillowcase you can stuff your extra clothes into)

-Jetboil Flash backpacking stove w/fuel

-Sawyer water filter

-Trowel

-Headlamp

-Trekking Poles

-Dry Bag for food storage

Tickets

1) Admission-$229. Includes admission for one person, transportation from select areas, and camping/permit fees. 

2) Admission w/Gear Rental—$379. This includes admission for one person, transportation from select areas, camping/permit fees, and rental gear during the event. A list of the rental gear is displayed under the "Rental Gear" section above.

3) Meal Package—$40/80. This package includes everything you will need for one day: breakfast bars/breakfast meals, protein/energy/meal replacement bars, jerky, nuts, a lunch meal, a dehydrated backpacking meal, and a dessert.

4) Hammock Rental-$100.  This add-on gear rental includes the following: Dream Hammock Darien 11' hammock, under quilt, top quilt, and tree straps with carabiners. A guide will assist you in setting up your hammock system. 

Safety

All True North Expeditions staff are certified in First Aid/CPR, and every one of our events is led by a guide with a background in emergency medicine and a certified Wilderness First Aid instructor. Guides are experienced in wilderness and outdoor travel and are equipped with GPS and satellite phones during every portion of this event.

Cancellation Policy

• Cancellations over 30 days from the event date will receive a 50% refund.
• No refunds for cancellations made less than 30 days before the event exist.
• We can not transfer your admission fee to another event or issue you a credit toward a future event.
• If you can find someone to take your place, we can transfer your admission fee to another client ONE TIME only. If they cancel, they will not receive a refund for any portion of what the original client has already paid.
• Please allow 5-7 business days for processing; we will notify you when the refund has been issued.
• MEAL PACKAGE CANCELLATIONS: No refunds for meal package cancellations made less than 14 days before the event will be issued. A full refund will be issued for all meal package cancellations made more than 14 days before the start of the event.

True North Expeditions, Inc. reserves the right to substitute the events listed in the description above due to inclement weather, availability, or other uncontrollable events. After registering, you will receive additional information via email.