Beginners Backpacking Bootcamp-(Wisconsin) Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest

This course is designed for inexperienced or new backpackers. The boot camp combines hiking and camping in a backcountry setting. Our primary goal is to help members become self sufficient and familiar with their gear and gain the skills required to be safe while hiking.

This event takes place over the course of 2.5 days and starts on Friday. Friday after you arrive and check in, there will be a 2-3 hour lecture covering gear selection, food prep and storage, first aid and hygiene as well as a gear shakedown. Dinner is provided Friday night at the Group camp. Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon we will be hiking approximately 11 miles, stopping to overnight camp at a backcountry site. The terrain where we will be hiking may contains steep hills, ravines, drop offs, ledges, unstable and rocky terrain, wooden crossings, and may 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 may be provided by us.

We start and end each day of hiking with a yoga inspired stretching routine to prepare the body for a day on the trail and to aid in muscle recovery after a day of hiking. Stretching before and after also helps result in less injuries and it allows you to recharge the mind as well. Participation is not mandatory but highly recommended.

Course Highlights:

-Backpacking basics

-Gear selection /shakedown

-Safety and survival basics

-Water Filtration techniques

-Meal Preparation/Food storage

-Leave no Trace Principles

-Foot care and Hygiene on the trail

About the park

With unique forest landscapes and abundant wetlands, the Chequamegon-Nicolet is something out of a hiker's dream. Friday night we will camp at Spearhead Point which is located on scenic Mondeaux Flowage.

About the location/Directions

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):

45.32806, -90.44694

45°19'41"N, 90°26'49"W

From Medford, travel north on State Highway 13 for 4 miles, then turn left (west) onto County Road M and continue for 7 miles. Turn right (north) onto County Highway E and continue about 8 miles, then turn right (east) onto Forest Service Road 1563 and continue for about 1 mile. Turn right (east) onto Forest Service Road 106 and look for the campground entrance sign at the top of the hill.

Mailing Address:

Spearhead Point

Medford, WI 54451

Phone Number:

Information: (715)748-4875

Gear:

Members are responsible for obtaining their own gear. A required and suggested gear list will be emailed to you after registering and consists partially of the gear listed below. Rental can be provided for an additional cost.

Gear rental includes the following:

-Backpack

-1 or 2 person person tent

-Sleeping bag

-sleeping pad

-Backpacking stove

-water filter

-headlamp

-trekking poles

-trowel

-dry bag, Ursack or BearVault for food storage

Ticket Options.

2 ticket options are available for this event.

1) Admission for one person $125

2) Admission for one person with gear rental $225

Ticket price does not include the parking pass required for entrance into the National Park system for Saturday and Sunday (see Passes/Parking below).

Passes/Parking

Those that decide not to carpool with us should be aware that there is a daily parking fee associated with parking in the National Forest System. Fees be found here. You have the option to self register for parking the day of the event. Those that decided to drive themselves will have to self register, we will reimburse you for the cost of parking.

Cancellations

No refunds will be issued for cancellations less than 7 days from the date of the event. All other cancellations are subject to a 50% service fee. Refund will be issued in the form of a check. Please allow 5-7 business days for processing, we will notify you when the refund has been issued. Additional information will be emailed to you after registering.

Donate and Give Back to the Outdoor Community!

We are teaming up with *Gear Forward in an attempt to collect new and unused gear, specifically sleeping bags, tents and backpacks. Illinois resident Scott Gauvin is the founder of Gear Forward, an independent nationwide non-profit that provides gear to non-profit community organizations, youth groups and charities working with young people in the outdoors. If you have one of the above mentioned pieces of gear and would like to donate it, please bring it with. After our fall and winter events, the gear that we collect will be turned over to Gear Forward. Anyone donating equipment will be entered into a raffle. You will be given one raffle entry for each piece of gear. (Raffle will consist of 2 Backpackers Pantry backpacking meals, TNE decal pack, TNE t-shirt and a complimentary ticket to one weekend TNE event in 2019.)

*As stated above, Gear Forward is an independent nationwide non-profit that provides gear to non-profit community organizations, youth groups and charities working with young people in the outdoors. Founded by Scott Gauvin, Gear Forward aims to encourage people to donate unused outdoor gear they no longer want or need. Gear Forward also seeks partnerships with outdoor retailers and manufacturers to encourage donation of unused gear or donations by customers.

The outdoors are our collective greatest treasure and gift that we offer the next generation. Gear Forward, simply is about providing the next generation of stewards, adventurers, Scoutmasters and Girl Scout Leaders the resources they need to get outdoors. No child should be denied access to all the outdoors has to offer because they don't have the necessary equipment. Through the collection of gently used outdoor gear, Gear Forward will work with other youth and outdoor focused organizations to get donated gear into the hands that need it.

Through the donation of outdoor gear, Gear Forward will provide youth in need via various noteworthy organizations the ability to participate in outdoor themed activities such as hiking, camping and backpacking. You can find out more about Gear Forward by visiting their Facebook page or website.