Advanced Backpacking
Great outdoor adventures for girls and adults!
Advanced Backpacking Trips ($25)
Designed for individuals, this third step in training safely takes girls and adults on unforgettable wilderness adventures, where they'll enjoy the majesty of nature along with the camaraderie of fellow backpacking enthusiasts, while building skills to a higher level. Registration fees cover insurance and permits. Hikers will need to contribute additional amounts to cover trip expenses such as transportation, food and equipment rental/purchase. Carpooling is encouraged. Pre-trip planning meetings include those shown below; other dates TBD.
Prerequisite: Completion of Wilderness Hiking Class and Basic Backpacking Course.
| Appalachian Trail 2013 | (Additional $1000 estimated, including travel (airfare is factored into estimate, but you will need to arrange your own air transportation)) |
| Jul 9-15 | |
| Pre-Trip Meeting(s): | January 13, Starting in September 2012 |
| Level: | Moderate |
| Features: | Magnificent Appalachian Mountains will be yours to enjoy on this journey beginning with the "hut hop" from each hut. Exhilarate and take in the views of the fresh greenery, above tree line. Get great views from Mt. Washington and enjoy the splendor of having a very scrumptious breakfast and dinner presented to you by the Appalachian Mountain Club staff. Get into the spirit of each hut with the entertainment that is presented. This is a trip you won't want to miss. |
| Starting Trailhead: | Joe Dodge Lodge, Appalachian Mountains |
| Exit Trailhead: | Appalachian Mountains (Lodge and trail TBD during planning stages) |
| Mileage: | 25-30 backpacking miles, going from "hut" to "hut" |
| Permit: | 15 people |
| Leader: | Sharmaine Hamilton and Anna Iadevaia |
| High Sierras, Cottonwood Lakes | (Additional Additional est. $100.00 for food and travel) |
| Jul 13-17 | |
| Pre-Trip Meeting(s): | May 1, Escondido Program Center |
| Level: | 3 A nice beginning Sierra trip. |
| Features: | Spend 3 nights in the stunning Golden Trout Wilderness. Hike through high mountain meadows filled with colorful flowers and camp beside clear mountain lakes. We will spend the 1st night at the trail head campsite. We will then hike 5 miles into the outstanding Cottonwood lakes and set up base camp - where we will be staying for the next 3 nights. We will spend 2 days exploring the High Sierra landscape. |
| Starting and Exit Trailhead: | Horseshoe Campground |
| Mileage: | 10 to 12 backpacking miles, and two day hikes. |
| Permit: | 24 people |
| Leader: | Marilyn Sedlund |
| High Sierra Trail, Mt. Whitney | (Additional $100 estimated for mule re-supply, plus $150 for food, gear, shuttle possible) |
| Aug 1-11 | |
| Pre-Trip Meeting(s): | May 23, Balboa Campus |
| Level: | 4.5 for high altitude, elevation gain/loss, a couple long-mileage days, and emotional maturity needed for length of trip. |
| Prerequisites: | Week-long backpack trip of at least 20 miles; backpack experience above 11,000 feet; minimum age is 15. |
| Features: | Backpack 70 miles west to east across the High Sierras, from Sequoia National Park to Mt. Whitney in 9 days. The High Sierra Trail begins in Sequoia's Giant Forest, crosses the Great Western Divide, drops into the glacially carved Kern Canyon and finishes with a climb to the top of Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the Lower 48. |
| Permit: | 15 |
| Leader: | Valerie Ross |
Youth and Adult Leadership
We welcome new adult and youth leaders to help teach our hiking and backpacking courses. You must be trained one level above your teaching status (e.g., basic backpack trained to teach Wilderness Hiking).
Youth and adult volunteers are a tremendous asset on any hiking and backpacking trip. Our youth leaders particularly benefit from the opportunity to teach others while upholding the high standards of our program, and sharing not just their knowledge, but their passion for the outdoors. Please contact Gabby Coburn at (619) 610-0816 or gcoburn@sdgirlscouts.org for more information on how to volunteer.
>> Click here for basic backpacking trips >>
