Intro into Backpacking Course
Do you want to spend more time outside, but don't know where to start?
Come learn how to explore deeper into the backcountry
Take advantage of the knowledge from our professional guides
Bring a friend and make memories together
Open up a new world of adventure
Accomplish the unthinkable
INTRO INTO BACKPACKING COURSE
near Crowsnest Pass
Are you ready to start exploring the backcountry and staying overnight, but don't know where to start? Uplift Adventures instructs an Intro into Backpacking program to build your confidence in the outdoors so that you can learn how to trip plan, plan your backpacking trip, be safe and mitigate risks like wildlife and weather, and make good decisions in the backcountry. These backpacking trips will take you into remote areas with limited infrastructure.
This backpacking trip is designed for beginners who have some day hiking experience. It is recommended to complete some day hiking trips with elevation leading up to this course.
2 DAYS / 1 NIGHT
with a welcome party the evening before the trip
2025 DATES
June 20-22 (women only)
June 27-29 (women only)
July 18-20 (co-ed)
Aug 15-17 (co-ed)
Aug 29-31 (women only)
* Available for private bookings mid-June to September
PRICE
Early Bird Special (Dec 31-Feb 28): $559 per person
Regular Pricing: $609 per person
* price includes meals, group gear, professional guide, and more
** price does not include taxes
Prepare for your trip!
Packing for your trip
After you book your trip, check your email for a booking confirmation. If you didn't get it, then something went wrong and you can email us. In the booking confirmation we send out information on how to prepare for your trip and a link to our Visitor Guide to help with planning. If you have more questions, ask ahead of time and ease your mind.
The day of your trip
An email is sent out at least a week before your trip and we will confirm a meal plan with the group. Ensure you read this email and respond to the meal plan. The email will also indicate the meeting location and other information important for your trip.
Your trip starts with us meeting up in the evening for a welcome party (Day 0 in the itineray). If this is your first backpacking trip, please let us know and we can review even the smallest details. When you enjoy your trip, then we are happy! We are here to help you and to make this trip positively memorable. All questions are welcome.
Highlights of this tour
- Invaluable knowledge from experts and professional guides certified with the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides
- Pre-course videos and blogs
- Assistance every step along the way. If you succeed, we succeed.
- Build your confidence
- Meet like-minded friends
- Going to wild places with limited infrastructure
- We teach everything from bear hangs to how to pack to leave-no-trace techniques
INCLUDED
Food on Day 1 (lunch, snacks, supper)
Food on Day 2 (breakfast, lunch, snacks)
Safety equipment (carried by guide: bear spray, first aid kit, satellite communication device, repair kit, guide tarp, maps)
Group equipment (water filter / purification, cooking pots, cooking utensils, soap and scrubby, dishes, stoves, fuel, bear hang, rope)
Professional guide (our backpacking guides are certified through the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and are Wilderness First Responders)
Permits
Small group sizes
NOT INCLUDED
✕ Transportation to trailhead
✕ Personal Gear (gear can be rented at an additional and discounted cost, such as tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, backpacks)
✕ Accommodations before and after the trip
✕ Breakfast on Day 1
✕ Supper on Day 2
✕ Cancellation insurance
✕ Gratuity
What to Expect
Once you book, you will receive a booking confirmation. If you didn’t receive this, something went wrong, so please email us. In the booking confirmation, you will receive a few videos and blogs to start your course. This is approximately 2 hours of reading and watching to do before we meet in person. We will then meet in person on Friday night with a classroom session and to cover the logistics of your trip. We go into more detail about risk mitigation with wildlife and weather, leave no trace techniques, and cover any questions that you have after watching the videos and reading the blogs. The remainder of the course will be hands on learning. We will head out to the trail head to start our adventure for an overnight backpacking adventure. While taking in the beautiful scenery of the South Canadian Rockies, we will teach field skills including some basic navigation, setting up a campsite, backcountry cooking, efficiencies, safety, and more. On Sunday, we will pack up our camp and then head back to the trail head.
Here is a tentative schedule:
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Day 0 |
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6 – 9PM |
Meet and go over gear, food, and itinerary. This is the classroom session where we will go over how to prepare for the backcountry. Please come with any questions and any gear that you are curious about. |
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Day 1 |
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8AM |
We will meet in Crowsnest Pass at a designated location decided on the night before. Driving time can be up to an hour on backcountry roads. |
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8AM – 9AM |
Travel to trailhead. You are travelling deep into the backcountry on roads that are not paved. A high clearance vehicle is recommended. |
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9AM – 4:30PM |
Expect around 8 - 10km of backpacking in mountainous terrain (this means some elevation). It is not easy, and some physical endurance is required. We will have lots of time for breaks along the way to the campsite location. At the campsite, you will practice setting up a backcountry campsite, including how to be bear safe and how to make a latrine. You will have some time to explore, meditate, or read. We will then ensure we reunite to cook dinner together. |
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Day 2 |
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7AM – 10AM |
Rise and shine. It is time to get the day started. We will pack up our bags, prepare a backcountry breakfast, and head back onto the trail by 10am. |
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10AM – 3PM |
Expect a similar distance as Day 1. Plan to return back to the vehicles between 2 - 3pm. However, timing always depends on the group's ability, so do not plan activities immediately after the trip. |
Location of Trip: Around Crowsnest Pass or in Castle Parks, Alberta. We do not post our locations publicly as our locations have been specially designed for this course. It has taken us several years to specially design these courses and to find the perfect spots for our guests in the remote backcountry and away from the crowds. Our guides have your abilities and interests in mind when designing trips and love sharing with you these special places that we find.
Meeting Location (Day 0): In Crowsnest Pass. The exact location will be emailed to you the week leading up to your adventure.
Tours can be offered to private groups with a minimum of four people between July and September. Please contact us for a private booking.
Book an upcoming course now!
Select a date on the calendar to book your course, or contact us to book a private course.
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"The Intro to Backpacking Course was incredible – I was terrified to camp in the backcountry, but [the guide] taught me all of the basics and it was so fun!!! We laughed so much and I learned a ton. I felt such a sense of accomplishment after that trip and it really prepared me to continue to camp in the backcountry."