HIKING -- The highly regarded annual Backpacking School presented by the Spokane Mountaineers starts March 28 -- and there may still be a few openings.

• Two of the instructors, Holly Weiler and Samantha Journot, are pictured above on a 2013 club backpacking trip in the Glacier Peak Wilderness

The weekly evening sessions are on Fridays starting at  6:30 p.m. running through May, when the school concludes with a three day "graduation" backpacking trip in Idaho over the Memorial Day weekend. The classroom sessions are held at Mountain Gear Corporate Headquarters, 6021 E. Mansfield in Spokane Valley.

This course covers clothing and boots, map and compass skills, trip planning, major equipment, first-aid, meal preparation and leave-no-trace practices. By the time the class ends, participants should have the knowledge and skills to plan and execute backpacking adventures safely and thoughtfully.

Additionally, the club offers weekday evening hikes and weekend club outings to help hikers get in shape for the season and connect with other backpackers.

Info: David Sorg, (509) 924-6593.