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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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Hikers get head start in backpacking school

Rich Landers Outdoors editor

The Spokane Mountaineers are helping novice backpackers get off on the right foot this year with a comprehensive backpacking school that starts this month.

The advantages of taking a two-month-long class from the Mountaineers don’t end with the Memorial Day Weekend graduation hike. The club, established more than 90 years ago, schedules group trips throughout the season to great hiking destinations.

The Backpacking School, just one of several outdoor skills courses offered by the club, features classroom and field instruction covering essential gear, wellness and safety, first aid, map and compass, meal planning, outdoor etiquette, low-impact backpacking and trail craft.

The learning is put to practical application with a graduation trip with other experienced club members at the end of the course.

Classes start March 30 and run Friday evenings 7 p.m.-9 p.m. at the Corbin Center, 827 W. Cleveland. Cost: $30 plus club membership. Juniors (15-17) must be accompanied by parent. One Saturday outdoor session is scheduled plus a three-day Memorial Day weekend graduation hike.

Also coming up is a camp cooking class sponsored by Spokane Parks and Recreation Department, featuring single-burner stove-top recipes as well as Dutch oven cooking. The two-session class is set for 6:30 p.m. -9:30 p.m. on March 12 and 19 at Mountain Gear. Cost: $29.

“Registration deadlines: (Enroll soon since size is limited for both classes.)

Monday for the Park and Rec camp-cooking class.

March 17 for the Spokane Mountaineers Backpacking School.

The Spokane Parks and Recreation Department also leads group hikes for adults and families starting in June. A premier “lodge hiking” destination trip in mid-June once again will be based out of the Cathedral Lake Lodge in British Columbia’s Cathedral Lakes Provincial Park.

“Another Spokane-based group, The Backpacking Club, also offers a comprehensive backpacking school. Starting this year, however, the club is requiring membership and participation in the club for at least six months before qualifying for enrollment.