Beyond Beginner - Women's Edition
MMSF Tecumseh Trail
Low Gap Backcountry Parking Lot
October 22-24, 2021
Trip Leader: Barb Shanks, Leslie Green, Nanette Eshelman and Diane Osborn
Type of Trip: Backpacking
Trip Cost/Deposit: $50/$50
Cancellation Date and full payment: September 22, 2021
Wilderness Level: 2
Trip Difficulty: <1000 feet elevation gain per hike
Policy on Fitness Self-Assessment
Level 1: Applies to trips in which we carry only day packs and stay on maintained trails. Hiking distances range from 3-6 mile, and elevation gain can be as much as 2000 feet. You should be comfortable hiking 3-6 miles in a day with considerable gain/loss on good trails.
Level 2: Primarily applies to trips in which we carry only day packs. In one day, we can hike up to 9 miles and 4500 feet of elevation gain on maintained trails, or up to 7 miles and 2000 feet of elevation gain on more rugged, less-maintained trails. For a Level 2 trip you should be comfortable hiking 6-8 miles in a day in hilly or mountainous terrain with a light day pack. If a backpacking trip has a Level 2 rating, it means the distances are 2-4 miles with little elevation gain/loss.
Group Size: 12/8 Maximum/Minimum
Adults and High School (if approved by leader)
The number of women hiking the back country has grown rapidly in recent years, but information and training specific to women’s issues is often lacking. This new CIWC hiking event aims to fill that gap. Experienced CIWC women leaders will offer a Beyond Beginners trip aimed at women, new (or newish) to backpacking, who want an opportunity to learn backpacking skills in a relaxed women-focused approach. Prior to the trip, leaders will communicate with participants, providing them information in all the pre-trip basics including gear selection, weight efficient hiking, clothing options, packing and fitting a pack, and making food choices. This trip will also provide a comfortable, all-women setting to learn how to discretely handle hygiene, toileting, period care on the trail, and other sensitive topics. Throughout the weekend the leaders will demonstrate and teach backpacking skills such as tent site selection, fire making, water filtering and keeping food safe from critters. Trail safety, including considerations specific to women hikers, will be discussed as well.
The trip will involve two overnights on the Tecumseh Trail in southern Indiana. Starting on Friday afternoon the group will hike from Low Gap parking area to the new back country shelter to set up the first night’s camp and have dinner. On Saturday, the group will cook breakfast and then hike to either Fox Den or Indian Hill depending on the hiking strength of the group. Either location will allow for information discussions and socialization after camp chores are complete. After breakfast Sunday a short hike to vehicles will conclude the trip. The overnight locations each have a shelter, so participants will be encouraged to spend at least one night sleeping in a shelter if space is available.
The total trip cost is $50 per person. Two dinners, two breakfasts, shared club gear, and fuel are included in the trip fee. A daily club fee per person is included in the trip cost to support year-round club activities including public education events, training events, and general operation fees. CIWC has tents and backpacks to lend for those that do not have the equipment.
Questions may be submitted to ciwcinfo@gmail.com.
All trip participants must fill out and submit a
CIWC Medical Form and Unified Waiver Form
Effective on all trips, there will be a $50 non refundable registration fee. This fee will be assessed to those who sign up for a trip, get on the roster and then later cancel. Even cancelling before the cancel date. Those who never make the active roster (i.e. those who stay on the waitlist) will NOT be charged the $50 cancellation fee.
