Beginners Backpacking Trip
May 18-19, 2024
Trip Leaders: Nancy Myers and Lisa Summers
Type of Trip: Backpacking; Hiking
Contact: ciwcinfo@gmail.com
Cost: $40 (non Refundable) - Saturday Dinner and Sunday Breakfast; Use of club gear - Bring lunch and snacks for the trail
Adults Only
Maximum number: 8
Difficulty: Beginner
Rain Date: June 15-16, 2024
***Before registering***
While considering your participation in CIWC trips, be aware that some trips will involve shared transportation, lodging, and other activities. Each participant is encouraged to evaluate your comfort level with such arrangements based on your health condition, vaccination status, and unknown COVID positivity rates at the time of the trip. Members are encouraged to review the COVID waiver as a part of this evaluation.
Shades State Park has a 'backcountry camp site' that is perfect for a beginning overnight trip!
We will meet at the Hickory Parking Lot in Shades State Park. We we will get acquainted and do some light hiking with maps, snacks and water bottles. We will then make our way back to the parking lot to prepare for our hike to the back-country. Equipment will be disbursed between all hikers.
Backpacks will be checked for weight distribution and fit. Everything we will need for our overnight experience will be carried in our backpacks over a moderate 2.5mi trail to our camping area.
At the campsite we will work together to prepare our tent and kitchen sites while reviewing some things to check for when selecting your tent site. We will hike to the river and filter some water using a backpacking filter system. After we return to our camp sites, we will prepare our backpacking meals, using a few different types of backpack stoves. Additional activities will include, backcountry food storage and hanging food bags and making a campfire. Then we will enjoy some camaraderie around our campfire. Topics of discussion will include Leave No Trace principles, general trail etiquette, and backcountry hygiene. We may share our hiking and backpacking experiences, bucket lists, and discuss our day's events.
In the morning we will heat up water for everyone to have their coffee, tea, oatmeal, etc. After breakfast we will break camp using leave no trace techniques and hike back to the parking lot. Anyone who would like to continue hiking may do so on their own.
You can Google Shades State Park for a map of the trails and Park information. The Indiana State Park Entrance Fee is the responsibility of each participant. This is a per vehicle fee, dependent on your state of residence and is covered if you have a 2024 Indiana State Park pass when you enter. You may ask for a Park Map when you enter, but we will have a couple of additional maps available as well.
Don’t have gear? That’s no problem as CIWC has tents and backpacks you can borrow. We share some club-provided group gear, such as stoves, fuel and water filters. Suggested gear list will be provided by your trip leaders.
Saturday evening meal and Sunday morning breakfast will be provided. This food will be provided when we meet at the park as you will carry your own food plus share responsibility for carrying group equipment. Participants will bring their own lunch, snack and drink items.
All trip participants will be expected to submit a medical form, sign a waiver and complete emergency information documents prior to participation.
All trip participants must fill out and submit a
CIWC Medical Form and Long Waiver Form.
Questions? Contact CIWCinfo@gmail.com
