Andrew Skurka-Lightweight Backpacking & Skills Clinic

Description

Lightweight backpacking is safer, more comfortable, less expensive, and more fun than conventional/heavy backpacking. This clinic will demonstrate how and why. It will be given by distinguished long-distance backpacker Andrew Skurka, a lightweight pioneer who has hiked 25,000+ miles since 2002; his most recent trip was a 4,700-mile 6-month loop around Alaska and the Yukon. Clinic attendees will be given the knowledge and skills to go on a 3-day 3-season backpacking trip with no more than 20 pounds of gear and food (sans water). The clinic begins with a big-picture discussion about lightweight backpacking: why go light, core principals, steps to lighten up, etc. A show-and-tell of lightweight gear follows -- Skurka will demo an assortment of packs, shelters, stoves, clothing, and more. To finish, the audience assembles a single lightweight kit that is applicable to the environmental conditions and trip objectives most common on their trips. 2 hours from start to finish. This time goes by fast: the presentation is filled with discussions and demonstrations.