What to expect on a
Wilder Walks adventure.
Overview
A complete curriculum for better backpacking.
Is there only one way to go backpacking? No, of course not. But we believe there is a better way, and if you take a trip with Wilder Walks, you’ll learn how to do it. Our program teaches the three overlapping systems of a better backpacking trip: your goals and skills, the place you want to explore, and the gear you’ll need to do it safely.
How it works
From getting ready to getting out there.
We’ve created a simple but complete curriculum. Each trip with Wilder Walks begins with a foundation in proper preparation and continues into a multi-day adventure.
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The first step is to sign up for a trip you want to join. We’ll be in touch shortly after you sign up to talk about pre-trip preparation.
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We’ll make sure you’re properly prepped with helpful resources and two video calls to cover the essentials. The first call will be four to eight weeks before our trip date, and the second call will be one week before departure.
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On trail, we’ll experience how backpacking helps us connect with nature.
Getting ready
Every trip starts with proper preparation.
Your adventure begins in the weeks leading up to your trip. We’ll schedule the first of two video calls where we’ll introduce ourselves, give an overview of the better backpacking approach, and dive into the essentials of trip preparation. A week before we head out, we’ll reconnect to review conditions, packing lists, and other loose ends.
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Goal setting
Basic first aid
Route planning
Meal planning
Gear preparation
Getting out there
Let’s walk into the wild.
Now that we’ve properly prepped, we’ll meet at the trailhead and embark on our adventure. As we hike, we’ll continue to learn by doing. As we make our way to the night’s camp, we’ll learn to read a map and the landscape and discover how the ecological systems interact.
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Hiking form and foot care
Navigation
Local ecology
Campsite selection
Leave No Trace ethics
The Wilder Walks experience.
Ultralight Gear
Unlike other hiking tour operators, we use only the highest quality ultralight gear. That means less weight on your back and fewer burdens distracting you from the natural world.
Immersive Experiences
We design the entire program around the goal of deepening your connection with nature. Expect small group sizes, lessons on natural history, and plenty of time for solitude and reflection.
Expert Guidance
Your guide is a highly experienced hiker and backpacker who is professionally trained and certified in wilderness medicine, California natural history, and Leave No Trace ethics.
Positive Impact
We’re committed to being a positive force for people and the planet. Each trip is designed to minimize our environmental impact, and every trip helps fund a backpacking trip for youth from disinvested communities.
