Ever wanted to try hiking or backpacking and didn't know where to get started? Are you rusty and want to brush up on your knowledge and skills? Then join AMC Boston’s Hiking & Backpacking Committee and friends for the Hiking Skills Webinar Series! Six instructional sessions will introduce the basics of spring, summer and fall day hiking and backpacking in New England. Topics change each week and include clothing, footwear, nutrition, essential gear, backcountry stewardship, navigation basics and more! Sessions are on Wednesdays from 7:00PM to 8:30PM EST. 

Advanced registration for each session is required. Join as many as interest you. In the event that registration exceeds our Zoom capacity, we will repeat it out to our Facebook page. Access links will be sent to registrants the day before. Some topics will be recorded and made available to everyone who signs up for that session. Note that you will need to create a free account on REGI to register for the sessions.

Class descriptions and registration links are below. For more information, contact . 
 

Week 1 - Footwear and clothing

(April 7th) We’ll kick off the Hiking Skills Webinar series with conversations about footwear and clothing! Learn how the right footwear makes all the difference in the woods and mountains - whether its supporting sneakers or full hiking boots. Then, we’ll dig into the details of clothing materials and effective layering to manage body temperature in changing outdoor conditions. Register online

Week 2 - Day hiking and outdoor stewardship

(April 14th) In week two of the Hiking Skills series, we’ll cover what to bring on your day hike. Starting with the ten essentials and adding in the clothing layers from last week, it all has to fit into your backpack. While the extent of the gear you will need varies from place to place, there are some basics that shouldn’t be left at home. Additionally, we’ll cover the basics of Outdoor Stewardship and “Leave No Trace” principles. As more and more people take to the outdoors, it's incredibly important that we protect and conserve the parks, trails and wildlife that live there. Register Online

Week 3 - Self care and risk management

(April 21st) In week three of the Hiking Skills series we move beyond gear. Fueling your outdoor activities is just as (if not more) important. We’ll cover nutrition and hydration issues along with tips and tricks for what to eat on your hike. Then we jump into a crucial conversation about managing risk on-trail including personal and environmental factors, basics of weather and how it will impact your activity, and what to do when things go wrong. Register online

Week 4 - Trip planning and navigation

(April 28th) This time on the Hiking Skills series, we are going to dig into how to plan a great trip. What do you need to know about researching your location, understanding restrictions and other red tape, and inspiration for your future trips. Unless you are planning to travel off the trails - a topic beyond this series - you’ll need to know how to read the signs to stay on them. We’ll explain what all those painted marks on the trees mean And finally we’ll cover the basics of how to read a map. Note that off-trail navigation and advanced GPS technologies are beyond the scope of this intro series but we hope to cover that in a future talk. Register online

Week 5 - All about Backpacking!

(May 5th) This week’s Hiking Skills will focus on everything related to backpacking. While our focus is the woods and mountains of the Northeast, this principles will get you started in many places. We’ll cover the additional gear considerations including tents, sleeping bags and stoves. What do you eat when you're “out there.” And most importantly, how to put it all together to have a fun trip. Register online

Week 6 - First aid and conditioning

(May 12th) In the final installment of the Hiking Skills series, we’ll introduce you to the principles of Wilderness First Aid, strength training and all around injury prevention. First Aid on the trails looks a bit different from your standard at home or office protocols. Learn how to care for basic injuries and what to when you need more help. Then a personal trainer will take us through some exercises and pointers on how to keep yourself strong and limber for your outdoor pursuits. Register online