Question 1

How do I join the club?

Accepted Answer

Join our Slack — that's where everything happens. You'll need a UCLA email to get in. Once you're there, keep an eye on the trips channel and sign up for whatever looks good. No prior experience needed, we genuinely mean that.

Question 2

Do I need to be a UCLA student to join?

Accepted Answer

Yes — membership is open to current UCLA students. We run everything through Slack and a UCLA email is required to join the workspace.

Question 3

I have never backpacked before. Can I still come?

Accepted Answer

Yes, please come. A good chunk of our members went on their first-ever backpacking trip with TUBC. We rate trips Easy through Expert and run beginner-friendly outings every quarter. Our gear rental program means you don't need to own anything to get started. Honestly the hardest part is just signing up.

Question 4

How much does gear cost? Do you have rental gear?

Accepted Answer

We have a gear rental program with tents, sleeping bags, sleep pads, packs, and more — all at low cost. There's also a limited stash of free loaner gear for members who need it. Check the Gear Rental page to see what's available and how to reserve it before your trip.

Question 5

How do trips work? How do I sign up?

Accepted Answer

Trips get posted in our Slack channel a couple weeks in advance. Sign-ups are lottery-style — as long as you submit before the window closes, you're in the pool. No need to be glued to your phone the moment a trip drops. We'll notify you if you get a spot.

Question 6

How do I become a trip leader?

Accepted Answer

Trip leaders are members who've been on enough trips to feel comfortable running one. We do hiring in the winter quarter — watch Slack for the announcement. If you're thinking about it, the best first step is just going on lots of trips and getting to know the officers.

Question 7

I have more questions. Who do I contact?

Accepted Answer

Shoot us an email at uclabackpackingclub@gmail.com or message us directly on Slack. We try to respond within a day or two.

Before Your First Trip

Before Your First Trip