Seminars

Never backpacked before? This is the one to start with. We cover what to pack, how to fit a rental pack, Leave No Trace basics, and what to actually expect on your first overnight.

How to read a topo map and use a compass — because your phone dies at the worst moment. We cover contour lines, declination, triangulation, and how to navigate off-trail in the Sierra.

Blisters, altitude sickness, twisted ankles, hypothermia. What to do when something goes wrong on the trail and the trailhead is 10 miles back. Not a substitute for a WFA course, but a solid starting point.

We bring out the gear and compare it side-by-side — packs, shelters, sleep systems, stoves. How to tell what's actually worth the money versus what's just expensive.

The Whitney lottery. Yosemite wilderness permits. Kings Canyon zone quotas. We walk through how each system works, when to apply, and what your backup options look like if you miss the first round.

Gear fit, safety considerations, and trail community for women and gender-nonconforming hikers. Led by TUBC members. The backcountry should feel like yours too.

Golden hour at 11,000 feet looks incredible. This session covers how to actually capture it — phone or camera, composition, light, and keeping your gear alive in the cold.