Backpacking with Confidence

Backpacking with Confidence is a hands-on field course offered by the Smoky Mountain Field School, an organization founded through the cooperative relationship between The University of Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

In this class you'll gain the confidence and know-how to care for yourself in the backcountry.

You'll learn the basics of backpacking (from how to get safe drinking water and storing your food, to setting up camp) and will help you cope with whatever challenges you may encounter and make any adventure safe and enjoyable.

The course will also discuss wildlife that might be encountered to help you become more familiar and comfortable.

Participants will also enjoy both the natural and cultural history aspects of the Smokies along the Porter's Creek Trail. This moderate (7.4 miles roundtrip) is well known for its high diversity and abundance of spring wildflowers. Meals and some gear are to be provided by each participant.

The course is scheduled for the weekend of May 29-30th, and the cost is $98 (nonrefundable). For more information, please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.