Intro to Backcountry Camping

Ready to take your adventures off the beaten path? Our Intro to Backcountry Camping course is the perfect way to learn the basics of wilderness travel in a fun, supportive group setting. Whether you’re brand new to camping or looking to feel more confident heading into the backcountry, this hands-on weekend will teach you everything you need to know to feel comfortable and capable outdoors.

We’ll hike in together, set up camp as a team, cook delicious meals, and learn the skills that make backcountry camping both safe and enjoyable. You’ll come away with practical experience, new confidence, and the know-how to start planning your own adventures.

Course Details

Duration: 2 days / 1 night
Difficulty: Beginner-friendly — no backcountry experience required
Location: South Okanagan. We will meet at a central location and carpool/caravan to trail head.
Group Size: Small group format for personalized instruction and a supportive team atmosphere – max 8 guests

What’s Included

• All meals and group cooking equipment

• Professional Hiking Guides and Wilderness First Responders

• Pre-trip virtual meeting to cover gear, logistics, and expectations

• Evening meet-up the night before to hand out group gear and food

• All instruction and backcountry learning materials

What You’ll Learn

• How to pack and organize your backpack

• Finding your hiking pace and moving efficiently on the trail

• Choosing and setting up a great campsite

• Tent setup and creating a safe, functional camp kitchen

• Backcountry cooking and meal prep

• Navigation and basic route-finding

• Animal safety (how to use bear spray, looking for animal sign and how to store food properly)

• Leave No Trace principles and responsible wilderness travel

What to Bring

You’ll need to bring your personal essentials — we’ll help you with the rest!
A full packing list will be provided before the trip, but here’s what you can expect to bring:

• Backpack (40–60L recommended)

• Sleeping bag and sleeping pad

• Backcountry tent

• Weather-appropriate clothing (synthetic & layers – base, mid, shell) and sturdy footwear

• Personal mug, bowl, and cutlery

• Headlamp, water bottle, and personal toiletries

If you’re missing any gear, don’t worry —  we rent gear, add on when you secure your spot. Have questions about gear or the course call or email us today. We’ll also chat about options during the pre-trip meeting and can help you borrow or rent what you need.

This course is a great introduction for anyone curious about backcountry camping or looking to build confidence before tackling longer trips. Come ready to learn, laugh, and spend a weekend connecting with nature and an awesome crew of like-minded adventurers.

✨ Ready to join us? Spots are limited and this course fills quickly — reserve your place today and take your first step toward confident, capable backcountry travel! Cost is $450 plus gst per person. A deposit is $112 is required to hold your spot. An invoice will be sent to you after ticket is booked below.

Important Note Before Booking

We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable experience in the backcountry. To make sure this trip is the right fit for your experience level, fitness, and comfort outdoors, we ask that you connect with us before booking. A quick call or email consultation helps us match you with the best trip for your goals and ensure everyone in the group has a positive, rewarding experience. Our guides are happy to chat through what to expect, gear needs, and fitness requirements — no pressure, just honest advice to help you feel prepared and confident heading out. Call us at 250-614-3193 or send an email to guidedbyadventurepg@gmail.com

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Booking & Payment

• A deposit is required to reserve your spot and is non-refundable. Deposit is $122 and can be paid via e-transfer to guidedbyadventurepg@gmail.com or by credit card through invoice

• Full payment is due by May 5th, 2026 specified date before departure.

Guest Cancellations

• More than 60 days before trip: Deposit retained, remainder refunded.

• 30–60 days before trip: 50% of total trip cost refunded.

• Less than 30 days / no-show: No refund.

Operator Cancellations

• We may cancel trips due to safety, weather, or low enrollment. In this case, you will receive a full refund of trip payments.

• We are not responsible for travel to the trail head

Transfers & Fit for Trip

• Spot transfers to another qualified participant may be allowed (approval required).

• Please ensure you are physically and technically prepared for the trip — for your safety and the enjoyment of others. We encourage a pre-booking consultation.

Safety Closures

• Trips may be altered or cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control (e.g., wildfire, government restrictions, extreme weather). Refunds follow the operator cancellation IF it is a guided day hike. if we had booked into a lodge that will not refund us then we will NOT be able to refund on our end.

Refunds

• Requests must be submitted in writing.

• Refunds are processed within 30 days via e transfer

Insurance

• We strongly recommend travel and adventure insurance covering cancellation, medical emergencies, or evacuation. Trip insurance can be purchased HERE