Women's Introduction to Backpacking
A weeklong intensive offered through Southwestern Community College in Bryson City, NC · April 19–24, 2027
Spring 2027: April 19–24
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Build the skills and confidence to explore wild places
We’re so excited to announce our new course, Women’s Introduction to Backpacking, offered through Southwestern Community College in Bryson City, NC! This spring it’s a weeklong intensive: four class days, followed by an overnight backpacking trip where you have the opportunity to practice the skills you’ve learned.
In this beginner-friendly class, we’ll cover the foundational skills needed for a safe and enjoyable backpacking trip. We’ll explore topics such as gear essentials, how to properly pack a backpack, trip planning, trail safety, food and water systems, navigation basics, and Leave No Trace ethics. You’ll also learn practical wilderness skills like campsite selection, backcountry hygiene, and how to stay comfortable in changing weather.
This course is specifically designed for women who are new to backpacking or looking to build confidence in the outdoors. Whether you’re an experienced day hiker ready to go farther or someone completely new to the trail, this class offers a supportive space to learn, ask questions, and connect with other women who share a love for nature.
Backpacking is more than just hiking with a pack—it’s an opportunity to slow down, reconnect with the natural world, and discover your own strength and resilience along the way.
Come join us as we build the skills and confidence to explore wild places together.
Who This Course Is For
This course is designed for women who are curious about backpacking but may not know where to begin, or hikers who want to deepen their knowledge. You do not need prior backpacking experience to participate. This class may be a good fit if you:
- Love hiking and want to learn how to extend your adventures into overnight trips
- Enjoy hiking or camping but want to build a solid skill set
- Feel interested in backpacking but unsure about gear, safety, or logistics
- Want to build confidence traveling in the backcountry
- Are looking for a supportive learning environment with other women
- Want to deepen your relationship with the mountains and the natural world
Participants should be comfortable walking on uneven trails, walking uphill and downhill, and carrying a backpack for 4-5 miles.
What Gear You’ll Need
Participants are encouraged to bring any backpacking gear they already own. If you are new to backpacking, we will discuss gear options during the first class and help you determine what works best for you. Southwestern Community College will provide all necessary camping gear; however, you are welcome to purchase your own gear. We will spend time discussing how to choose gear wisely and avoid unnecessary purchases. You’ll be given a thorough gear list at your first class.
Why Backpacking?
Backpacking offers a rare opportunity to slow down and reconnect—with nature, with community, and with yourself. Traveling through the mountains with everything you need on your back invites a deeper relationship with the land and with your own resilience. This course is not only about learning skills—it’s about discovering that you are capable of going farther than you thought.
Course Schedule
Four days of hands-on skills
Foundations & personal gear: clothing and layering, boots and foot care, choosing, fitting, and packing a backpack, group gear, and Leave No Trace principles.
Backcountry camp skills: campsite selection, tarp and tent setup, useful knots, stove safety, backcountry cooking and food planning, bear-safe food storage, water purification, fire building, and women’s hygiene in the backcountry.
Trail movement & navigation: pacing, rest step, map and compass basics, trip time and mileage, wildlife encounters, risk assessment, what to do if you get lost, and basic wilderness first aid awareness.
Final Backpacking Trip
The week ends with a guided overnight backpacking trip in the Appalachian Mountains, where you’ll put your new skills to work. It’s designed to be both fun and appropriately challenging, giving you the chance to build confidence and enjoy meaningful time in the mountains together under the guidance of an experienced outdoor instructor.
What past students say
I had certain goals in mind when I signed up for this course. I managed to exceed my own expectations and create new goals along the way. I am so excited to take what I’ve learned and make backpacking a new favorite hobby.
I came in knowing nothing except that I liked to hike. Now, I can confidently guide my family on multi-day trips safely. I feel strong, smart, and empowered thanks to this course!
This course was a labor of love by Alisha. She put time and effort into ensuring we were prepared and had the skills needed to be successful in the backcountry. The course was extremely empowering, considering what we learned and then putting it into practice. I couldn’t ask for a better group of women to share this experience with. I am eternally grateful for Alisha, my “classmates”, and SCC for a truly life-changing experience.
The opportunity to sign up for this class came to me in a unique and perfectly appointed time in my life.
I was looking for an opportunity to connect with other women who love the outdoors as much as I do while learning new skills, and this course delivered all that and more.
My goals were to sharpen some of my outdoor knowledge and skill, simplify and logistically plan for backpacking trips, and feel more independent and safe in the back country...all of these were met! Map knowledge, knot tying, and female nature tricks were all an added bonus
From day one, I felt immediately at home with Alisha and the rest of my group. Alisha has a pure heart, a true passion for time outdoors, and a desire to make women feel strong and capable. At no point during this course did I feel intimidated or like any question was off limits. Despite my peers and I coming from different outdoor experience levels, we all came to the class with an open mind and a willingness to learn new things from each other.
The classes were well paced, hands-on, and gave us plenty of time to ask questions and troubleshoot. She included time getting to know one another and we also had opportunities to hike and be outdoors together prior to our 3 day trip.
Our grand finale backpacking trip was nothing short of amazing! With crazy weather changes, a challenging hike, and other surprises we got to put every skill we learned in class to the test. It was such a valuable opportunity to have my first backpacking experience be with my peers and have Alisha there to help us feel comfortable putting our skills to work.
I am leaving this class feeling 100% capable of backpacking and spending more time hiking outdoors. I feel empowered to continue to step out of comfort and seek new and wild adventures!
10/10 recommend...you will leave with so many additional blessings and nuggets of knowledge than you think!
Register
Registration for Spring 2027 isn’t open yet. When it opens, click this link: southwesterncc.edu/class-schedule, then click on “Outdoor Experiences” and scroll to find the “Women’s Introduction to Backpacking” class. Click select and follow the prompts!
Note: Occasionally the college website is down. If you're having trouble with the site loading, please contact Jeff Marley, Director of Personal Enrichment, 828.366.2005, to register.