BASIC BACKPACKING AND LEADERSHIP COURSE (B.B.L.C.) To teach and prepare our hikers and/or backpackers to be safe and competent leaders, we are offering a Basic Backpacking Leadership Course (B.B.L.C.) every other year. This 6 week course teaches the basics of clothing, equipment, cooking, maps, compass, GPS, wilderness medicine, trip planning, wilderness etiquette, leave-no-trace, and packing light.

Members who take this course agree in writing to lead outings for the club in return for being taught basic skills and leadership.  Students must be 18 or older. Course is in April and May. Call (509) 467-8099 as early as possible.

The location of the Graduation Wilderness Backpack will be selected based on snow levels, trail & road conditions, and the make-up of the group. The Backpacking Club makes a deliberate effort to do the Memorial Day Weekend wilderness trek to a variety of locations rather than returning to the same spot year after year. Destinations have been:

        1994-Wenaha River, Crooked Creek: Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness, Oregon

1995-Wenaha River, Fairview Bar: Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness, Oregon

1996-Panjab Traverse: Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness, Washington

1997-Selway River: Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Idaho

1998-Upper Priest River: de facto wilderness, Idaho.   Adjacent to the Salmo-Priest Wilderness Area

1999-Emerald Lake: Valhalla Wilderness, British Columbia

         2000-Panjab Traverse: Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness, Washington

2001-Black Lake: Pasayten Wilderness, Washington

2002-Crooked Creek, Third Creek: Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness, Washington

2003-Earl Gray Trail (west end): Purcell Wilderness, British Columbia

2004-Blodgett Canyon: Selway -Bitterroot Wilderness, Montana

2005-Bear Creek: Eagle Cap Wilderness, Oregon

2006-Summit Ridge - Cow Creek Loop:  Hells Canyon Wilderness, Oregon

2007-Upper Imnaha River: Eagle Cap Wilderness, Oregon

2008-Crooked Creek - Wenaha River Traverse: Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness, Washington and Oregon