Backpacking Light's Wilderness Trekking School

Joe J. surveys from high Montana divide during a WT1-LWB course.

Backpacking Light Wilderness Trekking School

Advanced and comprehensive instruction in lightweight philosophy, skills, and gear.

The Backpacking Light Wilderness Trekking School teaches lightweight camping, hiking, backpacking, trekking, packrafting, long distance hiking, thru-hiking, winter camping, and other wilderness travel skills. We take great pride in offering high quality education and hands-on instruction in advanced ultralight skills. Our wilderness venue includes the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem of Montana and Wyoming. The Wilderness Trekking School strives to be the world's premier outdoor education provider focusing on lightweight wilderness travel philosophy, techniques, and gear.

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Our Courses

Backpacking Light offers a variety of courses for a diverse audience. Whether your season of choice is summer or winter, your mode of travel is foot, packraft, snowshoes, or skis, or you're interested in spending a few days or a few weeks with us, you should find a course that fits your needs.

Course Catalog » Compare All Courses » Course Calendar / Enroll Now

Course Catalog

DurationTypeDifficultyInfo
Summer Ultralight Backpacking Boot Camp (WT1-ULB)

Summer WT1-ULB covers everything including philosophy, gear, and techniques to minimize pack weight and maximize adventure.

6 days Trekking 2013 Info Coming Soon
Fall Ultralight Backpacking Boot Camp (WT2ULB)

Fall WT2-ULB is a proving ground for ultralight techniques in inclement conditions. Learn intermediate and advanced skills and put them to the test!

6 days Trekking 2013 Info Coming Soon
BSA Trek Leader Training in Ultralight Backpacking (WS2-BSA)

WS2-BSA provides training in ultralight backpacking gear and techniques to BSA trek leaders. ENROLLMENT CLOSED »

4 Days Trekking ENROLLMENT CLOSED
Introduction to Packrafting (WS1-IPR)

WS1-IPR provides an introduction to both flatwater and Class I-II+ river packrafting gear and techniques.

2 Days Packrafting 2013 Info Coming Soon
Whitewater Packrafting (WS2-WWP)

WS2-WWR provides comprehensive instruction in whitewater river (Class II-III) packrafting safety and technique.

2 Days Packrafting 2013 Info Coming Soon
Yellowstone River Packrafting Expedition (WT2-YEL)

WT2-YEL provides an opportunity for you to travel through one of the last great river corridors of the American West - the Yellowstone River - the longest undammed river in the Lower 48. Travel through the magnificent Paradise Valley under the shadow of the Absaroka-Beartooth Mountains, camp on gravel bars and cottonwood stands on wilderness islands, enjoy some safe but wild whitewater, and enjoy some of the finest trout fishing in the West.

5 days Packrafting 2013 Info Coming Soon

Compare Courses »

Difficulty Rating

EASIEST. Reasonable fitness recommended, no previous experience necessary.
EASIER. Good fitness and some previous outdoor/camping experience are recommended.
INTERMEDIATE. Good fitness, skills, and previous experience (backpacking or packrafting) are recommended.
MORE DIFFICULT. Good fitness, skills and previous experience (backpacking or packrafting) are required.
MOST DIFFICULT. Excellent fitness, skills and previous experience required to ensure your safety.

Have Questions?

Please peruse the pages relating to Backpacking Light's Wilderness Trekking School on this Web site. Note the links located to the top-right of this page, which you will find on all the WTS pages. If you do not find the information you need, or you would like a personal phone consultation regarding the school, please send an e-mail to school@backpackinglight.com, and we’ll reply to set up a time to chat.