Outdoor Odyssey - Backpacking for Beginners
About this Event
Outdoor Odyssey (formerly known as Becoming an Outdoors Woman - Utah) is hosting an overnight workshop to introduce adults, especially women, to basic backpacking and camping in a positive and empowering environment. Join a fun group of folks as we head out on a backcountry backpacking trip with mountain streams and beautiful views. We will venture into the Tushar mountains and hike along part of the Skyline National Recreation Trail covering about 11 miles over three days and two nights. We'll learn about choosing a campsite, making food on the trail, and other valuable information for backcountry excursions, while enjoying some wonderful scenery. Before the excursion, we will have a zoom meeting on June 23 at 8:00pm to meet everyone and to go over some basic gear, as well as answer any questions you may have.
When: July 8-10, 2026
Who: Adults, especially women (18+ years old). No backpacking experience necessary, but participants must be in sufficient physical shape to walk 11 miles over three days while carrying a backpack.
Where: We will meet at the USU Extension office (Washington County Fairgrounds) at 8:00am on Wednesday, July 8. We will travel to Beaver where we will meet our guide, Lane Tucker, from Tucker High Adventure Tours. (For those joining us from places other than Washington County, you can meet us in Beaver if you prefer.) We will jump into Lane's adventure van and depart on a grand expedition to the Tushar Mountains. (As with all outdoor activities, we have a few contingency plans in case of unforeseen circumstances.) We will return to the USU Extension office on Friday, July 10, in the late afternoon around 5:00pm (return time may vary).
What: Enjoy a wonderful outdoor adventure with other women as you increase your outdoor skills and confidence. Learn about backpacking gear, basic camping, simple food prep, and other pertinent information while experiencing beautiful mountain scenery. We will provide dinner Wednesday, breakfast/lunch/dinner for Thursday, and breakfast/lunch for Friday.
You will need to bring: a sack lunch for Wednesday, a backpacking backpack (we have a few available if you don't have one or if you don't know someone from whom you could borrow a backpack), a change of clothes, jacket for cool evening weather, sleeping bag that packs down small enough to fit in backpack, sleeping pad, small tent (we have some that can be shared), 3-4 liters of water (in sturdy water bottles or hydration bladder), comfortable shoes (that are NOT new), sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, headlamp/flashlight, personal hygiene items.
Minimum requirements: You will need to be able to
- hike 11-12 miles (≈3 miles on day 1, ≈5-6 miles on day 2, ≈3 miles on day 3) carrying your own backpack and gear.
- go to the bathroom in the wilderness (we will explain the particulars).
- be comfortable sleeping outside on the ground.
Please note this activity will be geared toward beginning backpackers, however we will be experiencing elevation changes so this is not an activity for those who have been sedentary all year. We will be following trails in the Tushar mountains so the terrain is uneven in places with some stream crossings (we will be able to keep our feet dry), small boulders to step over, trees that may have fallen across the trail, and other naturally occurring trail scenarios. Please refer to the image below showing the elevation changes. It may feel a little strenuous if you do not actively prepare physically for the event. If you would like to discuss the terrain and trail conditions, or if you have other questions, please reach out to Andrea at [email protected] or call the USU Extension office at 435-301-7740 and she would be happy to help. Andrea will also be happy to share strategies for preparing physically for this backpacking adventure.
We hope you'll join us for a fabulous excursion!
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 200.00
