Backpacking Section

BPX Statement of Purpose

The purpose of BPX is to promote backpacking as a core CMC activity, organize and coordinate backpacking trips, create and support a community of backpackers, and provide early notice of BPX events to members.

The annual dues of $20 provide members with benefits including first-in-line signup for the season’s trips, educational programming, and special events. More importantly, they support the mission of the CMC Backpacking Section – to build and sustain a program that provides life changing backpacking adventures to you, the BPX member.

Besides Backpacks, BPX also offers Camping Trips in a variety of Colorado’s beautiful outdoor wilderness and park areas!

To go on a BPX trip, you must be a current BPX member, but completion of Wilderness Trekking School or Day Hiker School and Backpacking School is not required. Depending on the trip difficulty, however, the Trip Leader may contact you to determine if you have the skills required by the trip.

Major Upcoming 2024 BPX Activities

• March 7 – “Stake Your Claim” In-person and Zoom event where 90+ pre-planned backpacking/camping trips will be rolled out to BPX Trip Leaders
• March 1 – Enrollment begins for Denver Backpacking School
• April 4 – BPX members-only In-Person and Zoom 2024 BPX Trip Rollout Event
• May 1 to Oct 30 – Main BPX Backpacking Season and also Gear Shakedowns
• BPX Bash - TBD

BPX Social Media

• Facebook Page: Colorado Mountain Club Backpacking Section
• Instagram: @co_backpacking_bpx

Pack Leaders

• Trip Leader Names
• Instructions for BPX Trips on the CMC Website
• Benefits of Being a BPX Trip Leader
• Satellite Communication Device Data Plan Benefit
• Trip Leader Qualifications
• Paths to BPX Trip Leader
• BPX Trip Definition
• Participant Vetting Tips
• Wildfire Risk Management Checklist

Members

• Benefits of Membership
• Trip Registration Guidelines
• Join the Backpacking section: When joining or renewing your CMC Membership, choose the Backpacking Section on the SELECT YOUR SECTIONS page for an additional $20. You can also join/renew your BPX membership any time by clicking Here or calling the CMC Office at (303) 279-3080.
  

Resources 

• Backpacking Trip Classification is assigned for the entire trip based on the most difficult day of the trip:
  • Easy:         <5 miles/1000′ elevation gain
  • Moderate: 5-10 miles/1000′-2000′ elevation gain
  • Difficult:     > 10 miles/2000′ elevation gain
• BPX Newsletter
  • Backcountry Cache, distributed electronically monthly. Current and previous editions Here
• CMC Backpacking School (BKPS)
  • BPX supports BKPS, which teaches the skills needed to safely and comfortably backpack in the Colorado Mountains. More info Here

Operations Committee

• Committee Members and Bios Here
• Committee Meeting Minutes
• Key Documents:
  • Core Values
  • The Making of a Backpacking Community
  • 2020 Annual Report
  • 2021 Operating Plan Summary
  • 2022 BPX Annual Report

Educational

• Tutorials on Using Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX): Module 1  Module 2
• Notes on Lightweight Backpacking by Bob Dawson
• How to Get On The Trail Quickly When Breaking Camp by Linda Lawson
• How to Set Up a Tent in the Rain by John Walters
• “Lightweight and Thru Hiking”, A Zoom Presentation by Karl Ford (Note: this YouTube video is 1 hour, 55 minutes)