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.

NEW in 2022 -- Car Camping Trips in a variety of Colorado’s beautiful outdoor wilderness and park areas!

Major Upcoming 2023 BPX Activities

• February 15 – “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
• March 15 – BPX members-only In-Person and Zoom 2023 BPX Trip Rollout Event
• April – BPX members-first begin registering for 2023 BPX Trips
• May 1 to Oct 30 – Main BPX Backpacking Season and also Gear Shakedowns
• October – Annual BPX Bash

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

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

• 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)