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
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:
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)