Queer Backpacking Gear Basics 101 - Minnesota
April 13, 2024 — 11:00 - 2:00 pm CT
Last day to register: April 10, 2024
Have you ever wanted to try backpacking, but don't know much (or anything!) about the gear that you would need? This event is for you! Join TVOP Volunteer Canyon (they/them) for this queer gear extravaganza! We’ll have 3 different backpacks full of gear of varying sizes and weights — from a full ultralight setup for one to a traditional packout for group travel — so you can find the right setup for *you*.
We’ll take our weighted packs on a short test drive on a local 3-mile loop. Midway through the hike, we’ll stop at a camp spot to chat through the ins and outs of camp settups relevant to backpacking — including pitching different tents, making a freeze-dried meal, sharing our go-to backpacking snacks, filtering water, and other backpacking basics. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and stylizing your own unique camping systems — from newer ultralight backpacking gear to long-time industry faves.
The 3-mile hike is rated easy and is located at a State Park in Minnesota just a 25 minute drive from the Twin Cities area. This event is beginner friendly.
We ask folks under the age of 18 to please register themselves and an adult to accompany them.
If you require a service dog to attend, please let us know and we collaborate with you on how to keep you both comfortable and hydrated on the hike.
GENERAL INFO
Location: St Paul, MN
(Očhéthi Šakówiŋ (Sioux) and Wahpekute lands)
Parking: Parking lot
Pets: Dogs are welcome to join on this adventure.
Meet: April 13, 2024
Hike: 2.8 mi, 475ft elevation gain
Cost: $0-$20 sliding scale + $7 One-day vehicle permit or MN State Park Pass
To find out where you fall best in our sliding scale, see the “Why does this trip cost money?” dropdown below.
Bring: Water, lunch, snacks.
COVID SAFETY
Masks are not required during this event, however they are welcomed if wearing one allows you to better engage with the group. PLEASE be mindful of your own and group safety. If you or anyone in your household are not feeling well, do not participate in an event.
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Of course you can always hike for free on your own! What we are offering is not just a wilderness trip, but a chance to create community. On a TVOP trip, you will meet people with shared identities, have meaningful experiences and conversations in community, have someone else plan the logistics of your adventures, and have certified Wilderness First Aiders on hand should you ever need one. All of the money we collect goes towards operating costs for our programs.
Our sliding scale recommendation:
- Low: Yearly income $30,000 or under, struggles to meet basic needs
- Mid (pays estimated value): Yearly income $40,000-$75,000, some expendable income
- High: Yearly income $80,000-$100,000, comfortable, never struggle with basic needs
Need more examples? We follow the Green Bottle principle. Click here to view and find out where you fall.
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Information for our land acknowledgment was gathered from nativeland.ca, which provides an estimate of original indigenous land occupation, but does not take into account migratory patterns or movement of the many surrounding communities. We recognize the historical complexity of indigenous movement across the land, and honor with gratitude the many, many surviving native nations whose land we benefit from in our work to diversify the outdoors.
