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Explore your wild roots

Popular Questions

Backpacking FAQ

  • Experienced guide, certified in Wilderness First Aid & CPR
  • Guide is certified Leave No Trace 
  • Ruck Day (1)
  • Initial consultation (new hikers only)
  • Gear/Packing List
  • All logistics planned for you
  • A map of your trip route
  • Purple Lizard Map of area
  • Camping locally night before trip
  • Group first aid kit
  • 1 dinner/cooked meal
  • Coffee/tea/cocoa
  • Schedule a consultation to access readiness and areas for improvement
  • Complete a Ruck Day or practice hike
  • Ask about rental gear
  • Being generally active in the months leading up to the event can help you aerobically, meaning a more pleasant hiking experience.

This is a great topic to cover during an initial consultation, which is free with your registration. We will review a Gear/Packing list and can discuss what items you may already have, which gear items you may want to rent, and which gear you may want to invest in. 

 

Some gear is considered “shared” such as water filters and cook stoves. This means not every hiker will need to bring one. If you do have these items, please inform your guide so we can plan accordingly. Sharing items reduces overall pack weight for the group! 

 

Consultations are either included in your trip cost, or $35/hour if you are not yet registered. New hikers can apply the $35 as a credit to future registration (within 1 yr). 

First and foremost – backpacking is not a race. On ALL guided trips, we are out there to experience nature and connect with other bad ass women. Yes we are also hiking, and it may (likely will) be difficult at times, but we will always stop to smell the flowers, adjust packs, or rest when it strikes our fancy.

 

Also, the initial consultation is a great time to assess your readiness for any adventure. Sure, there are people out there who can take the “couch to 5k” approach to backpacking, but most will need time and practice before registering for an overnight trip. We do not recommend the former approach anyway, since it almost always means a more uncomfortable time with greater chances for injury.

 

When unsure, always lean towards training and preparing. Backpacking Trips are rated from easy-moderate-difficult, and WRG can help you decide which might be the best fit for you!

 

Ask about training consultations 🙂

To reserve your spot in our next adventure, click “Apply Now” above, fill out the form, and Wild Roots will reach out to you for next steps and/or payment.

Payment received = spot reserved. Backpacking trips are typically limited to 6 people, so spots will fill up fast!

Through additional consultations, your guide can help dive into your current activity routines, determine areas of strength and areas for improvement, and provide tips to address the latter.

 

During the initial training consultation, we’ll determine together a reasonable schedule for ongoing consult to monitor progress or address new struggles as they arise. 

 

Initial training consultations are $35/hr and any subsequent training maintenance consults will be $25/hr.  

Each trip will vary, but generally daily hiking mileage will range from 6-14 miles. WRG adjusts the mileage according to specific variables such as water access, daily elevation profile, and established campsites. 

As a general rule of thumb, trips rated easy are typically covering less than 8.5 miles/day. Moderate trips will range from 6-12 miles/day, but will not have back-to-back 10+ mile days.  Any trip with 12+ miles in one day will be considered difficult due to time-on-feet and back-to-back hiking days.

 

 

Feel free to contact us to learn more about the trip you are interested in!

Plan to camp along the trail at a pre-established primitive camping area each night.

 

Every Wild Roots backpacker will be required to carry a tent suitable for backpacking (typically 2-4 lbs). You will also want to consider a backpacking sleeping pad to insulate and cushion you from the ground, which may have some roots/rocks, even in established areas.

 

Unless otherwise noted, these sites will have access to natural water sources (streams, springs, etc). Unless otherwise noted, do not plan of having access to restrooms throughout the trip – become familiar with Leave No Trace and digging cat holes 🙂 this is covered in the Ruck Day LNT awareness courses. 

  • If you are new to Wild Roots, schedule a consultation with your guide to go over readiness prior to the backpacking trip (free with backpacking registration)
  • Completing a “Ruck Day” or practice hike prior to your trip (see Events page)
  • Packing food for the adventure (minus 1 dinner provided by your guide)
  • Proper clothing & shoes
  • Most Gear (some rentals available)
  • Bringing your sense of adventure and love for nature!

Wild Roots will only be sharing specific itinerary details with individuals who have registered for the backpacking trip. Each trip itinerary is typically provided by email at least 6-8 weeks prior to your trip and covers just about anything you will need to know about the adventure.

 

You can find basic itinerary details in the “about” of the event page. Follow Wild Roots on your Facebook or Insta to keep up to date on more Ruck Day details. 

Hands down, one of the best training strategies to prepare for backpacking is to go backpacking. The ruck days allow you to mimic the physical activity without the time commitment an actual backpacking trip entails.

 

Whether you are new to hiking or are an avid backpacker, carrying 20-30 lbs while hiking will require practice and training to learn how to do so safely. It often takes multiple experiences with a weighted pack to work through little adjustments and strategies that can make your backpacking adventure more enjoyable and less uncomfortable. Wild Roots offers Ruck Days for exactly this reason – to help you find your flow with a backpack and ensure you feel ready for a longer trip.

 

If you are are training for a backpacking trip, you will gather all the gear you currently have and pack it up as if you were going on an overnight trip. If you don’t have a backpack, tent or sleeping bag, etc, you can rent those from WRG (free with ruck day). You’ll then hike with all your gear, preferably on trails, 3-10 miles. This provides an opportunity to learn how to organize your pack, find out how it feels to carry the pack, and adjust according to how well that went. Sometimes you’ll find that you have too much gear (either it’s too heavy, or doesn’t fit, etc). Ruck Days allow you to practice and meet others with guidance.

Try the “virtual” option! Ruck Days are mandatory for anyone registered for an overnight backpacking trip, but maybe your schedule just does not align with the dates WRG Ruck Days are scheduled. If that sounds like you and you are registered for a backpacking trip, take advantage of the Virtual Ruck Day, which includes:

  • 1 pre-ruck consultation (up to 1 hr)
  • 1 post-ruck consultation (up to 1 hour)

 

These consultations replace the “in-person” Ruck Day, and are included in your backpacking trip cost. During the pre-ruck consult, WRG will help you plan your route and prepare for the ruck. During the post-ruck consult, we can go over what went well or how you can improve your experience for next time. You will complete the ruck on your own time, whenever it fits your schedule. 

If you are not quite ready to sign on for a backpacking trip, you can choose to first sign up for a Ruck/Hike. Registration for just the ruck/hike is $50.

 

After the Ruck/Hike day, you will receive a $50 credit towards a backpacking trip within 1 year of the ruck date. Your guide will keep track of all ruck credits, so all you need to do is sign up for your preferred backpacking trip and your guide will apply the credit for you before you submit payment. 

 

If you plan to go this route, we highly encourage you to use the ruck day to practice with a weighted pack, rather than hiking with a normal day-hiking pack. For clarity, WRG considers anything under 10lbs to be a day hiking pack, and recommends 15lbs or more for a ruck. The grey area in-between (10-15lbs) can be discussed with your guide depending on your overall pack weight when fully loaded for a backpacking trip.

Backpacking weight often ranges from 25 – 35 lbs depending on your gear. Some ultra-lighters who have the high budget to get the lightest gear on the market may be able to achieve a 20lb backpack when fully loaded for 2-3 days, but that’s not incredibly common.  

 

As your guide, our goal will be to help you attain a pack weight of less than 30 lbs. The less weight on your back, the less discomfort  you will experience throughout the 2-3 day trek. 

 

If you are attending a ruck with intentions of training for a backpacking trip, try to carry a weight that will be closest to the real thing (25-35 lbs). Many opt to use the ruck as a stepping stone, and carry less than a fully loaded pack on the ruck. This is also a great strategy! In this case, shoot for 15lbs or more depending on your readiness. 

As of 2025, Wild Roots Guides has permits and licensing to guide women over the age of 18. If you have a daughter under 18 that would be interested in attending, please let your guide know. Stay tuned in 2026 as we may have exciting updates in this regard 🙂 

Most ruck and backpacking trips do have access to restrooms at the start/finish of the trek, but not all. Some ruck and backpacking trips will have a restroom or two along the way, but this is typically not the case. 

 

All Wild Roots hikers will be expected to follow Leave No Trace principles for disposing of human waste in the backcountry. We cover this practice in our Leave No Trace awareness courses at select ruck days. If you’re interested in learning more, check out the LNT website and read about cat holes 🙂 

Popular Questions

BACKPACKING FAQ

To reserve your spot in our next adventure, click “Apply Now” above, fill out the form, and Wild Roots will reach out to you for next steps and/or payment.

 

 

Payment received = spot reserved. Backpacking trips are typically limited to 6 people, so spots will fill up fast!

  • Experienced guide, certified in Wilderness First Aid & CPR
  • Guide is certified Leave No Trace 
  • Ruck Day (1)
  • Initial consultation (new hikers only)
  • Gear/Packing List
  • All logistics planned for you
  • A map of your trip route
  • Purple Lizard Map of area
  • Camping locally night before trip
  • Group first aid kit
  • 1 dinner/cooked meal
  • Coffee/tea/cocoa
  • If you are new to Wild Roots, schedule a consultation with your guide to go over readiness prior to the backpacking trip (free with backpacking registration)
  • Completing a “Ruck Day” or practice hike prior to your trip (see Events page)
  • Packing food for the adventure (minus 1 dinner provided by your guide)
  • Proper clothing & shoes
  • Most Gear (some rentals available)
  • Bringing your sense of adventure and love for nature!
  • Schedule a consultation to access readiness and areas for improvement
  • Complete a Ruck Day or practice hike
  • Ask about rental gear
  • Being generally active in the months leading up to the event can help you aerobically, meaning a more pleasant hiking experience.

Through additional consultations, your guide can help dive into your current activity routines, determine areas of strength and areas for improvement, and provide tips to address the latter.

During the initial training consultation, we’ll determine together a reasonable schedule for ongoing consult to monitor progress or address new struggles as they arise. 

Initial training consultations are $35/hr and any subsequent training maintenance consults will be $25/hr.  

Wild Roots will only be sharing specific itinerary details with individuals who have registered for the backpacking trip. Each trip itinerary is typically provided by email at least 6-8 weeks prior to your trip and covers just about anything you will need to know about the adventure.

 

You can find basic itinerary details in the “about” of the event page. Follow Wild Roots on your Facebook or Insta to keep up to date on more Ruck Day details. 

This is a great topic to cover during an initial consultation, which is free with your registration. We will review a Gear/Packing list and can discuss what items you may already have, which gear items you may want to rent, and which gear you may want to invest in. 

 

Some gear is considered “shared” such as water filters and cook stoves. This means not every hiker will need to bring one. If you do have these items, please inform your guide so we can plan accordingly. Sharing items reduces overall pack weight for the group! 

 

Consultations are either included in your trip cost, or $35/hour if you are not yet registered. New hikers can apply the $35 as a credit to future registration (within 1 yr). 

First and foremost – backpacking is not a race. On ALL guided trips, we are out there to experience nature and connect with other bad ass women. Yes we are also hiking, and it may (likely will) be difficult at times, but we will always stop to smell the flowers, adjust packs, or rest when it strikes our fancy.

Also, the initial consultation is a great time to assess your readiness for any adventure. Sure, there are people out there who can take the “couch to 5k” approach to backpacking, but most will need time and practice before registering for an overnight trip. We do not recommend the former approach anyway, since it almost always means a more uncomfortable time with greater chances for injury.

When unsure, always lean towards training and preparing. Backpacking Trips are rated from easy-moderate-difficult, and WRG can help you decide which might be the best fit for you!

Ask about training consultations 🙂

Hands down, one of the best training strategies to prepare for backpacking is to go backpacking. The ruck days allow you to mimic the physical activity without the time commitment an actual backpacking trip entails.

 

Whether you are new to hiking or are an avid backpacker, carrying 20-30 lbs while hiking will require practice and training to learn how to do so safely. It often takes multiple experiences with a weighted pack to work through little adjustments and strategies that can make your backpacking adventure more enjoyable and less uncomfortable. Wild Roots offers Ruck Days for exactly this reason – to help you find your flow with a backpack and ensure you feel ready for a longer trip.

 

If you are are training for a backpacking trip, you will gather all the gear you currently have and pack it up as if you were going on an overnight trip. If you don’t have a backpack, tent or sleeping bag, etc, you can rent those from WRG (free with ruck day). You’ll then hike with all your gear, preferably on trails, 3-10 miles. This provides an opportunity to learn how to organize your pack, find out how it feels to carry the pack, and adjust according to how well that went. Sometimes you’ll find that you have too much gear (either it’s too heavy, or doesn’t fit, etc). Ruck Days allow you to practice and meet others with guidance.

If you are not quite ready to sign on for a backpacking trip, you can choose to first sign up for a Ruck/Hike. Registration for just the ruck/hike is $50.

 

After the Ruck/Hike day, you will receive a $50 credit towards a backpacking trip within 1 year of the ruck date. Your guide will keep track of all ruck credits, so all you need to do is sign up for your preferred backpacking trip and your guide will apply the credit for you before you submit payment. 

 

If you plan to go this route, we highly encourage you to use the ruck day to practice with a weighted pack, rather than hiking with a normal day-hiking pack. For clarity, WRG considers anything under 10lbs to be a day hiking pack, and recommends 15lbs or more for a ruck. The grey area in-between (10-15lbs) can be discussed with your guide depending on your overall pack weight when fully loaded for a backpacking trip.

Backpacking weight often ranges from 25 – 35 lbs depending on your gear. Some ultra-lighters who have the high budget to get the lightest gear on the market may be able to achieve a 20lb backpack when fully loaded for 2-3 days, but that’s not incredibly common.  

 

As your guide, our goal will be to help you attain a pack weight of less than 30 lbs. The less weight on your back, the less discomfort  you will experience throughout the 2-3 day trek. 

 

If you are attending a ruck with intentions of training for a backpacking trip, try to carry a weight that will be closest to the real thing (25-35 lbs). Many opt to use the ruck as a stepping stone, and carry less than a fully loaded pack on the ruck. This is also a great strategy! In this case, shoot for 15lbs or more depending on your readiness. 

Try the “virtual” option! Ruck Days are mandatory for anyone registered for an overnight backpacking trip, but maybe your schedule just does not align with the dates WRG Ruck Days are scheduled. If that sounds like you and you are registered for a backpacking trip, take advantage of the Virtual Ruck Day, which includes:

  • 1 pre-ruck consultation (up to 1 hr)
  • 1 post-ruck consultation (up to 1 hour)

 

These consultations replace the “in-person” Ruck Day, and are included in your backpacking trip cost. During the pre-ruck consult, WRG will help you plan your route and prepare for the ruck. During the post-ruck consult, we can go over what went well or how you can improve your experience for next time. You will complete the ruck on your own time, whenever it fits your schedule. 

Each trip will vary, but generally daily hiking mileage will range from 6-14 miles. WRG adjusts the mileage according to specific variables such as water access, daily elevation profile, and established campsites. 

 

As a general rule of thumb, trips rated easy are typically covering less than 8.5 miles/day. Moderate trips will range from 6-12 miles/day, but will not have back-to-back 10+ mile days.  Any trip with 12+ miles in one day will be considered difficult due to time-on-feet and back-to-back hiking days.

 

 

Feel free to contact us to learn more about the trip you are interested in!

Most ruck and backpacking trips do have access to restrooms at the start/finish of the trek, but not all. Some ruck and backpacking trips will have a restroom or two along the way, but this is typically not the case. 

 

All Wild Roots hikers will be expected to follow Leave No Trace principles for disposing of human waste in the backcountry. We cover this practice in our Leave No Trace awareness courses at select ruck days. If you’re interested in learning more, check out the LNT website and read about cat holes 🙂 

Plan to camp along the trail at a pre-established primitive camping area each night.

 

Every Wild Roots backpacker will be required to carry a tent suitable for backpacking (typically 2-4 lbs). You will also want to consider a backpacking sleeping pad to insulate and cushion you from the ground, which may have some roots/rocks, even in established areas.

 

Unless otherwise noted, these sites will have access to natural water sources (streams, springs, etc). Unless otherwise noted, do not plan of having access to restrooms throughout the trip – become familiar with Leave No Trace and digging cat holes 🙂 this is covered in the Ruck Day LNT awareness courses. 

As of 2025, Wild Roots Guides has permits and licensing to guide women over the age of 18. If you have a daughter under 18 that would be interested in attending, please let your guide know. Stay tuned in 2026 as we may have exciting updates in this regard 🙂 

Popular Questions

Ruck Day FAQ

To reserve your spot in our next adventure, click “Apply Now” above, fill out the form, and Wild Roots will reach out to you for payment & next steps.

Payment received = spot reserved. Ruck Days are limited to 10 people, so reserve your spot today! 

  • If this is your first WRG adventure, an initial consultation is free with your Ruck Day registration. Use this time to go over readiness prior to the Ruck Day  
  • Packing food (snacks or lunch)
  • Propper clothing & shoes
  • Gear (some rentals available)
  • Bringing your sense of adventure and love for nature!

Wild Roots will only be sharing specific itinerary details with individuals who have registered for the hike. Each trip itinerary is typically provided by email at least 4 weeks prior to your trip and covers just about anything you will need to know about the adventure.

You can find basic itinerary details in the “about” of this page. Follow Wild Roots on your Facebook or Insta to keep up to date on more Ruck Day details. 

Whether you are new to hiking or are an avid hiker, carrying 20-30 lbs while hiking will require practice and training to learn how to do so safely. It often takes multiple experiences with a weighted pack to work through little adjustments and strategies that can make your backpacking adventure more enjoyable and less uncomfortable. Wild Roots offers Ruck Days for exactly this reason – to help you find your flow with a backpack and ensure you feel ready for a longer trip.

If you are are training for a backpacking trip, you will gather all the gear you currently have and pack it up as if you were going on an overnight trip. If you don’t have a backpack, tent or sleeping bag, etc, you can rent those from WRG (free with ruck day). You’ll then hike with all your gear, preferably on trails, 3-10 miles. This provides an opportunity to learn how to organize your pack, find out how it feels to carry the pack, and adjust according to how well that went. Sometimes you’ll find that you have too much gear (either it’s too heavy, or doesn’t fit, etc). Ruck Days allow you to practice and meet others with guidance. 

Try the “virtual” option! Ruck Days are highly encouraged and sometimes required for anyone registered for an overnight backpacking trip, but maybe your schedule just does not align with the dates WRG Ruck Days are scheduled. If that sounds like you and you are registered for a backpacking trip, take advantage of the Virtual Ruck Day, which includes:

  • 1 pre-ruck consultation (up to 1 hr)
  • 1 post-ruck consultation (up to 1 hour)

These consultations replace the “in-person” Ruck Day, and are free with your backpacking trip cost. During the pre-ruck consult, WRG will help you plan your route and prepare for the ruck. During the post-ruck consult, we can go over what went well or how you can improve your experience for next time. You will complete the ruck on your own time, whenever it fits your schedule. 

  • Experienced guide, certified in Wilderness First Ad & CPR
  • Certified Leave No Trace Instructor 
  • Use of WRG rental gear (for weight)
  • Initial consultation (new hikers only)
  • Gear/Packing List 
  • All logistics planned for you
  • A map of your trip route
  • Group first aid kit
  • Guidance for those preparing for overnight trips
  • Dependent – Leave No Trace Awareness course or “How to Pack Your Pack aka Shakedowns”
  • A hiker game – opportunity to win prize!
  • Schedule an initial consultation to discuss readiness or next steps
  • Meet with Wild Roots for additional consultations, $35/hr (optional)
  • Ask about rental gear
  • Being generally active in the weeks leading up to the event can help you aerobically, meaning a more pleasant hiking experience

This depends on whether you are planning to join us for the day hike only, and not planning to carry any overnight gear or “ruck” with weight. If this sounds like you, your guide will provide a list on the Ruck/Hike day page for required gear. 

If you plan to ruck or carry overnight gear to train for a future backpacking trip, this is a great topic to cover during an initial consultation, which is free with your registration. We will review a Gear/Packing list and can discuss what items you may already have, which gear items you may want to rent (also included with ruck day cost), and which gear you may want to invest in. 

First and foremost – backpacking is not a race. On ALL guided trips, we are out there to experience nature and connect with other bad ass women. Yes we are also hiking, and it may be difficult at times, but we will always stop to smell the flowers, adjust packs, or rest when the feeling strikes.

Also, the initial consultation is a great time to assess your readiness for any adventure. Sure, there are people out there who can take the “couch to 5k” approach to backpacking, but most will need time and practice before registering for an overnight trip. We do not recommend the former approach anyway, since it almost always means a more uncomfortable time with greater chances for injury.

When unsure, always lean towards training and preparing. Backpacking Trips are rated from easy-moderate-difficult, and WRG can help you decide which might be the best fit for you!

Absolutely, yes! Ruck/Hike days are for any woman interested in hiking. You do not need to be preparing for an upcoming backpacking trip. Join us for the lessons, the hike, and the comradery of like-minded women who also enjoy the outdoors. 

If you are not signed on for a backpacking trip, the Ruck/Hike Day cost is $50. If you are a first time hiker, the initial consultation is required prior to the trip date and payment for the ruck will be required prior to the consultation. 

 

After the Ruck/Hike day, you will receive a $50 credit towards a backpacking trip within 1 year of the ruck date. Your guide will keep track of all ruck credits, so all you need to do is sign up for your preferred backpacking trip and your guide will apply the credit for you before you submit payment. 

 

If you plan to go this route, we highly encourage you to use the ruck day to practice with a weighted pack, rather than hiking with a normal day-hiking pack. For clarity, WRG considers anything under 10lbs to be a day hiking pack, and recommends 15lbs or more for a ruck. The grey area in-between (10-15lbs) can be discussed with your guide depending on your overall pack weight when fully loaded for a backpacking trip.

Backpacking weight often ranges from 25 – 35 lbs depending on your gear. Some ultra-lighters who have the high budget to get the lightest gear on the market may be able to achieve a 20lb backpack when fully loaded for 2-3 days, but that’s not incredibly common.  

 

If you are attending a ruck with intentions of training for a backpacking trip, try to carry a weight that will be closest to the real thing (25-35 lbs). Many opt to use the ruck as a stepping stone, and carry less than a fully loaded pack on the ruck. This is also a great strategy! In this case, shoot for 15lbs or more depending on your readiness. 

Popular Questions

Ruck Day FAQ

To reserve your spot in our next adventure, click “Apply Now” above, fill out the form, and Wild Roots will reach out to you for payment & next steps.

 

Payment received = spot reserved. Ruck Days are limited to 10 people, so reserve your spot today! 

  • Experienced guide, certified in Wilderness First Ad & CPR
  • Guided by a certified Leave No Trace Instructor 
  • Use of WRG rental gear (for weight)
  • Initial consultation (new hikers only)
  • Gear/Packing List 
  • All logistics planned for you
  • A map of your trip route
  • Group first aid kit
  • Guidance for those preparing for overnight trips
  • Dependent – Leave No Trace Awareness course or “How to Pack Your Pack aka Shakedowns”
  • A hiker game – opportunity to win prize!
  • If this is your first WRG adventure, an initial consultation is free with your Ruck Day registration. Use this time to go over readiness prior to the Ruck Day  
  • Packing food (snacks or lunch)
  • Propper clothing & shoes
  • Gear (some rentals available)
  • Bringing your sense of adventure and love for nature!
  • Schedule an initial consultation to discuss readiness or next steps
  • Meet with Wild Roots for additional consultations, $35/hr (optional)
  • Ask about rental gear
  • Being generally active in the weeks leading up to the event can help you aerobically, meaning a more pleasant hiking experience

Wild Roots will only be sharing specific itinerary details with individuals who have registered for the hike. Each trip itinerary is typically provided by email at least 4 weeks prior to your trip and covers just about anything you will need to know about the adventure.

 

You can find basic itinerary details in the “about” of this page. Follow Wild Roots on your Facebook or Insta to keep up to date on more Ruck Day details. 

This depends on whether you are planning to join us for the day hike only, and not planning to carry any overnight gear or “ruck” with weight. If this sounds like you, your guide will provide a list on the Ruck/Hike day page for required gear. 

 

If you plan to ruck or carry overnight gear to train for a future backpacking trip, this is a great topic to cover during an initial consultation, which is free with your registration. We will review a Gear/Packing list and can discuss what items you may already have, which gear items you may want to rent (also included with ruck day cost), and which gear you may want to invest in. 

Whether you are new to hiking or are an avid hiker, carrying 20-30 lbs while hiking will require practice and training to learn how to do so safely. It often takes multiple experiences with a weighted pack to work through little adjustments and strategies that can make your backpacking adventure more enjoyable and less uncomfortable. Wild Roots offers Ruck Days for exactly this reason – to help you find your flow with a backpack and ensure you feel ready for a longer trip.

 

If you are are training for a backpacking trip, you will gather all the gear you currently have and pack it up as if you were going on an overnight trip. If you don’t have a backpack, tent or sleeping bag, etc, you can rent those from WRG (free with ruck day). You’ll then hike with all your gear, preferably on trails, 3-10 miles. This provides an opportunity to learn how to organize your pack, find out how it feels to carry the pack, and adjust according to how well that went. Sometimes you’ll find that you have too much gear (either it’s too heavy, or doesn’t fit, etc). Ruck Days allow you to practice and meet others with guidance. 

First and foremost – backpacking is not a race. On ALL guided trips, we are out there to experience nature and connect with other bad ass women. Yes we are also hiking, and it may be difficult at times, but we will always stop to smell the flowers, adjust packs, or rest when the feeling strikes.

Also, the initial consultation is a great time to assess your readiness for any adventure. Sure, there are people out there who can take the “couch to 5k” approach to backpacking, but most will need time and practice before registering for an overnight trip. We do not recommend the former approach anyway, since it almost always means a more uncomfortable time with greater chances for injury.

When unsure, always lean towards training and preparing. Backpacking Trips are rated from easy-moderate-difficult, and WRG can help you decide which might be the best fit for you!

Absolutely, yes! Ruck/Hike days are for any woman interested in hiking. You do not need to be preparing for an upcoming backpacking trip. Join us for the lessons, the hike, and the comradery of like-minded women who also enjoy the outdoors. 

If you are not signed on for a backpacking trip, the Ruck/Hike Day cost is $50. If you are a first time hiker, the initial consultation is required prior to the trip date and payment for the ruck will be required prior to the consultation. 

 

After the Ruck/Hike day, you will receive a $50 credit towards a backpacking trip within 1 year of the ruck date. Your guide will keep track of all ruck credits, so all you need to do is sign up for your preferred backpacking trip and your guide will apply the credit for you before you submit payment. 

 

If you plan to go this route, we highly encourage you to use the ruck day to practice with a weighted pack, rather than hiking with a normal day-hiking pack. For clarity, WRG considers anything under 10lbs to be a day hiking pack, and recommends 15lbs or more for a ruck. The grey area in-between (10-15lbs) can be discussed with your guide depending on your overall pack weight when fully loaded for a backpacking trip.

Backpacking weight often ranges from 25 – 35 lbs depending on your gear. Some ultra-lighters who have the high budget to get the lightest gear on the market may be able to achieve a 20lb backpack when fully loaded for 2-3 days, but that’s not incredibly common.  

If you are attending a ruck with intentions of training for a backpacking trip, try to carry a weight that will be closest to the real thing (25-35 lbs). Many opt to use the ruck as a stepping stone, and carry less than a fully loaded pack on the ruck. This is also a great strategy! In this case, shoot for 15lbs or more depending on your readiness. 

Try the “virtual” option! Ruck Days are mandatory for anyone registered for an overnight backpacking trip, but maybe your schedule just does not align with the dates WRG Ruck Days are scheduled. If that sounds like you and you are registered for a backpacking trip, take advantage of the Virtual Ruck Day, which includes:

  • 1 pre-ruck consultation (up to 1 hr)
  • 1 post-ruck consultation (up to 1 hour)

 

These consultations replace the “in-person” Ruck Day, and are included in your backpacking trip cost. During the pre-ruck consult, WRG will help you plan your route and prepare for the ruck. During the post-ruck consult, we can go over what went well or how you can improve your experience for next time. You will complete the ruck on your own time, whenever it fits your schedule. 

Still have questions?

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Have just a general question? 

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Guided backpacking and hiking trips in Pennsylvania.

Wild Roots Guides (WRG) is devoted to empowering those who wish to explore wild spaces. We hope to offer affordable services, guidance and opportunities that will allow Wild Roots hikers to gain experiences necessary to safely enjoy and feel confident in nature. WRG believes in the importance of both a supportive community and individual experience to foster capabilities and self-assuredness. Wild Roots will meet you at your level of experience and begin building from there.

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