Learn Overnight Backpacking and How to Camp with REI Outdoor School

Why did I fall in love with the great outdoors? Here was my introduction and later, I'll give you my reasons!

Last year I had the opportunity to go camping at Yosemite National Park and Mammoth with friends. We spent three days at Camp 4 in Yosemite, hiked a lot of trails, and swam in different streams and lakes. We also hiked and climbed Half Dome. That was a 12 hour one day hike. It was 12 hours because we would stop, put our feet in the water, enjoy the scenery, and relax. It normally doesn't take as long.

After leaving Yosemite, we went to Mammoth Mountain and camped at Twin Lakes Campground for two days. At Mammoth, we went fishing, mountain bike riding, and hiking. I had just recently purchased a Trek Fuel EX 7 29 and it arrived two days before leaving on this trip. Around this time I was getting into mountain bike riding so I took a downhill riding course at Mammoth Mountain Bike Park. The mountain bike riding instructor told us about a downhill mountain bike race that evening, so we went ahead and entered the race! I got second place, well second to last place out of 50, it's still a second place!

Here's the reasons for my new found love with the outdoors!

For this being my first time ever camping, this was the most epic trip I've had in years! This was the first time I was able to disconnect from my phone, technologies, work, stress, and create a connection with nature. Instead of traffic, I would hear streams and waterfalls. Instead of high strung people, I was surrounded by relaxed happy easygoing people. I was literally at peace. This was a uplifting experience and I realized I wanted to make it a part of my balance in life.

Upon returning from camping, I slowly began purchasing backpacking supplies with my goal of going on a three day backing trip the following year. After purchasing all of the lower priced items, I purchased a light weight backpacking tent(REI Quarter Dome 2) and multi day backpack (Osprey Atmos 65). Now I had most of my supplies , except for proper clothing, to set forth on my adventure except I had never set up my tent, air mattress, properly packed my bag, used a compass, or calculated the water/food needed for such a trip.

This is where the REI Outdoor School came into play! I signed up for a overnight camping course that took place at Crystal Cove Park in California. In this course, I was able to learn how to use my camping supplies and equipment. The course also gave lessons in the use of the compass, reading maps, and calculating the amount of food and water needed for a three-day backpacking trip. The course was taught by two instructors. Both instructors are very well experienced in backpacking and camping. In addition to having the outdoor skills, they were both in great shape. One instructor enjoyed mountain bike riding and was a powerlifter. The other instructor is a ultra runner and competes in long-distance trail running events all over the world. The instructors had so much knowledge and enjoyed sharing it! My fellow students and myself were able to pick their brains for 48 hours and learn as much as possible to make our backpacking or camping trips successful and enjoyable.

I do not work for REI or in anyway associated with them as a representative or salesperson. I document and sharing my adventures for people to enjoy. Hopefully they inspire or motivate people to go and have the same experiences. Here is a quick short video I put together of my overnight camping course through REI Outdoor School. I'll see you on the trails!