Can you plan all aspects of your first trip, next trip, or dream trip — and without making errors, taking too long, or forgetting key parts?
Successful backpacking trips are typically planned, not improvised. A thoughtful approach towards gear, food, maps, permits, travel, fitness, and skills will increase your safety margin and trip quality, and will actually create more potential for adventure — by solving foreseeable problems beforehand, you can respond fully to the true unknowns.
In the Plan Like A Pro course, we’ll guide you through a comprehensive planning framework that is applicable to every location, season, group size, style, and experience level. It’s most relevant to self-sufficient itineraries, the outer limit of which is about two weeks; but the steps can be repeated for multi-month trips. Our instructors provide detailed and thorough feedback for deeper learning and interaction.
The origins of the curriculum go back to my groundbreaking hikes like the Alaska-Yukon Expedition, Great Western Loop, and Sea to Sea Route. I built it out further to help prepare clients for our guided trips and then to offer this standalone course.
When are the dates?
In 2025, the first course started on March 24th. We opened a second course that starts May 19th.
*To be notified of future Plan Like a Pro courses, subscribe to my newsletter. As of now, we only have these two sessions planned for 2025.
What’s the format?
The course curriculum follows a set schedule, with one topic being covered most weeks. The PLAP curriculum is almost identical to our guided trip curriculum.
The course is comprised of reading materials, assignments with in-depth feedback, discussions and three virtual meetings. To communicate with students and distribute materials, we use Google Classroom, which is both user-friendly and amply functional.
Early on you will be asked to identify a “goal trip” that will serve as a foundation for later topics and assignments. The learning is not merely hypothetical — by the end of the course, you should be fully prepared to undertake this itinerary.
The course culminates with a shakeout trip so that you can test your gear, practice newly acquired skills, and identify room for improvement.
Who are your instructors?
Andrew created the course, and oversees the curriculum.
We have a team of stellar instructors — specifically Ella Nuttelman, Mikaela Osler, Tina Currin, Jose Mendez, and Witt Wisebram — that will check all of your work, thoroughly review your gear list, and host virtual meetings with your group. All instructors also guide for us.
Hunter Hall, the program manager, handles the day-to-day operations of Google Classroom, student communications, and supports the instructor team.
Our Co-Director, Katie Gerber supports the guided trip program, and is also involved in Google Classroom on an as needed basis.
What will you learn?
Perhaps the most standout feature of this course is the regular engagement with instructors. It will help ensure that you learn the information, not just read or watch it; and they will help keep you accountable.
View the full curriculum for all topics. Most importantly, you will learn to:
- Research likely environmental and route conditions like the weather, bug pressure, water availability, and problem animals;
- Select appropriate gear for the conditions and your backpacking style;
- Plan meals, including dinners that go beyond Ramen noodles or expensive freeze-dried packages;
- Assemble a navigation system of maps, resources, and tools; and,
- Acquire requisite skills and fitness for your itinerary.
In many of the modules, we will share helpful resources, tools, and tips that you can replicate and use on your future trips.
To hear what past students say, read over 100 reviews from the first two years of this course.
TLDR: Here are three of our favorites:
“Thank you I went into the course relatively confident in my backcountry abilities. I received individual attention from expert instructors and was able to fine-tune my gear list and pack for the actual conditions of my hike rather than for my fears.” — Jason B.
“Excellent course and worth every dollar.“ — Carmen S.
“Nothing is left out. No doubt I will be running through these materials again and again as I get ready for my summers in the Sierra…and beyond.” — Dan F.
What is the time commitment?
A detailed schedule is available, so you have an idea of pace.
The course includes twenty-six posts, including fifteen lessons and eleven assignments, divided into nine sections.
The anticipated total time commitment is 8 to 24 hours, depending on your existing knowledge and your level of engagement. Like most things, the more time and thought you put into it, the more you’ll get out of it. When we last collected this data:
- 12 percent of students spent 10 hours of less
- 44 percent of students spent 10-19 hours;
- 44 percent of students spent 20+ on the course.
The curriculum schedule is purposefully designed to keep the workload roughly even. It’s best for students to stay on track, but it’s not catastrophic if you are occasionally late — the assignments will remain available to you, and we will review any submitted work while the course is running.
The course includes three virtual meetings at the beginning, middle, and end of the course, that are opportunities to meet others in your group and to discuss involved topics like gear selection. Dates are posted in the curriculum.
The meetings are not mandatory, but they will be recorded with notes (thanks artificial intelligence!), so people that can’t attend will be able to watch later.
How much does it cost?
The course costs $175, which is an exceptional price in consideration of the content quality, instructor engagement, and generous perks. This is a premium product, but we’ve intentionally kept its price accessible.
This course is an investment in your backpacking future, and it saves you both time and money. Learn from experts who have figured it out already; avoid buying gear that doesn’t ultimately suit your needs; and maximize the full potential of every trip.
What’s included?
Your course fee includes a:
- Signed copy of my book, The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide ($20 value)*
- Free download of one of my high route guides ($25 value)
- 2-month Pro subscription to CalTopo
- Discounts to select cottage industry vendors, which can be found on the FAQ page.
Finally, if you decide to join us on a guided trip in the future, we’ll credit 50% of your course fee your trip cost.
*If you are outside CONUS, you will need to purchase a local or digital copy of the Gear Guide, and I will refund you my cost. It’s impractical for me to mail you one, from both a cost and time perspective.
Want to learn more? We hosted a Q&A on March 21, 2025 to go over it all:
Still have questions?
If you have questions that are not covered in all of the above material, contact me.