Get Started:

Thanks for your interest in going on a 2024 Wild Grief Young Adult Backpack! Please read below to learn our application process. Space on our trips is limited; we usually have more applicants than we have spaces.

Trip Dates:

  • Friday, August 30th- Monday, September 2nd 2024

Application deadline:

Apply as soon as you can! Trips fill up.

We consider a variety of factors in filling our trips and we consider applications in the order received. The sooner you get it in the better your chance of getting in as these free programs can fill up fast.

How to Apply (What Happens Before you Can Join a Backpack):

  1. Make sure the hike is available to you by reading through the eligibility criteria. You must meet the criteria to be considered for the backpack. We do not want to waste your time or create expectations we cannot fulfill.  If the backpack does not seem appropriate right now, we do have other programs such as our monthly Hike Habit.

  2. Now that you have learned a bit, talked some, and want to go, please fill out the applications. We need both of the following forms complete to begin the review process:

    Application & Medical/Emergency Form

  3. Next is an online info session to learn more about the hike and gear and answer any questions you may have.

  4. After the info session, we will schedule a short video chat with you and 2 Wild Grief guides & staff members to answer remaining questions, and learn more about each other. This is fairly informal and mostly allows everyone to talk freely about expectations, concerns, and anything else to see if it is a good fit all around.

  5. Within a few weeks we will let you know if it will work for you to join us on a trip this year.

If it works for you and us to go on the hike, here is what happens next:

  • Orientation: We will all join together (hikers & guides) for an orientation online.

  • Morning of hike: We meet at 7:00 in Olympia, hand out backpacking gear, help you pack, give you more backpack training, and travel by van to the trailhead and start our backpack adventure.

Questions: Call or text 360 358-3213 or email info@wildgrief.org