Beartooth Mountains 5 Day Backpacking Trip

On the evening of July 27, we will stop near Sturgis, SD  staying overnight at a hotel. On July 28 we will finish up our drive arriving in Montana and picking up those that are flying in. We plan on being on the trail the afternoon of July 28 so that we can hike in a few miles, camping near a lake. 

We will spend July 29-Aug 1 exploring the Beartooth Mountains, partially staying on the trail, but spending a good amount of time off the beaten path, passing waterfalls, rock scrambling, and hiking through valleys and over mountain passes, and camping at night alongside crystal clear lakes.

On the afternoon of August 1, we will come off the trail and stay overnight at a local hotel. August 2 we depart for the midwest, stopping along the way on August 2 to stay at a hotel. We will return to the Chicagoland area on the afternoon of August 3. We will be staying at The Pollard hotel, breakfast will be included on August 2.

3 months prior to the event a thorough review of gear, our route, and the event timeline will be reviewed with those that register. This will consist of a combination of Zoom meetings, phone calls, and posts on our True North Community Facebook page.

Tickets

2 ticket options are available. They are listed as "Rider" and "Fly-In".  The Rider ticket is for those that are carpooling with us and the Fly-In ticket is for those that are meeting us in Montana. Fly-In ticket holders must book their own airfare or transportation to Montana. 

Rider Ticket-$1025-This ticket includes transportation and lodging in a hotel for 3 nights (July 27, Aug 1, and Aug 2). 

Fly-In Ticket-$737.50-This ticket includes pick up at Billings Logan International Airport, and lodging in a hotel on August 1.

Gear Rental: $425-All gear that would be needed for this trip is included. This does not include personal items such as clothing, food, or a hygiene kit.

Ursack Food Bag Rental: $40-The Ursack Major is a lightweight yet extremely durable alternative to traditional canisters. All Ursack bear bags are made of ultra-high-performance UHMWP fabric and designed to prevent bears from getting your food in their territory. Rental also includes an Opsack sealable plastic bag that is made from a special film that is 17,000 times more odor-resistant than HDPE.

Both event ticket prices include all permits, parking fees, snacks, and drinks during transportation in the van.

Gear

The following is a list of gear that is required for this event.

-Backpack (properly fitted) Typical pack for a 2-5 day outing is 40-60 liters.

-Sleeping bag

-Sleeping pad

-Tent

-Stove

-Cookware

-Trowel

-Small Compass

-Appropriate footwear (trail runners or boots)

-Water filter

-25' of paracord (minimum)

-Individual First Aid Kit

-Headlamp (spare batteries)

-Rain Gear (poncho, Frog Toggs, rain suit)

-Toiletry Kit

-Fire starting kit

-Small knife

-Spare set of clothing 

-Spare set of socks

-Appropriate backpacking meals for the length of the event

-Emergency blanket

-Hydration system or water bottles

-Whistle

-Quick Dry towel

-Biodegradable soap

-Personal Medications

-Trekking Poles

-Baselayer

-Camp shoes (Crocs or similar)

-Insect repellent

-Micro Spike or Yak Trax

-Bear can or Ursack for food storage (food must be hung every night)

Rental gear is available by selecting the "Gear Rental" ticket option in addition to your registration.

Gear rental is available for an extra fee and includes the following:

• Backpack
• 1 or 2 person tent
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping pad
• Sleeping pillow
• Backpacking stove
• Water filter
• Trowel
• Headlamp
• Trekking Poles
• Ursack Bag for food storage

Transportation

For those that choose to carpool with us, we will be leaving on the morning of July 27, 2021, departing from the Chicagoland area. Carpooling options will be available along our route, and as always, there is no additional cost when meeting us at one of the predetermined Park and Ride locations. If you are unsure if you are along our route, please contact us prior to signing up. We will be departing Huntley, IL the morning of July 27. 2021, and returning to the Chicagoland area the evening of August 3. 2021.

If you are not carpooling with us, we will arrange a shuttle for you to Red Lodge from Billings Logan International Airport. From there we will pick you up in Red Lodge. At the end of the trip, the shuttle will take you back to the airport from Red Lodge. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Cancellations

No will be issued if you cancel less than 7 days from the date of the event. All other cancellations are subject to a 50% service fee. A refund will be issued in the form of a check. Please allow 5-7 business days for processing, we will notify you when the refund has been issued. Additional information will be emailed to you after registering.

Safety

All True North staff are certified in First Aid/CPR and every one of our events is lead by a guide who is a paramedic/Wilderness First Aid instructor. Guides are experienced in wilderness and outdoor travel and are equipped with GPS and well as satellite phones when needed.

True North Expeditions, Inc. reserves the right to substitute the events listed in the description above in the event of inclement weather, availability, or other uncontrollable events.

Donate and Give Back to the Outdoor Community!

We are teaming up with *Gear Forward in an attempt to collect new and unused gear, specifically sleeping bags, tents, and backpacks. Illinois resident Scott Gauvin is the founder of Gear Forward, an independent nationwide non-profit that provides gear to non-profit community organizations, youth groups, and charities working with young people in the outdoors. If you have one of the above-mentioned pieces of gear and would like to donate it, please bring it with you. After our fall and winter events, the gear that we collect will be turned over to Gear Forward.

*As stated above, Gear Forward is an independent nationwide non-profit that provides gear to non-profit community organizations, youth groups, and charities working with young people in the outdoors. Founded by Scott Gauvin, Gear Forward aims to encourage people to donate unused outdoor gear they no longer want or need. Gear Forward also seeks partnerships with outdoor retailers and manufacturers to encourage donations of unused gear or donations by customers. The outdoors are our collective greatest treasure and gift that we offer the next generation. Gear Forward, simply is about providing the next generation of stewards, adventurers, Scoutmasters, and Girl Scout Leaders the resources they need to get outdoors. No child should be denied access to all the outdoors has to offer because they don't have the necessary equipment. Through the collection of gently used outdoor gear, Gear Forward will work with other youth and outdoor focused organizations to get donated gear into the hands that need it.  Through the donation of outdoor gear, Gear Forward will provide youth in need via various noteworthy organizations the ability to participate in outdoor-themed activities such as hiking, camping, and backpacking. You can find out more about Gear Forward by visiting their Facebook page or website.