2026 Application Form
Full Name
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Email
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example@example.com
Phone Number
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Please enter a valid phone number.
Format: (000) 000-0000.
Tell us about yourself:
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What are your hobbies and interests outside of hiking or travel? What are your big goals for the year, and what is a significant challenge you have recently overcome?
Primary Trip Goal
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Learn the basics of backpacking
Improve existing skills & dial in gear
Learn advanced off-trail navigation
Test physical fitness in rugged environment
Completely disconnect and recharge
Learn to safely guide friends/family
Secondary Trip Goal
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Please Select
Learn the basics of backpacking
Improve existing skills & dial in gear
Learn advanced off-trail navigation
Test physical fitness in rugged environment
Completely disconnect and recharge
Learn to safely guide friends/family
Primary Expedition Preference
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Alpine Lake Intro (3-Day)
High Basin Loop (4-Day)
The Navigator (5-Day)
Big Tablelands Loop (7-Day)
Undecided
Why did this route catch your eye?
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If you selected a specific trip above, briefly tell us why this route caught your eye.
Second Expedition Preference
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Please Select
Alpine Lake Intro 3-Day
High Basin Loop 4-Day
The Navigator 5-Day
Big Tablelands Loop 7-Day
Party Size
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Please Select
Solo
Group of 2
Group of 3
Group of 4+
Your Biggest Recent Effort: Include distance, elevation, and how your body handled it.
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Tell us about your most recent, significant outdoor experience or endurance experience within the past 12 months.
Backpacking is about stringing trail sections together. How does your body respond after a day of moderate to strenuous effort (by your standards)?
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My body would prefer a full rest day
I would move slower but comfortably enjoy the trail
I would be ready to tackle it again at the same pace
Where do you live? (list town or city, and state or province)
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Your body's relationship with oxygen is largely shaped by where you live. Knowing your home elevation helps our guides pace the trip perfectly so your body has time to adapt.
Regarding joint and load capacity, how would you classify yourself?
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Regularly hike with heavy pack & no issues
Fit but haven't carried a pack recently
Actively manage joint discomfort on descents
Within the past 12 months, what is the most challenging type of ground you have successfully navigated and felt comfortable on? (Select highest that applies)
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Groomed Trails (smooth dirt paths with minimal rocks or roots)
Standard Trails (some uneven, some steps)
Rugged/Unmaintained - (steep, rocky, foot placement is key)
Off-Trail/Talus/Scrambling (cross-country over boulder, scree, steep rock)
High Consequence/Technical (severe exposure or ropes/harnesses required)
Your Backcountry Skills
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Rows
Brand New
Familiar
Solid Foundation
Highly Proficient
Fitness
Nutrition
Thermoregulation
Basic Medical
Navigation
Mental
Brief Outdoor "Resume":
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Expand on your ratings above by sharing your outdoor "resume." Please tell us about your most notable trips (locations, distances, duration). Highlight a specific logistical challenge you faced (e.g., severe weather, unexpected challenges) and how you navigated it.
Backpacking Experience
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0 nights (Brand new, or exclusively car-camp/day-hike)
1 to 5 nights (Introductory trips)
6 to 20 nights (Foundational)
20+ nights (Experienced)
100+ nights (Highly experienced)
How would you describe the current state of your personal backpacking equipment?
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Starting Fresh (don't own much gear. I'm relying on FMF loaner library)
The Classics (might be older or heavier. Open to using FMF gear to lighten my load)
Functional & Dialed (modern, lightweight gear that I have tested)
Highly Optimized (I track my gear weight. My systems are dialed)
Height, Weight & Age
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To calculate the calories needed for your backcountry meals, and to establish safe pack-weight-to-body-weight ratios, we need your current sizing. Please provide accurate numbers—this is strictly for your safety and nutrition planning.
FMF provides OPTIONAL backcountry meals. These are proprietary and dehydrated in-house.
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Standard/Carnivore
Vegetarian
Vegan
Dietary Restrictions & Allergies.
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History with Heat, Cold & Altitude. In the past, have you experienced any of the following?
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Heat-Related Illness (Heat exhaustion/stroke)
Cold-Related Injury (Hypothermia, frostnip)
Altitude Sickness (Severe AMS, HAPE, or HACE)
Discomforts but unsure of cause
None I'm aware of
Please briefly describe the incident with the hot / cold / altitude issue you stated above.
Do you have any current or historical conditions that severe physical exertion or high altitude could impact (e.g., Asthma, High Blood Pressure, Type 1 or 2 Diabetes, recent surgeries, heart conditions)?
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If yes, how do you independently manage and monitor this condition under physical stress on the trail? Will you be taking any prescription medications?
The FMF Protocol Acknowledgement
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I understand that FMF will recommend itineraries that best match my experience and ability to ensure group cohesion and safety.
I understand that FMF guides reserve the right to adjust pacing, routes, or turn the group around at any time based on weather, environmental hazards, or group condition.
I verify that the physical and medical data provided in this application is accurate and reflects my current baseline.
How did you hear about us?
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Trouble with this form?
Email us at explore@fivemilesfurther.com
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