Stop waiting for the right time to go backpacking.

You don’t need $5,000 in gear to enjoy the public lands and the outdoors. You just need a plan. We help you get off YouTube and into the outdoors with total confidence. Stop saying "someday" and make today that day.

Sunset over the river in the Ozarks with the sun peaking through the pines.

Martin Base Layer Outdoors LLC

Earn your base layers and get backpacking.

You have the gear. You’ve seen the videos. But the "what-ifs" of the trail still take up too much space in your pack.The truth is, you don’t need more gear. You need a base layer of confidence that doesn't cause you to give up when the sun goes down or the trail gets steep.Martin Base Layer Outdoors provides a repeatable system of professional backpacking skills. We provide the foundation so that by the next morning, you realize you already have everything you need to stand on your own two feet.I’m here to give you the confidence and skills to start backpacking and planning those bigger life changing experiences outdoors.

The "Base Layer" Approach

A "base layer" is the layer of clothing that keeps you safe, dry and comfortable when you are layering for the outdoors.Our approach creates a base layer of skills and equipment that will get you backpacking and off the cycle of planning.

Sun setting between trees in the Ozarks.

Martin Base Layer Outdoors offers 3 Layers of instruction with limited spots in each course.

Layer 1: The Basics

Gear systems & safety focused training for two hours on location. Limited to 10 Students per month.

Course Time: 2 Hours, $95

  • Readiness: The "Essential Ten" Workshop: A functional overview of safety gear and the "Pack-Stress Audit."

  • The C.O.R.E. Methodology of gear selection and ABCD of packing.

  • Mastering Your Layers: Moisture management and thermal regulation while wearing a pack.

  • Map and compass usage to support route planning.

Layer 2: Traversing

Layer 1, with addition of hiking, terrain, site selection and gear testing on location and trail. All skills in addition to previous layers. Limited to 10 Students per month.

Course Time: 4 Hours, $150

  • Mastering "The Rest Step" and rhythmic breathing on Ozark hills. The "50/10" Rule: Balancing progress with cardiovascular health.

  • Applying the Layer 1 sustenance plan—caloric timing while under load. Sweat Management: Mastering "Be Bold, Start Cold."

  • The Trusted Method of Foot Care: Managing "hot spots" early.

  • "Map-to-Earth skills, learning what the real world looks like from a map.

Layer 3: Full Experience

Layers 1, 2 and 3: putting all the skills in use. Trail and dispersed camping. All skills in addition to previous layers. Limited to 5 Students per month.

Course Time: Overnight, 16 Hours, $195 (best value per hour)

  • The "5-S" Selection Process: Evaluation for Safety (Widow-makers), Size (Durable surfaces), Slope (Drainage), Sun (Warmth), and Scenery (LNT Impact).

  • Hands-on pitch for tents and tarps—choosing the right angle for Missouri wind/thermal management.

  • The "Bear-Aware" Triangle: Strategic layout of Kitchen, Sleep, and Bathroom areas for safety.

  • Insulation Mastery: Maximizing ground barriers and understanding R-values and thermal regulation and comfort.

Location: All field instruction is conducted within the Houston Ranger District of the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri. Specifically, our courses utilize the Cedar Creek Trail system in the Mid-Missouri corridor. This space is roughly a half an hour away from the Columbia Regional Airport (COU).Located around two hours from Springfield, St. Louis and Kansas City, this section of public lands is accessible but features hardwood forests, creek drainages, and ridge-line movement. Exacty location provided upon acceptance

Just a short half an hour from I-70, this location is easy to get to while large enough to offer a fully immersive experience in backpacking.Martin Base Layer Outdoors is the only Special Use Permit Holder for this activity on the Mark Twain National Forest in mid-Missouri.

Requirements

  • You must travel to the location.

  • A pre-screening will determine suitability if accepted.

  • You will have a required list of equipment, but it will be provided after an initial call - do not buy gear ahead of this call!

  • Refunds are only issued due to activation of the severe weather criteria (outlined after acceptance).

  • Waivers are required for the course.

  • Waitlists are available if courses are full.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Where are sessions held? Primary instruction occurs in the Missouri Ozarks on the Mark Twain National Forest near Ashland, MO. Specific coordinates provided upon Selection.

  • Is gear provided? No. We provide technical guidance and audits. You bring your kit; we ensure it meets the standard. But do not buy equipment until you are selected and speak with an instructor.

  • What is "Selection"? This course is a selective instructional engagement. We vet all candidates for physical and mental readiness via our application process.

Martin Base Layer Outdoors LLC

Your Instructor

Shayne Martin with trees in the background, beard and bald, and middle aged with the look of experience.

Backpacking isn’t about "surviving" the woods; it’s about operating within them. With over 20 years of experience across U.S. Army and U.S. Forest Service environments, I’ve seen where hobbyist gear fails and where professional systems prevail.

Shayne Martin built Martin Base Layer Outdoors to bridge the gap between "buying gear" and "building confidence".

Your Instructor

  • 7 Years of US Forest Service Operational Experience: Deeply familiar with District terrain and federal management goals.

  • Section Hiker: Experience on the Appalachian Trail and Continental Divide Trail, with movement through 15 National Forests.

  • Certified Professional: Current Wilderness First Aid (WFA), CPR, and Leave No Trace (LNT) Level 1 Trainer certifications.

  • Former U.S. Army Officer, Army Recon Course Graduate

  • 20 Years experience outdoors across the Rocky Mountains, Ozarks, and Appalachia.

Martin Base Layer Outdoors LLC

Apply Now

Martin Base Layer Outdoor's has a robust screening process to ensure the safety and success of all course participants. This means that we offer a review, pre-screening call and application process designed to best match participants with the right group and the right skills set.Fill out the interest form if you'd like to receive the official application to take the course at the appropriate Base Layer of skills you need to get offline and outdoors.Courses traditionally run once a month from April through September. After submitting your interest form, you will get a formal application and next steps that outline date selection, timelines, equipment expectations and overall course materials.All instruction is done on site, no virtual courses offered at this time. 10 Layer 1 and 2 slots are open for each monthly course, with 5 slots for Layer 3.

Martin Base Layer Outdoors LLC

Thank you!

Thank you for expressing interest in applying for this course. You will hear back with a full application and an overview of the requirements. A $20 application fee will be required, and if accepted it will go towards the cost of your selected Layer. There are 60 course slots open for each season. Applicants can be turned away for many reasons or can be waitlisted.

Outdoor activities involve inherent risks. Martin Base Layer Outdoors LLC provides technical instruction and risk management training to help students navigate these environments, but participants are responsible for their own physical readiness and gear maintenance.