I've been looking for an intro backpacking class in southern California and have come up pretty empty. Maybe it's a little early in the year, or maybe I'm out of sync with my trends.

Does anyone know of (esp. UL) classes starting soon?

I'm a skinny 52 year old guy. I day-hike and mountain bike a lot, and am confident of my legs and cardio ... but my back can be a little sketchy. When I'm hiking say, and have to bend under a tree 5 miles in, I have to do it slowly. That's the real reason I don't want to just gear up and go. I'm worried that the back wouldn't like it, and I'd have to do a yard sale.

I guess I am asking for general advice about that, too.