Backpacking

This post is part of the Backpacking Gear for Beginners course. Why do you need a book?  I always have a book when I’m backpacking. This is absolutely optional but there’s something about the peace and quiet that’s nice to maintain when out hiking. There’s going to… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: Book

This post is part of the Backpacking Gear for Beginners course. Why do you need a map?  Navigation is one of the 10 Essentials. You always need a way to figure out where you are and where you are going that doesn’t have batteries and… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: Map

This post is part of the Backpacking Gear for Beginners course. Why do you need a notebook and pen? I love taking notes of what happened on my trips. I journal a bit, including notes on what gear I’m using (or not) so I can refine my… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: Notebook and Pen

This post is part of the Backpacking Gear for Beginners course. Why do you need a compass? Some maps show trails, lake names and mountain names on them and may work for navigating without a compass but most don’t. The lakes and mountains also need… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: Compass

Why do you need a camera? Another optional piece of gear. I don’t go on many trips without a camera though. It’s an excellent tool for documenting trips. Phone cameras are amazing these days so that can be a quick camera if you don’t have… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: Camera

This post is part of the Backpacking Gear for Beginners course. Why do you need trekking poles?  Trekking poles are walking sticks with soft handles, like ski poles. Sometimes they have wide discs around the end at the ground to keep them from sinking into… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: Trekking Poles

This post is part of the Backpacking Gear for Beginners course. Why do you need a water filter?  No matter where you are, there’s a chance the water source can have protozoa like Cryptosporidium or Giardia. Both cause stomach problems like diarrhea. Not something you want on… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: Water filter, drops and tablets

This post is part of the Backpacking Gear for Beginners course. Why do you need rope? Rope can be a very useful thing to have on the trail. It has many uses from day to day to emergency.  For regular uses you can tie up tarps or… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: Rope

This post is part of the Backpacking Gear for Beginners course. Why do you need a headlamp?  Around camp and possibly on the trail, you’ll need light to see. A headlamp or flashlight lets you see where you’re going. With a headlamp your hands can… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: Headlamp