This post is part of the Backpacking Gear for Beginners course. Why do you need a satellite communicator? First off, what is a satellite communicator or messenger? They are small handheld devices like a SPOT, inReach or Zoleo that can connect to satellites to get your location,… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: Satellite Communicators and Emergency Locator Beacons
This post is part of the Backpacking Gear for Beginners course. Why do you need a music player? You don’t. If you like music and it’s going to be a long trip then you can bring some on an iPod or phone with you. I usually have… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: Music
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
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 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 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 stuff sacks? Jamming everything you need to hike for 4 days or a week into 1 big backpack can make it hard to find anything. Stuff sacks are clear or coloured bags… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: Stuff Sacks
This post is part of the Backpacking Gear for Beginners course. Why do you need a repair kit? Stuff happens. Gear can wear out on the trail or accidents can happen that breaks gear. A repair kit is like your first aid kit but for gear. List… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: Repair Kit
This post is part of the Backpacking Gear for Beginners course. Why do you need a multi-tool? Part of the 10 Essentials, a knife or multi-tool can help in emergencies. A Swiss Army Knife is a perfect example of this. It can help cut paracord, get a… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: Multi-tool or Knife
This post is part of the Backpacking Gear for Beginners course. There are many items we can take backpacking that are more or less optional but are very useful at certain times. This section walks through many of these items that can make that backpacking trip a… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: Other Backpacking Gear