This post is part of the Backpacking Gear for Beginners course. This is where we start to get into the differences between day hiking and backpacking. Day hiking you go out, hike, then come home to sleep. Spending nights out in the wilderness for 1 or more… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: Sleeping Gear
This post is part of the Backpacking Gear for Beginners course. Why do you need pots to cook? Just like at home, you’ll need dishes and cookware on the trail for the type of meals you like to cook. If you are cooking up a gourmet meal… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: Pots
This post is part of the Backpacking Gear for Beginners course. Why do you need a pack cover? A pack cover is a waterproof cover for your backpack. Most packs are not waterproof so if it’s raining for any length of time, your pack will… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: Pack Cover
This post is part of the Backpacking Gear for Beginners course. Why do you need a watch? Having a watch on the trail, even a cheap sports watch, is very helpful. If weather rolls in, it’s easy to sleep past when you wanted to get… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: Watch
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
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 First Aid Kit? When you’re out hiking, you might be hours away from help. You are your own first aid when you’re in the backcountry. Small cuts and sprains… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: First Aid Kit
This post is part of the Backpacking Gear for Beginners course. Why do you need a GPS or a GPS phone app? Some trails are marked clearly with signs and trail markers but many are not. GPS, or Global Positioning System, is a system of… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: GPS and Phone Apps
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
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