One of the most important aspects of planning for a backpacking trip is food. In my experience, having good meals will absolutely make or break your trip. Dehydrated meals are lightweight and easy to pack, making them a great option for backpacking trips where you need to carry all of your gear on your back. In this post, I will outline three reasons why buying a dehydrator is a game changer for your backpacking trips.
Leaving for your first outdoor adventure is an exciting experience full of promise and possibilities. But before you leave home, it is crucial to make sure you are bringing all the essentials for backpacking with you.
A well-prepared trip with all the necessary equipment is vital if you are going to remain happy, safe and comfortable while facing the wonders and challenges of the great outdoors. Our beginner’s backpacking equipment list below will help you choose the three core basics you need before you embark on your first trip. So, let’s get started!
When researching for a camping or backpacking trip, you may have come across The Ten Essentials. These are a series of items that together offer a complete safety net for outdoor adventures. In this post, we’ll take a look at what The Ten Essentials are, why they’re important, and how you can use them to stay safe in the backcountry. But first, a bit of history!
A portable stove is one of the most important components of a camping kit. So, if you’re not one of those intense backpackers who only bring cold rations on a hike, or even if you just like your coffee hot, here is my guide to all the different types of camping stove out there: What type is good for which trip, pros and cons, and relevant links. Happy searching!
As an experienced camper, I have my eyes on the most interesting and exciting gear in our sport. What surprised me is how long it took me to discover this type of sleeping bag, and why I didn’t think to get one sooner:
If you have ever been in a hiking or camping with a partner, you know the struggle. You’ve just had a hard day of hiking or a romantic day at camp, and it’s time to settle in. If you’re like me, this is around the time you whip out your cold-rated mummy bag and individual Thermarest, say goodnight and pull the strings tight on your hood. Nothing kills the mood more than that, but without a whole kit of blankets and a heavy double-sized air mattress you can kiss your dreams of a romantic evening goodbye. A double sleeping bag in this situation is appealing, especially for couples interested in summer camping. That doesn’t mean that more ambitious campers can’t find a double bag to satisfy their needs. I’ve highlighted three good double sleeping bags for any type of camper.
One of the worst situations you can find yourself in is being stranded or lost without a sense of direction in the backcountry. When backcountry camping or hiking, having a GPS is key. So why are so many hikers turning towards a wearable GPS Watch rather than just a regular GPS Tracker?
The Global Positioning System (or GPS as we call it) is a network of satellites and ground stations that coordinate with each other to pinpoint your location at any time. The accuracy of GPS increases as time goes on, with more and more satellites orbiting Earth every year. Your device transmits a signal out, which each satellite near you picks up. The signal is then reflected back to the device to provide your location. The accuracy of your GPS relies on the amount of satellites in orbit close to you simultaneously, between 4-10.
Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park is one of the most beautiful mountain parks on earth! Nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, this pristine wilderness promises awe-inspiring vistas, serene alpine lakes, and the majestic presence of Mount Assiniboine itself. This guide includes details about the park, how to book accomodations, where to stay, and how to get in and out!
So, you’ve seen pictures like this on social media, or read a blog, or seen Into the Wild and you’re thinking “huh, I want to do that”. Great! You’ve completed the first step to making your backcountry camping dreams a reality.
The benefits of backcountry camping are numerous, with increasing numbers of people trying it out for the first time. Post-Covid, folks are clambering for more ways to enjoy their outdoor life in the fullest way they can. One question remains for city dwellers looking to step into the wild, maybe for the first time: How do I start? I’ve brought together the five pieces of advice I give to anyone interested in trying backcountry camping.
Backcountry camping can become an expensive habit pretty quickly. As a beginner hiker or even an experienced backcountry sportsperson, you start to look at what you are going to spend for the best gear and you start cutting corners. Believe me, this happens to everyone. Eventually as you get into the habit more and more, you can invest a bit each adventure to build up your roster of good equipment. In the meantime, you might be looking for essentials that enhance your backcountry experience. Here is my list of the Five Things Worth Investing In for Backcountry Camping:
Writing a trip itinerary is a critical component of any trip preparation, and not something people should neglect doing. A trip itinerary is designed to provide both your friend and the authorities adequate information about where you are, and how to find you in case something goes wrong. When embarking on a trail, someone else who is not with you should know where you are. An accurate trip itinerary can save your life if you are put in a bad situation. In this article I will unpack and explain each element that goes into a good trip itinerary, including who to leave it with.
As a newcomer to any sport, you might be enthusiastic to get out there and enjoy your first backpacking trip. It’s easy for a new hiker to get overwhelmed by the amount of information out there, and end up making typical mistakes in preparing and doing your first few multi-day journeys. Here are 10 mistakes that new backpackers make, and how to avoid them: