Backpacking is one of the best ways to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and commune with nature. BACKPACKER and the Colorado Outward Bound School will teach you the skills you need to explore the outdoors on foot in this 10-part online course: Backpacking 101.
Sienna Fry – Backpacking 101
You’ll learn what gear you need (and how to use it) as well as the basics on planning trips, navigating on or off-trail, setting up camp, and even administering some first aid.
You’ll learn pro backpacking tips and techniques from someone who introduces hundreds of people to backpacking each year. We’ll cover: the right backpacking gear (everything from boots to tents) and how to pack it; trip-planning; basic navigation; campsite selection; food preparation; layering; backcountry hygiene (including pooping in the woods); plus required safety information and trail etiquett
How This Course Works
You can take this course at your own pace. You’ll learn through a variety of interactive formats, including video instruction, photo descriptions, and more. Each lesson builds on the last, and, while we’ve designed the course to be 10 weeks long, you can take it as quickly or slowly as you want. Plus, once you purchase the course, the lessons are yours forever.
Syllabus:
Section 1: All About Gear
The essentials:
Tents
Sleeping bags and pads
Backpacks
Cooking gear
Hiking boots and shoes
Apparel
Headlamps
Going ultralight
Gear on a budget
Proper gear care
Section 2: Know Your Pack
How to pack a backpack
Weight considerations
Proper fit
Section 3: Trip Planning
Route safety
Geographic considerations
Food and water prep
Pro planning tips
Section 4: Trail Travel and Basic Navigation
Trail travel techniques
Using a map
Using a compass
Handling emergencies
Section 5: Choosing a Campsite
Picking a site
Camp set-up
Section 6: What to Eat
What to pack
How much to pack
Food prep
Tips and tricks
Section 7: Control Your Temperature
Managing body temperature
How to layer
Hacks for staying warm at night
Section 8: Bathroom and Hygiene
What to bring
Types of toilet paper
Digging cat holes
Staying clean
Handling periods
Section 9: Common First Aid
First-aid kits
Dealing with common ailments
Section 10: Backpacking Etiquette
Leave No Trace
Trail manners
Tent do’s and don’ts
