Backpacking 101: Choose the Right Gear, Plan Your Ultimate Trip, Cook Hearty and Energizing Trail Meals, Be Prepared for Emergencies, Conquer Your Backpacking Adventures

by Heather Balogh Rochfort

Overview

From the creator of the Just a Colorado Gal blog comes a guide to help you plan for a fun backpacking experience.

It’s time to take a hike!

In Backpacking 101, outdoor expert Heather Balogh Rochfort goes step-by-step through the preparation process of hiking—from selecting the right gear to choosing the perfect destination. She also provides useful information for out on the trail, including how to

-Properly read a topographic map
-Set up an environmentally friendly campsite
-Safely interact with wildlife
-Handle being lost in the woods

With Backpacking 101 in your bag, you can be prepared for whatever comes your way during your trek—no matter what skill level you are. It’s the perfect resource for anyone ready for an outdoor adventure!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781440595882
Publisher:	Adams Media
Publication date:	05/09/2017
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	318,806
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Heather Balogh Rochfort is an outdoor enthusiast, hiker, and trail runner. Her website, Just a Colorado Gal, has been voted one of the top five best hiking and outdoor travel blogs by USA TODAY. She is the gear editor for Backpacker magazine and writes for Gore-Tex’s Experience More magazine, as well as the Huffington Post. She lives in Boulder, Colorado. She is the author of Backpacking 101. Visit her blog JustaColoradoGal.com.

Table of Contents

Introduction 11

Chapter 1 Mental and Physical Preparation 13

Choose an Appropriate Trail for Your Trip 14

Find the Perfect Partner 16

Find Your Fitness 18

Familiarize Yourself with the Ten Essentials 20

Practice Makes Perfect 25

Chapter Summary 31

Chapter 2 Appropriate Footwear 33

Day-Hiking Footwear 34

Backpacking Boots 36

Trail-Running Shoes 36

Components 37

Fit 45

Do Your Socks Really Matter? 46

Chapter Summary 48

Chapter 3 What to Wear 49

Outer Layer 50

Insulation 54

Base Layers 57

Pants 59

Accessories 62

Chapter Summary 65

Chapter 4 Packing Your Backpack 67

How Do You Choose a Backpack? 68

How to Properly Pack Your Backpack 75

Proper Care and Storage 79

Chapter Summary 81

Chapter 5 Navigation 83

Reading a Topo Map 85

Operating a Compass 88

GPS 96

Chapter Summary 99

Chapter 6 Food, Hydration, and Nutrition 101

What Type of Food Should You Bring on Your Trip? 102

How Much Food? 108

Hydration 109

Cooking Tools: Stoves 111

Backcountry Cookware 113

Chapter Summary 116

Chapter 7 Backcountry Etiquette 117

Leave No Trace 118

Trail Manners 125

Nighttime Behavior 128

Chapter Summary 130

Chapter 8 Camp Setup 131

Choosing a Campsite 132

Orientation of Your Site 134

The Environmental Impact of Your Campsite 137

Chapter Summary 140

Chapter 9 Setting Up Your Camp Kitchen 141

Determining the Location of Your Camp Kitchen 142

Keeping Your Food Safe from Wildlife 144

Disposing of Trash and Managing Food Scraps 149

Chapter Summary 153

Chapter 10 Pitching Your Tent 155

Tent Technology 157

How to Properly Pitch a Tent 167

Tent Alternatives 169

Proper Care and Storage 173

Chapter Summary 175

Chapter 11 Making Your Bed 177

How to Choose a Sleeping Bag 178

What Type of Sleeping Pad Should I Bring? 186

Features of a Sleeping Pad 190

Proper Care and Storage 191

Chapter Summary 193

Chapter 12 Backcountry Hygiene 195

How to Poop in the Woods 196

Staying Clean 201

Hiking As a Female 204

Chapter Summary 208

Chapter 13 Emergency Situations 209

Medical Emergencies 210

Repair Kir and Tools 213

Animal Encounters on the Trail 215

Lost in the Wilderness 221

Chapter Summary 223

Conclusion 225

Appendix A Trekking with Dogs 227

Physical Fitness 228

Food and Water 229

Dot Gear 230

Pup Sleeping Arrangements 232

Appendix B Field Notes 235

Appendix C U.S./Metric Conversion Chart 245

Index 249

Editorial Reviews

"With this incredibly useful book, anyone can learn the ins and outs of safe, efficient, and fun outdoor travel. Backpacking 101 is an invaluable resource for the modern day hiker. From teaching readers how to set up an environmentally friendly campsite, to teach readers how to safely interact with wildlife, this information-packed book has everything an outdoorsman or outdoorswoman should know."

Go Nomad

Heather Balogh Rochfort promises the reader quite a lot ... and delivers. A soup to nuts primer on getting yourself out on the trail, first trip or experienced. Use it to plan the trip, enjoy the experience, and be safe while doing so.

Midwest Basecamp

"For expert advice ... you’d do well to turn to an about-to-be-published book Backpacking 101. Balogh Rochfort gives easy-to-follow instructions on how to ... handle snake bites, bear and mountain lion encounters, getting lost, and medical emergencies. She does all of this in a light, fun-to-read book. So even though one of the key bits of advice in the guide is to keep your backpack light, this book may be a bit of extra weight you’d be wise to carry along."

Frommers.com

"Backpacking 101 by Heather Balogh Rochfort is a great addition to your adventure library. It shows you how to buy the right gear, plan your trip and be ready for emergencies."

Broken Teepee

"Backpacking 101 has all the answers you’ll need to move forward. Rochfort covers every topic in this helpful book. Her conversational and friendly style make an otherwise intimidating topic accessible. This book is full of valuable details. I highly recommend this resource for making the leap to multi-day outings."

The Hiker Mama

"Backpacking 101 is exactly what I needed to get me mentally prepared (while I am in the process of getting physically fit). Heather ... walks you through step-by-step and details how to hike, tips and skills for being out on the trail, how to set up a campsite, dealing with wildlife (the scariest part for me!), and what to do if you get lost. Perfect for getting motivated for a trip!"

Misadventures with Andi

"Your resource guide to hitting the trails! A thorough handbook outlining everything you need to know to enjoy a backpacking adventure. The book is filled with invaluable practical advice ... .With the literary voice of a new-found, knowledgeable friend, Heather delivers the information and advice that you will need to get the most out of your backpacking experience."

Trailblazer Girl

"Backpacking 101 includes expert advice for cragswomen and men of all skill levels — including buying the right equipment, cooking energizing meals on the trail, and dealing with animal encounters."

Experience Life

"Written for novice backpackers it clearly covers everything you’ll need to know, answering all of your questions, along with some questions you never knew you had ... . Many readers will find Rochfort’s gear guidance super helpful."

Brave Ski Mom

As I worked my way through the book ... I was reminded that I need to really focus on getting better at packing my bag and take a course on navigation. Heather includes chapter summaries at the end of each chapter, which highlights points she covered throughout the section. There is space on this page under the summary to include your own notes. I like Heather’s writing style and feel like she would be able to give some good information on the topic.

Campfire Chic

"A great overview of what you need to know to hit the backcountry trails. Backpacking 101 covers ALL the basics. I especially enjoyed reading backpacking tips from a woman’s point of view. Heather Balogh Rochfort ... knows what she’s talking about. I feel confident that in the next few years we’ll be hitting the backcountry more. Part of that confidence comes from education, and Backpacking 101 is a great book for that."

Mountain Mom and Tots

"Heather really covers it all in this book. It’s written for an audience who has zero experience or knowledge about backpacking, but covers topics and includes tips and wisdom that even seasoned backpackers can learn. Backpacking 101 covers the entire gambit of what it takes to go on a backpacking trip; from how to prepare yourself physically, selecting the right gear, and even tips on what to do when nature calls in the woods. Rochfort provides intangible insights on topics that may be hard to find in other backpacking resources."

4AllOutdoors.org

"Helpful tips broken down into chapters to aid you in planning your trip, buying your gear and conquering your backpacking adventure."

Women Who Hike

"Heather is a true backpacking expert and her book covers all the basics, as well as some clever hacks. The book isn’t geared specifically to parents, but the tips can be applied when you’re backpacking with kids as well."

Rain or Shine Mamma