Sienna Fry – Backpacking 101

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