These are my speaking notes from a recent presentation to my daughters' Girl Scout Troop as they prepared to go hiking. The presentation also included a large amount of gear show and tell. I think that this distills a lot of conversations we've had over the past couple years, and many of those that are new will find this useful.

Note that this is HIKING vice BACKPACKING... but backpacking just scales up what you learn from hiking.


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Equipment is a tool to solve a problem; no problem, no need for another tool.

The 10 Essentials are a guide to what people generally need on a hike – to solve common problems

1. First aid kit
2. Water
3. Flashlight
4. Trail food
5. Sunscreen
6. Whistle
7. Map and Compass
8. Rain gear
9. Pocket knife
10. Matches or fire starters


Additions based on experience, situation, and objectives…
1. Something to carry all this stuff in?
2. Sticks or poles?
3. Binoculars?
4. Climbing gear?
5. Lunch?
6. Trail maintenance equipment?

Other considerations
1. Lightness is happiness
2. Water (and where you get more of it) is one of the primary drivers of weight
3. Weather drives clothing, water, food, sunscreen, and overall gear selection
4. Where you are going (how well traveled or remote, risks involved, available facilities) will also drive gear selection because location will create or remove problems for you to solve.
5. Cost is an important factor
6. Leave No Trace
7. Backpacking gear builds on 10 essentials
8. Equipment only manages risk if you know how to use it; the most important piece of gear is your prepared mind