Different Level of Skills Required for Backpacking
In a previous post, I identified the most common activities that people want to improve their skills in, as well as some common levels of skill mastery, and how to learn the skills. In this post, I’ve selected backpacking as an activity that covers two of the more popular skills - hiking and camping. I’ve included below the categories and levels of skills required for backpacking and some resources for how to learn them. The skill level definitions come from a few sources - the first is a book called ‘Campcraft - Outdoor Living Skills‘ put out by several missionary groups. Even if you aren’t into the heavy religious overtones of the book, the practical advice and step by step instructions are still very useful. The Boy Scouts of America also have different levels of requirements, gradually increasing knowledge with experience.
Backpacking Skills:
- Trip Planning and Preparation. This category includes general skills for planning and getting ready for your trip.
- Basic Skills: How to pack a backpack. How to choose the appropriate type of clothing. Experience planning and going on two overnight trips.
- Intermediate Skills: Experience planning and going on two two-night trips.
- Advanced Skills: Experience planning and going on multi-day trips with multiple campsites on each trip.
- Navigation. These skills cover everything needed to find your way on the trail.
- Basic Skills: How to follow trail markers. How to use a compass to follow a course. How to read a map.
- Intermediate Skills: How to use the sun and stars for direction.
- Advanced Skills: Able to use a topographic map. Able to use triangulation skills to locate something on the map. Able to estimate time, distance, and height.
- Safety. These skills help you identify potential hazards and avoid getting hurt.
- Basic Skills: Know what to do in an emergency. Know what to do if you get lost.
- Intermediate Skills: Know how to forecast hazardous weather based on different signs like cloud types, temperature changes, etc.
- Establishing and Maintaining Shelter. This includes selecting and setting up your campsite, and making sure you stay warm and dry. I’ve also included skills like rope craft (tying knots) in this category.
- Basic Skills: How to tie an overhand knot, half hitch, clove hitch, square knot, joiner knot, and taut line hitch. How to pitch a tent. How to select a campsite.
- Intermediate Skills: Able to construct a temporary emergency shelter. Know how to tie a stopper knot, loop knot, bowline knot, end-securing knot, and timber hitch. Know different methods of lashing.
- Advanced Skills: Able to construct a temporary shelter from a poncho or tarp. Be able to repair items required for shelter. Know how to use various tools (knives, axes, etc) for wilderness camping if building a campfire is required.
- Food/Water/Cooking. Two of the most important skills (after setting up shelter) are ensuring you have enough water to drink and food to eat, and how to cook it.
- Basic Skills: How to set up a stove and cook a meal. How to start a fire. How to purify water. How to determine right amount of food needed for the length of the trip. How to store your food safely.
- Intermediate Skills: How to start a fire in the rain. How to set up different types of stoves and cook meals.
- Advanced Skills: Be able to prepare dehydrated /freeze-dried food. Be familiar with different ways of water purification. Be able to select appropriate food for multi-day trips. Be able to make your own stove using tin cans. Be able to hunt or fish for your food.
- First Aid. If something does happen on the trail, you need to be prepared to address any injuries or emergency situations, including how to get rescued.
- Basic Skills: How to treat a burn, a cut, blisters, a bruise, a snakebite, sunburn, frostbite, and insect bites. Know basic rescue signaling skills.
- Intermediate Skills: How to treat sprains, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, hypothermia, object in your eye, bite from a potentially rabid animal, puncture wounds, serious burns, shock, and dehydration.
- Advanced Skills: Be accredited in Red Cross Standard First Aid or equivalent.
- Sanitation and Waste Disposal. These are key skills to learn for following the Leave No Trace philosophy.
- Basic Skills: How to make a simple latrine. How to dispose of garbage.
In addition to those items above, there are levels of skills required to become an instructor, as well as specialty skills. Instructor level skills include significant experience with backpacking, and the ability to teach these skills to someone else. Some examples of specialty skills include backpacking at high elevations, in extreme temperatures (e.g. snow or desert), or wilderness survival skills (for completely roughing it on your own for long periods of time).
Learning These Skills
There are a ton of websites that describe backpacking skills and how to increase your abilities. Some of the better ones include GORP.com and Backpacker magazine. You can also take courses from places like the National Outdoor Leadership School, or your local outfitter.