Backpacking Essentials

“There is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing and gear”

Sir Ranulph Fiennes, British Explorer

Essential Wild Camping and Backpacking Gear: A Comprehensive Guide

Wild camping and Backpacking offers a deep and immersive experience in nature that is hard to beat, allowing you to connect with the wilderness in its rawest form. However, to ensure your adventure reaches its full potential it's crucial to have the right gear. This guide outlines the essential items you need to take your exploring to the highest level.

1. Shelter: Bivvy Bag, Tarp or Tent

Your shelter is your first line of defense against the elements, it’s what brings you closer to the wilderness whilst also keeping you safe from it. A Lot of factors come into play, the terrain, the weather, your comfort requirements, weight considerations and your level of proficiency in the outdoors. You may choose between a bivvy, a tarp, a tent or some combination of the three:

Bivvy Bag: Ultra-lightweight, go fast, go far, pitch practically anywhere. If you don't mind making a few sacrifices in comfort and space the humble Bivvy Bag offers excellent protection from the elements and unrivaled flexibility.
Tarp: For more experienced campers or those in milder climates, a tarp can provide adequate shelter while being extremely lightweight. It also offers more flexibility in terms of setup. Can be very effectively paired with a Bivvy Bag to increase the useability of both items.
Tent: Not as lightweight as the first two options, tents offer all round protection from the weather, more comfortable usable space. If your going to be in the wilderness for extended periods of time there really is no substitute for a good tent.

“In the desert, a tent is not just a place to sleep. It is a home, a fortress, and a place of refuge from the wind and the sun.”

Colin Fletcher, author of The Complete Walker

2. Sleeping Bag and Mat

Weather your hitting summits or on a thru-hike a good night's sleep is essential. Your sleeping bag and mat are essential pieces of kit, the former insulating you from the cold air around you, the latter providing comfort and insulation from the cold ground. Your sleeping bag and mat should be chosen based on the season and temperature extremes you expect to face:

Sleeping Bag: Choose a sleeping bag with an appropriate temperature rating for the season or conditions you expect to face. Down bags offer a better warmth-to-weight ratio, while synthetic bags perform better in wet conditions.
Sleeping Mat: A sleeping mat not only provides comfort but also insulation from the cold ground. Inflatable mats are lightweight and compact, whereas closed-cell foam mats are more durable and provide better insulation. We like a combination of both, inflatable for comfort, foam for extra insulation and protecting our inflatable from sharp rocks or sticks.

“In the wild, your sleeping bag is your sanctuary, your safe place to retreat to when the day is done.”

Bear Grylls, British adventurer and television presenter

3. Cooking Equipment

Food is the fuel that gets you to the summits, and having the right cooking equipment ensures you can prepare meals in any location or conditions:

Stove: A lightweight, portable stove is a must. Gas stoves are easy to use and reliable above about -5 degrees celsius, below this it is important to keep the canister insulated for consistent gas flow. While multi-fuel stoves offer versatility in remote areas where gas canisters may not be readily available.
Cookware: A compact, lightweight pot and pan set is essential. Materials like titanium or aluminum, which are both durable and lightweight. Systems like those available from jetboil have a stove and cookware integrated together.
Utensils: Don’t forget a spork or lightweight cutlery, a folding knife, and possibly a small cutting board depending on how lightweight you're trying to travel.

"There is something about eating food in the wilderness that makes it taste better than any meal you've ever had in a fine restaurant."

Edward Abbey author of Desert Solitaire

4. Water Purification System

Your water supplies and ability to replenish them determine the amount of time you can survive out in the Wilderness, access to clean water is crucial when wild camping or Backpacking. Depending on the location, water sources may not be safe to drink without purification:

Water Filter: A portable water filter is lightweight and can remove bacteria and protozoa from water sources. There is a large array of water filters on the market, straws, pumps, gravity fed, and filtered water bottles. Deciding which option is best for you is a balancing exercise between weight and utility.
Purification Tablets: As a backup, carry purification tablets or drops that kill harmful pathogens.

"In the high Himalayas, it’s not the altitude that will get you; it’s the lack of clean water. Always purify before you drink."

Sir Edmund Hillary, New Zealand mountaineer and first to summit Everest

5. Navigation Tools

Navigating through unfamiliar terrain requires reliable tools, even when you may think the trail is as obvious as following your garden path changing conditions or a momentary lapse of concentration can see you off trail and lost.

Map and Compass: Always carry a detailed map of the area and a compass, even if you’re using a GPS device. Redundancy is the outdoors cannot be underestimated, as much as we like our modern technology few things are as reliable as having a map and compass and knowing how to use them.
GPS Device: A GPS device or smartphone app can be incredibly useful, but should never replace traditional navigation tools. Ensure your GPS is fully charged, and carry a power bank.

"With a compass in my hand and the stars above, I never felt lost, only challenged by the great unknown."

David Livingstone, Scottish explorer in Africa

6. Clothing

Your clothing should be versatile, lightweight, and suitable for the weather conditions. A good layering system is essential when exerting yourself outdoors, the ability to remove layers when sweating and add layers at rest breaks is very important:

Base Layers: Moisture-wicking base layers help regulate your body temperature, merino wool or synthetic base layers are usually best.
Insulating Layers: A good fleece or down jacket provides warmth during cold nights. Down provides greatest warmth to weight ratio but synthetic performs better in the wet.
Outer Layer: A waterproof and windproof jacket and pants are essential to protect against the elements. Materials like Gore-Tex and eVent are the better options.
Footwear: Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots with good ankle support are crucial. Don’t forget extra pairs of moisture-wicking socks.

"There is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing and gear."

Sir Ranulph Fiennes, British explorer

7. Lighting

Once the sun sets, you'll need reliable lighting:

Headlamp: A headlamp is an indispensable piece of kit. Choose one with adjustable brightness and a long battery life.
Backup Light: Carry a small, lightweight backup light or extra batteries.

"A good head torch is essential. It keeps you moving forward when the world around you is nothing but shadows."

Chris Bonington, British mountaineer

8. First Aid Kit

A well-stocked first aid kit is vital for treating minor injuries and managing emergencies:

Basic Supplies: Include bandages, antiseptic wipes, adhesive tape, blister treatment, and any personal medications. Things like sunscreen can also come under this section as if not present then a first aid situation is likely to follow.
Basic Medicationsl: Much used over the counter medicines such as Anti-histamines, pain killers and diarrhea medcines.

"The ability to perform first aid in extreme conditions is what separates the true adventurer from the tourist. It’s about being prepared for the worst while hoping for the best."

Sir Ranulph Fiennes, British explorer

9. Fire-Starting Kit

Following from item No.3 above you are likely to already have some form of stove, it is still important to have another form of fire starting. Possibly just for redundancy of your stove but also in some kind of hypothermic situation the ability to start a real fire is indispensable:

Fire Starter: Waterproof matches, a lighter, and a ferrocerium rod are all reliable options. Carry at least two methods.
Tinder: Bring a small supply of dry tinder or a commercial fire starter.

"Mastering fire is mastering the wild. It’s the one skill that can turn a desperate situation into a survivable one."

Ed Stafford, British explorer and survivalist

10. Backpack

At number 10 on the list alot of items have come before so it stands to follow you will need something to put them all in:

Capacity: For a multi-day trip, a backpack with a capacity of 50-70 liters is typically sufficient. Some ultra light weight advocates can go on multi day trips with Sub 50 litre packs, even going as small as 30litres.
Fit and Comfort: Ensure your backpack has adjustable straps, a padded hip belt, and a ventilated back panel for comfort.

"The weight of your backpack is not just on your shoulders, but on your mind. Pack light, but pack smart."

Reinhold Messner, Italian mountaineer and first to climb all fourteen 8,000-meter peaks

Conclusion

Wild camping and backpacking can be an exhilarating experience, but it requires careful planning and the right gear. By packing these essentials, you’ll be well-prepared to face the challenges of the wilderness and enjoy the serenity that comes with spending time in nature. Weather you are a seasoned backpacker or just starting out, over time you will refine your kit from this basic list to what works for you. Some items may seem necessary when at home but on the trail they nexer leave your pack. Remember, the key to a successful backpacking trip is balancing weight, comfort, and safety.