Joshua Stubbins of Washington D.C. shares a wonderful new project on the essential items to keep with you when backpacking. Please enjoy and feel free to share!

1. ALL THE ESSENTIALS
FOR BACKPACKING
Joshua Stubbins

2. Do you love backpacking? Do you enjoy the thrill of packing up and setting off with friends or by yourself
to discover new and different things in the world? I personally find it absolutely thrilling to get back out
into nature and see a different side of the world that most of us unfortunately don’t have that much access
to. This presentation is designed to give you an inside look at the essentials that you must pack for your
next backpacking adventure. Please feel free to write to me and let me know if there is anything I may
have missed or you would like to add to the list.

3. It's important to remember to pack only the
essentials on your backpacking trip
Too much baggage will weigh you down and it's not
about the material possessions you bring with you on
the journey
The following list is intended to keep your pack
lights, your feet from becoming too sore, and
enjoyment to your quest

4. MAP & COMPASS:
This item is an absolute must!
Without a map or compass how can
you expect to make it anywhere on
time or with direction?
A map or compass will allow you to
properly track your progress and
your journey which can be very
important especially in harsher
environments like Alaska
These don’t take up much space at
all so you’d best pack both

5. SUNSCREEN AND
LOTION:
For the sake of your skin please
pack these essential items
The sunscreen will aid you
more than you know against
and unforgiving sun and the
lotion can be used to sooth dry
or peeling skin
Pack the sunscreen and lotion
and thank me later because I
can guarantee you’ll use your
fair share of it

6. CLOTHING:
Here is where things may become a little
tricky because everyone seems to have a
million favorite pieces of clothing, however
this is only about the essentials
You must be very critical when packing for
your trip and really ask yourself if you’ll be
wearing all pieces of clothing regularly
Items to definitely pack are warm socks, a rain
jacket, durable pants, sturdy and comfortable
boots (water resistant), and a few shirts
Consider where you are going and the time of
year to better prepare packing

7. FLASHLIGHT:
This one is a given in any trip
Pack a small flashlight with a long
battery life and high power output
You may not being using it every single
night but it’s vital to have an
illumination device handy if you need it
at a moment’s notice
Good flashlights are relatively cheap
and come in a wide variety of sizes
Some even contain extra storage
compartments for other things

8. FIRST-AID SUPPLIES:
Without first-aid supplies you may
find yourself in trouble in case of
emergency
Make sure to have bandages,
rubbing alcohol, gauze, ibuprofen,
scissors, and medical tape for your
trip
You never know when you’ll need to
clean a cut, wrap a wound, or cover
a painful blister
Always have first-aid supplies on
these trips

9. WAYS TO MAKE FIRE:
Pack waterproof matches along with
a lighter or two
Keep these items in different
locations on your pack in case one
area gets wet or ruined, you have
other options
You must be able to make yourself a
fire in the nights to keep warm and
cook whatever food you caught or
packed with you
A comforting fire for each day of
your journey will be your best friend

10. FOOD & WATER:
Packing food can be difficult on the types of trips
You obviously can’t pack anything too bulky and it
must not be something with a short shelf life like
chicken or pork
I suggest packing nutrient-rich items like wild rice,
beans, mixed nuts, and even some sugary treats to
keep you up and active
I would also recommend oatmeal and peanut butter
for extra fuel and not being weighed down with
heavier items
Pack water bottles as well, preferably ones that can
filter water for you so you can get clean water
anywhere there is a body of it

11. Joshua Stubbins
Thank you for viewing my presentation on backpacking
essentials. Please be sure to check back again soon for
more updates on travel tips or developing news stories.