Ep. 19 Backcountry Camping 101 with John Dowsett

Cindy Dowsett, from Kids Who Explore, along with her husband, John Dowsett, are sharing their knowledge!

How to Book for Backcountry Camping:

• choose site via Provincial or National Park sites (albertaparks.ca)
• book a reservation and then it’s usually first come first serve for specific spots

 

How to Get to Backcountry Camping Site:

• hike in
• pack everything in a chariot and bike in
• canoe in!

 

What to Expect:

• usually zero service
• many locations have bear locks and fire wood, but some have no amenities
• don’t expect a lot of sleep
• sometimes there are communal cooking areas, sometimes not

 

How to Start with Kids:

• plan for one night (maybe two)
• pick a close location (smaller hike to get into site, for example)

Safety Tips:

• always watch kids
• make a “safety circle” with a stick around the fire for kids not to cross
• pack warm, “winter” gear even in the summer (plan for all weather)

 

Backcountry Camping Packing List:

• Backcountry tent
• Sleeping mats
• Sleeping bags
• Hiking backpack
• Garbage bags
• Clothes (layers)
• Hiking boots
• Hat/sunglasses
• Food
• Water
• Water filter
• Camping stove and pots
• Backcountry plates/bowls/mugs/utensils
• Propane for stove
• Backcountry dish soap
• Headlamp/flashlight
• Fire starter/matches
• First aid kit (Benadryl for allergies (bee sting), After Sun, After Bite, Band-Aids, Antiseptic wipes, Polysporin, Tylenol, Dehydration packages, Water filtration tablets, etc.)
• Sewing kit/patch kit
• Toiletries
• Toilet paper
• Hand sanitizer
• Susncreen/Bug spray
• Bear spray
• Camera
• Day hike pack, whistle, knife, rope, duct tape
• Hand/foot warmers
• Extra batteries
• ID
• Backcountry permit (if required)
• Rain covers
• Satellite phone
• Games

 

Backcountry Camping Additionals for Baby:

• Baby carrier
• Diapers
• Wipes
• Layers (wool base layers and socks, fleece mid-layer, waterproof outer layer, neck warmer, mitts, boots or slippers) & extra layers!
• Sleep sac
• Milk
• Soother
• Toys
• Sunhat/Sunglasses

 

*Don’t over pack! It will get heavy! Many items are backcountry camping specific, so they are much lighter and smaller to pack down.*

 

Borrow or rent to get started, if you don’t want to commit to buying everything.

 

Thank you to Rumpl for supporting today’s episode! Use EXPLORE15 for 15% your first order at www.rumpl.com

Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music.