Time Stamps! <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="45">00:45</a> 10 Essentials of Hiking <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="315">05:15</a> SHELTERS <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="317">05:17</a> Tents <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1038">17:18</a> Stakes <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1108">18:28</a> Tarps <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1291">21:31</a> Bivy <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1394">23:14</a> Hammocks <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1620">27:00</a> SLEEP SYSTEMS <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1622">27:02</a> Sleeping Bags <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1771">29:31</a> Down vs Synthetic <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="2215">36:55</a> Quilts <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="2367">39:27</a> Sleeping Pads <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="2382">39:42</a> Foam <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="2485">41:25</a> Self Inflating <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="2530">42:10</a> Inflatable <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="2702">45:02</a> FOOTWEAR <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="2710">45:10</a> Hiking Boots <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="3021">50:21</a> Trail Runners <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="3164">52:44</a> Sandals <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="3308">55:08</a> How To Properly Fit <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="3567">59:27</a> Camp Shoes <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="61">01:01</a>:21 Socks <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="68">01:08</a>:10 CLOTHING LAYERS <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="70">01:10</a>:10 Underwear <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="72">01:12</a>:09 Base Layers <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="73">01:13</a>:32 Shirts <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="74">01:14</a>:48 Pants/Shorts/Skirts <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="78">01:18</a>:09 Mid Layers <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="81">01:21</a>:10 Rain Gear <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="88">01:28</a>:05 BUGS! <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="89">01:29</a>:50 Ticks and General Repellants <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="93">01:33</a>:03 Mosquitoes <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="95">01:35</a>:33 Bees/Wasps <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="100">01:40</a>:45 WATER TREATMENT <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="101">01:41</a>:43 Boiling <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="103">01:43</a>:43 Chemical Treatments <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="105">01:45</a>:19 Filters <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="111">01:51</a>:39 FOOD <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="116">01:56</a>:54 Food Storage <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="121">02:01</a>:35 Stoves <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="125">02:05</a>:54 Cookware <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="130">02:10</a>:33 ELECTRONICS <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="132">02:12</a>:09 Backup Battery Packs <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="136">02:16</a>:51 Solar Panel Chargers <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="142">02:22</a>:39 FIRST AID <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="142">02:22</a>:46 Take Care of Your Feet/Blisters <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="146">02:26</a>:02 Plantar Fasciitis <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="147">02:27</a>:32 Chafing <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="148">02:28</a>:51 Sprains <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="150">02:30</a>:17 Cuts and Scrapes <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="151">02:31</a>:38 Poisonous Plants <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="152">02:32</a>:34: Hypothermia <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="153">02:33</a>:58 Hyperthermia <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="156">02:36</a>:02 Snake Bites <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="158">02:38</a>:49 First Aid Kit <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="160">02:40</a>:50 HYGIENE <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="167">02:47</a>:17 Going to the Bathroom <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="175">02:55</a>:22 Menstruation <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="179">02:59</a>:26 BAD WEATHER <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="180">03:00</a>:14 Heavy Rain <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="188">03:08</a>:25 Hail <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="189">03:09</a>:12 Lightning <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="191">03:11</a>:22 BACKPACKS <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="191">03:11</a>:26 Picking a Pack <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="205">03:25</a>:09 Fitting a Pack <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="210">03:30</a>:14 Packing a Pack <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="212">03:32</a>:13 CAMPING BASICS/LNT <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="212">03:32</a>:20 Plan Ahead <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="212">03:32</a>:49 Travel/Camp on Durable Surfaces <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="215">03:35</a>:01 Respect Wildlife <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="216">03:36</a>:53 Camp Fire Basics <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="218">03:38</a>:18 Dispose of Waste <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="220">03:40</a>:47 Be Considerate of Other Visitors <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="221">03:41</a>:37 Leave What You Find

The "end-to-end" view count on this video may never be high because of the length, but this is probably the most wonderful video you've ever done. What a thoughtful service, to put it all in one video.

In the olden days before inflatable sleeping pads ( or closed cell foam pads even ) there was a trick for that problem of the hip grinding into the ground when sleeping on your side. You dug a shallow little trench, maybe an inch or two deep, 3 or 4 across and 6 or so wide. Your hip went down into that trench. This left your weight more evenly spread along your whole body rather than focused at your hip and shoulder. ( Sometimes you'd do a trench for your shoulder as well. ) Even directly on the ground this was a much more comfortable lie. Add a layer of grass or leaves for padding and Bob's your uncle. And the weight of this system? Zero pounds zero ounces. : )

This is a master course for a beginner, the best video for travelers.

Wow just the sheer amount of time researching, filming and editing the content of this video is a huge undertaking, so thank you very much for putting in all that work for us!

After watching this again and again, I finally gathered all my gears and went to my first ever backpacking trip to Joshua Tree! Met another first timer backpacker who follows this channel, too! Thank you for all the education and tips!

Thanks for the video Dixie. I train youngsters in the UK on outdoors backpacking and the girls in the groups sometimes have questions they don’t feel comfortable asking me. I now have a video to send them to where they have a role model who covers those things for them.

I had no idea when launching this video that I would be watching it to the end. I just thought 'Who would make/watch a 3+ hour video on backpacking?'

This could have been a Udemy course and I would have gladly paid for it! Amazing information def a master class thank you soooo much.

Wow, what an undertaking the editing process for this project must have been! Great job, most impressive!

She made a feature film for all of us and I am so grateful! 💕

Most youtubers can't get 5 minutes of content into a 10 minute video. This was amazing! All well thought out, all hard-earned knowledge shared freely, this is <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="223">3:43</a>:40 of content in <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="223">3:43</a>:40 of video. Either she's an amazing extemporaneous speaker, or she's taken the time to script all of this. No wasted words, no missed points. And she takes the trouble to point out where she doesn't have definitive knowledge. This is SO useful and well done. Wow.

The first rule of hiking before any of this stuff is: Tell someone where and when your going and approximately what time you should be back.

I cant take 6months off from work without going homeless but a week hike sounds like a real vacation. Watching the while thing. You motivated me to do my dream!

So, if this one is "basics" I´m really looking forward for your "Advanced Backpacking: Everything You could Know and beyond" 😉 Seriously, you should name this one "Backpacking 101" - very much enjoyed watching.

Make sure you count your tent stakes and in the morning when you take down, count them again before you pack them, so you don't leave any behind and get caught short the following night. It's always a good idea to have a coupla extras, just in case. Have a designated gear rock and only put your stuff on that rock. That's why its a good idea to have red and orange gear. You'll see it in the grass. Double check your camping area and clean it up before you leave, and double check your check list before you leave in the morning to make sure you don't forget anything important. Try to set up before dark. I once set up after dark and the next morning discovered I'd missed a HUMONGOUS pile of human poop by inches! Truly, angels must have guided my feet and placement in the dark. How I could have gotten that off my tent out in the boonies, I don't know! Whew! Close call! For Pete's sake, bury your poops. Thanks!

‘Rejoice in the death of all the mosquitos in the mosquito massacre’ ahhh made me chuckle

This video is freakin AWESOME! You are so knowledgeable and enthusiastic and you share you knowledge in such a humble way that allows room for others and their personal opinions and experiences. Your respect and love for nature is beautiful and I learned SO much from this video. I am so excited to be planning my AT thru-hike with your guidance and expertise! Thank you so much!

Hiking here in South Africa is slightly different than hiking in USA, as we don't have any bears here and most of the wildlife leave us alone. It's just baboons we need to look out for and that's mainly just scaring them away. Thanks for this complete guide to hiking beginners! I learned so much.

Exceptionally well done and useful. Wish I would of found this before I fragmentated all these bits together watching tons of YT videos. I watched the whole thing since it provided a nice summary and answered nearly every remaining question I had. Thanks Dixie!

I am from England (it’s wet here). I’ve lived outdoors, full time, for the last 8 years. Wish that I’d seen a video this good when I started! (I wouldn’t have had so many adventures if I had though 🤣) Excellent work lady. New campers take notes and listen to this woman. The only input that I feel is really important to make is this; A wet nights sleep will ruin your moral and your adventures! Buy a tent that is a minimum of 4000HH and make sure that the poles go through the flysheet on the outside of it. This way, if you get caught in a rainstorm you can put your home up very quickly and without getting your bedroom wet. This is really important. Make sure that you have a dry, windproof home to go to every day and your outdoor adventures will be everlastingly good memories. (The downside to this is that stargazing is more difficult...)

I feel like there should be a quiz at the end of this and a certificate for completing this course. thanks for the great video, ive learnt a lot!

As someone just starting to research how to do even a day hike (that might grow into thru hiking), this was exceptional. I found the entire video to be educational and it helped me realize what I haven't considered yet and might need to do more research on. In terms of length, I appreciate how much work you did! I'm sure putting this video together was a project in itself. I was able to watch it on twice the speed so I could maximize my time best. Thank you!

This had absolutely everything I wanted to know to go backpacking. You thought of everything!! Best video I have seen, watched the whole thing!! Thankyou for sharing your wisdom and saying the things that most people wouldn’t want to talk about on a video. After watching this I had to subscribe.

"You have to do what works for you." Best advice ever!

I think a whistle should be an essential, especially for kids. If you are lost, your voice will give out quickly when trying to let searchers find you.

As a former infantryman, and from my experiences as a landscaper. I cannot stress the benefits of Carmex when it comes to chafing. There are plenty of other uses but I have found that after cleaning and drying applying some carmex to your affected areas is an almost instant cure.

Wow, such a wealth of knowledge. You definitely have been doing this a while and know your stuff. Long videos too, almost like a podcast. As a trucker I definitely can appreciate the long forum.

This is truly an incredible video. I can't even begin to imagine how many hours this took to put together. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Thanks again for the video. Three helpful things: I like to carry a little scrubby sponge 4”X3 1/2” . The scrubby part of the sponge is good for scrubbing off dirt from skin & uses very little water. For poison ivy the best thing is Calamine lotion. Really cuts down on itching. Reading comments a hiker said getting an early start in hot weather is the thing. Take a break mid day, then.

This is so thorough and well done and comprehensive- i dont hike or climb nor do i plan to start - YET - I still watched 3/4 the way through.

Hey Dixie, I think it would be nice to see a video on how to find where to hike and camp, how to get information, some of the differences between state park/forests and the federal system (NPS vs USDA/FS, etc), organizing transportation (I know you touched on this in your AT series) on and offtrails and to and from trailheads, etc. There's lots of information on what to do on trail, and I think there's a lack of information on how to find and get to the trail in the first place.

This is long, but very informative. I am not a hiker, but plan to do the PCT in 2021. I am doing walking and will work up to day and overnight hikes. But I will be 55, so it's time to do it and stop talking about it. Watch you, Darwin and second chance hiker. Thank you

Hi Dixie! I just want to say that I admire you for all of your accomplishments. The documentation of your respective hikes have brought much entertainment to many of us during this Covid-19 crisis. My through hikes were all done on trails throughout Europe and the Middle East while stationed 16 of my 23 years in the military. I accomplished a few hikes throughout Hawaii and Australia as well. Now that I'm nearly 73 with some health issues the thought of hiking the AT, CDT, and PCT has become a pipe dream. I did a sectional on the Virginia AT and it convinced me that I should leave it to the younger and healthier crowd. Now I enjoy overland camping with short exploration hikes. Anyway, well done!

Can’t believe how long and comprehensive this video is. It’s everything I need to know to about getting into backpacking. Thank you so much

This is literally the most comprehensive video I’ve ever watched

The way you look up past posts to explain what you are talking about is soooo cool. Thank you Arron (Erin) and Dixie ❤️❤️

Thanks for all of the great information! I learn so much from you, I’m so grateful ♥️

Hey Dixie! I have been watching your videos for a few years, and just got home (a few hours ago) from my FIRST backpacking trip. I thought of you for the last two quiet miles and how much you helped me to prepare. I can't thank you enough! I not only survived, but had a great time. I will be back out, Lord willing. I could go on for too long, but I just wanted to thank you and encourage you. I am sure I am not the only person you helped. We love you. Keep going.

Every time I hear, Hey Y'all, Dixie here, somehow my day gets brighter.

It is so well organized, Jessica Mills you and the team behind have done an outstanding job.

Wow!! A very, VERY comprehensive introduction to Backpacking 101!!

WOW what a thorough and comprehensive project you have completed! Thank you so much for this video! Excellent information advise and thoughts. You really went over all of the most important issues.

Such a helpful video! Bless your heart for taking the time to create an all-encompassing video that covers everything!

You have worked hard to make these videos watch-able and listen-able. Perhaps you don't know how successful you are. On the other hand you have 231k subscribers which is indicative of your success. Good for you.

Thank you so much for this video Dixie. New to all of this with so much to learn and finding your channel is like hitting a goldmine!

The length of this video intimidated me at first but I’ve been listening while driving to work or while cleaning and it’s amazing. One stop shop! I appreciate you for the time you put into this.

This is a FANTASTIC FANTASTIC VIDEO!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH! I'm doing some backpacking/kayaking and camping in a month and I need to get ready. Your video was a one stop shop and told me everything I needed to know. Thank you so much!

Thanks for the video! I can't tell you how helpful this was!

This will be a very helpful video for a lot of people. Thank you too for time stamping... As always, great videos and info...

Dixie - I'm halfway through and I feel like I'm taking a college level class on backpacking. Sharing your experience on all of these topics is a gift to us - thank you! You're an expert in your field. And - I share your exact same feelings about mosquitos!!! Well done!

Brand new to backpacking and I am planning my first overnight trip. What a nice comprehensive video to cover all aspects! Thank you for doing this for us newer hikers.

Awsome video full of great tips . Nice to have it all in one video ! Thanks for sharing !

Yay! Braces! Pretty new smile! So nice to see Fancy again! She looks very happy and healthy! She must have missed you while you were away.

Just wanted to say how helpful this video was for me! I've been away from the outdoors for a while and backpacking is something I have decided I wanted to do. Watching your video has helped tremendously in getting me aimed in a better direction and probably saved me a few unnecessary purchases! Hats off

Very Very appreciative of you putting all the work into creating this. I will be coming back again and again to watch specific parts. Cheers!

This is BY FAR the best and most thorough camping gear video I have ever seen. You're amazing and I subscribed in a heartbeat. Great job!!

Great video and very informative. I listened to you for nearly 4 hours without stopping even to make a cup of coffee. Yepp! You have a new fan Dixie and thanks for sharing

This is a great video Dixie! So comprehensive, on everything. Helpful for future backpackers and thru hikers for sure.

I am about to go on my first camping weekend and you explained everything so well, that I don't feel anxious. Thank you so much for all the valuable information so I can make the right choices in gear that will work for me. I know this video was done 5 years ago but the content works well even now. I am so glad I found your channel!!! THANKS!!!!!😃

WOW, this is brilliant, it should be essential viewing for anyone wanting to go camping. It must have taken a huge effort to compile... well done and congratulations! :)

When I go packing on a 2,3 day backpacking with my son we love the extra work to cook food. We often make teas with the natural flowers and foods that are around us. Pine needle tea is sooo good.

Excellent guidance. As a non-backpacker, your video has offered an invaluable, thorough preview of the backpacking experience & has peeked my interest in venturing out on a day or weekend hike. Thanks for your candor in providing an informative & useful video which is easy to share & to refer back to as needed. Well done.

I love how enthusiastic you are in sharing and creating a community for safe adventurers!! Massively appreciate all your great research and personal experiences!!

Great video. Thanks for all the hard work making this video. The info is great

wow watched the whole thing. thank you. covered everything.

As a very senior backpacker I learn from you every time. Also, so much of your teaching rings true with my experience and mistakes that I have made. Thank you for everything that you are doing and keep it up.

This is amazing. Thank you for taking the time to compile all this information in one place

Let me say....you are a rock star and I am impressed with your production and teaching skill improvements over the last 18 months that I have been tuned in!

Thanks for the great information. And the organization is amazing!

A note about permethrin, like you had mentioned - there is conflicting reviews on the safety around cats... I have a friend who owns a farm and she had treated her dogs and followed the directions carefully. She ended up losing her cat suddenly as her cat liked to groom her dogs to be affectionate... He ended up seizing to death... awful... They didn't realize the cause until afterwards remembering the permethrin even when following the instructions and timeframes. With that, I will probably never treat my dogs with it; any gear I treat with it will be kept in a tote inaccessible to my cat and only taken out when in use. However if someone is in need of a really great flea and tick preventative for dogs they want to hike with, using Flea Free food supplements has been a game changer for us! Just be sure it is used daily while hiking/camping/backpacking and if just a weekend trip, begin using it daily on food about 2 weeks before the trip. Much safer! Apparently safe for cats too.

This is about the best and most comprehensive video for beginner backpackers to watch! Thank you so much for putting it together!

Oh wow, you are amazing. I won’t be watching all this today, but next year my hubby and I are gearing up to start doing actual backpacking and not just day hikes and I will definitely be using this video a lot as a reference. Thanks for putting all this together for FREE you are amazing.

Im new to hiking & thankyou so much for the best in depth explanation for a newbie, A+++++

AMAZING! Thank you so much! This is exactly what I have been looking for!

The most impressive video ever! I am a first time camper, and I got basically everything I needed to know and more! Loved this video!

Four hours... I'm going to press pause now and restart on Saturday, all day. Sorry for not watching it in full, Dixie... yet, but thank you for your work!

Thank you for such an informative video!!

Thank you for such a comprehensive overview of backpacking. Cant wait to now get out there!

This is an insane comprehensive amount of knowledge for backpacking. Thank you so much.

Yet again, another awesome video 🇨🇦✌🏼

This is great!!! Thank you Dixie!!

Thank you so much. This video has a bunch of well thought out information that obviously comes from a place of experience.

thank you , for the info.. you helped me soooo much. I was really not sure about a great deal of things and you hit the hammer on the nail!

I would love to hear a piece about how you obtained your permits for camping and hiking. We live near Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado and are planning on Backpacking the PCT in Washington and I've heard you need to enter a lottery in some areas to be able to backpack certain areas. How did you plan your thru hikes from the perspective of Permits? Your videos have inspired me, my husband, and two young daughters to get out there more! Thank you!

Your So Very Well Spoken...Great information and advice. Welcome back to the USA..Home✨

Thanks for this video......I'm using this video as a checklist to go along with my own checklist. I'm planning a NOBO section hike from Springer mtn to the Nantahala Outdoor Center. I follow Ron's Appalachian trail shuttle and there you were this morning.....Happy trails and good luck on the ECT!

Duct tape is the most versatile thing to have. Roll it around your trekking pole or create a mini spool of it. Apart from repairing rips, I've found it is great for protecting hot spots on your feet too. Cut out a bit of antibiotic wipe, cover the blister/hot spot and stick down with duct tape over it. The tape is smoother than your skin and will reduce friction.

Coincidentally, I just recommended and linked your channel on Reddit to a beginner backpacker who’s planning on doing the PCT 2020. Nice compilation.

Almost four hours of joy to me🤗

What a great share. I was getting a little nervous that there would be a test at the end. A huge compendium of knowledge and experience, thanks.

Very in depth details. Love how you put together on finding a backpack. I didn’t know that you could bring gear with you to a store to try out. Thank you for the information.

Wanderlust: This was THE BEST (most thorough and considerate) summary of expert tips on a topic I've EVER came across!!!! From all of us around the world, thank you!!

Who are the jackasses that disliked your video is what I want to know! You're fantastic and well appreciated. Greetings from Tahoe.

Starting to plan for the AT with my partner and this video was absolutely essential. Definitely cried a bit watching your AT thru hike and it convinced me to really start planning.

A veritable encyclopedia for backpacking. Thank you, for all you have done and continue to do for this community. Great job! (And thank you Aaron as well. )

Awesome great content I’m a 53 year old lady and my husband is 57 and we are considering starting to do some hiking our children are grown and out of the house we are not very athletic so probably not going to going on any of the trails you were talking about and showing on your video probably starting out with some local 1-5 mile trails to start with so this gives us so great information about gear even just for day hiking. I have done some I called it exploring as a child when we would go camping and I loved it so I’m excited about starting up again but I’m also wanting to know what my limits are and my husband are so starting out slowly. Thank you for all your help knowledge I appreciate you sharing it with us.

Growing up in California with rattlesnakes, I would recommend that long hiking pants are used in high volume snake areas like from the Mexican border to the mid / upper Sierras on the PCT. Snakes "see" using heat signatures. A non-sounding snake will strike at an uncovered leg and may not strike at a covered leg. I have personally seen a person with pants walked past a non-sounding pacific rattlesnake, and then a person wearing shorts walked past the snake at the same distance on trail and the snake struck at the heat signature of the uncovered leg. The victum was air lifted to Loma Linda Hospital and treated by the world famous, Dr. Bush (thank you Dr. Bush).

This is a great video and 100% worth watching all the way through. Thank you! So helpful for a beginner to hear all of this info.

Thank you so much for putting this together!! I was wondering if you had any recommendations for places/pages to purchase used gear? I’m thinking Facebook groups or something like that maybe? Thank you!