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Stuff Every Backpacking Scout Should Know: the Study Guide

Practice facts for the Backpacking merit badge. Not an official Scouting America credential. Grab a snack: this guide is the friendly version, with the answers explained and a groan-worthy joke waiting at the end of most cards.

Knowing Backpacking Scout saves you money, time and the occasional embarrassment.

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Chapter 1: Slope Safety

What is backpacking?

Short answer: Carrying gear on your back while hiking more than a day

Backpacking is carrying gear in a backpack while hiking for more than a day, often camping outdoors.

Groan of the day: Pack it up and hike it out!

Sources: Backpacking (hiking)

What is a quinzhee?

Short answer: A shelter made by tunneling into mounded snow

A quinzhee is similar to a snow cave but built by tunneling into mounded snow.

Groan of the day: Snow mound, cozy round!

Sources: Backpacking (hiking)

What is fastpacking?

Short answer: Combining ultralight backpacking with running

Fastpacking combines ultralight backpacking with running and hiking on steep slopes.

Groan of the day: Pack light, run bright!

Sources: Backpacking (hiking)

What is thru-hiking?

Short answer: Traversing a long distance trail in a single continuous journey

Thru-hiking means traversing a long distance trail in a single continuous journey.

Groan of the day: One trail, one tale!

Sources: Backpacking (hiking)

The cheat sheet

The whole guide on one screen. Screenshot it, print it, stick it on the fridge.

  • Natural water can carry bacteria, viruses, and parasites that make you sick, so treat it first.
  • Boiling a full minute kills most organisms, but at high elevation boil three minutes.
  • Depending on weather, terrain, load, and fitness, hikers may need 2 to 8 liters daily.
  • Water is exceptionally heavy, so carrying more than a few days supply is impossible.
  • Chief treatment methods include boiling, chemicals like chlorine or iodine, filtering, and ultraviolet light.
  • Micron is short for micrometer and describes how small the filter pores are.
  • Backpacking is carrying gear in a backpack while hiking for more than a day, often camping outdoors.
  • Because backpackers carry everything, total weight of the bag and contents is a primary concern.
  • Base weight excludes worn weight and consumables like food, water, and fuel.
  • While no technical standards exist, some hikers consider ultralight to mean base weight under 4.5 kg (10 lb).
  • Backpacking is energy intensive, so long distance hikers may need up to 4,500 calories per day.
  • Cold soaking rehydrates dried food with cold water, often to avoid carrying a stove.

Pop quiz

Think of your answer first, then peek.

  1. What should you do to water from a lake before drinking it?
    • Treat it by boiling, filtering, or tablets
    • Add sugar to it
    • Drink it right away
    Show the answer

    Treat it by boiling, filtering, or tablets. Natural water can carry bacteria, viruses, and parasites that make you sick, so treat it first.

  2. How many calories may long distance hikers need daily?
    • Up to 500 calories
    • Up to 4,500 calories
    • Up to 100 calories
    Show the answer

    Up to 4,500 calories. Backpacking is energy intensive, so long distance hikers may need up to 4,500 calories per day.

  3. Why is the entrance tunnel of a snow cave built below the main space?
    • To let in more snow
    • To make it harder to enter
    • To retain warm air
    Show the answer

    To retain warm air. Building the entrance tunnel below the main space helps retain warm air inside.

  4. What are Alpine huts in European mountains used for?
    • Backpackers can walk hut to hut and get beds and meals
    • They are storage sheds
    • They are bus stops
    Show the answer

    Backpackers can walk hut to hut and get beds and meals. Alpine huts offer beds, meals, and even drinks so backpackers can walk hut to hut.

  5. What advice did Brianna give about pushing yourself on a trek?
    • Never rest
    • Don't push yourself too hard
    • Push as hard as possible
    Show the answer

    Don't push yourself too hard. Brianna said not to push yourself too hard and that you will make it and have a good time.

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