The field library
Every guide, organized around the trip
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A practical beginner guide to camping vs. backpacking, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
campingYour first campground weekend, step by stepA practical beginner guide to your first campground weekend, step by step, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
backpackingYour first backpacking overnight, step by stepA practical beginner guide to your first backpacking overnight, step by step, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothA low-stress first-trip planning timelineA practical beginner guide to a low-stress first-trip planning timeline, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
both12 beginner camping mistakes—and simple fixesA practical beginner guide to 12 beginner camping mistakes, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothWhat to borrow, rent, buy, or skipA practical beginner guide to what to borrow, rent, buy, or skip, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothCamping words, translated into plain EnglishA practical beginner guide to camping words, translated into plain english, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothWhat to do when you get homeA practical beginner guide to what to do when you get home, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
Places & planning
A practical beginner guide to how to find beginner-friendly camping near you, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
campingCampground amenities: what the listing really meansA practical beginner guide to campground amenities, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
campingPublic vs. private campgroundsA practical beginner guide to public vs. private campgrounds, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothReservations, walk-ins, and first-come sitesA practical beginner guide to reservations, walk-ins, and first-come sites, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
backpackingBackcountry permits vs. campground reservationsA practical beginner guide to backcountry permits vs. campground reservations, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
backpackingHow to choose a sensible first backpacking routeA practical beginner guide to how to choose a sensible first backpacking route, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
backpackingDistance, elevation, daylight, and turnaround planningA practical beginner guide to distance, elevation, daylight, and turnaround planning, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
campingDispersed camping: freedoms, limits, and first-trip cautionsA practical beginner guide to dispersed camping, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothHow to leave a useful trip planA practical beginner guide to how to leave a useful trip plan, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
Gear, shelter & sleep
A practical beginner guide to the complete first-time camping packing list, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
backpackingA practical overnight backpacking packing listA practical beginner guide to a practical overnight backpacking packing list, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothHow to choose a tent without overbuyingA practical beginner guide to how to choose a tent without overbuying, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothPitching and staking a tent correctlyA practical beginner guide to pitching and staking a tent correctly, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothSleeping bag vs. quilt for a beginnerA practical beginner guide to sleeping bag vs. quilt for a beginner, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothSleeping-bag temperature ratings, explainedA practical beginner guide to sleeping-bag temperature ratings, explained, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothSleeping-pad R-value and comfortA practical beginner guide to sleeping-pad r-value and comfort, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
backpackingBackpack size, fit, and packingA practical beginner guide to backpack size, fit, and packing, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
backpackingBase weight, worn weight, and consumablesA practical beginner guide to base weight, worn weight, and consumables, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothFootwear and socks for first tripsA practical beginner guide to footwear and socks for first trips, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothClothing layers and rain protectionA practical beginner guide to clothing layers and rain protection, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
Food, cooking & water
A practical beginner guide to easy campground meals for a first weekend, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
backpackingGrocery-store backpacking mealsA practical beginner guide to grocery-store backpacking meals, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothNo-cook camping and backpacking foodA practical beginner guide to no-cook camping and backpacking food, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothVegetarian and vegan trip foodA practical beginner guide to vegetarian and vegan trip food, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothChoosing a camp stove and fuelA practical beginner guide to choosing a camp stove and fuel, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothSafe stove use and carbon-monoxide riskA practical beginner guide to safe stove use and carbon-monoxide risk, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
campingCooler management and campsite food safetyA practical beginner guide to cooler management and campsite food safety, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothWater planning and treatment limitsA practical beginner guide to water planning and treatment limits, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothFood, scented items, and trash storageA practical beginner guide to food, scented items, and trash storage, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
Camp skills & comfort
A practical beginner guide to bathroom basics, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothCamping and backpacking during your periodA practical beginner guide to camping and backpacking during your period, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothHand hygiene, bathing, and staying reasonably cleanA practical beginner guide to hand hygiene, bathing, and staying reasonably clean, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothHow to sleep better on your first night outsideA practical beginner guide to how to sleep better on your first night outside, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothA beginner’s guide to nighttime noisesA practical beginner guide to a beginner’s guide to nighttime noises, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothTent condensation vs. a leakA practical beginner guide to tent condensation vs. a leak, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothTwo useful knots and simple guyline setupA practical beginner guide to two useful knots and simple guyline setup, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothPacking, drying, and storing a wet tentA practical beginner guide to packing, drying, and storing a wet tent, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
Weather, safety & wildlife
A practical beginner guide to how to check the forecast that matters for your trip, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothCamping in rain and windA practical beginner guide to camping in rain and wind, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothHeat and dehydration awarenessA practical beginner guide to heat and dehydration awareness, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothCold exposure and hypothermia awarenessA practical beginner guide to cold exposure and hypothermia awareness, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothLightning: when to change the planA practical beginner guide to lightning, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothWildfire, smoke, and fire restrictionsA practical beginner guide to wildfire, smoke, and fire restrictions, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothTicks, mosquitoes, and biting insectsA practical beginner guide to ticks, mosquitoes, and biting insects, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothWildlife-aware camping without panicA practical beginner guide to wildlife-aware camping without panic, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
backpackingNavigation, offline maps, and limited cell serviceA practical beginner guide to navigation, offline maps, and limited cell service, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothWhat to do when lost or overdueA practical beginner guide to what to do when lost or overdue, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothFirst-aid preparation and when to get helpA practical beginner guide to first-aid preparation and when to get help, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
Different campers
A practical beginner guide to camping with children, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
campingAdditional considerations for camping with a babyA practical beginner guide to additional considerations for camping with a baby, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothCamping and backpacking with dogsA practical beginner guide to camping and backpacking with dogs, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothPlanning a first solo tripA practical beginner guide to planning a first solo trip, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothCommon questions women raise about campingA practical beginner guide to common questions women raise about camping, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothAccessibility and mobility planningA practical beginner guide to accessibility and mobility planning, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
backpackingBody-inclusive backpack and sleep-system fitA practical beginner guide to body-inclusive backpack and sleep-system fit, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothFinding instruction or a group when nobody you know campsA practical beginner guide to finding instruction or a group when nobody you know camps, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
Budget & responsible camping
A practical beginner guide to what a first trip really costs, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothHow to inspect used camping gearA practical beginner guide to how to inspect used camping gear, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothA low-cost starter kit that still covers essentialsA practical beginner guide to a low-cost starter kit that still covers essentials, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothWhere spending more matters—and where it often doesn’tA practical beginner guide to where spending more matters, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothA beginner’s guide to lower-impact campingA practical beginner guide to a beginner’s guide to lower-impact camping, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
bothCampfires, firewood, and knowing when to skip the fireA practical beginner guide to campfires, firewood, and knowing when to skip the fire, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.
campingCampground etiquette: noise, lights, pets, and shared spaceA practical beginner guide to campground etiquette, with clear decisions, limits, and the next facts to verify.