Plan, prepare, and pull off your first backpacking trips without rookie mistakes.
A beginner-friendly course that teaches you a simple 10-pillar system for safer, smarter trips — so you can stop guessing, start planning, and actually enjoy the trail.
The Backpacker’s Ten: Strategic Wilderness Foundations
A beginner-level course in smart, safe backpacking.
Founding students will get early access and 50% OFF using coupon code: NATURE50
If you’re tired of “winging it” in the backcountry and hoping things work out, this course gives you a practical framework for planning smarter, staying safer, and making better decisions when the wilderness doesn’t follow the script. Built on The Backpacker’s Ten system, it’s a step-by-step foundation for new and growing backpackers who want more than just a packing list.
This Course Is for You If…
This course is designed for you if:
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You’re new (or new-ish) to backpacking and don’t want your first overnight trips to be blind experiments.
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You’ve done a few trips, but you know you’ve been relying on luck more than a solid plan.
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You feel overwhelmed by gear choices, conflicting advice, and “perfect” YouTube kits.
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You care more about staying safe, thinking clearly, and being prepared than you do about chasing ultralight trends.
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You want a repeatable system you can apply to any trip, not just a one-off checklist for one specific trail.​
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If you’re somewhere between “I’m just getting started” and “I’ve done a few trips but I know I’m missing something,” you’re exactly who I built this for.
What You’ll Be Able to Do After This Course
By the end of Strategic Wilderness Foundations, you’ll be able to:
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See backpacking as controlled survival—not a casual walk in the woods.
You’ll understand the real risks and how to manage them without turning into a doomsday prepper.
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Use simple decision-making tools when things go sideways.
STOP and OODA won’t just be acronyms—you’ll know how to use them in real trail situations: bad weather, changing routes, fatigue, and gear problems.
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Build a basic, reliable system for the Ten Pillars of the Backcountry.
Mindset, shelter, water, fire, tools, food, navigation, first aid, communication, and gear security—nothing fancy, but nothing critical left to chance.
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Plan trips with more intention and less guesswork.
You’ll know what questions to ask before you go, what information actually matters, and where your biggest gaps are.
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Choose gear and systems that fit you instead of copying strangers.
You’ll think in terms of function and context, not brands and hype.
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Debrief every trip so you get better over time.
You’ll have simple worksheets to reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and what changes to make before the next miles.
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You won’t walk away a mountain guide—but you will walk away with a solid foundation, better judgment, and a framework you can keep building on.
What’s Inside Strategic Wilderness Foundations
This is a self-paced, text-based course with structured lessons, printable tools, and quizzes. No fluff, no hour-long talking-head videos—just practical training you can actually use.
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Format
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Text lessons – Easy-to-read, focused articles you can revisit anytime.
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Downloadable PDFs – Worksheets, checklists, and pocket references you can print and bring into the field.
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Quizzes – Short checks at the end of sections to help the ideas actually stick.
You get lifetime access to all of it.
The Backbone: The Backpacker’s Ten Framework
The course is built around The Backpacker’s Ten—ten pillars that keep you alive, comfortable, and thinking clearly in the backcountry:
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Mindset & Strategy
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Shelter & Insulation
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Water & Purification
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Fire & Light
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Tools & Repairs
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Food & Fuel
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Navigation & Orientation
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First Aid & Hygiene
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Communication & Signaling
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Loadout & Gear Security
You won’t become an expert in every pillar overnight—and that’s not the goal. The goal is to give you a strategic foundation in each area so you’re no longer guessing.
Sample Module Breakdown
Here’s a taste of how modules are structured:
Module 1: Mindset & Strategy – How You Think Is Your First Piece of Gear
You’ll learn:
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Why mindset comes before gear, and how panic, ego, and denial can turn small problems into emergencies.
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How to use STOP to slam the brakes on runaway fear and make a clear plan.
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How to use the OODA Loop (Observe–Orient–Decide–Act) to adapt when weather, conditions, or your body don’t match the plan.
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Includes:
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Mindset Self-Check Worksheet
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STOP & OODA Pocket References
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Scenario Practice Sheets
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End-of-module quiz
Module 2: Shelter & Insulation – Staying Dry, Warm, and Functional
You’ll learn:
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How to think about shelter as a system (shelter + insulation + sleep clothing), not just a tent.
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Basic principles to avoid common beginner mistakes: site selection, condensation, and cold spots.
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How to choose and refine a shelter setup that matches your climate, budget, and experience.
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Shelter System Builder Worksheet
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Camp Setup Checklist
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“What Went Wrong?” Shelter Debrief Sheet
Module 3: Water & Purification – Don’t Gamble with the Most Basic Need
You’ll learn:
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How to find, assess, and manage water sources on a typical trip.
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The pros and cons of filters, purifiers, and chemical treatments at a practical level.
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How to avoid the two big beginners’ mistakes: carrying way too much water—or not enough.
Includes:
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Water Planning Worksheet
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Purification Options Comparison Sheet
Module 4: Food & Fuel – Energy, Clarity, and Comfort on the Trail
You’ll learn:
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How to think about calories, macros, and meal timing for steady energy rather than bonking mid-day.
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Simple ways to build a trip menu without spreadsheets or overcomplication.
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How to choose a cooking system that fits your style and trip length.
Includes:
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Trail Menu Planning Worksheet
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Food & Fuel Packing Checklist
…and the rest of the pillars follow the same basic pattern:
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Clear, beginner-friendly lessons
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Printable tools
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Quizzes or reflections to help you internalize the ideas
You don’t need to memorize everything at once. You’ll build a system piece by piece.
How the Course Works
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Self-paced: Go through the material on your schedule. No expiration date, no pressure.
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Lifetime access: Once you’re in, you’re in. Revisit lessons and worksheets as your trips get longer and more complex.
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Practical first: Everything is built to be used before, during, or after real trips—not just read once and forgotten.
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Adaptable: You’re not being told “the one right way.” You’re given principles and tools you can bend to your body, your terrain, and your reality.
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You can move straight through the modules, or jump to the pillar that feels most urgent for your next trip.
Founding students will get early access and 50% OFF using coupon code: NATURE50
Why This Course Exists (and What It Isn’t)
I’m not the gatekeeper of the “right” way to backpack.
There are plenty of other backpackers who do things differently than I do—and some who do certain things better. This course isn’t about turning you into a copy of me.
What I am offering you is:
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A framework I’ve tested on real trips, with real weather, real failures, and real lessons.
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A way to think about backpacking that doesn’t rely on good luck and good weather.
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Tools to help you stay calm, deliberate, and adaptable when the backcountry doesn’t care about your plans.
This course is not:
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A gear-cult where you have to use my exact setup.
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A thru-hiking masterclass or advanced mountaineering program.
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A cinematic video series with drone shots and dramatic music.
It’s a strategic foundation for people who want to be more prepared, more thoughtful, and more resilient out there—even on their very first overnighter.
Who This Course Is Not For
This probably isn’t the right fit if:
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You’re looking for advanced technical training (glacier travel, climbing, winter mountaineering).
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You only care about ultralight gear spreadsheets and shaving grams at all costs.
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You want entertainment more than you want a system—this is a working course, not a highlight reel.
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You already have years of experience and a refined personal system you trust and consistently review.​
If you’re already a seasoned expert with a dialed-in process, you won’t get your money’s worth here. If you aren’t there yet, this course is built to help bridge that gap.
My Guarantee
If you go through the course, do the worksheets, and don’t feel more prepared for your next trip, email me within 30 days and I’ll refund you.
Enrollment & Price
Enrollment:
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One-time payment: $79
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Lifetime access to all current and future updates to this course
For less than the cost of one “nice” piece of gear, you’re getting:
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A complete beginner-level framework around The Backpacker’s Ten
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Structured lessons instead of scattered tips
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Printable tools you can use for every trip you plan
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A way to avoid the most common (and expensive) beginner mistakes in the backcountry
If this course helps you avoid even one bad decision that leads to ruined gear, a miserable night, or a dangerous situation, it will have paid for itself.
Founding students will get early access and 50% OFF using coupon code: NATURE50
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to be “in shape” before I take this course?
A: No. This course doesn’t demand any specific fitness level. It’s about how you think and prepare. You can take it before your very first training hike or while you’re already working on your conditioning.
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Q: Is this only for solo backpackers?
A: No. The principles apply whether you hike solo or with partners. The mindset and planning tools work in both cases—they just make you a stronger, more reliable member of the team if you’re not alone.
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Q: Will this teach me exactly what gear to buy?
A: I’ll share examples of how I think about gear and systems, but this is not a brand-specific shopping course. Instead of telling you “buy this one tent,” the goal is to teach you how to choose a shelter, sleep system, and kit that fits your trips, your body, and your budget.
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Q: How long will it take to finish the course?
A: That depends on your pace, but most people can read the lessons and work through the tools over a couple of weeks if they spend a bit of time on it each day. You’re not on a timer—you can take it slower and revisit sections as often as you want.
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Q: Is the course video-based?
A: Right now, the course is built around written lessons, PDFs, and quizzes. It’s designed for people who like to read, think, and work through tools at their own pace. Video may be added later, but everything you need to build a solid foundation is already here in text and worksheets.
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Q: What if I decide backpacking isn’t for me?
A: That’s part of what this course is for—giving you a realistic picture of what smart, safe backpacking looks like, and helping you decide what level of adventure you actually want. Even if you choose shorter trips or different styles of outdoor time, the mindset and planning skills you learn here won’t be wasted.
Ready to Build a Smarter Foundation?
​If you’re serious about stepping into the backcountry with more intention and less guesswork, then this is where to start.
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The Backpacker’s Ten: Strategic Wilderness Foundations
A beginner-level course in smart, safe backpacking.