welcome-to-backpacking-101

Getting Started

backpacking-gear-basics

Backpacking Gear Basics

gear-101-backpacks

Gear 101: Backpacks

gear-101-tents

Gear 101: Tents

gear-101-sleeping-bags-and-pads

Gear 101: Sleeping Bags and Pads

gear-101-layering

Gear 101: Layering

gear-101-accessories

Gear 101: Accessories

caring-for-your-gear

Caring for Your Gear

is-ultralight-gear-right-for-you

Is Ultralight Gear Right for You?

All About Gear

dialing-in-your-pack

Dialing In Your Pack

fitting-and-adjusting-your-pack

Fitting and Adjusting Your Pack

Knowing Your Pack

prepping-for-your-trip

Prepping for Your Trip

planning-for-different-geographic-areas

Planning for Different Geographic Areas

Trip Planning

travel-basics

Travel and Navigation Basics

campsite-selection

Campsite Selection

what-and-how-to-eat

Camp Cooking

how-to-regulate-your-temperature

Regulating Your Temperature

doing-your-business-in-the-backcountry

Bathroom and Hygiene

building-a-first-aid-kit

Building a First-Aid Kit

assessing-and-treating-common-ailments

Assessing and Treating Common Ailments

First-Aid Basics

proper-etiquette

Backpacking Etiquette

<h2>The 200-Foot Rule</h2> <p>Whenever you go to the bathroom, cook, wash your hands, or set up camp, you should stay 200 feet away from water, trails, and other campers. There are a few reasons for this distance. For one thing, poop is gross, and no one wants a cat hole near their campsite—even a deep one. And no one wants to start digging their own cat hole just to find out someone else was there first. So 200 feet gives campers plenty of room to disperse.</p> <p>However, the more important, scientific reason for the 200-foot rule is that human waste contains pathogens, the transfer of which causes more illnes...</p>