Black bears are commonly sighted in the Rocky Mountains. It is common to see bears around small mountain towns like Durango, CO, where I live. So, learning bear safety is essential, especially when backpacking or hiking in bear country. Here is what you NEED to know to stay safe while backpacking or hiking.

Providing a unique experience, backpacking allows you to hike for a given amount of miles each day, camping in a different place each night. It’s essential to research backpacking so you can be prepared. No amount of research is a substitute for a good old-fashioned experience, so joining a seasoned backpacker on a short trail for your first trip may be a brilliant and safe idea.