Hiking ExplorePACKS

Richmond Public Library is pleased to announce the arrival of our Hiking ExplorePACKS. Any adult and teen with an RPL Library card may borrow the ExplorePACKS.

The Hiking ExplorePACKS are starter packs, perfect for a fun and educational way to spend time outdoors and appreciate nature!

Each Hiking ExplorePACKS contains the essentials:

  • Headlamp
  • Bivy sack (emergency blanket & shelter)
  • Rescue whistle
  • First aid kit
  • Emergency radio & charger
  • Trekking poles
  • Backpack
  • Compass

There are 3 types of Hiking ExplorePACKS available to be borrowed:

Hiking ExplorePACK Single Pack
Hiking ExplorePACK 2-Person Pack
Hiking ExplorePACK 4-Person Pack

For more information on what to bring hiking, click here.

These kits are made possible by the support of the BC Parks Licence Plate Program and BC AdventureSmart.

BC Parks                     BC Adventures

Given the strong community interest and limited number of kits, some patrons will experience a wait before a backpack becomes available. We appreciate your patience.

Hiking trips are the responsibility of the individuals checking out the Hiking ExplorePACKS. BC Parks, Adventure Smart, and Richmond Public Library will not be held liable for injury due to the usage of the Hiking ExplorePACKS.

Hiking ExplorePACKS

Resources

AdventureSmart: The Three T’s

An overview of the three T’s of hiking outdoors: Trip Planning, Training, and Take the Essentials.

Trails BC

Trails BC assembles and preserves the British Columbian section of The Trans Canada Trail, as well as the expansion, sustainability, and preservation of greenway trails in BC.

Sites and Trails BC

An interactive map of trails in BC for general reference for recreation sites and trail conditions.

Camping & Hiking in BC

A camping and hiking guide for BC hiking, including information about recreation sites & trails.

Hiking in BC Parks

A frontcountry and backcountry guide to hiking in various regions in BC.

RV Camping in BC

Camping and RVing British Columbia Coalition raises awareness of the wide range of camping and recreational vehicle (RV) experiences across BC.

Destination Vancouver: Hiking

A guide to popular hiking destinations in and around Vancouver.

The Tree Book: Recognize BC’s Trees

A guide to recognizing trees in BC.

Where to Hike

Richmond Trails

A Tourism Richmond guide to hiking in Richmond.

Richmond Cycling Map

A recreational trail and cycling map of Richmond.

Richmond Nature Park Map

A self-guided nature walk and map of Richmond Nature Park from the City of Richmond.

Gulf of Georgia Cannery

Visitor information about the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site.

Sea to Sky Parks: Mount Seymour

Sea to Sky Parks information for Mount Seymour.

Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve

Visitor information from MetroVancouver about the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve.

Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve Trail Map

A MetroVancouver trail map of the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve.

BC Bird Trail

BC Bird Trail has been developed as the leading source of information on attractions, activities, and accommodations related to birdwatching travel in BC.

Dog Mountain Hike Map

A Vancouver Trails map of the Dog Mountain hike at Mount Seymour.

Surrey Nature Trails

A City of Surrey list of nature trails.

Hello BC: Forest Walks Near Vancouver

A list of 6 forest walks around Vancouver.

AllTrails: Best Trails in British Columbia

An AllTrails list of the best hikes in BC.

Be Prepared

North Shore Rescue: What to Bring

A list of the 10 essentials to bring hiking from the North Shore Rescue.

Outdoor Vancouver Essentials

A list of basic hiking safety tips and equipment from Outdoor Vancouver.

Vancouver Trails Safety

A list of basic hiking safety tips and equipment from Vancouver Trails.

Hiking & Nature Apps

AllTrails

An app containing 200,000+ detailed, hand-curated trail maps.

FlowerChecker

An app that allows users to take photos of unknown plant (or moss, lichen, and even fungi) and send them to a team of experts for identification.

Hiking Project

An app to showcase thousands of trails across the U.S. and around the globe.

iNaturalist Copy

A tool used to crowdsource species identification system and an organism occurrence recording.

LeafSnap

An application to learn information about plants from photos.

OutdoorActive

An app with maps and routes for cycling, walking, mountain biking and mountaineering.

Recommended Reads

Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

Eyton, Taryn

Best Hikes Vancouver

Ernst, Chloë

Destination Hikes in and Around Southwestern British Columbia

Hui, Stephen

Waterfall Hikes in Southern British Columbia

Tersmette, Steve

Wild Places

Kimantas, John

Family Walks and Hikes on Greater Vancouver's North Shore

Crerar, Harry

Discover When Hiking

Flora and Fauna of Coastal British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest

Varner, Collin

Birds of British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest

Cannings, Richard J.

Popular Wildflowers of Coastal British Columbia

Jennings, Neil L.

Popular Wildflowers of South-Central British Columbia

Jennings, Neil L.

Common Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest

Sept, J. Duane

The New Beachcomber's Guide to the Pacific Northwest

Sept, J. Duane