Welcome to The Backcountry: AT Edition
Some of the many laughs Backcountry the Game provides.
Backcountry is the full experience of hiking in the wild. Whether you are playing next to a campfire on a cool fall evening or in the comfort of your own living room, you will get the experience of all the joys and struggles of the Backcountry. Find your way through the trail using a Map and Compass. Speed up your hiking with Poles. Prepare for the Snow Danger Zone with Snow Gear. Hike to the top of Mount Washington or be the first hiker to reach Katahdin. You can barter gear with your friends or buy Gear with Food Units. Welcome to the Backountry! It is a unique game experience.
Characters
Backcountry was built in the wild. There are many types of hikers and each has a different approach to the wilderness. Your character determines your advantages and disadvantages in the game and will drive your strategy.
The rookie is not very experienced in the wild. As the rookie, you have decided one thing: you will not go hungry. You pack enough food for two- or three! Candy bars, soft drinks and can food load down your pack. You begin the trip with 20 food units. Your reading before hitting the trail assured you that you needed some Bear Spray. However, you forgot to bring your brand new $250 boots (oops!) and show up barefoot.
You are a pro! You’ve spent so many miles on the trail you know exactly what you need- and what you don’t. You’re the type who saws off your toothbrush, uses tablets instead of a filter and hike at a blistering pace. You can rest when you die. You brought your trusty hiking poles to speed things up.
Heavy packs mean nothing to you. You are prepared for anything. You brought snow gear in case there is a small iceberg to ascend. You are strong, seasoned and wise. You might hike a bit slower than some, but no one on the trail can handle a pack like you!
After plenty of years in scouting, you know how to handle a map and compass. At every blaze you know the way because of your handy map and compass and your pre-work learning about the AT back home.
Backpacking is fun. But you could live in the woods. You take the bare minimum food and plan to find food in the forest. You gain a food unit at every shelter or campsite. You pack water sandals. They come in handy when you cross the Ford Danger Zone as you easily traverse the fast flowing streams.
Gear
Gear is essential to navigating the wild. Some gear on the trail has special value and adds benefits to the hiker’s journey. When the piece of gear is lost, so are the benefits. But take heart! You may always barter with other players or make purchases with food in the Backcountry Store. An essential part of the game strategy is to weigh the benefits of the gear against the cost and the weight. Some examples of gear in Backcountry are: Backpacks, stoves, filters, poles, First Aid Kits, Snow Gear, Bear Spray and a Map and Compass.
Food
You’ve got to eat to live! As you hike, you must put in food units every roll. You can also use food in trades with other players or in buying gear from Backcountry Stores along the trail. Be careful to use bear bags and ration food, or you will find yourself rolling one die and hiking slowly on the trail!
Scenic Points
The beauty of the trail is one of the best parts of the journey. With this in mind, you are challenged to be the first hiker to arrive at Scenic Points like Mt. Washington, Clingman’s Dome, Mount Katahdin and Springer Mountain. If you do, you will gain bonus points.
Danger Zones!
Beware, the trail is full of difficult challenges. You must navigate raging rivers, deep snowy passes and forests filled with bears. These cards can really set you back. Don’t go unprepared!
Advanced Play
If you are ready for a greater challenge, try the advanced play. You must pass through Weight Checks, tally up Mileage cards and can even Transport to other locations on the trail! The experienced player will love venturing into all the nuances of the Backcountry.