One of my joys has been introducing people to backpacking and wilderness experiences. I have seen a wide range of reactions. I have seen some people who just couldn’t adjust. They were just too used to climate controlled environments, were scared of wild life, hated … “Backpacking: Getting Started”
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In my youth I regularly went camping in extreme cold weather (e.g. daytime high 0F at best, howling winds, even colder nights). Most of my recent experience has been has been in more temperate winter conditions, e.g. lows between 0F and 20F, days 10-35F. I … “Outdoors in the Winter”
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Sykes Hot Springs is one of my favorite places to take first time backpackers who are reasonably fit. The destination has some nice hot springs and a trout filled stream. The hike is pretty. The trip is long enough that people have a sense they … “Sykes Hot Springs”
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Review Item: BalloonBed Original Sleeping PadManufacturer URL: http://www.balloonbed.com/Manufacture Year: 2005Listed weight: 100g (3.5 oz)Weight as delivered: 85 g (3oz) + .7g (.2 oz) for a night of balloonsMSRP: £18.95 GBP (~US$38 depending on exchange rate) Description Brownish green fabric holster to hold balloons, small sack made from … “BalloonBed Review”
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The following was Patagonia’s response to some questions about materials and testing which was posted in 2005 to a public forum. Most of this article matches my personal experience and still seems valid today. Mark Verber Innovation, that steamroller of change, has, over the past five … “What is Percent of Naked?: Patagonia on Technologies and Testing”
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Backpackers have to protect their food against animals while they sleep. In most parts of the country correctly hanging food in a bear bags can be effective. Unfortunately bags won’t protect your food in locations with habituated bears whose response to backpackers is “Great, I get another treat filled … “Bear Bags”
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