Vote

Cast your vote on the best logo.

Shed Pounds

No, this is not about getting you in shape, but your backpack. Here are a few ways to streamline that old pack of yours. Check it out here.

AT History... The trail starts here.

The Appalachian Trail begins in Georgia at Springer Mountain and leaves the Peach State 79 miles later at Bly Gap. The rugged, often rocky terrain reaches a height of more than 4400 feet and never dips below 2500 feet. Access to the beginning of the Appalachian Trail is by foot.

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My-Ti Folding Spork?

This has got to be my all time favorite Backpacker editors choice award. How can you not have fun when every one is talking about your titanium SPORK around the campfire while grubbing on rehydrated food. The My-Ti Folding Spork weighs in at 0.6 ozs. and is virtually indestructible for a mere $15.00.

This is going to be a great stocking stuffer this Christmas.

Eat up!

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Campmor

Campmor.com
I was looking for shirts and ran across these Colombia shirts for $24.95. Need I say more. This is one of my favorite websites for the best deals.

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Outdoor Jargon #3

Jargon #2
footprint

Definition:
The outline of the tent floor, which indicates the amount of floor space available inside.

This last one was relatively easy. Let's see how good your mapping skills are.


Jargon #3
Gradient

Sweet Dreams

When I first laid eyes on the Therm-a-Rest ProLite 3, I fell in love. Full length, compact, 1lb 4oz. of pure comfort.

For the past 9 years I have slept on a three-quarter length Therm-a-Rest and will usually awake once or twice during the night to change the position of my aching feet. I hope I don't sound like a pansy, but I have always been willing to sacrifice a little weight for comfort.

The Therm-a-Rest ProLite 3 also has a non-slip bottom which will come in handy. I just have to find a way to keep my dogs from nudging there way onto it. (Doc, my 105 pound lab, actually nudged his way onto my brother-in-law's pillow while catching Z's under the stars...but that's another story.)


Sweet dreams!

For extra comfort you should try the Therm-a-Rest Trekker Lounge Chair Sleeve. You will never go back to sitting on stumps or stones.

Sweet Dividend's

We received our REI dividend check this week. I always look forward to seeing our returns on purchasing outdoor equipment. It may only be $9.96, but for some reason I get really excited. For the past year I have been looking for camping / hiking equipment for my little girls. I found this sleeping bag for kids and think it is well worth the investment.
The REI Kindercone Patch +30 Sleeping Bag is a three-season bag with lots of features such as: a pillow pocket in the hood and an external pocket for a flashlight or handheld toy (i.e. Disney Princess'). And it is only $59.

They also come in pink which is a BIG plus.

Outdoor Jargon #2

Jargon #1:
free-standing

Definition:
A tent that will not collapse or topple without stakes and/or guylines.

That was a great effort by those who participated.

Free-standing Tent Anatomy

















Jargon #2:
footprint

Hint: This has nothing to do with a sasquatch.

Good Luck!

Do-it-Yourself

I consider myself to be, what is known as, a "do-it-yourself" kind of person. I have always loved to work with my hands and have been somewhat creative. Legos are my all time favorite, although Lincoln Logs come in a close second. My claim to fame is when I built the Space Shuttle out of random blocks, so naturally when I see homemade gadgets I am intrigued.(Especially if they are functional, light, and inexpensive) A backpackers dream.

The beautiful stove displayed above comes from a combination of two stoves that were rated as the best design and hottest burner of a Home-Brewed Stove contest that was held by Backpacker. If you would like to test your skills check out the Construction Directions. Or perhaps you could try to construct a more efficient lightweight stove. Either way will impress your friends.

Have fun.

Check out instructables.com for more interesting gadgets.(not necessarily constructed for hiking)

Velcro for Valentines

Since it is Valentine's Day, I was thinking of some type of gear that is romantic in the deep woods. A sleeping bag for two crossed my mind. My wife and I have sleeping bags that we can join together, so we can cuddle under the stars. The only thing I have not done is join our thermarest sleeping pads together to keep them from moving around. One solution I have come up with is velcro. I have not tried it yet, however it seems like it would work. Any suggestions?

Outdoor Jargon

I have been thinking of a way to get more visitor response, and thought that we could try this out. Once a week we are going to post a word / phrase to test your outdoor jargon. Remember, no cheating. We will let you know the meaning of the word / phrase on the next outdoor jargon post. Good luck!


Jargon #1:

free-standing

Get Lost?

The Garmin Foretrex 101 is what I've been looking for; light weight, waterproof, easy-to-use GPS unit for collecting routes, track logs, and waypoints. (5oo waypoints I might add) The Foretrex 101 weighs in at 2.6 lbs. and has enough battery life for 15 hours on 2 AAA batteries.

All for a low cost of $135.00 - $140.00.
Quite impressive. No wonder this was an editor's choice award.

I think it's time to get lost.

Hats off, Ed

National Geographic Adventure has named their adventurer of the year for 2005.

Ed Viesturs has had a goal for 16 years and on May 12, 2005 his goal had been reached. Ed is the first American to summit all 14 of the world's peaks over 8,000 meters (26,250 feet) and to do it without supplemental oxygen.

Ed is the 12th climber in history to summit all 14 peaks, and the sixth without supplemental oxygen.

Hats off, Ed... You definitely get my vote.

I'm in

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