Advice From the Experts

 2012 is nearing its end and while we’re anxiously awaiting the adventure that 2013 holds in store for us, this is the time of year that we like to pause and reflect on the many 2012 experiences for which we will be forever thankful.

While we truly are thankful for so many moments throughout this past year, our reflections are burdened by a heavy heart.  Senseless violence is an unfortunate reality, a reality that weighs heavy on our hearts this holiday season.  Our deepest sympathy goes out to all those who have been impacted by the needless and unexplainable acts of evil that have filled the headlines recently. Read the rest of this entry »

 Water weight is a necessary evil when backpacking.  Staying hydrated is critical, so adding roughly 2lbs 3oz of weight to our pack for every liter we carry is something we can’t avoid.  Depending on the time of year, destination and our activity level, we may need to consume as much as a liter of water an hour throughout our backpacking experience so we need to consider water storage, water retrieval and water quality on every trip we take.

The first step to staying hydrated is being sure you know where you will find water.  Be sure you research your destination before you hit the trail.  Remember, just because there is a little blue line on the map it doesn’t mean that there will be water there.  Talk to locals and rangers to be sure the water you are counting on is actually flowing at that particular location that particular time of the year. Read the rest of this entry »

 It’s essential to bring along equipment that will allow you to get out of the conditions Mother Nature can throw your way throughout a backpacking experience.  Every hiker on every trip into the wild should have the ability to create some form of shelter.

If you know how to build a natural shelter (and have the appropriate supplies and time) it is possible to utilize the resources that are provided by your destination to create a shelter (watch Drop Dead Ted turn a critical eye on his homemade test shelters).  While we suggest everyone practice those types of essential survival skills, most of us that plan to spend a night or more in the wild will prefer to pack out a shelter that takes less time and energy to set-up. Read the rest of this entry »

 Fall is a fantastic time to backpack.  The days are warm, not hot.  The nights are cool, not cold.  Every turn in the trail offers new shades of amber and gold and as the leaves surrender their coats of green and succumb to gravity, they offer a soft serenade about the ground and the top of the tent throughout the night that seems to induce deep sleep.  There are countless aspects of Fall that make this a special time of year for backpackers. Read the rest of this entry »

 Sequoia National Park truly is “a land of giants”.  If you want to experience huge mountains, deep canyons and the world’s largest trees, then Sequoia National Park is the place to visit.

The Get Out More Tour is currently on its west coast swing, so we thought we would take Backpacker Magazine’s west coast Readers’ advice and check out the Lakes Trail for an overnight trip to Pear Lake.  The route we followed was highlighted in the January 2010 Readers’ Choice edition of Backpacker Magazine and is still available online at: http://www.backpacker.com/january-2010-lakes-trail-to-pear-lake-sequoia-np/destinations/13731 . Read the rest of this entry »

 The final element to our Insulation System is our Footwear.  Similar to our Clothing System, we think about our Footwear System as a combination of layers.  Our socks act as our next to skin layer and our shoes or boots act as a protective shell layer. Read the rest of this entry »

 The Get Out More Tour is going LIVE.  On Wednesday, September 5th at 7:00pm (PDT) the 2012 Get Out More Tour will be WEBCAST LIVE at www.rei.com/live.

If you have never enjoyed the opportunity to watch this 75 minute information packed skills clinic and gear show, now is your chance to be informed and inspired as you watch the pages of Backpacker Magazine come to life over the world wide web.  Sheri and Randy Propster will be web-casting the 2012 Get Out More Tour live from the flagship REI store in Seattle, Washington.  Invitation to watch from Sheri and Randy. Read the rest of this entry »

 AS SEEN ON TOUR: INSULATION – SLEEP SYSTEM

When it comes to our sleep system, and choosing a sleeping bag, we focus on temperature rating and fill material.

When it comes to temperature ratings, it’s important to remember that a ton of factors affect a sleeping bag’s rating: the shape of the bag: there are rectangular, mummy and even spoon shaped bags (more about NEMO’s new design here: NEMO SPOON SHAPE), the length of the bag: there are short, regular, and long bags, the type and amount of fill in the bag, and equally important but often overlooked, the amount of heat being generated by your body. Read the rest of this entry »