When packing your daypack, you always start with gear known as the “10 essentials”. To turn a popular phrase, “don’t leave home without them!” I’ve included the list of these 10 must-haves below. In addition, you need to pack gear that will help you enjoy your trip. To do that you need to think about the type of hike, the duration, and the season in which you are hiking. These considerations determine not only the gear, but also the quantity. For example, you’ll need more water when taking a long hike in the summer (1/2 to 1 quart per hour) than a short...

What is the important thing when you do hiking? It is your hiking boots or hiking shoes.Hiking boots are the most important part of your hiking gear. Out of many hiking shoes that you can find in the market, there are few manufacturers that make good quality hiking footwear designed for a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, backpacking, climbing, mountaineering, trail running, casual outdoor wear and water sports. One of those brands is Columbia hiking shoes. Columbia manufactures make many kind of hiking shoes which you can find the offer in the market. Why Columbia hiking shoes become...

Are you looking for something to do this summer, spring, or even fall? Whether you are looking to do so something independently, with your family, or with your friends, have you ever though about going camping? If you have yet to examine camping, you may want to think about it, as camping is often referred to as a fun and exciting pastime. Although it is nice to hear that camping is a fun way to spend some free time that you may have, you may be wondering if you should really go camping. In all honesty, you will find that it depends. While individuals from all walks of life enjoy camping, camping...

The Best Multi-Purpose Gear for Backpacking The First Step is the Last Step The Last Step is the First Step Rheinhold Messner Experiential Learning The key point is lightness. There were once some backpackers on a long distance walk called the Offa’s Dyke path, that runs the length of the English/Welsh border. They were in a place called Kington, Herefordshire. One fellow lifted his pack onto his back, and then fell over. If considering a backpacking trip, do trial runs, over a couple of weekends. Plan for summer so that a tent is unnecessary, take a space blanket to keep warm and...

The first thing on your list when going on a backpacking trip is to leave information with a friend or family member. If you don’t arrive back at the designated time and date, they need to call someone to go and find you! Think of the latest news stories – lost and presumed dead campers. Do you want to be the next news story? Keep your wits about you. Don’t venture into the backcountry without several items: Plenty of food and water – more than you think you may need. Compass and/or GPS – know how to use them Emergency blankets – weather can change without...

Whether in your backyard or deep in the wilderness, there is nothing quite like the feeling of a real fire. Not only does a fire provide warmth, but it also provides light for safety and a means to cook your dinner if desired. But, if you live in an area that gets particularly dry during certain parts of the year, you are probably aware of what “Fire Bans” and “Fire Restrictions” are, and what they mean for camping and fishing trips. Typically, these types of restrictions are on what is considered an “open fire”, consisting of a solid fuel such as charcoal, wood...

The White Mountain Region of North Conway, New Hampshire is the setting for majestic Echo Lake State Park, and Cathedral Ledge. Both offer a series of unique hikes for all abilities. Looking west out of North Conway, it is easy to see Cathedral’s famous cliff, and why so many hikers are up for the challenge. Smack in the middle of the 118 acres of park is the sparkling clear water of Echo Lake(not to be confused with New Hampshire’s other Echo Lake in Franconia Notch). Echo lake is a favorite spot for hikers, climbers, and families vacationing in the White Mountain region. On clear days,...

On the basic day hike one will likely want to bring along a few essential items. While hiking boots are not absolutely required, they are very helpful and provide good support over uncertain terrain. Your feet are your most important asset any time you’re on the trail so you’ll want to take care of them. Wool socks are also a nice addition to help wick away sweat from your feet and help prevent blisters. You may have done some research prior to going out for the hike but a map is a very good idea as things can get tricky in the woods at times. A compass or a handheld GPS device are also...

My magic hike happened many, many years ago. I grew up in a boarding school for fatherless boys, and by the summer before we would be high school seniors, all the boys in my class had lived, fought, played and studied together every day for ten years. We weren’t just schoolmates. We were brothers. Many of us spent June and July of that last summer working as junior counselors for the younger boys, who spent two summer weeks away from the city in the beautiful Pocono Mountains of Pennsyvlania. We older guys had the usual duties of supervising assemblies, sports and other camp activities,...

Tents are categorized in three main ways: season, capacity, and use. Finding the right tent involves selecting the right features from each category. SEASON The category “season” is used to describe the time of year the tent will be useful. Rather than using summer, fall, etc., tents are described as two, three, or four season tents. A two-season tent is one with excellent ventilation that will be useful in warmer months by keeping you protected from the elements, but by also allowing adequate air-flow to keep you as cool as possible. A three-season tent is a tent that has less...