soulsource
I am looking to get started in backpacking. I've been camping many times, and want to try this.
Any suggestions on where to start? Or any good magazines or books to help educate me?
Thanks
Answer
If you like camping and hiking, than you will love backpacking. Backpacking allows you to get away from the roads and big campgrounds and really get away into the wilderness to see places and things that can only be found on foot. There is also this great feeling of independence and self-reliance about carrying everything you need with you.
The important thing is to start small with shorter backpacking trips over pretty easy ground and work your way up. To minimize the initial investment in gear (most backpackers are gear and gadget geeks), you may want to check with local outdoors stores and rent some equipment first (tents and packs) before buying your own. If you have an REI store near you, they are usually a good spot for advice and rentals. Also, you may want to check with local hiking groups and see if they have any planned trips. Doing your first trip with somebody who is already an experienced backpacker can help.
With backpacking, weight is everything... that 8 pound tent that may seem small and compact when car camping can be dead weight when carried on your back for 10 miles. Having to carry all your own water (and filters for pumping more) is also a big change from having an ice chest full of cold beer and soda (water=heavy).
Finding the right balance between having enough stuff to be safe, dry and comfortable, but not so much that you are weighted down and miserable is part of the art of backpacking and where that happy medium lies is different for different people and different trips. On your first few trips, try loading up a pack with everything you plan to carry and do a short day hike with it to see how it feels and then adjust accordingly.
As for resources...
Backpacker magazine (and website) is a good place to find tips and suggestions, plus they usually have a variety of trail and trip suggestions that could give you ideas. Their website has a good trip finder tool of top backpacking spots in each state and their annual gear guide issue is a place to get suggestions on what to buy if you get serious about. Trails.com has good trip and trail finding tools, but requires a subscription.
As for books... I've not found a single one that is the comprehensive end-all of backpacking guides, but here are a few of the better (and more common ones):
"The Backpackers Handbook" by Hugh McManners - Quick reference guide to basics, broken into little chunks with lots of illustrations rather than big sections of text.
Colin Fletcher's books (like "The Complete Walker IV") are also well regarded and somewhat similar in content and layout (although more extensive) than "The Backpackers Handbook".
"L.L. Bean Hiking and Backpacking Handbook" by Keith McCafferty - has more of the theory and philosophy that the above ones does not.
"Everyday Wisdom: 1001 Expert Tips for Hikers" by Karen Berger (Backpacker Magazine) - Not really a guide to get started, but a lot of little tips and suggestions that take you beyond the starting basics. I've found this to be one of the most useful because it has some really neat tips and tricks, while the above books cover mostly beginner stuff that you would probably figure out on your own after a few trips.
Have fun... once you get started, you will be hooked.
If you like camping and hiking, than you will love backpacking. Backpacking allows you to get away from the roads and big campgrounds and really get away into the wilderness to see places and things that can only be found on foot. There is also this great feeling of independence and self-reliance about carrying everything you need with you.
The important thing is to start small with shorter backpacking trips over pretty easy ground and work your way up. To minimize the initial investment in gear (most backpackers are gear and gadget geeks), you may want to check with local outdoors stores and rent some equipment first (tents and packs) before buying your own. If you have an REI store near you, they are usually a good spot for advice and rentals. Also, you may want to check with local hiking groups and see if they have any planned trips. Doing your first trip with somebody who is already an experienced backpacker can help.
With backpacking, weight is everything... that 8 pound tent that may seem small and compact when car camping can be dead weight when carried on your back for 10 miles. Having to carry all your own water (and filters for pumping more) is also a big change from having an ice chest full of cold beer and soda (water=heavy).
Finding the right balance between having enough stuff to be safe, dry and comfortable, but not so much that you are weighted down and miserable is part of the art of backpacking and where that happy medium lies is different for different people and different trips. On your first few trips, try loading up a pack with everything you plan to carry and do a short day hike with it to see how it feels and then adjust accordingly.
As for resources...
Backpacker magazine (and website) is a good place to find tips and suggestions, plus they usually have a variety of trail and trip suggestions that could give you ideas. Their website has a good trip finder tool of top backpacking spots in each state and their annual gear guide issue is a place to get suggestions on what to buy if you get serious about. Trails.com has good trip and trail finding tools, but requires a subscription.
As for books... I've not found a single one that is the comprehensive end-all of backpacking guides, but here are a few of the better (and more common ones):
"The Backpackers Handbook" by Hugh McManners - Quick reference guide to basics, broken into little chunks with lots of illustrations rather than big sections of text.
Colin Fletcher's books (like "The Complete Walker IV") are also well regarded and somewhat similar in content and layout (although more extensive) than "The Backpackers Handbook".
"L.L. Bean Hiking and Backpacking Handbook" by Keith McCafferty - has more of the theory and philosophy that the above ones does not.
"Everyday Wisdom: 1001 Expert Tips for Hikers" by Karen Berger (Backpacker Magazine) - Not really a guide to get started, but a lot of little tips and suggestions that take you beyond the starting basics. I've found this to be one of the most useful because it has some really neat tips and tricks, while the above books cover mostly beginner stuff that you would probably figure out on your own after a few trips.
Have fun... once you get started, you will be hooked.
laptop backpack for student?
Q. I am looking to buy a laptop backpack for my girlfriend. I was wondering if anyone had any insight. I just have no idea of any good ones. I would really appreciate exact kinds. Thank you all in advance!
The features i am looking for are:
-Fits a 15.4 inch laptop
-Room for textbooks
-Room for notebooks/binders
-Spot to secure a Kindle
-Great quality
some other features that are not as important are:
-spot for a point and shoot camera
-stylish
The features i am looking for are:
-Fits a 15.4 inch laptop
-Room for textbooks
-Room for notebooks/binders
-Spot to secure a Kindle
-Great quality
some other features that are not as important are:
-spot for a point and shoot camera
-stylish
Answer
Dave, check out the executive clamshell backpack (http://www.briggs-riley.com/category/productDetail.aspx?id=15-point-4-inch-Executive-Clamshell-Backpack_KPC308 ) from Briggs and Riley. Itâs extremely spacious! The main compartment fits most 15.4â laptops and the file section is where you can put your notebooks, binders, and textbooks. It also has a padded pocket for high-tech gadgets like a digi cam. You can probably fit your Kindle in this pocket. As far as quality is concerned, you have nothing to worry about with a name like Briggs and Riley. And their lifetime warranty covers all damage â including airline.
Dave, check out the executive clamshell backpack (http://www.briggs-riley.com/category/productDetail.aspx?id=15-point-4-inch-Executive-Clamshell-Backpack_KPC308 ) from Briggs and Riley. Itâs extremely spacious! The main compartment fits most 15.4â laptops and the file section is where you can put your notebooks, binders, and textbooks. It also has a padded pocket for high-tech gadgets like a digi cam. You can probably fit your Kindle in this pocket. As far as quality is concerned, you have nothing to worry about with a name like Briggs and Riley. And their lifetime warranty covers all damage â including airline.
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