Some people like to go bowling, some watch star trek but for some theres the euphoric feeling of an outdoor backpack adventure. Backpacking or even just camping in general is the ultimate experience affecting all your senses in a refreshing get away. I would recommend everyone experiencing the great outdoors in some way or another periodically.
Taking an outdoor backpack trip is just one way to experience the outdoors. It can be done at any skill level. Money is an easy factor to surpass when planning an outdoor backpack trip. In another article on the site you can find places to get very high quality equipment for a very high discount.
Of course the keyword there is backpack. Your whole outdoor backpack trip really does revolve around a good fitting backpack. It will be your life souce for several days of you life and needs to be able to resist the cruel environments it could be subject to.
Your outdoor backpack needs to fit comfortably. A good test when your looking for one is to put a weight 25 to 30 pounds in the outdoor backpack at the store. You can usually find these in the fitness department of the same sporting goods store. If it still feels good with the added wieght your probably ok.
Some other properties that can make a good outdoor backpack are its water resistant abilities. Its capacity and support mechanism are also some good contributing factors to look at.
Just things to think about to make your next outdoor backpack trip better than the one before. Thats how they should always be.
Technorati Tags: adventure backpack, backpack gear, outdoor backpack
Try checking when your local REI stores hold one of their four annual garage sales. Usually you have to be a member, but the deals you get are outrageous. Kelly Brooks of Grand Junction, an avid outdoor enthusiast, picked up an outdoor backpack retailing at $180 for $29.93!
You can also get smoking deals on backpack gear like sleeping bags. Brooks also snagged a sleeping bag for $39.93, previously marked at $170. What reason would there be to have that much of a markdown? A missing drawstring.
You can find other great deals like this on backpack gear all over the place. You just have to look around you never know what you might find! No one said you have to spend a lot of money when going on that next outdoor backpack trip!
http://www.gjsentinel.com/hp/content/news/stories/2009/01/03/010409_2A_REI_sale.html
Technorati Tags: adventure backpack, backpack gear, outdoor backpack
Maybe not after you invest in some of the suggested outdoor backpacks I found in this article today. These packs are made to fit all your crap in very cool comfortable backpack.
Some of these backpacks include Stoke 9 daypack, Gregory Z35-R Pack, Deuter Futura Zero 40 Pack, , Mountainsmith Touring Lumbar pack, Mountainsmith and a very cool line up from Camelback.
Most of these outdoor backpack backpacks work great for both on the hill and every other function you can think of! They also give you maximum space for carrying around all that backpack gear.
Basically this whole lineup of backpacks won’t keep you from utilizing your knowlege, skill and abiltiy in all walks of life. Very cool check it out here…
http://www.onthesnow.com/news/a/4368/backpacks-and-camelbaks-on-the-slopes
Technorati Tags: backpack gear, outdoor backpack
So you have your outdoor backpack, now the question is what do you put in it. Well you can get your geek on now with the Slappa Ballistix Aura Pro-Tour backpack. This backpack was made to pack all your electronic backpack gear.
It fits a laptop, cameras, phones, ipods, flashdrives and comfortably at that. Not only can you fit all your backpack gear comfortably in one very durable bag, you can also fill a 1,700 cubic inch space any electronic goody you have and rest assured it will not be damaged.
This is an essential for anyone looking to fit all your backpack gear into one place check it out here…
http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/default.asp?newsID=3825
Technorati Tags: backpack gear, outdoor backpack, outdoor backpacks
Hello everyone, today I ran by a really cool article about the science of taking an outdoor backpack trip. This is definitely some advice beginners and veterans can learn from. There is a whole lot more to making your outdoor backpack trip become a reality than meets the eye, especially when your money and overall safety could be on the line. So check it out!
Backpacking Travel Tips
By Michael Russell
After a great deal of research and carefully consideration you have finally decided that it’s time to try backpacking. You have bought the latest backpacking trail guides and plotted your destination at the ultimate get-away location. But before you take off here are a few common sense tips that will keep you safe and help you along during your journey.
First and foremost, carefully and thoroughly plan your trips before you leave home. This step cannot be emphasized enough! Study maps and other sources of information to prepare for any physical or geographical roadblocks. Careful planning will help you achieve and maintain a healthy and positive attitude about the trip itself.
Next, determine what type of gear you will need to backpack. Beware of the “light gear” merchandise, as it may not always be the best purchasing option. Typically, you will also want to avoid any gear that is “all-in-one” as it may be bulky. Gear that is too large may become a safety concern as it makes people more at risk to falling down while too-small gear may compromise personal security. Give each piece of gear careful consideration and select something that feels safe and comfortable to you. More experienced backpackers generally progress to lighter and more efficient gear.
Once you have finished planning and purchasing items for your trip, the next step is to communicate them to friends and family members. It is highly recommended to print out a daily itinerary that includes a timetable with the corresponding destination and give a copy to friends and family. Include a topographical map with the itinerary and take note on how much time you will spend at each location and when you are planning on returning home. This is an essential tool because it could be your link to survival if you run into trouble in a remote area.
After planning and communicating your backpacking trip you are ready to hit the trails. The first rule of thumb is to listen to your “sixth sense”, know when to turn around and go back. Questionable, dangerous, or even deadly situations can arise if you continually challenge your “sixth sense”. Listening to your body is just as important. Keep hydrated by drinking a lot of fluids and eating on a regular basis. While hiking trails, many backpackers forget to stop and replenish their bodies. Dehydration is a real threat that many backpackers experience. Backpackers need to maintain energy levels high by drinking plenty of water and snacking frequently. Another threat for backpackers is hypothermia and hyperthermia. Hypothermia occurs when the body’s temperature drops below normal and hyperthermia occurs when the body’s temperature is higher than normal and your body can’t cool down. It is essential to learn how to dress before your body becomes chilled and undress before you overheat.
Finally, always carry a compass and know how to read a map. The map is the ultimate tool in preparation and a compass will aid in travel direction. If a situation arises where you become disoriented on the trail, the map will allow you to re-focus and continue onward. Preparation is the best tool to prevent this situation from occurring. By taking into consideration the above tips, backpacking can be a very rewarding passage. Remember, careful trip planning is the key to backpacking along with familiarizing yourself with the area. As always, be aware of the limits of your body and maintain your energy levels. Most importantly, let family and friends know of your where about at all times.
Michael Russell
Your Independent Backpacking guide.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell
http://EzineArticles.com/?Backpacking-Travel-Tips&id=240773
Alright guys so hopefully you get the idea. Basically what you need to get from reading this is that you need to use some common sense when planning for your outdoor backpack trip. Make sure you have what you need, and not too much of it. Well that’s it for today keep reading!
Technorati Tags: backpacking, hiking backpack, outdoor backpack
Today you hear a lot about packing the lightest you possibly can, and making sure you buy the lightest equipment you possibly can. Well today I would like to share an article with you about trying lto load down your outdoor backpack with all the stuff you’ve always wanted to bring. Yes it’s a stretch from the main stream outdoor scence, but why not let yourself indulge a little now and then. You only live once anyway right?
Camping comfort goes heavy on the gear
By Deb Acord, Special to the Rocky
Want to know which of your friends is into ultra-light camping? He’s the one with the postal scale on his kitchen counter. These disciples of deprivation weigh their gear obsessively before every trip.
Ultra-light fans have overtaken camping and backpacking in recent years, resulting in an industrywide race to create light, lighter and lightest gear.
I know about these people because I was one. But one day, I put away the postal scale. I began planning a new kind of camping trip. One with espresso. A favorite wine to go with the cheese. A luxurious mattress. A tent roomy enough to stand in. Real pillows. A stove elaborate enough to make whole-wheat pancakes and eggs and bacon.
I know we’ve veered dangerously away from ultra-light backpacking here. But in the interest of research, we decided to give this approach - the antithesis of ultra-light camping - a try.
Call it ultra-heavy. Call it ultra-luxurious. Call it ultra-comfortable.
Now this is camping.
REI’s Hobitat 6 tent
* Why we like it: The name got us interested, but the bulbous shape and promise of room to stretch out won us over. This tent has a rectangular floor plan, and allows a 6-foot-tall person to stand upright in the center. This is a car-camping tent and not really suited to extreme conditions.
* Available: $299; vestibule, $99; footprint (ground tarp), $45. rei.com
Kelty Basecamp Kitchen
* Why we like it: The Kelty features a zippered pantry area, aluminum frame, and a sturdy surface for food preparation. Want to throw in the kitchen sink? You can with this system that has an optional freestanding soft-side basin with retractable drying racks. And how about a cooler? Kelty’s soft-sided variety holds up to 28 12-ounce cans.
* Available: $160, kelty.com
WearEver Aluminum Deluxe Backpacker Lounger/Beach Chair
*Why we like it: Wish you could put up your feet to watch your favorite show — the campfire? Now you can, with this cool chair. It’s a four-position recliner with a padded footrest and pillow headrest.
* Available: $49.99, dickssportinggoods.com, sportsauthority.com
Victorinox Swiss Champ
* Why we like it: This isn’t the biggest Swiss Army knife around. That one, Wenger’s Giant, has 85 implements, including a cupped cigar cutter, tire gauge and telescopic pointer (and costs $1,400). But the Victorinox Swiss Champ is sure to impress your camping friends and give you hours of entertainment around the campfire as you try to figure out its two dozen functions. Fish scaler, anyone?
* Available: $88, swissarmy.com, target.com, rei.com
Zodi Hot Tap On Demand
* Why we like it: Sure, it won’t kill you to camp for a weekend without showering. But wouldn’t it be nice to freshen up for the twilight happy hour? The Zodi hot shower is the ultimate luxury gear. Using propane and four D batteries, it heats water in a storage case that holds enough for a 10-minute shower.
* Available: $149.95. zodi.com
Handpresso Wild hand-pump espresso machine
* Why we like it: If you’re an espresso fan, you need this. You really need this. The machine promises a strong cup with a perfect crema (foam). Pump it like a bicycle pump to build up pressure. Boil some water, add it to the machine, throw in a coffee pod and release the pressure. Ahhh.
* Available: $149.99, will be available at amazon.com
Rio Director’s Chair
* Why we like it: Admit it - you miss your favorite chair when you’re camping. If only you could relax and hold your drink and put your head back . . . in comfort. You can with this chair that features a padded seat, arms and a built-in table with drink holder.
* Available: $49.99, at Bass Pro Shops at Northfield in Stapleton; basspro.com
Coleman Bone Lounger dog cot
* Why we like it: You can’t just sit there in your comfy camp chair and let your dog lie on the hard ground can you? Of course not. The cot features heavy-duty polyester draped over a steel frame.
* Available: $34.99, coleman.com, sportsauthority.com
Coleman Rugged Rechargeable Family Size Lantern
* Why we like it: This lantern doesn’t need priming, or even fuel. Its adapters are stored inside its base, and you can recharge it from any 120-volt AC outlet or 12-volt DC port. It gives you a pleasant six hours on high or nine hours on low.
* Available: $34.99, Target (target.com), other sporting goods stores, coleman.com
Thermarest Dream Time mattress
* Why we like it: I realized years ago that camping trips weren’t going to be the time to catch up on sleep. That might all change with this mattress. This is a premium mattress - 3 inches thick with open-cell thermal foam, a cover of four-way stretch fabric and a layer of memory foam. The large weighs in at 6 pounds 13 ounces.
* Available: Large, $179.96; extra large, $199.95. thermarest.com, rei.com
Kelsyus Outdoor Table
* Why we like it: Sitting on the ground or balancing a plate on your lap is so uncomfortable. Why not take a picnic table with you on your next camping trip? The Kelsyus Outdoor Table folds up when you aren’t using it. At your campsite, just unfold. The table and seats are mesh (each bench can hold 400 pounds) which makes them quick-drying, though not resistant to high temperatures.
* Available: $119, rei.com
The Century matchless grill and stove
* Why we like it: The newest generation of camping stoves features a burner and a grill. This grill and stove features a 13-by-10 inch grill and a large burner. It has push-button lighting and a wind screen and operates on a 16.4-ounce propane cylinder.
* Available: $79.95. centurycamping.com, rei.com
By Deb Acord, Special to the Rocky
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/aug/11/camping-comfort-goes-heavy-on-the-gear/
Okay so your outdoor backpack may be a little loaded down, but if you don’t spoil yourself who will?
Need a backpack that can handle both leisurely family camping trips and serious hiking adventures alike? This red Teton Fox 75+10L internal frame backpack, outfitted with dual aluminum stays, contoured shoulder, lumbar, and hip pads, take undue stress off your back and shoulders, while maintaining a roomy 5,187-cubic inch expandable top loading compartment. Not to mention the 2 hide away compartments, hydration system compatibility, and an attached waterproof rain fly. Get yours today!
Ok, so you just went out and bought that nice new spendy name brand outdoor Backpack, you have all your gear ready to go and the dog sitter has enough kibbles and bits to feed your dog a week ten times over. You go on your week long camping or backpacking vacation and of course what do you bring back with you? A muddy, smelly and all around filthy, rather pricy, but filthy nontheless backpack. What do you do now, live with the smell of backpack aged bannana bread? You just bought it so obviously getting a new one is out of the question. Well you guessed it outdoor gurus you gotta clean the thing. Read this great article by Adam Carter about cleaning your outdoor backpack.
Outdoor Gear Care Tips - How to Clean a Backpack Like a Pro
By Adam Carter
You tried, after that last hiking “incident” you swore it would never happen again. But who could have guessed that the rock would have been so slippery? Now, your best backpack is filthy, dirty both inside and out. And it’s still sitting outdoors because of the spoiled food smells. What should you do now: clean it or throw it away? Once you know how to clean a backpack using the following tips, you never have to worry about throwing a “nasty” backpack ever again.
Cleaning a Backpack Inside
• Turn the backpack completely inside out. If it has metal stays, remove them and set them aside. Dump any debris out onto a newspaper. Use a soft brush to clean off any dried dirt or residue. If you have one available you can always, use a vacuum with a brush attachment.
• Wash off the interior using a little mild detergent with a damp sponge or cloth.
• Be sure to clean in all the nooks and crannies and seams. Use an old toothbrush to dig in deep.
• Rinse using cold water and clean sponge or cloth.
• Use paper towels to dry the interior of the bag completely.
Cleaning a Backpack Outside
1. Turn the backpack right side out now. Use a dry brush to remove any loose dirt or dried mud.
2. Wash off the exterior using a little mild detergent (dishwashing liquid with degreaser) with a damp sponge or cloth.
3. Be sure to clean in all the pockets, flaps and seams. Use an old toothbrush to clean around the edging.
4. Rinse using cold water and clean sponge or cloth. You can submerge the whole pack into tub of cold water or use a hand held shower head or hose to remove all traces of soap both inside and out.
5. Hang the backpack upside down to air dry for several days, preferably outdoors. DO NOT use the dryer.
6. If the backpack is still funky smelling, spray with Fabreze® or hunters’ Scent-A-Way®. But be careful because these may remove waterproofing chemicals like Scotch-Guard ®
7. Store in a cool dry place. Don’t cover with plastic.
Cleaning a Camping Backpack in the Washer (if all else fails)
• DO NOT soak in soapy water. This could cause the layers of the backpack to delaminate or any waterproofing to deteriorate.
• Follow the steps 1-3 from above.
• Place the backpack in the washer. Wash with cold water only on the delicate cycle with a very mild laundry detergent (Ivory Flakes or Woolite). Rinse and let air dry for several days.
• NOTE: This method is for using at the last resort ONLY. Cleaning a camping backpack in the washer can cause the materials in the pack to fall apart. So machine wash at your own risk!
Backpack Zipper Care
Clean a backpack zipper is really easy. First, use an old toothbrush to clean out any sand, salt or dirt and mud from the zipper teeth. Vacuum if necessary to remove debris. Trim any stray or loose threads to prevent tangling. Spray very lightly with a silicone spray, occasionally to lube.
Now that you know how to clean your best backpack, you never have to toss out a malodorous backpack again.
In-depth information and a complete guide to selecting the best backpack Providing you with all you need to know in regards to a vast array of backpacks from hiking backpacks to office backpacks and plenty more.
Article Source:Carter, A. (2008, August 6). Outdoor Gear Care Tips - How to Clean a Backpack Like a Pro. Retrieved August 17, 2008, from http://ezinearticles.com/?Outdoor-Gear-Care-Tips—How-to-Clean-a-Backpack-Like-a-Pro&id=1387337
Well there you have it folks, for more in depth information on outdoor backpack gear click here
Technorati Tags: backpacking, hiking backpack, outdoor backpack
What kind of vacation can you go on where you dont need your 401k to pay for gas, and you come back healthier and more rejuvinated than before you left? Well short from a Richard Simmons convention your options may seem rather limited. A good ol’ backpacking trip can provide you with both of those vacation oddities while getting the chance to see beautiful countryside, mountains, clear as glass lakes and the always breath taking views you stumble across. In a story that I came accross today a couple from California decided to plan a week long backpacking trip through the Russian Wilderness, and Marble Mountains in Northern California. A route that would take them past dozens of high-mountain lakes.
“Fourteen lakes in seven days” was the goal of the McLains, attempting to swim in at least two different lakes a day.
For any of you outdoorsmen out there you know that it can be one of the greatest, also rather chilly, experiences to swim through fresh and clear mountain lake water.
The only problem is that when you are in the wilderness mother nature seems to always give you little obstacles to test your worthiness of her beauty. Some times this can be in the form of a rainy day, stale bread, a dead battery, you get the point. In the McLains case they were lucky enough to be submerged into a mosquito haven. At one point they considered bagging the whole outdoor thing and making way to Vegas. They decided to stick it out however and trek on in hopes that the hike would be worth the itchy bites. Every morning they just climbed out of the tent, lathered a little deet on, and put on the coffee, sipping as they looked the map over choosing the trails that would take them to different lakes. They always made a point to find views from ridgetops and high grounds along the way. It seemed their choice paid off as they also got a better workout and came accross fewer insect assailents along the way.They also climbed to the top of a mounain that they had long awed over from afar.
One thing we can learn from the McLains is that there still are healthy natural ways to vacation and they can be some of the most rewarding times of your life. Although they can be relatively cheap, and should be, there is still one very important aspect of backpacking. I’ll give you a hint, it’s in the name. Right, it is the outdoor backpack that you choose to use! Think of it this way, without a toothbrush, it simply becomes near to impossible to brush your teeth. It can be done, but usually results in repulsive breath or worse, cavities. Well a backpack is the same way without it it’s near impossible to travel outdoors and without a decent outdoor backpack you can get very straining back aches or rubs from straps. By no means am I saying you should go out and buy the most expensive backpack with more bells and whistles than a swiss army knife, but it is definatley something you should take into consideration and mabey spend some time learning about to find one that meets your needs, and your budget. To read some more about the McClains and their outdoor backpack adventure click here.
Technorati Tags: outdoor backpack
