Backpacking

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October 27, 2010 by Jonsky

For those who care so much about lightweight backpacking, the bivy is a good choice for shelter because it’s lightweight, quick and easy to set up and you get to look at the stars while you try to fall asleep.

It may not be a good idea in bear country though because those who sleep in the open (like you would in a bivy sack) are more likely to be attacked by bear than those who sleep in a tent. Of course a tent is no guarantee that you’ll be safe from bear attacks but it’s a serious psychological barrier for a bear looking for food.

More at Backpacker

September 13, 2010 by Jonsky

Would you let something as beautiful as this spoiled by oil drilling?

Backpacking America’s Last True Wilderness from Eric Rorer on Vimeo.

A two-week backpack in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge offers a glimpse of what’s at stake if this remote wilderness is opened to oil drilling.

August 2, 2010 by Jonsky

A Double Wall Tent

Single-wall tens, as the name suggests, are tents that only have a single wall that acts as a barrier against the weather. Double-wall tents are tents with an inner mesh wall covered by a waterproof rainfly. Both can be used for backpacking. But which one is right for you?

There are 5 reasons why  you’d want to choose Single-Wall Tents:

1. You don’t mind getting wet in the middle of the night when it starts to rain on you from the inside soaking your sleeping bag and pad
2. You’re camping in a dry environment where condensation is not very likely.
3. You love to keep your backpack light so you can hike further, faster and with less effort.
4. They’re cheaper than double-wall tents
5. They’re much easier to set-up than double-wall tents

And there are 5 reasons why you should choose Double-Wall Tents:

1. You’re only happy when you sleep dry
2. The extra weight is worth having a good night’s sleep
3. You’re going to camp in a humid environment
4. There’s no backpacking involved
5. You can afford a double-wall tent that’s lighter than some single-wall tents

For more information, read Single Wall Tents and Double Wall Tents.

You can mimic a double-wall tent with a bivvy and a tarp tent.

July 15, 2010 by Jonsky

We have two candidates for the world’s most dangerous hike. First is Mount Hua or Mount Huashan in China. Watch the video below. It’s pretty awesome!

Next candidate is the El Camino del Rey in Malaga, Spain. Just watching the video below gives me goosebumps. I think this one takes the cake. It hasn’t been maintained for quite a long time and that’s why I think it’s far more dangerous. The guy is not even wearing a harness. Enjoy!

July 14, 2010 by Jonsky

I wanted to show this because it really is mesmerizing. Imagine you’re there. I’ve been to Scotland before and the sights are simply breathtaking, perfect for backpacking and it’s pretty safe too. You’re not likely to encounter a bear. Taken from Cottages Scotland.

July 14, 2010 by Jonsky

Energy bars can really give you a boost in energy when you’re backpacking. Preparing them yourself is easier that you might think. Try these simple recipes to start with – Granola Nut Protein, Honey Trail Mix, Orange.

June 15, 2010 by Jonsky

The very sleek KOR ONE water bottle was featured in Ironman 2 so there’s a high cool factor there. If you’re backpacking, the slim design makes it fit easily into the side pockets of your backpack. It’s also BPA free.

Check out some of the reviews on this high quality water bottle:

You can get the KOR ONE from Amazon.

October 22, 2009 by Jonsky

Hiking is tough on the knees, especially when you’re carrying a heavy backpack. Even when you’re young, it’s wise to go easy on your knees so that at a later age you can still enjoy hiking.

Thank God for trekking poles. By using these, you take some of the pressure off your legs when you’re walking. They give you a boost when you go uphill, absorb some of the impact as you go downhill and give you a better workout.

Trekking poles also help you establish a rhythm when you hike. Your hike becomes much more efficient when you have rhythm.

The trekking pole is one such important backpacking equipment.

June 14, 2009 by Jonsky

To tell you the truth I’d much rather buy my down sleeping bag or quilt because I’m not the kind of guy who would do this thing. If you’re interested, backpackinglight.com made an article with great detail on how you can make one yourself.

It costs around $50-$250 to make and weighs around 550-900 grams. Contruction time amounts to 10-15 hours if you know what you’re doing. The article covers:

• Materials
• Sources of materials
• How much of material is required
• Stuffing
• Quilt design
• Construction details

May 27, 2009 by Jonsky

2009 is the year of camping revival some might say and they could be right. With reports flying everywhere about how big and trendy camping is, stores are having a hard time keeping up with demand for camping gear.

There are two types of camping. Wild camping is camping in the outdoors away from civilization and there won’t be any of the facilities in an organized campground. It’s also referred to as technical camping and you’re limited to what you have in your backpack.

The other type of camping is called family camping and backpacking is optional. It’s easier than technical camping and the campgrounds are usually close to lakes and rivers.

The difference between family camping and wild camping is not just about the level of difficulty and location. In wild camping, it is ideal that you have small and lightweight camping equipment. In family camping, people usually arrive in their vehicles so they can pretty much carry everything under the sun. Family campers can also use whatever they have at home as camping gear.

However, they do have at least one thing in common; tents, sleeping bags and camping cookware e.g. camp stoves are the most expensive things they need to have. And because the lighter and smaller the equipment the more expensive it is, wild campers have a bigger bill when they first start out.

For family camping, the biggest considerations for a tent are space and comfort. First it has to at least accomodate the number of people to share the tent with plus one more. In general, the more space the better the comfort.

Cabin tents have nearly vertical walls and high ceilings and often comes with bug-proof netting, large rain flies, ventilation windows and even separate rooms. This type of tent has the best headroom compared to any other type of tent.

Dome tents are smaller but they still have a good amount of headroom. They’re easier to set up and often less expensive than cabin tents. Dome tents also fare better in wind and rain because they have a low profile.

Both types of tents are heavy and bulky and therefore not ideal for backpacking. Solo hikers either go for bivvies, 1 person tents or 2 person tents if they want comfort. Dome tents are less popular with backpackers because they tend to be too heavy.

As for sleeping bags, rectangular ones are more popular with family campers because they have more room to move about in. You can also zip them together to form a double bag.

Technical campers almost always prefer mummy sleeping bags because they’re lighter in general and does a better job in keeping you warm especially if there’s a hood. There are two types of insulation in sleeping bags; down and synthetic. Down sleeping bags are lighter and more effective but it can get too hot if the temperature is not cool enough. Synthetic sleeping bags are heavier and less effective in retaining heat but they keep their insulation properties even when wet and when they do get wet, they dry very easily.

A camping mat is one of the essential camping gear because even if your sleeping bag is effective, you still lose a lot of heat to the cold ground. Family campers like to use inflatable air mattresses along with battery powered pumps. Camping cots are also a popular option.

Backpackers on the other hand love to use self-inflating pads like Therm-a-Rest. They’re lighter and packs very small.

As for camping cookware, family campers can pretty much use whatever they have at home. They often carry coolers filled with their favorite food and drinks. An open fire is better suited for barbeques but it’s still much more easier and practical to use camp stoves for general cooking instead.

Wild campers have to be careful with their camping cookware so as not to carry too much and be a burden. Non-stick pans and pots are essential for easy cleaning. Propane stoves are popular with new wild campers because they’re very easy to use.