Tent Review: Big Agnes Seedhouse SL2–ultralight, full weather protection
August 4, 2008
Choosing the Right Ultra Light Tent
June 4, 2008
The tent—perhaps the fulcrum of ultra light upon which the total weight and overall efficacy of your set up balances. The tent can easily be the heaviest, most cumbersome piece of equipment in your rig. It can also be your most important piece. Bottom line, picking the right tent is a huge step toward ensuring effective, functional and lightweight backpacking.
Although, you can save some space and pounds with a bivy or tarp, neither one can offer the protection and comfort of a tent. Certain climates/environments demand that protection. Also, if you don’t like things crawling on you in your sleep and don’t like to be caught in a storm with nowhere to go, a tent is the only way to go.
Finding the Right Balance
While weight is important function is more important; if a tent doesn’t do what it is supposed to you might as well pitch it into the river and save some real weight. For my money, the most important aspect of any tent is its ability to hold up to the weather and keep me dry and comfortable. After all, this is really why we pack a tent in the first place. I’ve read a lot of reviews about ultra light tents that allow water to leak all over. What the hell good is that? Great I’ve shaved 2 lbs. off of my overall weight but have spent the entire trip getting abused by the weather. Oh, and I gained back those two pounds after the first storm when all of my gear became waterlogged. Useless.
Another aspect of function is actually being able to fit into your tent and having the comfort level that you desire. Personally, I find the only way to get a real feel for tent fit is to actually pitch it and give it a try. Square footage and measurements can be difficult to properly visualize and, although reviews are helpful, everyone varies as far as their own size and comfort level. You’d be well advised to figure out who you’re going to be backpacking with and find a tent with enough space. Ultralight tents save pounds by limiting materials (space), so if you’re going on a weeklong trek with your college rugby buddy you might want to consider a 3 man tent, or separate tents (on the other hand if you’re looking to seal the deal with that cutie from class a tight fit might just help you out).
A good camping retailer should allow you to test the tent in the store so that you can size it up properly. If your local retailer doesn’t have what you’re looking for or you prefer to shop online, be sure to use an online vendor with a liberal return policy, this way you can try the tent out and return it if it doesn’t fit your needs. REI, LL Bean and Backcountry.com are a few retailers with excellent return policies.
Obviously weight is your bottom line here, it is ultra light after all. Size is also important, as you want to minimize the size and weight of your backpack itself—smaller tent, smaller backpack. Pay close attention to the packed weight and size, as this indicates what you’ll actually be carrying on your back. If you’re travelling solo, you can find 1 man tents for under 3lbs. Two man tents will be slightly heavier, but you can generally find a good selection of tents coming in around the 31/2-4 lbs. range. Size varies greatly depending upon tent, but I’d recommend looking to keep it under 20” in length and as short as possible (a foot or foot and a half would be ideal). Be sure to measure against the backpack you’re thinking about using to see how it will fit/how much room you’ll have for the rest of your gear.
Smaller Considerations
Although function and weight are the most important factors in choosing an ultra light tent there are a couple of other things that might be important to you. Ease of set up—could mean the difference from getting a tent pitched just as the first drops of rain hit your dome and getting drenched while cursing every individual piece of your tent. Seam sealing –this is a pet peeve for me; if I’m paying hundreds of dollars for a tent I expect it to be ready to hit the trail out of the box, especially when it comes to something as important as sealed seams. I don’t want to have to rely on my own unproven sealing skills to make sure that water isn’t seeping in. Seems like common sense, but apparently not—some expensive, top end tents are not factory sealed. If you don’t mind sealing, no big deal, but if you’ve never done it and don’t especially want to learn—put your money into a factory sealed tent. Ventilation—many an ultra light tent seals up like a vacuum, providing little fresh air or ventilation. If you want to breathe the mountain air or check out the stars overhead choose a tent with some mesh.
The struggle between weight and function is one that rages on. The key for the first time ultra lighter is finding a tent that holds up to the conditions that he ventures into and is light and compact enough for his hiking needs. Spend some time reading our reviews to see what tent might best meet your individual needs.
Adventuring outside of State Parks - Know the difference!
May 6, 2008
State parks provide a safe and fun place for many individuals and families to camp, but they lack the adventure of the backcountry. Taking the leap to camp beyond the boundaries of your state park in park backcountry or on forest service lands should not be taken lightly. The unique challenges of backcountry camping can provide a deeper connection to nature and a personal adventure, but staying safe, staying alive, and protecting the environment require greater knowledge in the backcountry.
Trip Planning Maps, Permits, and the Little Details.
Planning a trip to your local park can be as easy as following a road map and picking up a map at the park office. In the backcountry, a good map is essential, and sometimes multiple maps are needed.
The maps that you will need are dependant on the type of trip you are taking. For example, there are backcountry regions of several national parks where trails are well marked and well traveled. The parks publish maps and trail descriptions online that are sufficient for short weekend trips during peak season. However, the same trail may not be easily navigated in the winter. USGS topographic maps show the lay of the land and water locations. They’re sold at outfitter shops and also online (http://topomaps.usgs.gov/).
Popular backcountry trips, like Appalachian Trail hikes, often have guidebooks that describe each leg of a trail in detail and have specialized maps. Check your local bookstore or search online for a good guide. Also, search the Internet, because many people post descriptions of their trips, which can help you decide if a trip is for you, and can guide you while on the trail.
When camping in a state park, the first step is to register at the park office, and in the backcountry, there is a similar protocol. National parks require hikers to purchase inexpensive backcountry permits. Some wilderness areas, such as the Adirondack Park Wilderness, have additional registries located at certain trailheads. It’s important to register properly before beginning a backcountry trip so that you can be found in an emergency.
State parks list rules on park pamphlets and on signs. While “leave no trace” is always rule number one for the backcountry, there can be other regulations for a specific area. These rules can usually be found online, and might include mandatory use of bear canisters, or may ban pets on the trail.
Safety It’s in your hands
You can count on the state park ranger to be prepared for emergencies and to keep campers safe, but backcountry rangers may have hundreds of miles to cover. You need to be prepared for any crisis. Consider getting advanced first aid training in a Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course before heading out into the woods.
Wilderness areas are, well, wild, and they have a range of animal life. While most animals avoid humans, it’s important to know what potential problems might be, so that you can plan appropriately.
Additionally, always stay on the trail. Walking off trail damages delicate wild vegetation, and leaving the trail increases your chance of getting lost.
Food, Water, and More
The state park is a great place to camp with an ice-filled cooler, but in the backcountry, things are more difficult. A water filter and purification tablets need to be carried into the backcountry. Always pump water from the clearest source possible to avoid clogging the filter. Purification tablets are needed just in case the filter breaks. It is also important to carry enough water to make it to the next spring or stream.
Since you will be carrying your garbage for the entire trip, minimize food packaging whenever possible. While most cooking is done on a camp stove, some areas allow fire building. Keep fires small, and only collect downed wood that can be broken by hand. Use established fire rings, if available.
The showers and toilets of the state campground may seem like pure luxury after weeks in the backcountry. Pack-in-pack-out applies to all things, including toilet paper and other hygiene items. Delicate alpine regions require packing out human waste. Instructions for making your own “poop tube” can be found on the internet, or you can purchase a commercial product for this purpose, like the Phillips Environmental Products Waste Bag Kit, which turns waste into an odorless gel.
Have fun, and remember: proper preparation can make your first backcountry trip a great adventure, leaps and bounds above your favorite state park camping trip.
By Ian Larsen: To reprint or redistribute this article you must get written permission from by emailing gear @ cascadegear.com - Copyright 2008 - CascadeGear.com
25,000 Miles of Long Distance Hikes in the US
September 12, 2007
Long distance hikes are what I consider trails that are 1,000 miles or longer. Here are a list of the known and organized hikes in the US, with a link to their wikipedia address and organization or association website.
Continental Divide Trail: 3,100 Miles
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_Divide_Trail
CDT Alliance
Appalachian Trail: 2,000 Miles
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachian_trail
Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association
Pacific Crest Trail: 2,600 Miles
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Crest_Trail
Pacific Crest Trail Association
Buckeye Trail: 1,450 Miles
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckeye_Trail
Buckeye Trail Association
Great Western Trail: 4,445 Miles
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Western_Trail
Great Western Trail
American Discovery Trail: 6,800 Miles
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Discovery_Trail
American Discovery Trail Society
Pacific Northwest Trail: 1,200 Miles
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Northwest_Trail
Pacific Northwest Trail Association
Florida Trail: 1,400 Miles
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_Trail
Florida Trail Association
North Country National Scenic Trail: 4,600 Miles
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Country_Trail
North Country Trail Association
Ice Age Trail: 1,200 Miles
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_Age_Trail
Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation
East Coast Greenway: 3,000 Miles
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Coast_Greenway
East Coast Greenway Alliance
Yo-Yo’ing the Continental Divide Trail: Francis Tapon
September 12, 2007
Francis Tapon is working on a yo yo (hiking the trail from start to finish, and then turn around and end at the start) of the Continental Divide Trail. Although a large percentage of the trail is undeveloped, it is approximately 3,100 miles in one direction, for Francis Tapon, it’s 6,200 miles. Running from Mexico to Canada through Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.
He is hiking with under 7 lbs (Tapon: CDT Gear List), not including water and food weight. His pack is a Gossamer Gear G5 (7.9 oz), inside gear ranges from GoLite clothing, Mountain Laurel Design Tarps, and some other creative gear solutions.
He is the author of:
Hike Your Own Hike: 7 Life Lessons from Backpacking Across America
References:
Check out his Podcast on BackpackingLight.com
http://www.francistapon.com/
Social Hiking and Backpacking
September 4, 2007
One of the coolest things about hiking is the people you meet. Most are wonderful people, motivated and driven to finish. Finding these people off of the trail and meeting them for a day hike is a solid way to build great friendships. Meetup.com has hiking groups for almost all major cities in the US.
Minneapolis’ has 675 members (18 of which participated in the last hike).
Seattle has over 1000 in their hiking group.
Go to Meetup.com and search for your local group. It’s free and fun to meet new people.
Training your feet for long distance hiking
August 21, 2007
Conditioning your feet for long distance hiking is merely a matter of…hiking. Nothing replaces getting out on the trail with weight bouncing off rocks and pushing yourself. I do find it difficult and sometimes I am too lazy to put all my equipment together, but I know I need to work up some miles to condition both my feet and my body for my upcoming long distance hikes.
Here are some ideas on how to get your feet happy…
1) Hike Barefoot for a few miles on the weekend. This is a great way to really put some stress on your toes, a short distance during the weekend or evening will go a long way to training. A bit awkward in some parts of the world I know. Try this product out. Vibram: FiveFingers Classic. These are just enough protection for rocks and such and will can really ease the pain of breaking in your feet.
2. When on training hikes, ALWAYS wear your sock/shoe combination that you would on the PCT. When trained in your exact gear your feet will begin to find the sweet spot and your comfort level will go way up.
3. Short trail runs. Awesome way to get the blood in your feet pumping and help them tighten up.
4. Heavy weighted day hikes. Strengthens your back, legs, upper body and definetly trains your feet for abuse.
5. Back to back training days. Up to about a month before you are leaving, start taking back to back hikes of 15-20 miles, with your pack weight. This is probably the most important means of training your feet (and your body) for the hike ahead.
6. Signup for the FixingYourFeet newsletter! This site is filled with quality articles, tips and products on preventing and taking care of your feet and blisters.
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