Backpacking 1-2-3-4
Beginner Backpacking Made
Easy
In this award-winning guide, Backpacking
Expert Chris Townsend has the low-down on what
you must know before you ever leave for your backpacking trip.
Get essential advice on trip planning, skills,
techniques & gear, long and short distance hikes, worldwide
adventure trekking - from beginner to advanced backpackers,
this is probably the best investment you can make.
What you'll find out >>
- How to prepare for the trail, avoiding
backpacking skills and hazards, the best way to
cook
- Choosing the right backpacking
equipment, backpacking packs, and how to
carry your load
- Keeping warm and dry: dressing for the
wilderness, best footwear & travel gear,
shelter
- Adventures backpacking abroad
& more >>
Backpacking Made
Easy
-
Backpacking
Checklist
Where to Go: Backpacking Trips &
Trails
Hiking &
Trekking Vacations
Hiking Half
Dome at Yosemite
National Park
Although I am afraid of heights, I wanted to challenge myself
by climbing to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park.
The hike is incredible and really rewarding, even if you don't
make it to the very top. Here are some good tips and things to
know, if you haven't done this trek before:
According to the Sports &
Fitness Editor at eHow, you want to begin training for your
half Dome excursion 2 months in advance. Take 8+ mile hikes or
walks at least once a week, try including elevation gains of
3,000+ feet. (Half Dome is 17 miles round trip).
Climb stairs whenever you can, take
2 stairs at a time if you can. Do pull-ups or other upper body
exercises for the last 700 feet of the Half Dome hike, where
you are pulling yourself up cables on the side of the Dome.
This requires lots of arm strength. Work on your grip by
squeezing tennis balls, you need a good grip climbing up the
cables.
Wear good gripping hiking boots or
shoes and carry a day pack with water. When you hike Half Dome,
choose a day that has a lot of daylight and leave early in the
day. If you can, arrive in Yosemite a day or 2 before your
climb so you can acclimate yourself to the higher altitude. Try
to avoid the high season, holidays or weekends when lots of
people will be crowding the cable line up the dome. And lastly,
dress in layers, bring food, water, a raincoat or waterproof
jacket, sunscreen and gloves for the cables.
Recommended
Destination Trail
Books
 The Secrets to
Ultralight Backpacking
Find out what every backpacker wants to know - how your
backpack, sleeping bag, stove and tent can weigh less
than 5 pounds - combined! Learn some pretty amazing
tips from backpacking expert Ronald Hubbard, including a
complete backpacking checklist. He also talks about essential
health and safety tips, making a first aid kit and more. Click
here >> Ultralight
Backpacking Secrets
Who to Go With: Backpacking
Clubs
- Hiking
& Backpacking
Clubs that you can join
across the USA, conveniently categorized by state.
Become a regular member or participate in single
hikes.
- Volunteer Hiking
Vacations with the American
Hiking Society and REI. Help revitalize trails on
organized day trips or overnight backcountry camping
trips. Do what you love, explore new territory,
discover more friends and make a worthwhile
contribution all at the same time!
- Find
People to Backpack With
Find people in your area who are interested in
backpacking, and make new friends who enjoy spending
time in the wilderness as much as you do.
- Plan a trip with your friends! Use this unique
online group travel planner to organize
Backpacking
Getaways | Classic Group Hiking
Trips or browse hundreds of
other cool trip ideas to help you book your
trip.
Backpacking Articles
What to Get: Backpacking Gear
Video: Backpacks for
Camping
Camping
Tents + Tarps, Screen
Rooms
Navigation
GPS, Pedometers, Altimeters,
Compasses, Maps, Binoculars
Camping
Stoves + Fuel
Canisters
Camping
Cookware Pots
& Pans, Utensils, Lanterns, Food
Storage
Sleeping
Bags Down, Synthetic, Liners
Nighttime Hiking? Get
the LED
Micro Headlamp
See and be seen during nighttime
activities - whether you're hiking, jogging, biking or simply
wandering around in the dark, this multi-use lightweight
headlamp is really convenient and comfortable. It has an
adjustable angle headlamp so you can put the light where you
need it.
The light is super bright while
being almost 10 times as energy efficient as standard lights.
Conveniently water resistant and shockproof - plus with up to
100,000 hours of service from this high-intensity LED, you'll
have to wait quite a while before you have to buy another
headlamp! I love mine!
Oh, did I mention it comes with a
neoprene carrying case?
Online Special >> LED Micro
Headlamp
Hiking & Backpacking
Organizations: American Hiking
Society | Sierra Club
| National
Parks
| 
