This last weekend, I hosted an Intro to Backpacking workshop with Hudson Valley Hikers. The idea of the event was to allow future backpackers to see and feel real gear in the real world. Each of our hosts brought one or more of their favorite tents. Students were able to watch them set up and then crawl inside to get a feel. They especially liked hanging in the hammock! Continue reading Intro to Backpacking – Recommended Tents
Tag Archives: Zpacks
Intro to Backpacking – Recommended Backpacks
This last weekend, I hosted an Intro to Backpacking workshop with Hudson Valley Hikers. The idea of the event was to allow future backpackers to see and feel real gear in the real world. Our hosts brought several popular backpacks loaded with common equipment. Each pack was fully loaded as if for a weekend-long backpacking trip. The equipment ranged from “bought everything I saw in the store” to “who needs a toothbrush anyway?” The students had the opportunity to carry each of these packs and experience the impact of weight and pack design. Here are some of the packs that were present: Continue reading Intro to Backpacking – Recommended Backpacks
Tents for Claustrophobic Backpackers
Cyrus asked me to suggest tents for claustrophobic backpackers. Cyrus will be attending my upcoming Intro to Backpacking event at Harriman State Park. It’s an even that I’m hosting with Hudson Valley Hikers, the largest outdoor Meetup group in the world. Cyrus asks:
What are the lightest tents and with the highest height? I need high heights as i get a little claustrophobic.
Minimum Size Backpack for Backpacking
Several participants in my upcoming Intro to Backpacking event have asked me to suggest a minimum size backpack for backpacking. The answer isn’t as straight forward as it may seem, so I’m going to talk about several different pack sizes that work for me for different tripsthroughout the year. It is important to note that I usually carry minimalist style gear. I also know that I’m prone to over-pack if my pack is too large, so I always go for the smallest possible backpack. Continue reading Minimum Size Backpack for Backpacking