Best hikes, treks, tramps in the world.
Our 10 episode video series – Lightweight & Ultralight Backpacking Foundations – and our Gear Recommendations eBook are the complete learning package for any backpacker interested in lightweight backpacking, thru-hiking, or simply carrying a more comfortable pack.
$24.95
details
Click PLAY or watch an introduction YouTube.
So far I’m liking the inexpensive Canon PowerShot SX160 IS
16x zoom
AA batteries
About $100-140 on Amazon right now.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Leave a comment if you have any AA battery powered alternatives.
It fits on a standard gas canister. It gives power via heat and a fuel-cell mechanism. The HALO is a to-be-released camping product made to recharge small gadgets in the woods. …
That’s a Kickstarter project.
Thanks Warren.
related – Can You Really Generate Electricity with a Hiking Boot?
SolePower began a Kickstarter campaign this week
Figured that I might as well see how it was to set up our (expected) West Coast Trail tents in the rain. This was a good thing to do. The good tent got pretty wet inside, before I got the fly on. Next time I will be much faster getting the fly on correctly the first time….
The old tent is old, and the fly is no longer water tight. I ended up with puddles inside it after it had been in the rain for a few hours. I have now purchased and sprayed on some new waterproofing. Time for another test.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Gear Junkie:
Tarp Blocks Rain, Collects Water for you to Drink
That’s a kickstarter project.
Thanks Warren.
… there may be a big disadvantage to sleeping in a shelter versus choosing a tent. Hantavirus! This nasty affliction is spread by rodents, especially mice. Mice habituate shelters, and hikers tolerate them. …
Privacy – You aren’t a stuffed sardine when it gets crowded.
Warmth – A tent with a rainfly is warmer than an open shelter.
Better Sleep – You are not poked, or kicked, or outsnored.
No Mice – Those critters can drive you nuts!
Stephen Regenold:
It weighs just 7 ounces and is 5 inches tall. The phone body is made rugged for the outdoors. Announced today, Spot LLC will start selling a satellite phone for $499 this week. …
The phone has an optional data kit to connect it to a computer, letting you get online to check and respond to emails, upload photos, or post to Facebook from deep in the wilderness. …
The battery will last for 4 hours of talk time (36 hours on standby) before it needs a recharge.
Calling plans start at 25 cents a minute (and $149.99 for monthly unlimited voice) when the phone goes on sale this month online and at retailers now including REI, Cabela’s, West Marine, Eastern Mountain Sports, Gander Mtn, Bass Pro Shop, and Sportman’s Warehouse.
Call from Anywhere. SPOT launches Satellite Phone for Outdoors
trip report by editor Rick McCharles
I knew next to nothing about PCT hiking strategy.
But it seemed a no brainer to catch one of the many available Angel rides up to Mt Laguna at mile 43. And hike downhill to Lake Morena at mile 20 … rather than uphill.
Yet very few hikers did so.
Beautiful country.
I passed hundreds of sweaty, hot thru hikers climbing. It was interesting to check their gear. And their hiking systems.
No mountain bikes are allowed. But trail riders and beasts of burden are welcome.
Several hikers had seen Rattlesnakes. I saw 3 of these guys. A gopher snake, I believe.
It seemed to take FOREVER to get back to the Kick Off campground. Yeesh.
I grabbed a shower. Then enjoyed free chile provided by Trail Angels.
Feet sore. Some blisters. Confidence shaken. … I wasn’t at all sure I’d be able to hike day 3. 😦
You could arrive at the Annual Day Zero Pacific Crest Trail Kick Off at Lake Morena County Park in southern California empty handed. And walk away perfectly outfitted for the long walk to Canada.
Packs, Shelters, Clothing, and Accessories
Gossamer Gear
Hyperlite Mountain Gear
Keen Footwear
LightHeart Gear
Moonbow GearSix Moon Designs
TarpTent
ULA Equipment
Zpacks
Accessories
AquaGuard
BearVault
Dirty Girl Gaiters
LiteTrail
StickPic
Trail Designs
Books, Maps, and Videos
One Pan Wonders
Squatch Films
Tuolumne Press
Wizards of the PCT
Yogi’s Pacific Crest Trail Handbook
Services
Adventure 16
Organizations
ALDHA-West
BackCountry Horsemen
Bureau of Land Management
Laguna Mountain Volunteer Association
Pacific Crest Trail Association
United States Forest Service
United States Postal Service
All that ultralight gear you’ve seen on the internet?
You can wander the campground and ask owners in person how they like it.
Gear talk is by far the most popular topic of conversation.
I looked closely at the latest in solar powered electronics. Still too heavy. More trouble than it’s worth.
If I hiked the PCT in 2013, I’d use AAA battery operated gear.
If you realize you’re missing something, at Mile 43 is the incredible Laguna Mountain Sports & Supply (PHOTO). Crammed with all brands of hiking essentials.
see more of my photos from ADZPCTKO 2013
I finally got to Annual Day Zero Pacific Crest Trail Kick Off at Lake Morena County Park in southern California. It’s 20 miles from the start of the Pacific Crest Trail on the Mexican border.
Great party, though a little intimidating for a first time attendee like myself.
It sold out faster than ever before, 917 in attendance. But word in the campground was that there are fewer hikers starting for Canada in 2013 than in 2012.
The primary focus of the gathering is to help shed those butterflies that inevitably precede a life-altering experience like hiking the PCT by showing you the broad spectrum of strategies that have been successful in the past and those of your fellow 2013 PCTers. …
Events include:
Pacific Crest Trail Short Film Festival
Gear Contest
Seminars
Silent Auction. Saturday morning you can bid on PCT memorabilia, lightweight gear, and other fun stuff. Proceeds defray the costs of putting on ADZPCTKO.
Meals. Dinner on Friday and Saturday, and breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, are part of the ADZPCTKO tradition.
Our focus has always been on Pacific Crest Trail thru-hikers, and the weekend events are designed primarily for these intrepid hikers. If you:
Are attempting to thru-hike the PCT in 2013, you can get needed permits and we offer seminars, up-to-date information on trail conditions, last-minute equipment checks, an opportunity to get to know your fellow hikers, and plenty of inspiration and guidance from those who’ve gone before.
Are planning a thru-hike attempt in the next few years, you can see (and buy) state of the art equipment from vendors who specialize in ultralight gear for long-distance hikes, learn more about the trail experience and the beautiful country that the PCT traverses, and join the trail community.
Have completed a substantial portion of a thru hike, you can reconnect with others you hiked with, and share your pictures, your knowledge, your joys, and your harrowing experiences with a new generation of hikers.
What’s new for 2013?
Wolverine shakedowns. The PCT Wolverines, recent successful thru hikers, will analyze everything you carry, tell you what you can improve, and what you can send home.
Certainly the best hiking focused event I’ve ever attended. It’s charmingly under-organized. But former thru hikers independently go out of their way to take care of rookies, like myself.
Here is a new hiker getting shuttled north from ADZPCTKO by an Angel (and puppy) to resume his walk to Canada.
If you’ve any interest at all in a thru hike, I recommend you attend for information and inspiration.
see more of my photos from ADZPCTKO 2013
related – Trail Days 2013 May 11th to 19th in Damascus, Virginia is something similar celebrating the Appalachian Trail.
related – SoCalHiker’s report on the event
besthike.com 