Posts Tagged ‘backpacker’

Alright, if you were to walk up to me and ask “What do I need to know about backpacking?” I would simply walk to my shelf, grab the recent issue of Backpacker, and smack you with it. This edition of Backpacker Magazine is the most informative book to hit print since the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

I sat welded to each page and after several hours and a short nap, I felt a bit more educated.

This edition of Backpacker reviews this years new gear, packs, tents, mats, bedrolls, you name it! Each section of the magazine is appropriately labeled based on what item they are going to review. Under the header, is a full page schematic of the item, labeled with every important point and feature, plus a description of the benefits. I cannot tell you how helpful this is to beginning backpackers, and even veterans.

After the educational section, they then review roughly 32 of the items, giving each one a breakdown, description, price, features, and rating. I do not exactly agree to some of them, but that’s why we’re not a hive-minded society, I’m allowed to have an opinion.

This edition is fantastic for many reasons. If you are considering purchasing ANY new gear, and want a breakdown of good/bad for ALL of the big brands out there, find this magazine and read it. It will help give you a better understanding of the design, pros/cons, and functionality behind whatever item you are thinking of buying.

The downside to this edition? There’s a few car ads. It essentially throws off my grove while reading.

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Well, I’ll begin by saying that I have not done much traveling around the United States. That being said, the Backpacker Magazine offered me a free PDF book called The Best Trails in America as part of purchasing my soul for their subscription. Gleefully, I obliged.

The book contains quite a bit of information on hidden gem trails located in several states. At first I asked myself “Crazy man, do you believe them?” and after wondering why I was talking to myself, I came to the conclusion that I did. I turned to the Michigan section and read the only entry for that state. I was instantly impressed. I had never heard of it! It was a wonderful gemstone of information regarding the Trap Hills in the Upper Peninsula. What an amazing hike that could be! Beautiful cliffs, waterfalls, old mines, abandoned tramway… sounds like a Scooby Doo episode!

So all in all, I would recommend leafing through this book and turning directly to your state. There just might be some great information that you’ve never heard of!
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