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madhawk78
I am thinking of doing a hiking/camping/backpacking trip to Glacier NP this summer. Anyone out there have any advice, tips on such a trip? Is it worth the trip or are their better places to go. I was in Yosemite and Rocky Mountain NP last year, so any comparisons would be nice as well.
Answer
I have not actually been there yet myself, but am doing a week-long backpacking trip there this summer and did a lot of research in preparation.
By many accounts, Glacier NP is one of the best hiking and backpacking spots in the country. In fact, it routinely ranks at or near the top of Backpacker Magazine's annual survey. That is one of the reasons that my friends and I decided to make it this year's big backpacking trip.
I would highly recommend that you get the National Geographic Trails Illustrated map of the park which shows all the trails, camp spots and roads. I also got a couple of trail guides entitled "Hiking Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks" by Erik Molvar and "Glacier-Waterton International Peace Park" by Vicky Spring. Both are quite good, but if I were to get just one I would lean a little more toward Molvar's as a little more practical and easier to use. For general sightingseeing guides to the park and area, I got the travel guides by both Moon Publications (Becky Lomax) and the Insider's Guide (by Susan Olin). The Moon guide was quite helpful and detailed, while the Insider's guide was little more than a local business directory.
A couple of things about hiking and backpacking there...
It can be challenging to find good loop backpacking trips. Most will end up being out and backs or point to point requiring some sort of shuttle. The one exception is the famous 'Northern Circle' loop in the center of the park (starting near Swiftwater).
You must have permits to camp overnight in the backcountry. Although they always reserve some walk-up permits, most spaces can be reserved in advance by faxing a request. Note that the reservation period started on April 15 and so it may now be difficult to get popular spots between June and August. We sent in ours before the deadline and are waiting to hear if we got our intinerary.
Glacier is famous for bear country - both black and the grizzly. While attacks are comparatively rare, the park website has a video on what to do about bears and there are very tight restrictions in the backcountry around storing food and eating in a special designated 'eating spot' away from the tent spots.
Aside from hiking and camping, a few of the other things that Glacier is famous for...
Historic Lodges - In or around the park are some of the most historic and famous lodges in the US park system. The lodges at McDonald Lake, East Glacier and Waterton Park (Canada) are particulary grand and well known.
Going to the Sun Road - The famous road that bi-sects the park and is considered one of the most scenic drives in the country.
Lake Tours - Many of the larger lakes have historic tour boats that take you out on scenic cruises.
Whatever your choice, have fun!
I have not actually been there yet myself, but am doing a week-long backpacking trip there this summer and did a lot of research in preparation.
By many accounts, Glacier NP is one of the best hiking and backpacking spots in the country. In fact, it routinely ranks at or near the top of Backpacker Magazine's annual survey. That is one of the reasons that my friends and I decided to make it this year's big backpacking trip.
I would highly recommend that you get the National Geographic Trails Illustrated map of the park which shows all the trails, camp spots and roads. I also got a couple of trail guides entitled "Hiking Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks" by Erik Molvar and "Glacier-Waterton International Peace Park" by Vicky Spring. Both are quite good, but if I were to get just one I would lean a little more toward Molvar's as a little more practical and easier to use. For general sightingseeing guides to the park and area, I got the travel guides by both Moon Publications (Becky Lomax) and the Insider's Guide (by Susan Olin). The Moon guide was quite helpful and detailed, while the Insider's guide was little more than a local business directory.
A couple of things about hiking and backpacking there...
It can be challenging to find good loop backpacking trips. Most will end up being out and backs or point to point requiring some sort of shuttle. The one exception is the famous 'Northern Circle' loop in the center of the park (starting near Swiftwater).
You must have permits to camp overnight in the backcountry. Although they always reserve some walk-up permits, most spaces can be reserved in advance by faxing a request. Note that the reservation period started on April 15 and so it may now be difficult to get popular spots between June and August. We sent in ours before the deadline and are waiting to hear if we got our intinerary.
Glacier is famous for bear country - both black and the grizzly. While attacks are comparatively rare, the park website has a video on what to do about bears and there are very tight restrictions in the backcountry around storing food and eating in a special designated 'eating spot' away from the tent spots.
Aside from hiking and camping, a few of the other things that Glacier is famous for...
Historic Lodges - In or around the park are some of the most historic and famous lodges in the US park system. The lodges at McDonald Lake, East Glacier and Waterton Park (Canada) are particulary grand and well known.
Going to the Sun Road - The famous road that bi-sects the park and is considered one of the most scenic drives in the country.
Lake Tours - Many of the larger lakes have historic tour boats that take you out on scenic cruises.
Whatever your choice, have fun!
whats the best rain PROOF and lightweight tent on the market?
Chris B
Looking for a tent that doesn't "rain inside" when you touch the walls or in heavy wind, the most water proof tent available. But also is suitable for backpacking on long expeditions...(light weight). Only needs to be for 1 or 2 people at the most.
Answer
The reason your tent walls get wet inside has nothing to do with being rain proof. That moisture is condensation from your breath and the sweat from your body and the only way to reduce it is good ventilation, a fly that pitches tight and shelters the windows and doors well and a good catenary cut that doesn't allow the fly to touch the tent wall.
If you are going to be camping in mostly moderate weather (above freezing) I highly recommend one with mostly mosquito mesh netting inner walls and a waterproof separate fly. The mesh walls not only make the tent superlight, you will have no trouble with condensation because the tent will breath and the condensation will occur under the fly and run down to the ground. Plus, on clear nights, you will be able to sleep under the stars.
I have several 2-man tents and I like my Marmot best -- their tents are excellent quality, very light and pitch strong and tight. I lived in one (it is a compact 2 man with mostly mosquito netting walls) for almost 3 weeks out in Wyoming a few years ago. Sierra Designs also makes excellent tents of similar style -- North Face used to be great but their quality has slipped. Look at Campmor's online catalog for good side-by-side comparisons of a wide range of backpacking tents.
Better tents also have pre-sealed seams. If you buy a cheaper tent, make sure you get a couple of tubes of Seamseal, set up the tent and run a strip of the sealer on every exposed seam.
The reason your tent walls get wet inside has nothing to do with being rain proof. That moisture is condensation from your breath and the sweat from your body and the only way to reduce it is good ventilation, a fly that pitches tight and shelters the windows and doors well and a good catenary cut that doesn't allow the fly to touch the tent wall.
If you are going to be camping in mostly moderate weather (above freezing) I highly recommend one with mostly mosquito mesh netting inner walls and a waterproof separate fly. The mesh walls not only make the tent superlight, you will have no trouble with condensation because the tent will breath and the condensation will occur under the fly and run down to the ground. Plus, on clear nights, you will be able to sleep under the stars.
I have several 2-man tents and I like my Marmot best -- their tents are excellent quality, very light and pitch strong and tight. I lived in one (it is a compact 2 man with mostly mosquito netting walls) for almost 3 weeks out in Wyoming a few years ago. Sierra Designs also makes excellent tents of similar style -- North Face used to be great but their quality has slipped. Look at Campmor's online catalog for good side-by-side comparisons of a wide range of backpacking tents.
Better tents also have pre-sealed seams. If you buy a cheaper tent, make sure you get a couple of tubes of Seamseal, set up the tent and run a strip of the sealer on every exposed seam.
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Title Post: Who has been to Glacier National Park?
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Rating: 95% based on 981 ratings. 4,6 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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