Best and Top Backpack Reviews : 2014-02-02

Home » Archives for 2014-02-02

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Camping List?

Q. ok, im going camping at lake henshaw for camping and im staying friday to saturday what stuff do i bring i kno like 3 outfits, towel for showering, shoes, flip flopes, blankets,do you guys have anything else??

Answer
Backpack
topographic map(s)
compass
GPS
pack rain cover
gorp
knife
flashlight/headlamp (plus extra batteries)
matches/lighter
whistle
mirror
bug bite stick
moleskin
sunscreen
insect repellant
headnet
tent
sleeping bag
sleeping pad
water filter
toilet paper
spade/shovel
saw/hatchet
2 1L Nalgene water bottles
100oz. camelback
first aid kit
backpacking stove
stove fuel
cooking gear & utensils
dehydrated meal packs (x+1 days)
candle lantern (w/ x+1 candles)
repair kits (pack, pad, stove, filter, etc.)
Zip-Loc bags for trash
clothing (pants, shirt, underwear, socks, fleece)
Rain gear

Camping list?

slickone

Does anyone have the best camping list, I will be camping for 4 days in great wether with one dog. does anyone know of things to bring camping? I need a list

Answer
1. clothing - shorts, tank top, t-shirt, sweatshirt, jeans, swimsuit, bandanas (good for washing face and keeping hair back)
2. rain gear - never know...
3. food - stuff for s'mores, fire stick for hotdogs, ect., water bottles
4. camp stove/fuel or fire starter/lighter/matches, camp dishes and camp soap.
5. tent, sleeping bag, pillow, sleeping pad, rain fly
bug spray,sunscreen, first aid kit w/ bandage, burn, and calamine lotion.chapstick
6. flip flop or water shoes - especially if going into the modern shower or restroom
hiking shoes
Other stuff:
deck of cards, journal or book; binoculars, hiking books

Check out: http://www.packyourgear.com/campingList.aspx, if backpacking check out http://www.backpackers.com

What Kind of Backpack Should I Get?

BlueMonkey

I am a freshman in high school this year and I need a new backpack. I had a Jansport Superbreak but that was too small.(1551.2 cu in). Then I just bought another Jansport with wheels but that was really big.(1901.5 cu in). What would be a good backpack to buy that is in between these two sizes. I do NOT need to carry around my text books.

It does not need to be Jansport.
PS. I know the backpacks with wheels are geeky but I go to a school with all geeks and nerds. I don't like it. Mom's idea.

Answer
Get a Dakine backpack. Dude, don't get a roller backpack! Those are super lame!

find one that suits you: if you're a boy http://www.zappos.com/mens-dakine-backpacks
girl- http://www.zappos.com/womens-dakine-backpacks

Backpack for 6 grade?Help!?

NY here i

I'm starting 6 grade and i need a cool backpack what brand should i use??? and what type with wheels or messenger or wat ? plzzz help me school starts in a couple of days!!!

Best Answer gets 10 points!!!!

Answer
just go to tilly's or vans and get a back pack from there. i wouldn't get a roller cuhss...... well, no one really has those and they are kind of childish.
you can choose from heree.
http://www.tillys.com/tillys/Categories.aspx?ctg=120_Girls_Acc_010_Backpacks&parentctg=120_Girls_Acc&ctlg=020_Girls
i like this one and my friend has it.
http://www.tillys.com/tillys/Variants.aspx?prod=136505150&ctlg=020_Girls&ctg=120_Girls_Acc_010_Backpacks&parentctg=120_Girls_Acc&source=4
ten points pleease?!

cool jansport backpacks?

i really want a cool backpack that is 30 dollars and under. i like the basic jansports with the big pocket and the small pocket in the front. i like them to be colorful with cool designs. any other brand is cool, as long as it looks like the jansport i described. exept for dickies, i dont want a dickies backpack.

Answer
You can find them at http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fie%3DUTF8%26high-price%3D29%26x%3D6%26redirect%3Dtrue%26keywords%3Djansport%2520backpack%26low-price%3D0%26y%3D6%26rh%3Dn%253A1036592%252Cn%253A%25211036682%252Ck%253Ajansport%2520backpack&tag=189-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957

What is a backpacking tent?

ocean

Answer
A tent for usually one or two people that is very light and compact, and if very low-leaning. It's designed to be used on overnight backpacking trips, where you will be hiking from place to place and set up camp in a different location each night.

http://www.rei.com/category/4500029

Somewhat different than a camping tent, which usually can hold two or three people. Not as light or compact, but also gives more room to move around and tends to have a higher lean. Mostly used for camping trips, where you may do some hiking and activities but have a home base to return to at the end of the day.

http://www.rei.com/category/4500044

Babysitting girls that are A handful?

Q. I babysit these sisters who are 7 and 8 and they love to look at my things.
Like if i leave the room and my backpack or purse is on the table or whatev they will grab it and shuffle through my junk and like pull out stuff like my locket that has a picture of my best friend and they are all like "Sadie is this ur boyfriend ooh!Sadie and a boy sitting in a tree" and u get the rest and this was terrible

most embaressing thing ever

The girls got my purse(It was up on a shelf and the moved the chair and stood on phone books and got it down and they dropped it and my....."Girl Stuff" fell out and They were like"What are those Sadie?"

and they ask me questions that i don't wanna answer
like
"Why do u alway's turn red when u see our brother?"
"How come Boogers are green?"(ewww)
and the ever so famous
"Where do baby's come from?"

what should i do?

And i want to keep the job so don't recomend i quit!
the girls are very curious and they have to use my stuff like if i have to stay the night there i wil bring a change ofclothes and they will have to use my clothes like they take my tops and put them on and spill stuff on it and ruin it!

and if i have any jewelry they need to ruin it like pull on it till it breaks or lose them and i keep them in a drawer that they cant reach but they always find a way

I love these girls they are sweet but the just get into everything.

Answer
Tell them to ask their parents certain questions and as for them going through your stuff, stop bringing it unless you need it that night. You can also put a padlock through the metal zipper pulls on most backpacks so they can't get in even if they wanted to. Kids taunt each other and will taunt you--you should expect that. So, sing annoying songs and make fun of them, too! They can take it and they may have a great sense of humor! As for the booger thing--just say IDK and look it up online!

my calculater keeps dissappearing?

Andrew

i admit this is kind of funny but its still very frustrating, i am a junior in high school and i have lost 3 17 dollar calculators, buying a new replacement each time, i think someone is stealing them because i always put them in my back pack and i have never lost a calculator til this year, i want to get some type of device put inside of the next one i buy that i can maybe hit a remote and the calculator will beep or maybe a tracking device (although i know those run up to 500 dollars). in the end i figure i will either find a pile of calculators that are mine, catch someone stealing it, or at least find out what has been happening to them because im tired of paying $17.95 every nine weeks on the same thing. any advice at all would be appreciated.

thank you

Answer
Put a lock on your backpack pocket you keep it in, most have two zippers so that's easy, just through their pull holes, and write your name in Sharpie on the calculator, Silver or Gold if it's a dark color. Put it in a zipper pencil pouch in your backpack, loose or in your binder, just for a change.

You're lucky that's a cheap calculator, those graphing calculators my son needs cost over $100, I think I paid $150. His name is written on his big in Sharpie, but not because we're worried about theft, because all the kids have the same one that the teacher has, makes it a lot easier to follow along, and I don't want anyone else taking it by mistake.

Don't make a big deal about your calculator being stolen, even amongst your friends. Sometimes even friends are a$$es and kids do stuff like that just to see you react. If you don't react, you're ruining their fun and they may stop. Also, be sure to mention the disappearance/theft to the vice principal or whoever.

Good luck!

Friday, February 7, 2014

Where can I get a cute totebag for school?

14/f (9th grade)

I need a tote bag for school. It doesn't have to be big enough to carry a bajillion books (i still have arms and boys :] ), but I want it to be able to carry some books and stuff.

I like PacSun's bags (minus black and a lot of them aren't big enoguh :[ ) and I kind of don't want to pay $40 for one (coughAbercrombiecough).

So can you give me a link or a place to look at some cute totebags?

Thanks.
-Hater of akward backpacks

Answer
Aeropostale and American Eagle usually have some pretty cute ones for liek $20-$25. If you want a more unique one try liek Ross or Marshall's. They sometimes have some pretty cute billabong ones.

http://www.aeropostale.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=1988359&cp=2284058&clickid=cat_leftnav_txt

http://www.ae.com/web/browse/category_feature_item_guide.jsp?catId=cat90052

What is the most common middle school fashion for girls?

caybay95

It is spring now and I don't know what to wear! Capris, pants, sandals, tank tops?! It is the beginnning of spring, about low 60's and a little breezy! What do I do?

Answer
sk83r-
Pants- skinny bullhead jeans, you can buy them at pacsun
Shirts-Famous Stars and Straps shirts, DC shirts, Etnies shirts, Billabong shirts, or any other skating shirts.
I most likely recommend CCS
Shoes- In- fallen, etnies, dc, nikes
out of style- VANS
Jackets- Any baggy jacket. Boys jackets are the best. Try shopping at " freestlye " if you have one located in your area

Preppy-
Pants- American Eagle Outfitters, their jeans are very very comfortable and will fit perfectly, or buy abercrombie skinny jeans
Shirts- any type of baby doll shirts, make sure to wear an undershirt underneath if it's too low, or else you will get teased. Aroepostale and American eagle aren't good places to shop for shirts, the collars get wrinkly and unattractive.

Shoes- In- ballet flats, sandals w/ backs, and skating shoes, believe it or not.
out of style- NEVER wear tacky high heels or any type of boots. that will give you a bad name at school.
Crocs will NEVER be even close to " koolio " so don't EVER wear them.

Jackets- Hollister, Abercrombie & Fitch, or Aroepostale
and also a " guy friend's " baggy jacket

!out of style!-

crocs!!
mudd
gap
FAMILY DOLLAR!
Lisa Frank
Go Diego Go backpacks etc.
any type of plastic shoe

In Style-
hollister co.
A&F
American Eagle
Aroepostale
Dora the explorer backpack etc.
Spongebob Squarepants accessories etc.

Fact- a lot of people in middle school think that dora the explorer and spongebob are DA BOMB.

and "boots" the monkey from dora the explorer

camping/outdoors........................?

are there any great camping spots in california, close to sacramento? or anywhere in california? how many days do people(2 people/couple) go on camping? 2 days, 3 days?

Answer
Just about any direction you go you can't miss. There are lakes in the hills along both sides of the Central Valley, rivers coming down out of the mountains, and then of course, the mountains themselves that virtually surround Sacramento. Just pick a direction and do a little research. You don't say whether you are car camping, backpacking, or R.V.ing so it's is a little difficult to be specific.

Mt. Lassen is a few hours to the north, Lake Tahoe is a couple of hours to the east, Yosemite is a few hours southeast, and a lot of places in between. There is camping in developed campgrounds, dispersed camping, cabins, boat campgrounds, R.V. campgrounds, primitive camping, horse packing camps, four wheel drive camps, and backpacking camps.

People camp for as long as they want, with certain limits, depending on the campground and jurisdiction involved. A lot of people go for a long week-end or they might spend their whole summer vacation camping. I camp year round, sometimes as long as 10 days in one location, mostly horse packing and backpacking, some canoe camping and car camping. A total of 23 nights already this year.

Should I take a Backpack or a Suitcase?

Daniel

So, its coming up to that time of year again. I am once again going off on my travels. I am going to the US to work at a summer camp for 2 months and then travel for 1 month, possibly in a car but maybe on the bus.
So, my question is, should I take a backpack or a suitcase, bearing in mind I can only take one bag.
Have done both before but can't remember which was best.

Any suggestions, much appriciated

Answer
A suitcase on wheels it holds a lot more, a backpack can get real heavy.

Camping in the USA?

Q. I would love to go camping in the USA, not sure where to go though. My only concern are there many bears or wolves about, as I know you have them in the USA. I presume American citizens would have a rifle of some sort for protection, I am a Brit so would I be able to have a rifle for protection just for the duration of my stay?. Nothing fancy just an M16 or something similar.
Yeah good advice, cheers cisco kid.
No I am not anti American just anti bear and wolf and I have never fired a gun.

Answer
Dude, you have been watching wayyyy toooo much TV and have some weird notions on what America really is!!!!!!!!

first,
BEARs are not a consideration unless you go way up north (like Alaska or Canada).. the grizzlies are the only species of bear to attack UNPROVOKED.... don't worry about it.. if you happen to be in a very isolated area (which will take a few days of backpacking with no one around) be smart and use bear bags & the proper precautions to avoid attracting bears.. it's a thing called self-education (http://www.outdoors.org/recreation/hiking/hiking-bears.cfm)..
and if you are attacked, it's your own damn fault for leaving a pack of oreos out....

second..
wolves will not attack you unless you're alone, hiking thru yellowstone in the dead of winter when they haven't had a meal in a month.... in reality, you'd be a real lucky guy to even see a wild wolf in it's natural habitat... let alone be bothered by one.. you'd be one of the very few to witness such a beautiful creature.. but my guess is that you won't be going to such a place since our country is a bit larger than your own.. there's much land to travel here..

as far as the guns go.. the only reason you would need one is for your own stupidity & likley hood that you don't understand western america's customs & would need protection from another human being, not a wild, rabid animal...

as far as your research goes... remember this.. in the US there are TONS of people living on both coasts... travel further inland, and you'll start seeing less people.. the real wilderness areas for adventure are in the northern rockies, or the desert southwest... both are harsh environments & weed out the sissys..
happy hunting

Camping laws in USA?

John K

Generally speaking, where is it legal to camp? And where is it illegal?

Answer
Most National Parks will require you to either use a reserved campground camping area or have a backcountry permit.

National Forests have designated camping areas, some are a fee site, others are free. Some need reservations, some are first-come-first-serve. Most require backcountry permits, especially in large groups. Depending on the National Forest, the backcountry restrictions may vary. It is best to check with the forest supervisor's office before you visit.

State Parks and State Forests vary by state. Most will require you to stay in the designated camping areas. Some require permits for backcountry use. This varies not only by state, by park to park as well.

BLM lands usually require some fee or permit. However, I am not 100% sure on a lot of their rules and regs as I don't often use BLM lands.

US Fish & Wildlife and the Army Corps of Engineers have designated camping areas on some of thier properties. These are mostly fee sites and camping on other parts of the property is usually illegal.

In many states, it is illegal to camp on property maintained by a state for hunting. Some states allow camping on it's game management properties with a permit.

When kayaking or canoeing, many areas have designated campsites along the rivers or lakes. Some of these are public and some are private. Most require a permit, but not all of them.

It is legal, for the most part, to camp along the Appalachian Trail and similar National Trails without a permit and without paying a fee. However, backpackers are restricted to using designated campsites in most areas and they are intended to be used solely by those backpacking on the trail...not someone spending the night at one of the sites that happens to be close to a road crossing.

It is generally not legal to camp in Alpine areas, especially above tree-line.

Camping along highways and roads is illegal. Most state DOTs have regulations against it. Likewise, once you are outside the right-of-way of the highway, you are most likely tresspassing. Most people don't take kindly to random people setting up camp in their fields and front yards, unlike Europe where you can camp pretty much anywhere along roads as long as you are not destroying crops or building campfires on someone's lawn.

Best bet is to always check the regulations in the areas you plan to visit.

Where and how can I go Wild Camping?

quiknis

Preferably during the winter and in the northeast.

Answer
Well, if you haven't totally mastered winter camping yet I'd try the Adirondak Loj (yes, that's spelled correctly) near Lake Placid. They have campsites and lean-tos all year and the Loj and High Peaks Center are open if you need a place to warm up or crash (for a fee). If the weather is too bad it's a short drive into town for a hotel.

If you like to backpack, then try any of the cabins on the Long Trail in VT or the huts in the Whites. We hiked a flat 7 miles into Zealand Hut a few years back. There was a cheaper winter rate at the huts..not the extortion rates of the summer. Pitch a tent outside and if the weather is wicked...opt for the hut. I often went to Spuce Peak Cabin in VT between Bromley and Stratton on the LT. It's free. Again, you can camp outside or duck in the cabin if the snow starts falling too much for your taste.

If you have mastered the winter camping arts and want a challenge, then pick up a guidebook for just about any place and go for it.

I always hike in, so my idea of good places may be skewed towards backpacking, but here are some I like.

Moosalamoo/Silver Lake in Vermont; Stratton Pond in VT; Marcy Dam shelters in the High Peaks of NY; Anywhere on the Loyalsock Trail in PA; Putnam Pond area near Lake George is nice too...lots of shelters and campsites to choose from. Great for a weekend snowshoe loop hike.

check out the websites for the ADK, GMC, and AMC for more info:

www.adk.org
www.greenmountainclub.org
www.outdoors.org (I think that's the AMC site)

If you really want wild, then try the wilderness areas in the Green Mountain or White Mountain National Forests...just leave a note with the rangers so they know where to look for your body in the event you don't come back.

Boy scout Camping Trips...?

BroadStree

I need some cool, entertaining, adventurous, fun, and different ideas on some camping trips on the east coast. my troop will travel about 3-4 hours tops. we are based in Burlington county, in Southern New Jersey. hiking and canoeing are allowed. also it would be best if there was also something fun to do while we were there. we would want some free time, but still want something organized to keep us entertained. Thanks A lot!!!
im a scout

Answer
You could do a rafting/canoeing/kayaking trip on the upper Delaware River. There are several rental places such as Lander's and Kittatiny Canoes that will let you rent the boats overnight. You can camp on several places along the river including Ten Mile River Scout Reservation (Greater NYC Area Council.)

You could also do a rafting trip on the Lehigh River in PA. Whitewater Challengers has been running Scout Trips for decades. Camp Acahela (Northeast PA Council), Camp Trexler (Minsi Trails Council) and Hickory Run State Park are all close by if you want a place to camp.

Nearly every Appalachian Trail trailhead in PA and NJ is within a few hours drive from wher you live, as in the Horseshoe Trail in southern PA. Check the Keystone Trails Association webpage for more info. Try backpacking with your troop.

The Northeatern PA Council offers Project COPE at Goose Pond Scout Reservation near Hamlin, PA almost every weekend from April-November except during summer camp. http://www.nepabsa.org.

Finally, and it's a bit of a drive, but Green Mountain Council in Vermont offers scout ski weekends at Killington, Okemo, Mt. Snow, Bromley and other resorts all winter. I think most trips are $180 and that includes two days lift passes, 2 dinners, 2 breakfasts, and sleeping in the gym at the local high school. (I used to run these trips for several years.) http://www.scoutingvermont.org.

Finally,

Does anyone remember the old style coffee percolators that were used for camping/backpacking?

rouschrace

I'm researching equipment that I will need for a backpacking trip and am wondering if anyone remembers the old style coffee percolators. If you do, do you know if you can still find them and where?

Thanks, any info would be helpful

Answer
If you will truly be backpacking, you will more than likely find the old style percolators to be heavy and quite bulky. They are certainly available still - as the other answer mentioned, Walmart will likely have them, as do outdoors stores like Cabela's, Bass Pro, REI, etc.

For backpacking, I have a few different means of making coffee, and will switch them around from trip to trip. If a good strong cup of joe is what you're after, there are some great french presses that are great - and if you use the JetBoil stove, there is a java press for that too, which I'm told is excellent. GSI Outdoors manufactures a whole variety of coffee making toys... including the percolators, coffee filter baskets, presses, espresso machines, etc. LOTS to choose from.

http://www.gsioutdoors.com/products/cat/coffee/ (Note, there are 3 pages of goods!)

For ultralight backpacking, I hate to say it, but I tend to use Starbucks VIA packets or instant espresso powder... and sometimes I spike either of those with a teaspoon of hot cocoa powder.

What tent will be good for camping around Africa and Europe?

Plato

Needs to fit two people and equipment and be as light as possible

Answer
Big Agnes Copper Spur Ultralight 2-person, 3.5 pounds in packed weight, $400.

MSR Hubba Hubba 2-person, 4 pounds packed weight, $330.

I use the very tight, very light Big Agnes Fly Creek, Ultralight 1-person, 2 pounds, $320.
My MSR Hubba Hubba has lasted many years as my roomy alternate for greater comfort on shorter backpacking expeditions, especially when I anticipate bad weather with long hours sacked-in.

I need a good camping backpack for $40 or less....?

B Dawgg

I need to get a backpack that's durable, at least somewhat waterproof, and has a lot of space inside. I would like to stay inside the $40 price range, but if it's just super awesome for that extra $5 or so, recommend it. It definitely has to be from REI or Dick's because I don't live near any other sporting goods stores. And no I will not buy online, I like to see and feel before I buy.

Answer
It's gonna be difficult to obtain a quality backpack for such short monet at rei,you'd be better off going to a yard sale when spring arrives,and getting a sweet deal on a great bag rather than just an ok one for what you want to spend.

Camping packtowl antimicrobial treatment?

tomy-mom

Hi I'm trying to find out what the treatment used for the nano and personal travel packtowl towels (for camping and backpacking) is, I've looked everywhere and can't find any information, basically I need to find out if it's a temporary treatment that will eventually wash out and need redoing or if it's a permanent treatment, such as with silver polygiene technology. Thanks so much for any help

Answer
Sounds like it is probably a temporary, but harmful, chemical called triclosan.
You may be better-off spraying yourself with insecticide from the sound of it.
It all reminds me of an old product that my father used called Phisohex, later banned from over-the-counter sales due to the fear of carcinogens in the body cleanser (circa 1969). Hexachlorophene was the nasty chemical in the product. I guess that it is still used, since I found it on the internet. Possibly, the product is suggested for use with instruments and not recommended for direct use on the skin as a cleansing agent. Part of the objection to all antibacterial chemicals is that eventually the only organisms that survive a cleansing will become increasingly resistent to being destroyed and may mutate into dangerous disease pathogens. You probably know of examples, such as tuberculosis that has gained resistance to antibiotics.
-------------------------
Whether itâs a towel, athletic wear, or hand soap, a product boasting âantibacterialâ treatments or ingredients ought to be avoided. (The only exception is the use of antimicrobial soap to protect people with weakened immune systems.) But I don't believe there is a ever a need for antimicrobial fabrics.

The antimicrobial treatment used on fabrics and plastics is known as Microban, which contains the active ingredient triclosan. For years, the Americal Medical Association, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, and the World Health Organization have advised against regular hand washing with antibacterial/antimicrobial soaps containing triclosan because they contribute to the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. And recently, as reported in this recent overview in Environmental Health Perspectives, triclosan has come under scrutiny for many human and animal health risks, including the release of carcinogenic, hormone-disrupting dioxins into the environment.

I need a good survival backpack?

John

Well, I'm just starting to get survival stuff and I wanted to know what a good pack would be that isn't too expensive and that would be easy to maneuver with.

Answer
Well what are your expectations of calamity for a need to survival? civil unrest, WW3, Hurricane, Earthquake, Zombie invasion? as all require different gear. Most folks who are thinking of doing a little survival related stuff are more thinking along the lines of being Johnny mountain-man and then true backpacking comes to mind. Hike into the woods camp for a while do some fishing/hunting that sort of thing and if that be the case than a good backpackers pack will suit your needs quite well.

Read the reviews of the following products try before you buy if you can.
http://www.rei.com/category/4500001_Backpacks

Ruger .454 Casull for backpacking?

Chris G

Can anyone recommend the Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan .454 Casull revolver with 2.5" barrel?

--I will be staying with my family in a nice big cabin in Alaska for most of 2009, and I wanted a good, durable, and very powerful revolver for conceal carry. I already own a shotgun, which I am also taking with me, but I wanted something that I can COMFORTABLY carry with me while hiking on trails with my wife. I was told by my uncle that this specific revolver, despite the harsh recoil, would be best, but I wondered what your opinions of it are?
Here is a link with a picture of the gun:
http://www.impactguns.com/store/media/ruger_sup_redhawk_alaskan.jpg

Answer
I recently examined just this revolver. Seems someone bought it, fired it once and traded for something else. The guy at the gun shop even told me he'd throw in a box of ammo with only one shell missing. I thought he was kidding until I opened the cylinder and noticed only one slot of six smoked-up. Guess he fired it once and decided he wanted something less intense!

I was impressed with the revolver itself. It feels sturdy, solid and well-made (like other Ruger products). You know that this revolver will also shoot the .45 LC? That would be better for anything but more serious threats like big bear. I hear this model is also chambered for .480 Ruger and even though the .480 is bigger than the .454 Casull for some reason I can't really understand the reviews say it is more manageable to shoot than the .454 Casull???

Consider also the Taurus Raging Bull in .454 Casull with at least a 6" barrel. Although its only a five-shot it is heavier and has a longer compensated barrel and better grips for managing the intense recoil.

I'll be staying in a cabin in South Texas the rest of this year (while our retirement home is being built). I'll take my Glock Model 20 10mm and a .357 Magnum with me. This besides my hunting rifles and shotgun because deer and bird seasons are right around the corner.

Happy hunting.

H

Backpack, binder bag, or shoulder bag?

I already have a backpack and I have used it for 2 years, it's very good for camping, picnic and outdoor activities, when when I put my stuff in it, especially binder, i doesn't fit very well and it's hard to get things out. When I already got my binder out, it took me a long time to put it back. I'm thinking of buying a new bag this weekend so I come up with a shoulder bag and a binder bag (the thing that looks like a shoulder bag but it's actually a binder). Can you tell me which is better to buy. I'm thinking of a binder bag right now because it takes me no time to get stuff out. But i usually carry story books, workbook (activity book) or water bottle, calculator, and stuff like that. Is binder bag the best choice for me? (I usually carry heavy things, my backpack is really heavy right now, so which one is the best choice for me?
BTW, I'm a boy
I don't know which section to ask this question so, I think that this is the most visited section, so I just put my question here
May be something fits my laptop when i go to high school would be nice

Answer
i personally like my jansport backpack ... i like to be able to put it on and still have my hands free for whatever ... i have a great one that will hold my laptop in one zippered section, books in another zippered section and there is a bigger zipped pocket on the front that holds cell phone, pens, etc., ... on the outside on the side is a mesh pocket for a water bottle ... on the outside of the smallest zippered section is another zippered pocket and at the top is a zippered pocket for my ipod ... the back and contoured straps are well padded and jansport backpacks are guaranteed for life ... i know you are a boy but i have a pink one and i throw it in the wash and dryer and it comes out looking like new ... i have easily had my current one for more than five years ...

http://www.jansport.com/

Backpacking with dog in So Cal?

Jason B

Are there any places in southern California where you can take your dog backpacking (not just day hiking)? We already practice good trail etiquette (leash laws & solid waste removal) and he's in pretty good shape (already does 15+ mile hikes).

Answer
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/recreation/hiking/
Undeveloped or Dispersed Area Camping in the "San Bernardino National Forest" on the "Pacific Crest Trail"
http://www.pcta.org/
http://gorp.away.com/gorp/publishers/foghorn/dog_la3.htm
Undeveloped or Dispersed areas are designated areas away from highways and development where camping along back roads or trails is permitted. Because of year-around fire danger, wood or charcoal fires are not allowed (includes charcoal in a BBQ). Chemical or propane stoves may be used if you have a free California Campfire Permit, which may be obtained at the local Ranger Station. "Know before you go" and check at the nearest Ranger Station for a map of the Remote Camping Areas and the current fire restrictions.

General Rules for remote camping:
â¢No wood or charcoal fires
â¢Chemical and propane stoves allowed with California Campfire Permit
â¢Camp at least 200 feet from springs, water, meadows, trails and roads
â¢Camp at least a quarter-mile from designated campgrounds, picnic areas, trailheads
â¢Camp at least a quarter-mile from private property and state highways
Pack out all trash
â¢Leave no trace

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Flask: In need of the best and warmest.?

Mountain_C

Hey, I'm in need of a heat retaining flask, but not just any flask. The absolute warmest flask to keep hot liquids warm for 24h or more. Price doesn't matter. I've heard about the Aladdin Stanley bolt flask and the Aladdin challenger flask but some reviews say they have dropped heat retention over just a year...... I intend using this Flask for mountaineering, a few years perhaps the Himalayas so I will use it in conjunction with the Outdoor Research Flask Parka. If you have experience with the best and warmest heat retaining flask or know about, then please share. Thank you.

Answer
The solution is called a "stove."

----------------------------------------

On my first backpacking trip of in 2012, I established a base camp below tree line on flat ground near the cabin. After boiling four liters of water and drinking a bottle of hot chocolate, I hunkered deep into my down sleeping bag through twelve hours of a cold night in the dull glow of a nearly full moon.

At first light, I crawled out of my low-profile shelter and dined on a handful of nuts with another bottle of coffee blended with more hot chocolate. Following a path across tundra meadow and hip high willows, I turned southeast at a junction to ascend the northwest ridge of Mount Belford on snow-filled, crumbly switchbacks.

Is the asus g75 hard to take around?

Ruby

Is it portable? Could I take it around a university? Is the g55 better for portability?
Thanks in advance

Answer
One should do thorough research before buying a lap top.
ASUS G75 Laptop - 17.3 inch screen. 4.4 Kg weight. Decide for yourself whether it is easy to lug around. A net book is much more portable.
http://www.gadgetreview.com/2012/04/asus-republic-of-gamers-g75-laptop-review.html
"A high-end Clevo/Sager or an Alienware could eat the G75 alive with the 7970M. (3Dmark 11 P5600 STOCK!! vs P2700 of the 670M, not to mention these machines are sold at similar prices!) even my old P150HM with a 6990M can crush this thing in terms of gaming performance. plus Alienware and Clevo machines have very good build quality too, definitely comparable to ASUS.

ASUS gaming laptops has been very disappointing since the G74 (at least to me). This thing really doesn't deserve the "Republic of Gamers" tag."

As for ASUS G55 :http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Asus-G55VW-S1020V-Notebook.74851.0.html
"One of the things that is less ideal is the size--although the screen is only 15.6 inches, the laptop's size and weight tell a different story. The G55VW weighs no less than 3.8 kg (8.4 pounds), which is heavier than some 17.3-inch desktop replacement laptops such as the HP Envy 17 or dv7. It also has a relatively large frame around the display and the cooling solution protrudes significantly from the back of the laptop. This also puts a limit on how much you can tilt the display backwards--the lid can only be opened to an approximate 120-degree angle."
http://love-battery.blogspot.in/2012/05/asus-g55-series-gaming-laptop-and-acer.html
"ASUS G55 rear fuselage thick front-end thin, the screen open, emerged in the keyboard appear before a tilt angle, this design will be more comfortable. Asus G55 ROG 15 inches, this test of the G55 is equipped with 15.6-inch 3D display, NVIDIA 3D Vision solution, the screen refresh rate of 120Hz, 3D display excellent results, but the 1366 Ã 768 resolution rate slightly regret.

For a high-end gaming notebook, the ASUS G55 is equipped with 15.6-inch display, but its volume than the ordinary 15-inch notebook leniency many, and had bare metal weight 3.81kg, coupled with the high-power adapter , the travel weight of 4.5kg, it is recommended that we use good quality and some of the backpack carrying." . . . .

'scene kids' I need your help please :/?

Q. hi. I cut my hair into one choppy layer on top because its naturally curly and my straightener broke so if i dont straighten it itll look dumb...
So..I need to know what hairspray you use and what kinda hair straightener you use.
And is it true that all scene kids r rude?? :/
Thak you so much!
OH and where can i get a reallly cute Hello Kitty backpack for cheap? thanks again! :P
-Allie Apathetic (not the famous one LOL)

Answer
Ayye, (:
-Well, I also have the 'Scene' hairstyle. I have like, a bagillion layers &
it does get sorta difficult! But don't fret! I can help! For hairspray, I myself
use the Suave 365 Weather Protection (helps against humidity!) But for a STRONG HOLD, I would reccomend using Aussie! They're products really work! & are pretty ahhmazing, btw. And I use
the Bed Head flat iron. Mine is blue, & lights up! I'm not sure where to get that, tho (:
-The CHEAPEST Hello Kitty backpack I have found is this one!:

http://www.hottopic.com/hottopic/PopLicenses/EverythingElse/CultFavorites/Hello-Kitty-Die-Cut-Backpack-319511.jsp

Also, at this same store, (Hot Topic. -I'm sure you know it. Every 'Scene Kid' does! <3.) you can buy Hello Kitty bags/purses. <-- They are also, fairly big. And
could be used like a backpack as well.

What is the Best survival backpack?

Jason B

AKA "bug out bag, go bag" Etc. Ignoring contents what is the best pack for survival situations for planning ahead. Personally i am not fond of the Alice Style packs. thank you in advance..

Answer
Not tring the brag here...but I have some extensive experience with backbacking throughout the world. I can tell you that you can't just buy a cheap backpack that kids use for carrying their books to school. You need something that is rugged and won't fall apart during heavy use. My two fav brands are JANSPORT and KELTY. You can't go wrong with either one.

where to get stuffed animal backpack?

Christina

you know those backpacks for children that look like stuffed animals? I know you guys might think i'm strange but I want that. except i'm 17. So, since i'm in high school, the kids ones won't do anything for me because I need more space.
do you think they sell animal backpack that have more space in them? I hope so. I think they're really cute. Thanks. don't judge me, okay :/

Answer
amazon has a lot! http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&keywords=animal&rh=n%3A166481011%2Ck%3Aanimal&page=1
hope this helps(:

International travel with a child.?

Q. I am looking at taking my family to Japan. Do you think a 3 year old will be ok to take on the flight? Any advice on how to keep her entertained. If it matters she would almost be 3 and a half year old when we leave.

Answer
I'm a former Flight Attendant and I now fly a lot now internationally with my own three children.

Three and half is a *great age* to travel with a child. They're not as much work and can start to appreciate their surroundings. Flying without diapers and bottles is another plus (although a nighttime one might be in order if she's still not night-trained).

Japan is a great place to take children. I used to work a lot of flights there and I have traveled in Japan on my own several times, although all before I had my babies.

Not only is Japan very clean but the people are very child-friendly, helping with strollers and letting parents go first on to trains, etc. In fact, there were even *warnings* in my tour books not to scold your own children too much in public, risking someone in public coming to your child's defense. They have a strict "Let children be children" philosophy and what would be considered misbehaving in western countries is considered normal or even "cute" over there.

On the airplane, to entertain her, I have found less is more. Avoid toys that make noise and go for coloring and craft projects she can do in a small space. No one minds if you read books to her. Stickers, play dough and pipe cleaners are hits at this age. Just as a tip, make sure it's relatively new play dough. I took some that I found in a closet on a flight and it crumbled and made a huge mess on the airplane!

I do what my own mom did and give my kids a new toy once on board. It doesn't have to be big and fancy. Any of the above mentioned will work. If she likes legos, Polly Pockets or Pet Shops, you can buy small accessories for them. I usually buy a children's magazine or coloring book.

You keep the toys and dole them out during the flight.

Before leaving, have her pack her own backpack with her favorite toys. Limit her to one or two stuffed animals (one of my daughters would bring 13 if I let her). Check it yourself. Girls are usually okay but some boy's toys might not be welcomed in security. The only banned items are things that look like, or can be used as weapons. You will also want to watch for noisy toys. Remote controls are not allowed on board but she can bring the toy and the remote can be packed. Also, no breakables. You may want to discuss this ahead of time.

Make sure to bring snacks and at least one change of clothes. Even if she doesn't use a sippy cup, bring one for the flight to prevent spills.

If she plays any electronic games, you can bring those but make sure you either have spare batteries or they are fully charged before you leave home. Frustrating for children when they run down with a lot of flight time still and these items *usually* can't be recharged in flight (let's hope that changes in the future!)

When my youngest was about this age, we bought a portable DVD player. It is wonderful for long flights. If you have one, bring it and again, make sure it's fully charged. If the battery life is less than 4 or 5 hours, consider buying a second battery. I purposely bought one with 14 hours but like milage on cars, it doesn't last that long. Don't let her pause it (shut it completely off if she takes a break) and make sure to set it at "night" mode to save battery time.

Make it clear that is must be used with headphones. No playing it through the speakers.

You can present her with a new DVD as one of her surprise presents if you want. Bring the recharger with you in your carry-on (in case of a delay).

DVD's in Japan are probably not compatable. The DVD player is also convenient if she doesn't want to watch Japanese TV at friends' houses or in the hotel.

I have never used any medication to get my children to sleep. These are not harmless drugs and twice when I was working, I saw children have the *opposite* reaction to them. They became completely wired and wouldn't settle down. Don't give anything without talking to your doctor and trying it at home first. I honestly don't think it's necessary for a 3 1/2 year old, who are usually tired enough to sleep on their own at some point.

I just want to give you one more tip for the airport. Tell her that there will be lots of interesting people in the airport and make it clear that she is not to point or discuss them out loud. She can ask you specifics in private but even if they speak another language, they can certainly see her pointing and could understand whatever she's saying anyway. My kids have been to many countries and I still have to remind them of this.

About 8 years ago, I wrote an article on flying with children for an expat newsletter. Over the years many parents have contributed. I later put it on a blog so that parents had access to non-commercial information from someone with both practical and professional experience on the web.

A lot of it has to do with babies so you can skip those parts.
http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com

It also appeared recently on the Expat Women site;
http://www.expatwomen.com/mothers/flying_with_children.php

My kids love everything Japanese, even the food! This will be a wonderful adventure for her. Have a great trip!

What kind of bag should i use for school?

Seqqq

okay small town in australia, i want to use like an oversized handbag.
but everyone here just uses school bags, but thats boring
i want to be different and unique, and it wouldn't be some dorky bag cos im really into fashion and stuff, but im in year 10, girl... i wouldn't look weird if i don't use a school bag will i?
Oh i'm not afraid of not being like everyone else.. i'm just looking out for myself??
hello - its high school!! im not gonna make people think im a fool for no reason. i just want a second or third opinion.

Answer
well I like to customise my backpack with cute japanese keychains and cool buttons.But I do that because it kinda shows my personality and stuff.
If you are going to take a handbag,make sure its a BIG strong one with lots of places to hold stuff inside.My friend tried that once and her bag ripped because she had alot of books in it and stuff.
but then she got a really cute leather one and it is still good :)
good luck :P

(Teen girls) What do you have in your school bag?

Cuhlare

So, I am going into grade 10 (Australia) next year, and was just wondering about what everyone else has in their school bags. I tend to go overboard (you know, buy EVERYTHING on the list the school gives you, and then add the stuff like phone, money, emergency makeup etc.) and my bag gets reallllllly heavy, so I was wondering what is the essentials to carry around with you, and what do YOU guys have in YOUR bags?

And what types of bags do YOU have?

Thanks guys :)

Answer
At my school we aren't allowed to carry bags to class. They banned them because they think they can conceal weapons, cause collisions in the hallway and a bunch of other stuff.
You have to carry your pencil case, binders and textbooks to each class.

But we are allowed to bring them and just put them in our lockers before class. I have a backpack so I bring any binders I brought home, pencil case, lunch bag, iPod, phone, gum and some spare change. During cross country and track I'd have shorts, a t-shirt, socks, running shoes and a hairbrush with hair elastics and bobby pins.

A good backpack for macbook air?

John S

I recently got a macbook air and protective sleeve, and want to find a nice backpack with some padding to carry it around in. It seems like almost all bags are made for 15 inch laptops. Can anyone recommend a smaller backpack - I saw some shoulder bags for 13 inch computers, but I would like a regular backpack. thanks in advance.

Answer
This backpack may be a little too big for what you're looking for, but even so it's a great laptop backpack and I highly recommend it. It's the Swiss Gear Synergy Backpack. Check out the details in this review:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/732293/swiss_gear_synergy_backpack_review.html?cat=46

Help me pick out a good backpack!!!! 10 points!?

Homework S

Right now I'm using the Outdoor vortex 7.0 backpack. I mean it's big, cheap, and can hold the 30 pounds of stuff I'm dragging around every day, but it's starting to hurt my back. :(

So I'm looking at North face back packs. I like the blue color alot :)
Which one is best?

-Base camp hot shot (love the blue, is it too small to hold 30 pounds well?)
-Hot Shot (bigger, colors aren't as good, but will it hurt my back?)
-Big Shot (bigger, colors are ok, idk if it will hurt)

Any suggestions, reviews, or comments?? 30 pounds of stuff as in books and laptop and such.

Thanks in advance! :)

Answer
Hey! I really like the Base camp hot shot...very nice blue color...I think you will be able to hold everything. In the review one person said that they hold their 15" computer, camera, art supplies, and more...also, they said it is very durable...the Big Shot is okay...I don't like the colors as much...I read the reviews and people said it was durable but not quite deep enough. The Hot Shot seems to be very similar to the Base Camp Hot Shot, maybe a little cheaper and an older model. People said their is plenty of room in it, but one review said it began deteriorating after one year.

Overall, my favorite is the Base Camp Hot Shot...I love the color and it seems durable, comfortable, and big enough.

Hope this helps!

Secluded camping in Texas?

Michael C

I was curious if anyone knew of a camp ground in texas that has secluded camping? i want to be able to really look at the stars and go on some somewhat strenuous hikes. I'm hoping for a place with spread out camp spots. Im not looking for backpacking because i cant afford all the supplies. I really just want to get out in some fresh air and enjoy nature.

Thanks for the Help :)
I live in the greater Austin area. Thanks for all of the information i really appreciate it.

Answer
There are many places for secluded camping, but you will have to give it some thought as to what you really want to do.

The US Forest Service, National Park Service, US Fish & Wildlife, Corps of Engineers, Texas state parks, and Texas Division of Wildlife all offer camping.

Here is a list of links that may help you find exactly what you are looking for...

National Park Service - NPS information about camping at National Park Service administered lands in Texas. - http://www.nps.gov/state/tx/index.htm

US Forest Service - USFS information about free dispersed camping (boondocking) and developed campgrounds in the USDA National Forests and Grasslands in Texas. - http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/texas/recreation/index.shtml

US Army Corps of Engineers - USACE/COE information about camping at Corps lakes in Texas - http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/states.cfm?state=TX

US Fish and Wildlife Service - FWS information about National Wildlife Refuges in Texas. Not all refuges allow camping. - http://www.fws.gov/southwest/texas.html

State Parks - Information about RV camping in the many state parks in Texas. - http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/

Texas Parks and Wildlife - 23 Wildlife Management Areas offer RV camping locations. - http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/wma/find_a_wma/?wmaselect=%2Fwma%2Ffind_a_wma%2Flist%2F%3Fid%3D25&camping=Y&action=Search+for+Wildlife+Management+Areas

Backpacking/Camping?

Robb

Hello,
I live in Texas and am looking for great backpacking trips somewhere in New Mexico or Colorado. Looking for a 2-4 day trip in the mountains going at a moderate pace and at around a 6 (1-10) difficulty, while still enjoying the surroundings.

I'm not exactly a novice, but we dont have the hikes the two states above offer, but if it were easy I wouldnt want to go. I plan on taking my 8 year old son on this hike. He wont have a problem packing his own, so dont let that sway your suggestions.

Thanks,
Robb

Answer
Try these two websites...

http://www.traildatabase.org/countries/usa.html

http://www.americanhiking.org/

Have fun!

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

backpacking in glacier national park?

I am looking for a 4 to 5 (perhaps I could be persuaded to go 6) day hike in glacier national that is Beautiful, has fishing, a lot of wildlife , lakes with glacial silt, some high altitude, and with not much more than 7 or 8 miles a day. I am basically looking for a hike that has it all! does such a hike exist?

Answer
A couple years ago, some friends and I decided to do 5 night backpacking trip in Glacier and after reading the guidebooks and consulting the maps, we decided to do the section of the Northern Traverse trail that runs from Goat Haunt up to Boulder Pass and back.

Rather than backtrack, it would have been nice to continue to the west and come out of the park at the Kintla Lake ranger station but the logistics of that proved too challenging (it is a long long way between the trail heads). No complaints though as our trip was awesome - I have done a lot of backpacking and I would still say this ranks as my number one trip ever and it matches your requirements pretty close.

Here was our intinerary:
Started at Goat Haunt ranger station (south end of Waterton Lake, you have to go around into Canada and take tour boat across the lake to it - you need your passport on the hike because Goat Haunt is a US port of entry).

1st Day - Goat Haunt to Hawksbill camp (6.5 miles, mostly gradual climb up a pretty mountain valley past Janet Lake). Hawksbill camp is a little boring (would have stayed at Lake Frances, if a spot had been open).

2nd Day - Hawksbill to Hole in the Wall Camp (4 miles, mostly uphill). Hole in the Wall is an amplitheater carved into a high canyon wall by glaciers and now filled with little streams, fields of wildflowers and clumps of trees with jagged peaks rising all around. It is considered one of the most scenic camps in Glacier and I would agree.

3-4 Day - Hole in the Wall to Boulder Pass (3 miles with a lot of uphill) The trail works around the upper part of the bowl and into Boulder Pass on the top which feels like being at the top of the world. Boulder Pass camp was excellent with incredible views of glaciers, valleys and peaks. Another little hanging valley nearby made for excellent exploring. We spent 2 nights here so we could have a day to just relax and explore.

5th Day - Boulder Pass to Frances Lake (10+ miles, but all downhill). Lake Frances is a beautiful lake with an excellent camp right by the shore. A waterfall (coming from the glaciers and snow fields above) feeds into it and you hear it all through the night in the camp.

6th Day - Lake Frances back to Goat Haunt (7.5 miles, but mostly a nice gradual downhill through the valley).

During our trip, we saw a bear, moose, ptarmagins and marmots. We went in late August (the week before Labor Day) and the weather was nice without being too warm or cold (Glacier weather can be unpredictable though). Huckleberry and Thimbleberry bushes full of fruit were all over the place (especially along the lower valley).

Other 5-7 day routes that we also looked into at Glacier included starting at Cut Bank Trailhead, going to Atlantic Creek camp, up to Morning Star Lake camp, across Pitamankan Pass to Oldman Lake camp then over to No Name Lake camp and out at Two Medicine. We also looked at doing the Gunsight trail from Jackson Glacier trailhead (near Saint Mary Lake) up to Gunsight Lake and over Gunsight Pass to Lake Ellen Wilson, Sperry Chalet and down to Lake McDonald on the other side. Unfortunately, many of the ideal routes in Glacier are point to point and require some way of getting between trailheads (which sometimes can be much further apart by road than by trail).

Glacier is a beautiful place and whatever route you chose, I don't think you will be disappointed. Remember though that prime hiking season only lasts a few months (late July through early Sept) and so you want to get your permit reservations in as early as possible especially for the popular routes and camps which fill up fast.

Backpacking in Bear Country?

Zombie Cat

Advice or tips on backpacking in bear country. I know a lot is common sense, hanging food and stuff. I've only seen a bear once, a cub a couple hundred yards down a trail near the US/Canada border. I'll be in Wyoming this time. Thanks.

Answer
Hang your food at camp, make noise on the trail, and carry bear spray.
http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/bearenc.htm
http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/backcountryhiking.htm
This is a big PDF so you might not want to click it if you have a slow connection:
http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/upload/general.pdf

do you know of any high schools in massachusetts for teens with depression?

anonymous1

kind of like a therapeutic school?
preferably not a boarding school

Answer
Turning Winds Academic Institute offers a long-term alternative to Wilderness Programs and summer camps for troubled teens and at the same time offers many of the same experiences that a teen will have in a Wilderness Program or summer camp. The students participate in many outdoor experiences throughout their stay and will participate in things like backpacking, camping, hiking, and outdoor awareness classes.

Crust punk: Tips on backpacking cross country?

Ian

Hails. I'm traveling from Massachusetts to Oregon. I have a backpack, warm clothes, a harmonica, a raging alcohol addiction, an atlas of the USA, military survival training, and a cat. Tips please.
And no money

Answer
There is a book that came out a number of years ago called A Walk Across America, and it's sequel The Walk West. Amazing story, you should read it. The author took 6 years and hiked around the 48 states. He never accepted a ride from anyone. It was just he and his dog, and later his wife. The author's name is Peter Jenkins. He had little money and would stop in an area for awhile to work for expense money doing any job he could get. It is a completely true story. And an amazing read. It will help you a great deal. He did train for two years though. Walking that kind of distance is harder than you might think. He did a lot of camping to save money. many times he would stop at farms and ranches and ask permission to spend the night camping in a field after explaining what he was doing. His whole reason for doing this? He wanted to meet the real Americans. Pretty cool.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Backpacking?

Chris V

I am going to be backpacking in Europe for about 5 months. It will be everywhere from the UK, to the Nordic countries, to mainlaind Europe, to the Mediteranean, Egypt and Morocco.

I need to find a backpack to take with me to Europe. I need something that is fairly large and easy on the back. I do plan to do a little hiking (to go see ruins/castles) but nothing that would require camping gear.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what they have used or know is a good buy?

This is one of the backpacks I was looking at:
http://kelty.com/kelty/products.php?type=4&cat=66&id=29

I need a backpack that can store things such as clothes, dirty clothes, towel, toothbrush, toothpaste, swash, deodorant, contact accesories, a book or two (lonelyplanet), 2 water bottles, etc...

Answer
Let me suggest something with out seeming rude or mean, if you are American do not come to Europe displaying the US flag, and try to tone down your accent if you have a very 'American' accent. It will just make your life easier.

Does anyone hike/backpack/camp with their kids?

riversmom3

I have a 1 year old and I think by next fall she'll either be too big or too wiggly to be carried in the backpack carrier (Kelty Kids). Does anyone take thier toddlers hiking? Camping? Any suggestions? We go in the mountains of PA.

Answer
I took my son on his first hike at six months old, in a Snugli carrier, with a daypack on my back. A month later we went on our only backpacking trip using the same carrier. By the time he was 9 months old we'd switched to a Kelty Meadow KIDS carrier, which we used for two years for day hiking, but as my wife is too weak to carry the kid, we never were able to figure out how to go backpacking, unless I carried over 50 lbs, including the kid, which is too much for the Kelty Meadow.

We used the Kelty until he was 2 years & 5 months old when we tried to experiment to see how far he could walk, which was about 33% of the time, with 66% of the time riding on my shoulders, which wasn't very comfortable. So we purchased a Sherpani Rhumba UL carrier for our vacation to Hawaii, at age 2 1/2, weight 30 lbs, and he rode in that about 66% of the time on several day hikes. (I don't recommend that carrier because the stitching came out and we had to return it, but we did get a full refund.)

At around 2 years, 10 months he hiked about 75% of the way on a seven mile hike around Muir Woods NM, the rest on my shoulders. I don't plan to put him in a carrier any more, but if we hadn't had it in Hawaii our hikes would've been impossible.

We never had a problem with wiggliness. You are kind of torturing them if you keep them in there a long time, so we never did extremely long hikes, and always stopped and let him rest and play as much as possible, moving no more than 1 MPH over a whole day, their experience of the woods just as important as mine. He'd usually fall asleep in the carrier in the afternoon for an hour or two. We never felt the need to bring toys along to keep him quiet.

Child sunburned at school?

momof3

My daughter walked in a few minutes ago and I noticed what I thought was a rash on her face . Then I noticed it on her neck and quickly determined after peeling her shirt off it was a sunburn. This happened while she was at school. She is 5 years old and in Kindergarten. Here it is November and we are still dealing with sunburns. I thought they limit sun expose at school. She donât know how long she was outside she is only 5. Should I call the school and ask them to bring in the kids sooner . Would I be overstepping my bounds telling them what to do? They didnât even send home a note. Usually when you have a problem a note is sent home. I would think sunburn is a problem. I have put aloe vera on it. She isnât complaining of pain though.

Answer
She would have had to have been outside for a very long period of time to get a serious sunburn. Its not really a problem, especially if its only a first degree burn. It was not really necessary for them to send a note home. In fact, your daughter probably didn't even notice.I think that you would be overstepping your boundaries by asking them to shorten recess, on the other hand, including some sunscreen in your daughter's backpack in the morning would be a completely resonable solution.

Also, you dont need to put aloe on if there isn't any pain. All it does is relieve the burn, and if she can't feel it there is no use. All sunburns take 1-3 weeks to disappear.

Do you ever get the feeling that classmates with rolling backpacks think they're better than you?

Koala Tame

To be clear, I'm not talking about people with back or shoulder problems or people who look healthy but may have a health problem. I'm talking about people who are *actually* perfectly healthy. I'm specifically talking about actually-perfectly-healthy college and grad students who are in their teens, twenties, or early thirties and pull a rolling backpack behind them everyday like it's a little subservient donkey, while everyone else carries their books on their own backs. Here's what goes through my mind: "What, your personal assistant quit because she couldn't endure your aura of entitlement one more second?"

Answer
Hahahaha! No, I never think that way exactly, but I find your induction pretty amusing.

I personally don't like the rolling backpacks; I used to have one, and it was a pain dragging that thing along everywhere. I prefer the normal backpacks with straps instead or even a simple shoulder bag. I understand why young children in elementary/middle school may use them - because carrying heavy books may hurt them (lol) - but students in university look a little funny when they use them. When they're walking down the hallway, they take up twice the amount of space haha and they also end up walking slower than most people because of the rolling backpack. Sometimes, other people need to move out of the way quickly to avoid running over the rolling backpack (I've seen it before, it was funny). And, how do they walk up the stairs? Do they carry their backpacks up by holding up the handle? Haha. Honestly I think they should leave the rolling part for suitcases only.

But, while it was funny, I don't care what other people do. If they want to use the rolling backpacks, so be it. It's just one of those things that tend to irritate some people like us haha.

camping with kids?

Tina M

do any of you guyshave a list or something for kids and camping? I have a 4 yr old and a 2 yr old. what things did you all bring for entertainment/food?

Answer
My kids have always simply ate what I eat. We don't fix them special meals or snacks and the same goes while hiking and backpacking. As for entertainment, being in the woods is enough for anyone, looking for wildlife, swimming, fishing, just being out there is enough for anyone. I suppose at night you could sing, tell stories, play games, music, etc, but usually my kids have hiked and played all day and are ready for bed when it gets dark.

What're good dinner ideas for backpacking/camping trips?

Dr Skipper

Going on a lot of backpacking/camping trips this year in an outdoor club, and the kids (high school and middle school age) will be cooking their own dinners. We're allowed to use knives, matches, etc.

But we need to plan out every meal so we can distribute the items to carry among us. It's a camping trip, so it can't be anything elegant or would require an oven. We would be able to use pots and pans, however, plus the campfire (though it's more for smores)

Ideas for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? Thanks

Answer
Go lightweight but healthy all around on your camping trips from the cooking to the cookware itself.

Here are healthy ideas for BREAKFAST, LUNCH, SNACK, DINNER, AND SâMORES. Think healthy for physical activity outdoors with calories that will fill the body with power and energy, rather than making the body sluggish. Think the same for your cooking equipment â light and powerful, but fully pulling its own weight with easy maintenance.

BREAKFAST:
Start with a One-Pan Egg & Veggie Breakfast in a Pita Pocket for 8 campers who can cook it up together: Over the open fire, melt 2 tablespoons canola oil in a non-stick skillet. When hot sautÃ© slices from 2 medium zucchini and a chopped medium onion until they are tender, just a few minutes. Add Â¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese. Meanwhile, have someone fork-beat 8 large eggs in a bowl with Â¼ cup milk and a pinch of salt & pepper. Using the fork, swirl this mixture into the pan with the veggies, scrambling as you go. When the eggs are cooked, divvy it all up into whole-wheat pita pockets that you have already lined with a slice of ham of your choice and slivers of fresh pear or apple.

SNACK:
Make this healthy Meal in a Cookie before the trip and store in plastic baggies to take with you. Use as a snack on the day you make the pita breakfast. Next day, pass out two cookies a person as a breakfast, especially if you have to leave the campground too early one day to cook up any food.

MEAL IN A COOKIE
1 cup dried cranberries
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
Â¼ cup fresh squeezed orange juice
â cup butter, softened
â cup sugar
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Â½ cup each: white and whole-wheat flour
Â½ teaspoon each: baking soda and salt
1 Â½ teaspoons cinnamon
1 Â½ cups old fashioned oats
â cup wheat germ
1 Â¼ cups extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
6 strips bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled

Preheat the oven to 350â°.

Heat the cranberries, orange juice, and orange zest in a medium non-stick saucepan. Let steep over medium-low heat until the cranberries are plump.

Cream together the butter and sugar; add the egg and vanilla.

In another bowl, combine the flours, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon, mixing well by hand. Stir in the oats and the wheat germ. Add this to the creamed mixture. Fold in the plumped cranberries mixture, the cheese, and the bacon. Drop by the mounded tablespoonfuls onto non-stick baking pans.

Bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Prick gently with a fork while still warm. Can be dipped in maple syrup if you are at campside.

LUNCH:
This needs to be your most portable meal, especially if youâre on the trail all day. Make sandwiches with a meat of some kind or other protein such as beans with vegetables and wrap them up in vegetable made flour tortillas because loaves of bread can be bulky and heavy to carry on. Also, the new sandwich bread thins are great because they are skinny round breads that take up little space but are delicious for any sandwich you might otherwise build into a bulky roll.

DINNER:
Consider dinner on a stick. Thread meat, vegetables, and fruit onto skewers. Everyone can join in the fun of building these kebobs and cooking them on a grill. The choices are endless from chunks of beef, chicken or ham with peppers, pineapples and mushrooms, to seafood with frozen potatoes and cherry tomatoes!

DESSERT:
Sâmores are a must but have a different one every time. Bring flavored graham crackers: honey, chocolate, and cinnamon. Consider different kinds of chocolate from caramel filled to mint patties, butterscotch chips, and white chocolate. Add apple slices, peanut butter, bananas or dried fruits such as figs, dried cherries or cranberries, and raisins.

CAMPING COOKING GEAR:
Pots and pans coated with DuPont Teflon non-stick are your best friend on a camping trip to save you time. Donât have any? No problem. You can turn any camping pot or pan into an easy-clean non-stick pan with Teflon liners by NoStik, sold in supermarkets and at other retailers (www.nostik.com). These handy sheets can be cut to fit the size of your pan and be re-used if you can wash them or just discard and use a new one each time.

Also, GSI Outdoors carries a complete cooking vessel and eating utensils kit in a small portable and lightweight carrying tower.

Gail Greco
Chef/Editor Carefree CookingMagazine at www.teflon.com

Backpacking Near NYC.?

soccerboy8

I live on Long Island and i was wondering if anyone knows a good place to go backcountry camping near New York City?

Answer
I second BeachBum's motion.

I grew up hiking the trails of Harriman (which is on the backside of Bear Mountain, to place it for you), and it's a great place to go hiking. Lot's of trails, vistas of forest and lakes, and, considering how close it is to the city, somewhat isolated. This time of year, and on through the winter, I doubt you'll see another hiker.

The Catskill Mountains, only about two hours from you, have an extensive network of trials, particularly in the 10,000 acre Catskill Forest Preserve. There are several hiking guides available. For a beginner I would look at the Adirondack Mountain Club's "Guide To Catskill Trails."

The Adirondacks are probably a bit far for a casual hiking trip. But, just FYI, the Adirondack Forest Preserve is about 1/5 of New York state, and is, in fact, larger than some states. There are all sorts of trails up there, including, if you're up for some strenuous hikes, many that scale the high peaks.

add-on: I should have mentioned that there used to be a book called something like "400 walks in the new york area." IIRCC, it was published by the NewYork/New Jersey Trails Conference. Anyway, your library might have it, or can find it on the inter-library loan. Or it might still be in print, and the NY?NJTC will gladly sell you a copy.

Boy scout Camping Trips...?

BroadStree

things to bring for summer camp?

irish cowg

im going to camp next week and i need to know things i should bring

Answer
Water Bottles, Snacks, Food, Tent, Backpack, Sleeping Bag, Extra blankets, Pillows, Cell Phone, Soap, Shampoo, Conditioner, Wash Cloths, Band-aids, First Aid Kit, Neosporin, Bug Spray, Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Clothes, Camera, & a Backpack! Hope this helps!

Essential Camping Gear?

lilpeaches

Summer is coming and I like to plan ahead.

I am planning on going camping and haven't ever really done so to be honest.

What do you think the essential camping gear you need? Other than a tent? (Any suggestions on that would be great too.)

Remember that I am on a limited budget.

Thanks!
ok let me say from the last answer that this is just a camping trip. i'm not a survivalist and were just going to have a good time.

some people take this stuff way to seriously. oy.

but for the rest, your answers are awesome!

Answer
I am assuming that you will be car camping and not backpacking. That said my information will be for car camping, though you should go backpacking at some point because it is really fun...if you like to be in nature. Depending on where you are going these things might need to be changed.

THE LIST:
1. A Cooler w/ ice
2. Some type of food (i.e. sandwich meat, bread, water, condements, hotdogs, marshmallows, graham crackers, chocolate(you gotta make smores when camping) etc.
3. Water, or a water purification system
4. antibacterial wipes
5. Tent
6. sleeping bag, or a old blanket from your house
7. Some type of sleeping mat...i perfer a self inflating mat. I use a thermarest
8. changes of socks! then undies and other clothes
9. I lighter/lighter fluid
10. Knife
11. Flashlight and lantern...lantern is not required but a good flashlight is.
12. pillow
13. Folding Chair
14. Simple first aid, w/ bandaids, peroxide, common sense stuff ya know
15. It is always nice to have a camera

Honestly this list could go on and on and on. These are basics. You won't really know what you'll need until you have actually camped.
12.

Pages

Popular Posts

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Camping list?

Backpack for 6 grade?Help!?

What is a backpacking tent?

my calculater keeps dissappearing?

Friday, February 7, 2014

What is the most common middle school fashion for girls?

Should I take a Backpack or a Suitcase?

Camping laws in USA?

Boy scout Camping Trips...?

What tent will be good for camping around Africa and Europe?

Camping packtowl antimicrobial treatment?

Ruger .454 Casull for backpacking?

Backpacking with dog in So Cal?

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Is the asus g75 hard to take around?

What is the Best survival backpack?

International travel with a child.?

(Teen girls) What do you have in your school bag?

Help me pick out a good backpack!!!! 10 points!?

Backpacking/Camping?

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Backpacking in Bear Country?

Crust punk: Tips on backpacking cross country?

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Does anyone hike/backpack/camp with their kids?

Do you ever get the feeling that classmates with rolling backpacks think they're better than you?

What're good dinner ideas for backpacking/camping trips?

Boy scout Camping Trips...?

Essential Camping Gear?

Search This Blog

Blog Archive