I am frequently asked backpacking and hiking questions.  Questions like “where should I go” and “have you been to…” and “what gear do you recommend” and “where can I buy…?”  So to help answer those questions I thought I would put together my Top 5 Backpacking and Hiking Resources.  I have divided up these resources into a few groups but I am only giving you 10.  Here goes…

General Hiking and Backpacking

1.      Backpacker Magazine and Backpacker.com :  This package deal offers quite a bit of inspiration for me.  I find that many of the articles give me great trip ideas and they usually include information on which maps to get, how to get to the trailhead, etc.  There are also articles covering environmental issues, gear and outdoor trends.  Although these are not the main reason I enjoy reading Backpacker, they are an added plus (even if the gear they usually review is not quite up my alley).

2.   REI stores:  Every time I have been to an REI store, I come back with trip ideas.  Their staff is usually comprised of outdoor enthusiasts and if you chat with them long enough, then you get some great trip ideas.  REI also offers programs to the public, sometimes free, other times for a minimal cost.  I have learned a bit about GPS from one of their programs and have wanted to attend numerous other programs but my closest REI is an hour each way from my house. 

The chain of stores, and their website, offer gear for purchase and an outstanding customer satisfaction guarantee.  They also have a used gear sale a few times a year for their members.  In addition, if you like other outdoor activities, REI has an array of gear for most outdoor pursuits.  Finally, some stores rent gear, invaluable if you are trying to ease into an activity.

Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking (LW and UL Backpacking)

3.      Backpacking Light:  widely regarded as the go to resource for lightweight and ultralight backpackers.  Want to have a base weight of 5 pounds before adding in food, water and fuel?  This is the place to come for info.  Want to learn about some crazy trips?  This is the place to search around.  Try some of their podcasts or read some of their articles.  Join in and garner new info from the forums.  Like to make your own gear…then check out the MYOG forum.  You won’t be disappointed.  Just a warning, some of their content is for “Members Only”, but non-members can access quite a bit of  free content and use the forums (you will have to sign up for an account but it’s free).

4.      The Annual Day Zero Pacific Crest Trail Kick-Off Party (ADZPCTKO) and the PCTA’s Trailfest:  These are two separate events but they are both the main way that LW and UL backpackers can see and try lightweight gear made by cottage manufacturers.  Since most of our LW and UL gear is made by small organizations, they are tough (almost impossible) to find in stores, these events usually have a vendor section and guess who the vendors are…our cottage manufacturers. 

Make Your Own Gear     

5.      Thru-hiker.com:  This site is managed by AYCE (pronounced ace).  AYCE is a wealth of knowledge about making your own gear.  On his site he has info about making your own gear, has material and supplies available for purchase, and offers pre assembled kits that you can buy to make at home.  This is a great way to stay involved with hiking and backpacking in the winter months, save money and get a better understanding of how gear is made.  Although I haven’t made any of my gear, I have had many friends who have used AYCE’s kits and report them as being easy to follow but if they did have questions, AYCE was quick to respond to requests for help. 

So those are my Top 5 Hiking and Backpacking Resources.  I hope they help you in your endeavors to get outdoors.  Please remember these are just my favorites right now, what are your favorites?

Let’s get started at the beginning and assess the situation.  Most people, when they go for their first backpacking trip, go with someone who has more experience and has been out before.  It is also common to borrow or rent gear for ones first outing.  That being said, it is important to take into consideration two key women specific issues to facilitate a positive backcountry experience:  1) when possible, use women specific gear or at least try it out, and 2) distribute any group gear not by equal weight but by equal percentage of body weight.

Using women specific gear is important for two main reasons.  First, it can be a huge weight savings which will make anyone more comfortable carrying their load.  Second, it is made to better suit a woman’s specific needs.  The best example is when a woman who is 5’6” tall or shorter is using a men’s size regular bag.  It’s absolutely crazy to be carrying around an extra 6 inches of sleeping bag.  Its extra weight (or weight that could be used for extra insulation) and its extra energy needed to warm that space.  Plus, women’s bags are usually stuffed so that there is extra insulation in the foot box, the core and the hood, as women are typically colder in those places.  Now you’ve got a cold woman, carrying around extra weight.  Not the best way to get someone to come back out for trip number two.  Other women specific features to be on the look out for include: extra padding on hip belts, a more “v” shaped hip belt, narrower shoulder straps (although some women are more broad shouldered and might not like that option as much), and smaller (and typically lighter) carrying capacities for packs.

Distributing group gear by percentage of body weight as opposed to equal weight is important as well.  Many women are typically smaller and lighter than their male counter parts, which seems to be who women go out with for their first trip.  It is silly to think that group gear should be split evenly by weight.  Calculations should be made so that everyone carries an equal percentage of their body weight.  It’s also important to make novice women backpacker’s feel empowered and by “carrying their own weight” you are making them feel like a capable member of the team.  This is a critical point with not just women but will all novice backpackers. 

When it comes down to it, with any novice hiker, the main goal is to get them to want to go on another trip.  These tips will help them be more comfortable on their feet but it’s the leader’s job to make sure that solid planning and reasonable expectations are set ahead of time to ensure the success of the back country experience. 

Happy Trails,

“The Woman Gone Wild”