The Green Hiker

A study by Ethical Consumer magazine claims that companies that produce hiking boots, tents and all sorts of outdoor gear are causing serious damage to the environment …. and are abusing workers’ rights. Ouch!

You can read more about the allegations …. and some of the named outdoor gear manufacturer’s  responses here.

Other News Accounts:

• Common Dreams

• Toxic Shirts?

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• Outdoor gear contains petroleum, nanotech (sfgate.com)

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Simpler Living blogger Naomi Seldin has a guest post by Gillian Scott on 13 essential pieces of hiking gear.

The post is fine as is … but it’s the comments that truly round out the piece. Worth a peek, if not a gander.

Oh. And I never hike without my sturdy hiking stick. Essential? No. Necessary? Yes.

Additional Essential Hiking Gear Info:

• Planning A Hike

• Hiking Equipment

From Day Hiking To Overnight Backpacking:

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• The 10 Essentials for Backpacking (backpacking-gear.suite101.com)

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With the end of winter, it’s time to get your outdoor gear ready for spring and summer hiking and camping. Here are two packing lists:

• Ryan “FixedByDocs” 5 day 4 night pack list for spring-summer through hikes. Part 1.

• Part 2 of 2.

For another point of view, here’s Chris Molloy’s hiking and camping Gear List

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The Big Agnes Salt Creek Recycled Tent earned Backpacker Magazine “Editors’ Choice 2009 Green Award”. This 2-person, three-season tent uses 100% recycled materials (including the reflective guy lines and plastic clips). Without any toxic dyes, this green tent is a somewhat shocking white.

The Salt Creek is not just some eco-friendly experiment or “paean to green”. You’ll want to pack this tent from windy Spring through chilling Fall. The Big Agnes is a 3-season camping workhorse. From the Backpacker Magazine’s review :

“Wind and rain whipped the Salt Creek on trips from high-alpine Colorado to the peaks of northern Wales, and everywhere the green construction proved both durable and weatherproof”.

Specs:

• Packed weight 6 lb 12 oz
• Floor area 36 sq ft
• Head height 38 in
• Single side door with vestibule
• Recycled zippers
• 2 mesh floor pockets
• Hub/pole design makes set up easy
• More specs and features
  

Click here for more info on this great Big Agnes Recycled Tent!

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Mountains Plus has a great  tent deal:  the Sierra Designs Sirius 3-person tent for $99. The only problem is that they can’t seem to keep this tent in stock.

With a pack weight of just over five pounds, this Sirius tent is ideal for your overnight hikes. It’s easy to set up and maintains its integrity in the windiest conditions. You may have to back order it though. Lots of  folks are taking advantage of this great tent offer.

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Are you a dedicated green hiker or backpacker looking for additional eco-friendly info and insights?

One place to start is Backpacker Magazine’s Green Guide. This compilation places a link list under three categories:  Featured Stories, Nature, and Gear.

So … here comes Super Poison Ivy? (Under the “Nature” category.)

Now Go Outdoors!