The Green Hiker

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!

Now Go Outdoors!

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.

Now Go Outdoors!

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!

Still haven’t strapped on your hiking snowshoes. What! You don’t own a pair. Well, the folks at ORS in Vermont produced three videos to help you match a snowshoe with hiking terrains and snow conditions.

Atlas TSL MSR Tubbs Recreational Snowshoes Comparison

http://www.orssnowshoesdirect.com/all_recreational_trail_adventure_snowshoes.htm
An excellent general overview of snowshoes targeted for a variety of terrain and conditions including packed snow and broken trails, gently to moderately rolling terrain, groomed slopes and hills.

MSR Snowshoes Review Video by ORS Snowshoes Direct

http://www.orssnowshoesdirect.com/msr_lightning_ascent_snowshoes.htm
The MSR Lightning Ascent snowshoes and MSR Lightning snowshoes models are the lightest all terrain snowshoe models on the market. For use in all types of conditions such as deep powder and untracked snow, technical & hilly terrain, prolonged steep vertical as well as variable snow types like heavy, wet snow and icy hardpack.

Tubbs Mountaineer Snowshoes Review & Demonstration by ORS Snowshoes Direct

http://www.orssnowshoesdirect.com/tubbs_mountaineer_snowshoes.htm
Tubbs Mountaineer snowshoes are the choice for expedition and out of bounds backcountry territory. Handles extreme steeps, ice, hard pack and wind blown traverses with ease.

Now Go Outdoors!

Going out on an afternoon hike? Or maybe a three day walk-about?

What gear do you carry? What is your minimum pack?

Well here’s the list of ten essentials compiled by The White Mountain National Forest and New Hampshire Fish and Game as part of their  program:

• Map
• Compass
• Warm Clothing
  • Sweater or Pile Jacket
  • Long Pants (wool or synthetic)
  • Hat (wool)
• Extra Food and Water
• Flashlight or Headlamp
• Matches/Firestarters
• First Aid Kit/Repair Kit
• Whistle
• Rain/Wind Jacket & Pants
• Pocket Knife

Ok, confession time. I always carry a pocket knife. I don’t own a whistle. And I’ve never packed warm clothing while hiking in Southwest Florida. In any season.

But this is the list. And if any hike includes mountains, valleys, desert terrain … or where weather spits and spins on a dime, this should be your list.

Let us know what you carry. Your minimum and maximum. And why.

Now Go Outdoors!

Outdoor Adventure Gear Expert & Green RVer Brian Brawdy features his Lance Camper Eco RV & winter gear essentials for the upcoming season!

WHAM Rochester 08

http://www.brianbrawdy.com

Now Go Outdoors!