When I was learning to backpack, I found it helpful when others posted their gear lists. It gave me a reference point for the kinds of things I needed, what I was doing right, and what I could be doing better. That said, there is no “one size fits all” gear list. There are a number of personal factors that go into making a gear list, such as size, weight, fitness level, and need for comfort. It also matters where and when you plan to go backpacking. One must factor in temperature, precipitation, terrain, water availability and natural shelter, among other things.
All posts by CampingJay
Walk down hill safely with these simple tricks
When a lot of people think of hiking, they think of huffing and puffing up hills. Believe it or not, walking up hill gets naturally easier over time as you get in shape and build up endurance. On the other hand, there are some skills and tips that are necessary for you to properly learn to walk down hill.
- Tighten your shoelaces
- Don’t Side Step
- Use trekking poles
- Let go of your dog
Continue reading Walk down hill safely with these simple tricks
2015 New Years Resolutions for CampingJay
2015 New Years Resolutions:
1) Blog at least once each week
2) Learn to hike barefoot
3) Night-hike more often
4) Go backpacking for a weekend with no food
5) Finish hiking the NY section of the AT
6) Start hiking the PA section
7) Get certified in Wilderness First Aid
8) Go camping in Maine
9) Introduce more people to the outdoors
10) Spend a weekend canoe camping
Fiji Water Bottles for Hiking
Many people in the ultra-light backpacking community use plastic soda, water, or Gatorade bottles to carry water while hiking. For a long time, my choice for water storage was the 1.5 Liter Poland Springs Bottle, but I have recently switched to the 1.5 Fiji Bottle. I find that the large square Fiji Water Bottles fit better in my side pockets, won’t roll away, and have a lower center of gravity than the old Poland Springs bottle of equal volume. Continue reading Fiji Water Bottles for Hiking
Delaware Tubing and the 10 Essentials
This weekend my friends and I camped out at Stokes State Forest in New Jersey, and then went for a 9 mile float down the near by Delaware River. The weather was great, and wild-life was plentiful, including several bald eagles.
In this video, I discuss some essentials for remaining safe in the outdoors. These are 10 items that you should always have with you when venturing into the wilderness, no matter how short of a journey you are planning.
Nature is too…
A few months ago it was too cold to go outdoors. It seemed like hardly a week went by before it was too hot. I’ve heard every reason under the sun why people can’t do things outside. It is too hot. It is too buggy. It is too rainy. It is too humid. Its too dark out. There are too many bears. The sun is too bright. The trail is too steep. The ground is too hard. The water is too deep. The brush is too thick. The thorns are too sharp. The truth is, for most people, nature is too wild. Continue reading Nature is too…
Gossamer Gear Gorilla Ultralight Pack
After a recent backpacking and camping adventure in the Pharaoh Lakes Wilderness Area of New York’s Adirondack Park, a friend of mine who had just been camping with us decided that he’d like to give backpacking a try. He asked me for advice on what equipment he would need, and my first thoughts were, “well, you’re going to need a pack!”
Initially, I wasn’t sure what to suggest. He didn’t have a super compressible down backpacking quilt, and his big dome tent wouldn’t fit in even the most gargantuan of expedition packs. The truth was, he had to start from scratch, and that was good news. Starting from scratch meant avoiding most of the mistakes people make when they get into backpacking. I made those mistakes, and they cost me a lot of money and a bit of discomfort on the trail.
Adirondack Adventure 2014, Part 3: Planning for Backpacking
This is Part 3 in a series on my recent adventure in the Pharaoh Lakes Wilderness. In this section, I will discuss planning for the backpacking trip.
Planning for base camp is very easy compared to planning for backpacking. When you are backpacking, you rely much more on your planning and your wits than you do on your gear. It is very important to have a route mapped out and to understand the terrain, climate, and local restrictions. It is also very important to have a good understanding of the capabilities of your group, as I found out the hard way. Continue reading Adirondack Adventure 2014, Part 3: Planning for Backpacking
Adirondack Adventure 2014, Part 2: Planning for Camp
This is Part 2 a trip report for a recent adventure through the Pharaoh Lakes Wilderness in New York’s Adirondack Park and will concentrate on planning for camp. The Pharaoh Lakes Wilderness is a 43,883 acre wilderness preserve situated just a few minutes outside of Ticonderoga, NY. It is a favorite hiking and camping destination for my friends and I. Continue reading Adirondack Adventure 2014, Part 2: Planning for Camp
Putnam Pond: A Place to Relax
Sometimes, camping is just relaxing in the woods. In this video, Travis and Mike talk about the joys of camping and what it means to get away from it all. This video is shot at our favorite campsite at Putnam Pond, part of the greater Pharaoh Lakes Wilderness Area. For a full report on our 2014 Pharaoh Lakes Wilderness trip, click here.