Looking for the perfect gift for the hiking enthusiast in your family? Or perhaps you’re a hiker yourself and you’re putting the finishing touches on your wish list but need a little help. Have no fear - tripleblaze.com is here to help you out! Here are 8 hiking accessories organized by price that any hiker would love to receive this holiday season:

Cheapskate (under 30 bucks)

Sigg Water Bottle ($22)

Plastic water bottles are so 2007; fortunately for you the Sigg Lifestyle 0.6L Bottle is made from high grade aluminum. Because this bottle is made from aluminum it’s lightweight, recyclable, and won’t retain tastes from your beverages like plastic bottles can. The Sigg Lifestyle line comes in a variety of colors and patterns making this a semi-customized gift sure to please any palate.

Wenger MicroLight Swiss Army Knife ($29)

The classic hiking gift is back this year and this model from Wenger has it all: a mini flashlight, tweezers, toothpick, nail file, screwdriver, and scissors plus still leaves room for a surprisingly sharp blade! No hiker should leave the house without a do-it-all tool like the Wenger Swiss Army Knife - even if he or she is only hiking to the mall

Suunto Compass ($29)

Remember these? Compasses are the original GPS units and this is another inexpensive item no hiker should be without. This compass from Suunto is lightweight, durable, and doesn’t need batteries making it perfect for emergency situations. Speaking of emergencies the included mirror is great for signaling rescuers - let’s see your GPS unit do that!

Gifts for good friends (under 100 bucks)

Camelbak Day Star Womens Hydration Pack ($60)

Water is essential to life, especially when hiking to the top of a 14er in the summer. The Camelbak Day Star holds 2L of water which should be enough for all but the longest hiking day trips and this pack is specially designed for women. Includes plenty of pockets to haul all your other gear too.

Camelbak Octane 8+ Hydration Pack ($80)

Yep, it’s another hydration pack but we’re convinced that every hiker needs one of these. The Octane is a larger pack than the Day Star so we recommend it for manly men who sweat a lot and who need to carry a ton of gear. This cavernous day pack is large enough to hold extra clothes, snacks, 2L of water, and all your other hiking accessories securely without making you feel off balance on the trail.

High rollers (hiking gifts over 100 bucks)

Suunto Vector Altimeter Watch ($199)

This is the must-have watch for any backcountry explorer. The Suunto Vector tracks your altitude for summit attempts and includes an electronic compass to help you get down the mountain at the end of the day. A built-in barometer tracks changes in pressure which means this watch is your early warning system for dangerous storm systems. Sadly this watch doesn’t include a temperature sensor - for that you’ll still need the Weather Channel

Arc’teryx Gamma SV Jacket ($350)

The Gamma SV is easily one of the most high tech outdoor jackets you can buy but you’ll be tempted to wear it even when you’re not venturing outdoors. Great for skiing, hiking, and climbing, this jacket wicks moisture away from your core, keeping you warm and toasty in even the most extreme cold weather conditions.

Garmin GPSMap 60CSx ($299)

I’ve owned a number of GPS units over the years and the GPSMap 60CSx is easily the most versatile and rugged unit I’ve encountered. This GPS is great for hiking and backpacking but with additional software you can use it to navigate in your car or on your bike! Other, newer GPS models may add more bells and whistles but the GPSMap 60CSx is a solid, dependable choice for hiking and outdoor enthusiasts.

Next week we’ll share our holiday gift guide for camping - stay tuned for the best deals and ideas!

Here’s a bit of camping news to get you in the holiday spirit: urban camping ahead of Black Friday. Apparently some folks in Brownsville, TX are already lining up for the day-after-Thanksgiving deals at the local Best Buy and the local news station was out to see what it was all about. With tents, camping chairs, and sleeping bags the campers set up in the parking lot and it seems the store manager doesn’t really mind.

The campers are just as interested in hanging out and having a good time ahead of the sales as they are in getting good deals on electronics. Of course this certainly isn’t the only example of urban line-camping we’ve seen. Folks routinely line up days ahead of time for movie, concert, and sports tickets and we’ve even heard of couples lining up to reserve hot wedding spots a year in advance of their nuptials.

Of course some municipalities have rules against camping in public areas but if your local codes allow it, why not pitch a tent outside your local mega-mart. I just hope none of these guys start craving turkey and football tomorrow - I’d hate for them to lose their places in line!

Our dog Jackson camping along the Appalachian Trail.

As we all know pets are a part of the family and it’s natural to want to involve your dog in a family camping trip. And why not? Camping is the perfect vacation for your dog but it’s important to keep in mind a few things when planning your trip:

1. Plan activities that involve your dog. This is easily the most often overlooked aspect of camping with your dog but it’s also the most important. If your daytime activities revolve around mountain biking, for example, what do you plan to do with your dog while you’re out? Tying a dog up in your campsite while you’re gone is no vacation for you or the dog and it can be dangerous if no one is around to keep an eye on your pet. Instead, consider activities like hiking or even swimming where you can bring your dog with you - he’ll enjoy it and so will you!

On a camping trip to Fort Mountain this summer we camped beside a large family that brought a dog with them. The family spent most of the day at the lake canoeing, swimming, and fishing but they left the poor pup by himself tied to a tree. The dog’s constant sad whining was annoying to us and nearby campers and certainly wasn’t what the dog had in mind when he got in the car to go camping. Consider this sad dog when you plan your own trip :(.

2. Keep your dog on a leash in camp. When you ARE at your campsite, it’s a good idea to keep your dog restrained for his own safety. Camping can involve some dangerous things for dogs: campfires, open food containers with raw meat, wild animals, and unpredictable children. Even if your dog is well behaved he or she may be stressed out by a camping trip and may act erradically. Be safe and keep your dog on a leash whenever possible.

3. Don’t forget to pack doggie stuff! Nobody likes to pack for a trip but your dog doesn’t even know he’s going on a trip so you’ll need to do double duty. Don’t forget clean bowls, food, extra water, treats, and toys to keep your dog entertained. What’s a camping trip without a frisbee anyway?

4. Consider sleeping arrangements. I prefer to keep our dog in the tent with us at night for safety reasons (his safety, not ours!) so there’s no need to pack a special bed for him. You may want to test your dog in the tent to see how he reacts before you head out. Some dogs don’t like going into a tent and will keep you up all night moving around. Give it a dry run and see how things work.

Camping with your dog can be a great experience - or a terrible one if you aren’t prepared. Just keep these tips in mind and you and your dog will both have a great camping vacation!

Santos trail system in Ocala, FL

The American Trails organization held the 19th annual Trail Symposium in Little Rock, AR earlier this month and picked Florida as the Best Trails State Award winner for 2008. The award is given annually:

For a state which is facilitating an outstanding statewide system of trails. The nomination should address any aspects that have led to the establishment of the statewide trails network including master planning, legislation, funding, and program implementation. The nomination should also include specific projects, plans, policies and/or initiatives that have furthered establishment and expansion of the trails network during the past two years.

The state of Florida has been working since 1999 on a comprehensive plan for greenways and trails and has accomplished a great deal over the past several years. The Florida Office of Greenways and Trails (OGT) manages more than 80,000 acres of land containing over 400 miles of trails, including the 110-mile cross-Florida greenway. OGT works closely with the state DOT and Department of Health to faciliate trail planning and management leading to a cooperative effort matched by few states.

The OGT has also recognized the vital link between trails and tourism and works closely with the state tourism marketing board. The state even helped develop guides to hiking, paddling, and biking in the state to give existing trails exposure to new users.

As a Best State Trail award winner, the state of Florida should serve as a model for other states looking to improve health, transportation, and tourism through a single comprehensive trail program. Next time you head down to the beach or Disney, don’t forget your hiking boots - there are plenty of trails to explore in the Sunshine State!

The UnionLeader.com posted an article about four teens who were rescued after becoming lost while hiking Saddleback Mountain in New Hampshire. After finding themselves cold, wet, and lost in a swamp around 1am the teens called 911 from a cell phone and rescuers were able to pinpoint their location using GPS technology. According to rescue officials, the teens were woefully unprepared for the hike and as such, they should be responsible for paying rescue costs. Among the mistakes made by the teens:

• The group began their hike at 7pm with a single flashlight which ran out along the way.
• The teens carried no water with them for the hike.
• None of the hikers carried navigation equipment of any kind (map, compass, GPS, etc.)
• Improper attire: one teen was wearing a t-shirt while another wore a gray sweatshirt in the midst of hunting season.

It seems the only thing the hikers did right was to bring a cell phone along (and I’d guess they probably had four of those ). In any event, the cell phone ultimately enabled their rescue and allowed them to return home relatively unharmed.

It may surprise some to hear that local government agencies are charging rescuees for the costs associated with emergency response but this is becoming more and more common these days. In this case it sounds as if the teens are being charged due to their own negligence; If the rescue had been in response to an accident perhaps the teens would have been given a freebie. In any event, this is just one more reason to be prepared when hiking outdoors - you won’t want to get stuck with your own rescue bill!

The Camping Blogger posted a list of the Top 5 Useless camping products and that inspired me to share a list of my own. Though I wouldn’t call any of these products completely useless, I will say that most (if not all) are truly ridiculous.

1. GSI Outdoor Vortex Blender ($79.95 from Backcountry.com).

The GSI Outdoor Vortex is a “portable” blender that’s perfect for all your outdoor adventures (at least, those that don’t require carrying your equipment more than a few yards from the car). The Vortex features a hand crank and a handy vice grip to secure the blender to a picnic table while you wear out your arm grinding ice for margaritas. Thankfully the jar is Lexan so you don’t have to worry about breaking it when the thing goes flying off the table as you crank. Coleman also makes a portable camping blender but thankfully theirs is battery powered.

2. The Love Seat Deluxe by Variety International (currently unavailable from Amazon.com)

Yep, you’ve probably seen those fancy folding camping chairs at your local sporting goods store but you may have missed this one. The Love Seat Deluxe is a two-seater camping chair but we imagine more than a few really fat guys have purchased one of these for themselves. All we need now is a camping sofa and we can recreate our entire living room in the great outdoors!

3. Eureka N!ergy Pillow Dual Speaker ($19.97 from campmor.com)

For those who are completely turned off by the sounds of the outdoors (you know, chirping frogs, rustling leaves, silence), now you can fall asleep to the sounds of Slayer on your iPod with the Eureka N!ergy pillow. We were a little impressed by the whole Eureka N!ergy tent concept a few months back but we’re not quite sure how this fits. The pillow doesn’t even need batteries or an external power source so no need to plug into your N!ergy outlet.

4. GSI Outdoor Adventure Travel Bar ($39.95 from Backcountry.com)

Imagine: on a hike you happen to find some wild mint that would taste great in an ice cold Mojito - but alas, you have no way to mix your drink! Too bad you didn’t bring the GSI Outdoor Adventure Travel Bar along. The 7-piece kit contains two flasks, a couple glasses, and even a cocktail shaker. Refreshing!

5. Portable Urinal and the Lady J (starting at $6.99 from Campmor.com)

As a kid I used to get the Campmor catalog and everytime I saw this thing it cracked me up. No more need to urinate in empty drink bottles on long car trips - just bring along your Portable Urinal or Lady J and you can urinate anywhere you like!

Along the same lines, I also recommend the Bumper Dumper for a more civilized outdoor restroom experience. No more squatting in the bushes - use your car’s bumper to mount a genuine toilet seat! Uncle Booger says you can use the Bumper Dumper with either a bag or a bucket receptacle and for just $69.95 you can get one for your ride!

6. REI Adventure Dog Tent ($40 from REI)

Yep, for $40 you can get your dog his or her own tent to take on your next camping trip. Our dog, Jackson, tends to walk into tent walls - he doesn’t quite grasp the concept of a zippered door for some reason. So, put your dog’s tent near your own - you’ll want to be able to hear your dog when he needs to go outside at night! Suitable for dogs up to 110 pounds.

If you’re looking for a ridiculous product for your camping buddy who has it all this holiday season, this list should at least get you started. Enjoy!

You probably heard the story by now of how Steve Fossett’s plane crash site was found in the Sierra Nevada mountains by a lone hiker last month. It turns out the discovery was basically the result of luck and the Army National Guard posted a good article on the circumstances.

Preston Morrow, whose wife Natalie is an officer in the Nevada National Guard, went hiking September 29 with his dog in the Inyo National Forest with the intent of reaching the Mineret mine. After 4-5 miles of hiking, Morrow realized he wouldn’t make it to the mine and back before dark so he decided to hike off trail to the top of a 10,000 foot ridge to get a view of the area. On his way back down he came across Fossett’s ID and over $1,000 in cash.

The next day Preston and Natalie returned to the area with a wildlife specialist and videographer to get GPS coordinates of the site. During that trip Natalie found Fossett’s black Nautica sweatshirt in the forest. The rest, as they say, is history and recently Fossett’s remains were identified using DNA technology putting an end to the unofficial search operation.

For many folks, the idea of never knowing what you’ll see or find on a hike is what makes hiking so addictive. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve resisted turning around on an out-and-back hike just because I wanted to see what was around the next corner. Keep hiking and bring your camera whenever you go out - you never know what you’ll run into!

How many times have you found yourself staring into the flames of a campfire completely mesmerized and thought, “Why is this so interesting?” If you’re like me, it happens all the time and it’s actually not that surprising. In some ways the campfire is like caveman television - it’s dynamic, engaging, and lights up the dark night.

Now there’s a product to make campfires even more engaging: Funky Colored Flames. Just drop a packet of crystals into your campfire and enjoy a colored light show for up to 30 minutes thanks to a few unnamed chemicals and metals. The manufacturer says Funky Flames are safe for indoor or outdoor use but does not recommend using the crystals on cooking fires (remember what we said about chemicals?).

This product is pretty much every pyro-kid’s dream come true and it’s gotta be safer than throwing everything in camp on the fire to “see how it burns.” Now if they could just get my campfire to play Sponge Bob Squarepants the kids could be as entertained by campfire flames as I am

You can purchase Funky Colored Flames from Campingworld.

These days many people consider their dog a part of the family and it’s natural to try to include your pet in outdoor activities like hiking and backpacking. Dogs can be great companions when hiking but it’s important to keep a few things in mind before putting your pooch on the trail:

1. Keep your dog on a leash. I know, I know, your dog prefers to be off leash, especially when romping through the woods, but this is really a matter of safety. Your dog may be perfectly well mannered and responsive to your every command but you never know what you’ll encounter in the great outdoors - wildlife, unfriendly dogs, dog-unfriendly hikers, dangerous terrain, etc.

Once while hiking in Colorado with our dog Jackson we encountered a rattlesnake sunning itself on the trail. Although I immediately recognized the danger our curious dog (he was only a puppy at the time) was very interested in the furiously rattling snake. He was off leash at the time and thankfully I was able to draw him away from the snake by yelling but things could have ended differently.

On another hike in Colorado with our dog off leash, we encountered a lost horse at the dead end of a remote dirt road (fully saddled with packs no less!) and not a rider in sight. Jackson, a German Shepherd, saw the huge animal and decided to give chase up the mountain. No amount of yelling could stop the dog and I just hoped he would return as I jogged up the mountain calling his name. Eventually he came back uninjured but he could have easily been stomped to death by the horse. Just goes to show you never know what you’ll find on a hike and you never know how your dog will react. Keep your dog on a leash and you’ll both be happy.

2. Consider the temperature and sun exposure on your route. Dogs can quickly become overheated in even the mildest conditions so it’s important to consider where and when you’ll be hiking. I remember hearing that Iditarod dogs can suffer heat exhaustion even in temperatures below freezing due to sheer exertion. Pay attention to your dog’s breathing and take breaks often in the shade. Avoid hiking during the hottest part of the day.

3. Bring extra water for your dog. You already know it’s important to bring plenty of water for yourself on a hike and it’s just as important for your dog. Dogs need more water than people oftentimes because they’re not quite as efficient at drinking as we are (very few can drink from a water bottle without spilling ). Instead, consider bringing a collapsable bowl (seen above) to make it easier for your pup to slurp.

Once, during a surprisingly hot and grueling hike with our dog we found ourselves out of water. We did, however, have some iced tea and decided to share with Jackson. Anyway, it turns out Jackson, like most dogs, doesn’t like to drink anything but water. So if soda or even beer is your beverage of choice, be sure to bring some water too - your dog will thank you!

4. Know your dog’s limits. Dogs are like humans in that they can need to acclimate to strenuous activities. Unfortunately for dogs, most don’t know their limits and will push themselves to exhaustion to keep up with a fit owner. Keep initial hikes with your dog short to see how he or she performs. Also consider distance and elevation gain when planning a hike with your dog.

5. Bring snacks for your dog. Yep, humans need energy on the trail so why wouldn’t dogs need the same? If you’re going for an extended, multi-day hike with your dog bring more food than you would usually feed your dog at home - hiking burns a ton of calories! We use a doggie backpack for our dog and he absolutely LOVES to carry his own food and water (seriously).

6. Plan for the unexpected. Even though you should try to keep your dog on a leash while hiking, sometimes things happen and your dog may become lost. Consider fitting your dog’s collar with a “bear bell” to warn off potential predators and to help you find your dog if he/she wanders off. Many hunting supply stores also carry electronic devices to recall or locate your dog - definitely consider this if your dog is a retriever.

Hiking with your dog is a rewarding experience for both man and beast but it’s up to you to keep your pet safe on the trail. Follow these tips and you and your dog will return home happy every time!

Orange hunting vest from Cabela's

Fall is a great time to get out and enjoy hiking and camping outdoors but it’s also the start of hunting season so it’s important to stay safe on the trail. NewHampshire.com posted a good article this weekend with some safety tips to keep in mind when hiking during hunting season and I thought I’d reiterate some points here.

1. Stick to the trail. Most hunters avoid areas near popular hiking trails since humans tend to scare deer and other wildlife away so if you’re on a trail you’re generally safe. Stray away from the trail and you just might walk into someone’s hunting area - not a good idea during hunting season.

2. Wear brightly colored clothing. Dressing in orange is your best bet for autumn hikes since this makes you stand out from brown deer and turkeys in the eyes of distant hunters. The article mentions that white clothing, while bright, is not a good choice since some hunters may mistake a flash of white for a white tail deer. I’m thinking purple or blue would be pretty safe too but I won’t take my chances - orange it is.

3. Hike during the middle of the day. Many animals like deer appear around dawn and dusk hours and that’s when hunters are likely to be out in full force. Fortunately for us hikers mid-day is the warmest part of the day and a great time for a hike.

4. Stick to wilderness areas or National Parks where hunting is prohibited. If you’re super scared of encountering a hunter while hiking, eliminate your chances of an encounter by sticking to areas where hunters aren’t allowed to hunt. This also means avoiding the most popular hunting spots like designated hunting land. A little common sense goes a long way when it comes to avoiding hunters…

I was tempted to add a fifth tip recommending talking loudly to let hunters know you’re in the area but I’ve used that one myself with mixed results. It’s probably a good idea to fit your dog with a “bear bell” if he or she is prone to wandering during a hike but sometimes hunters can become angry with hikers who scare off local game. Once while I was on a trail I yelled out to a friend who was following behind only to hear a loud shotgun blast just above my head. I looked up to see a hunter in a stand above, clearly upset that I had ruined his spot. At least he saw me (but good thing he didn’t aim AT me!).

There’s no need to worry about hiking during hunting season as long as you use some common sense and follow these simple tips. See you on the trail!

The Mountaineers is a outdoor enthusiast group in Seattle made up of individuals of all ages who are devoted to exploring and protecting wilderness in the Pacific northwest. This fall a group of Mountaineer urban hikers decided to undertake a tour of all 27 newly opened or renovated public libraries in Seattle. The library system created a “library passport” with unique stamps for each branch and the Mountaineers are planning to trek to each one through some of Seattle’s most picturesque neighborhoods.

All told, the library tour hike will cover nearly 46 miles over several weekends this fall. If the Mountaineers are looking for some books to check out I recommend skimming my list of adventure travel book recommendations Too bad checking out a book would mean visiting a library more than once to make the return…

This idea of hiking to all the Seattle public libraries ties in well with our previous posts about urban hiking and hiking all the trails in a given guidebook (or city, state, etc.). Hats off to these city-dwelling Mountaineers for finding a creative way to make group hiking fun!

I just read a horrible article on choosing the right camping site on a travel site (name redacted) so I decided to write down a few of my own tips here for those who are interested. Choosing a good campsite isn’t rocket science but there are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Consider the time of year. Even though you may have done your homework ahead of time to choose a good campground, it’s usually a good idea to scope out the best campsite within your campground before you set up your tent. If it’s a hot summer weekend, try to grab a spot in the shade (I told you these tips would be pretty simple!). In the winter, head for the sunny spots if you can find them.

2. Look for signs of water flows. If there’s even a little rain in the forecast you’ll want to avoid campsites that look like they could be prone to flooding. Telltale signs include major or even minor erosion, proximity to streams (both laterally and vertically), and piles of debris (leaves, pine straw) from previous floods.

3. Find a flat spot. In this case, I recommend being very picky, particularly if you’re sleeping in a tent. Even the slightest slope in a campsite can mean sleepless nights as the blood slowly rushes to your head or feet or as you roll to one side of your tent during the night.

4. Avoid rooty or rocky spots. Even if you have a thick air mattress or sleeping pad it’s best to steer clear of rocks and roots to protect your tent floor at the very least. If you can’t avoid rocks or roots try covering your site with a layer of pine straw or leaves before setting up your tent to even things out a bit.

5. Privacy and seclusion are valuable assets. Consider how close you want to camp near other groups. That nice family at the campsite beside yours may get a little annoying when they’re singing “99 bottles of beer on the wall” at midnight and throwing lighter fluid on the fire. Privacy is usually a good thing when choosing a campsite.

6. Look for signs of insects and/or wildlife. It’s never a good idea to pitch your tent over an ant hill but also keep an eye out for other critters who might call your campsite home. Look for evidence of animal tracks, nests, or burrows on the ground and in the trees above your campsite to make sure you’re not infringing on anyone else’s territory.

7. Pay attention to your nose. Take a good smell around the area before setting up your tent to make sure you aren’t setting up camp down wind from the restrooms or dumpsters. Nothing can ruin a good camping experience like a foul smell so take your time before choosing your campsite.

Keep these basic tips in mind and you’ll pick the best campsite every time. Unless it’s a holiday weekend at your campground - in that case you’ll usually be lucky to get whatever is left!

Chris Tomer at the summit of Torreys Peak (photo from MyColoradoOutdoors.com)

Denver’s Fox 31 weatherman Chris Tomer shared his pics from a recent fall hike to the summit of Torreys Peak, one of Colorado’s 14ers. The meteorologist reported summit temperatures of just 10 degrees - a bit brisk by most standards. Even more extreme is the fact that it took Tomer crampons and an ice axe just to reach the summit - and it’s not even close to Thanksgiving yet!

Hiking / climbing a 14er (a mountain more than 14,000 feet high) is a challenge for most folks even in summer conditions and attempting such a hike in the fall or winter requires serious skill. Aside from the altitude which can leave you gasping for air, conditions at the top of a 14er can be markedly different from those at the base. High winds, cool temperatures, extreme thunder storms, and even snow in summer can catch hikers off guard so it’s important to be prepared.

As winter snows begin to fall more frequently most routes to the tops of popular 14ers will be all be impassable due to deep snow conditions. Don’t expect to notch too many 14ers between now and summer - instead take a break and go snow shoeing or cross country skiing around the base of the mountain.

The National Park Service is honoring Veterans Day tomorrow by providing free access to all 391 National Park Service Sites across the US to military veterans and their families. In addition some National Forest recreation areas like these in southern California are offering free admission Tuesday as well.

The National Park Service has a tradition of waiving entry fees on Veterans Day each year and the only other nationwide “free” day at parks comes on National Public Lands Day in September. In addition to the NPS, other federally managed recreation areas managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation and Agriculture’s U.S. Forest Service will waive standard entry and usage fees on Veterans Day.

Sadly many veterans (myself included) don’t get the day off work but it’s nice to know those who do have the opportunity to enjoy a day of camping and hiking free of charge. Free entry to historic battlefields and monuments also gives families an opportunity to honor those who lost their lives in military service.

If you haven’t been to a National Park in a while, you may be surprised to know that the more popular parks like the Grand Canyon are charging up to $25 per vehicle for a visit. For many veterans and their families this can be a barrier to experiencing the natural beauty of our parks so a park fee holiday is a great opportunity and a small way to thank our veterans. For those who are able, I say get out there and explore!

Hiking trails can be found just about everywhere in the United States but sometimes you need a little help tracking them down. Even in my moderately urban neighborhood we have a tiny forested space tucked at the end of a dead end street that took me months of dog walking to discover. The trails are short (probably less than a half mile loop) but they’re great for reconnecting with nature when I don’t have the time (or gas money) to get out of town.

The Fullerton (California) Community Examiner published a series of articles highlighting some of the best hiking trails in the Orange County area and if you live in the area the article is well worth the read. Orange County, California is home to perhaps the worst urban and suburban sprawl in the US yet, as this article points out, there are plenty of opportunities to get outside in our own backyards. Where are your favorite suburban hiking trails?

If you’re looking to save some weight or space on your next backpacking trip or just want to simplify your camping equipment checklist, consider leaving your air mattress at home next time. It turns out nature is often pretty good at providing a replacement that costs nothing and requires zero heavy lifting!

Sleeping pads or more specifically camping air mattresses are designed to keep your back comfortable when laying on the ground and also provide insulation from the cold earth. The self-inflating air mattresses that many of us use are generally only an inch or two thick and really only protect us from minor rocks and twigs on the ground. By utilizing materials found around your campsite like pine straw, leaves, or moss you can create your own under tent padding of any thickness you want - the sky is the limit!

In terms of insulating value, natural materials generally won’t do as well as your Therma-Rest but as long as you have a sleeping bag that’s rated for temperatures at or above expected nighttime lows you should stay warm and comfortable without a sleeping pad. To add an extra layer of insulation (and padding!) try lining the bottom of your sleeping bag with extra clothes.

It’s important to choose wisely when creating a soft surface for your tent pad. Check any bedding materials for ants or other insects before grabbing a handful and make sure you aren’t using material that could be irritating to the skin (like poison oak). Give unfamiliar materials like moss or dry leaves a try before setting your tent on them to see how they feel laying down and to make sure there aren’t hidden “pokers” within.

If you’re looking to save weight or space on your next camping trip or if you’re a new camper looking to save a few bucks on equipment, consider building your own sleeping pad at your campsite before pitching your tent. You may be surprised at how well you’ll sleep!

If you’ve been reading this blog for a while now you know that I’m a sucker for thru-hike stories. To me it’s the ultimate hiking accomplishment to finish a trail from end-to-end and I often romanticize the notion of one day completing my own thru-hike of a major trail. Or perhaps I’ll focus on hiking all the trails in my state just like this guy did.

Anyway, postcrescent.com published an article about Troy Ristau and his successful thru-hike of the Pacific Crest trail from the Mexican border in California to the Canadian border in Washington state. The trail snakes across 2,650 miles of the most scenic terrain in the US and crests some of the highest peaks in the Sierra Nevada (including 13,153 foot high Forester Pass). Ristau took about 4 and a half months to complete the hike and arrived at the end of the trail in relatively good shape. According to the article he didn’t get sick during the trek (rare for long distance hikers) and went completely stoveless (see my previous post on camping essentials).

The Pacific Crest Trail is a relatively new long distance hiking route having been completed in just 1993. By contrast the 2,175 mile Appalachian Trail was completed in the 1930s. About 300 hikers set out to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail each year and generally just over half actually complete the journey. Hats off to Mr. Ristau, perhaps he’ll inspire some of us to start our own hiking adventures!

For those whose idea of roughing it involves a stay in a hotel without room service, glamping may just be the only way to experience the great outdoors. “Glamping” is short for glamorous camping and it’s a trend that’s taking hold from New Zealand to Jordan and everywhere in between. The New Zealand Herald posted an article just this week about Kiwi camping and adventure outlets catering to well-heeled foreign travelers who want to get close to nature without all the inconvenience of a normal camping trip.

In today’s economy it’s tough to imagine spending top dollar for a luxury camping trip but Tourism New Zealand sees it as a way to maximize tourism dollars while the number of tourists visiting the country is actually declining. One tourist interviewed in the story remarked, “I enjoy camping at the best of times but this was something else. It’s probably the highlight of my life so far.” A pretty good endorsement if you ask me.

MSNBC has a list of the top 10 luxury camping trips in the world and destinations include seaplane camping in The Maldives, igloo tents in the Chilean Andes, and sleeping with the chimpanzees in Tanzania. While none of the articles we read mentioned the cost of a top-notch glamping experience, we imagine nightly rates easily top those of 5-star hotels. For most campers a glamping trip is a once in a lifetime experience. We’re just afraid after glamping once we could never go back to plain old camping

How’s this for goal dedication: Tony Federer recently completed a 50-year+ quest to hike all the trails in the Appalachian Mountain Club’s White Mountains Guide. Federer started hiking the trails in the late 1940s and completed the final section just this summer. The 600-page hiking guide Federer used lists more than 1,400 miles of trails in the White Mountains of New Hampshire (no word on which edition he owns). Using a spreadsheet Federer religiously tracked his hikes to make sure he completed every last mile of trail.

I’m a big fan of exploring trails too and the idea of trying to hike every mile of trail in my state (or just my county!) is surprisingly attractive. I suppose it’s partly why I keep a ‘My Trails‘ list here on Tripleblaze.com and why my bookshelf at home is full of hiking and camping guidebooks. The “Hiker’s Guide to Georgia” book alone contains more than 1,000 miles of trails and it doesn’t come close to complete coverage of the state’s hiking trails. Would one lifetime be enough to explore 50% of them? Perhaps if you’re Tony Federer.

Who will be the first to hike all the trails listed on tripleblaze.com? How about just hiking all the trails listed in your state? Start a hiking trail wishlist today!