Ocala National Forest trails near the city of Ocala, Florida.

Get your backpacking gear out of storage: the best time of year to backpack in Ocala National Forest is February, according to an article in Senior Times Magazine. The Florida National Scenic Trail winds 71 miles through the Ocala National Forest just south of Gainesville and north of Orlando and roughly follows the abandoned cross-Florida barge canal project started in the 1930s. Recreational areas with camping facilities are located every 10-12 miles making the trail well suited to multi-day backpacking trips.

The Ocala National Forest trails also make great day hikes and there’s plenty to see and do along the way. Check out the massive berms and dikes from the canal project now overtaken with scrub pine and palm trees. Plenty of lakes and waterways dot the forest as well meaning you never quite know what to expect around the next turn!

I had the opportunity to mountain bike about 40 miles of the trails in Ocala National Forest in March of last year and was really impressed with the trailhead facilities available to all trail users. The scenery was incredible, the weather ideal, and the trail literally seemed to go on forever. If you’re looking for a winter time hiking or backpacking escape, check into the Ocala National Forest in Florida - now is the best time of year to experience it!

Choosing the right sleeping bag can be challenging, especially with all the choices available today. Fortunately, we’re here to help with our guide to choosing the best sleeping bag:

Shape matters

The first major distinction you’ll notice when looking at sleeping bags is the available shapes: rectangular or mummy. Rectangular shaped bags are not as common these days and you’ll generally find this shape used in childrens’ and lower-priced sleeping bags. Mummy bags, on the other hand, are designed for maximum heat trapping ability and literally cover you from head to toe. Rectangular sleeping bags need to be rolled for storage while mummy bags are generally stuffed into a sack. Because mummy bags are tapered at the top and bottom they are often lighter weight and more compact than their rectangular cousins.

Fill material

Choosing the best sleeping bag ultimately comes down to a choice of fill material and this is where you’ll notice the biggest differences in terms of cost and performance. Most mid-range sleeping bags utilize a lightweight, synthetic fill material that will keep its insulating value even when it’s wet. Higher end bags contain down which is lighter-weight and more compressible, meaning a down sleeping bag takes up less space in your pack. Because down loses much of its insulating value when it becomes damp, most down sleeping bags are wrapped in a water resistant fabric. Older sleeping bags may contain cotton or wool but those materials are becoming rare these days.

Temperature ratings

When shopping for a new sleeping bag you may be tempted to base your comparisons on temperature ratings, and while this is a good thing to consider, it isn’t as helpful as you might imagine. There are basically four different temperature ratings used for sleeping bags and it’s important to understand which ones each manufacturer uses so you’re comparing apples to apples. Most sleeping bags are marketed using the “comfort rating” which is the outside temperature at which an adult woman can comfortably sleep. The “extreme rating,” on the other hand, is the temperature at which an adult woman can survive a night’s sleep - definitely not something you’d want to attempt yourself

Lower temperature ratings are typically better but if you’re planning to use your sleeping bag in summer AND winter you’ll want to stay away from the most extreme rated bags. I live in the southeast and for me, a 15-degree bag works pretty well year round (though I usually don’t get all the way inside during summer trips).

Accessories

Most sleeping bags come with a stuff sack but if you’re planning to take your bag backpacking you may want to invest in an even smaller compression sack to get maximum space savings. Also consider a sleeping bag liner - these are typically made of cotton and give the inside of your bag more of a bed sheet feel for those who aren’t fond of nylon. Liners can also elevate the temperature rating of your sleeping bag so keep that in mind as well.

Choosing the best sleeping bag is pretty straightforward once you understand the basics. The only hard part is choosing your favorite color!

Still need help deciding? Read our sleeping bag reviews.

Just in time for cyber-Monday holiday shopping: The tripleblaze camping gift guide. Find the perfect gift for the camper on your shopping list or just drool over high tech camping gear for yourself. We know we’d love to see any one of these camping gifts under our tree this year - hopefully you’ve been more well behaved than we have

From the cheapskate (camping gifts under $30)

Petzl Tikka Headlamp ($27)

Flashlights are so 2007. Fortunately you can upgrade your camping light source for just 27 bucks with the Tikka headlamp from Petzl. Hands-free operation means you can set up your tent, cook dinner, and read a book without having to resort to the flashlight-barrel-in-mouth hack! Believe it or not this baby gives you up to 120 hours of burn time and with all 3 LEDs pumping you’ll think it’s daytime in the middle of the night.

Snow Peak Titanium Spork ($8)

Backpackers are always looking to minimize two things: space and weight. The Snow Peak Titanium Spork accomplishes both as elegantly as any product we’ve seen combining a fork and spoon into a single space-saving package. But that’s not all - titanium is super lightweight and durable meaning this two-in-one is about a quarter the weight of a stainless steel fork and spoon combo. They say backpacking gear can be cheap, durable, or lightweight but it can only be two of these things at a time. We argue at just 8 bucks the Snow Peak Titanium Spork might just be the exception to the rule.

Gifts for good camping buddies (under $100)

The Travel Hammock Single ($45 from Backcountry.com)

This is another great product for the camper and backpacker alike. Sure a hammock is a great thing to bring on your next camping trip for relaxing after lunch but it’s also a lightweight sleeping solution for backpacking. See, this hammock weighs just 1 pound and takes the place of an air mattress and, with the addition of a lightweight tarp, your tent! Now that sounds relaxing.

Snow Peak Titanium Cafe Press ($52)

Just because you’re camping doesn’t mean you have to skip your morning coffee. The Snow Peak Titanium Cafe Press is the perfect gift for the camper who has it all and likes to do things in style. Lightweight and durable, this French coffee press is perfect for the coffee lover who enjoys a decent cup of joe in the great outdoors.

Big Agnes Giant Sleeping Pad ($60)

Uncomfortable outdoor sleepers and princesses will appreciate this: a memory foam camp sleeping pad. If you’ve ever priced memory foam mattresses for your bed you know these puppies are expensive and even memory foam pillows will often set you back $100 or more. For just 60 bucks you can get this luxurious memory foam sleeping pad and sleep more comfortably while camping than you do at home!

High rollers (camping gifts over $100)

Mountain Hardware Piute ($209)

There’s nothing quite like a comfy down sleeping bag on a cool night and the Mountain Hardware Piute is a great choice for all but the most extreme cold-weather campers. This sleeping bag is rated to 20 degrees and is mummy-shaped to keep the cold air and wind out. I like my down sleeping bag so much I sometimes use it as a comforter on my bed at home - toasty!

Patagonia Down Jacket ($200)

Can’t bring yourself to get out of that down sleeping bag on cold mornings? Why not slip on a down jacket from Patagonia to take the warmth with you? This jacket weighs just over a pound but it’s sure to keep you feeling radiant in camp, on the trail, or on the slopes. Plus you’ll look stylish too

Check out these products and others in our outdoor equipment guide. Remember to shop early to get the best online deals - happy holidays from tripleblaze.com!

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!

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!

Here’s one class students won’t want to skip: the University of Georgia offers three hiking classes through the physical education department to introduce students to outdoor activities within the state. PEDB1100 is a beginning backpacking and hiking class that teaches students how to pack for a hike and culminates in a weekend camping and hiking trip at the end of the term. PEDB1110 is Wilderness Backpacking and teaches more advanced techniques and includes a group backpacking trip capstone. The University also offers a general outdoor activity class that exposes students to hiking, backpacking, kayaking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and more. Now why didn’t I get to take a class like that at my university?

Although I didn’t take any outdoor classes in college, I did take an outdoor education class at my suburban middle school in the early 1990s. We learned things like how to pitch a tent, how to cook over an open fire (dangerous for middle school boys!), and how to stay safe in the woods. Of course Boy Scouts taught me much more about hiking and camping but not everyone has the opportunity to join and participate when they’re growing up.

Outdoor education classes are a great way to introduce folks from all types of backgrounds to the joys of camping and hiking and you might be surprised to find out who’s offering classes these days. Plus it’s not a bad way to earn your phys ed creds!

Ok, I know, you’re probably tired of hearing about the election and the candidates by now and you probably figured you’d read this blog to get away from it all. But with the election just a week away I thought I’d point you to an interesting Q&A with the candidates in Backpacker Magazine this month.

When asked where the candidates would take a Backpacker Magazine reader hiking, Obama replied he’d like to go to Yellowstone for some fall hiking while McCain recommended Canyon de Chelly in Arizona, which he believes “is among our nation’s best-hidden natural treasures.” Both candidates support better funding for National Parks and both are opposed to drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).

Perhaps the most interesting part of the article comes from a Backpacker Magazine reader survey that asks “Who would do better in a wilderness survival situation, Obama or McCain?” The readers overwhelmingly picked McCain as the better survivor by almost 3 to 1! Sure, the guy’s tough but I think the readers may have overlooked the fact the man is in his 70s Readers were also asked who they’d rather share a tent with on a rainy day and again, the readers picked McCain. McCain was also the pick for the “better steward of public land” by Backpacker readers - despite the fact the majority of those surveyed said Democrats take better care of trails and national parks. Somehow this all seems a little fishy - I demand a recount!

Water purification tablets from Potable Aqua

Here’s another tip in our occasional series of weight and space saving backpacking tips: for short trips, leave your water filter at home. Instead of hauling your water filter for a short trip (say less than a week) you can get by with water purification tablets, available at most outdoor retailers and online. Just drop one or two tablets into a standard size water bottle and your water will be safe to drink.

The tablets use chemicals such as iodine to treat the water and because of this they have a somewhat unpleasant taste. According to the website for Potable Aqua, the company doesn’t recommend use beyond 6 weeks (!) but the fact that the product is marketed as “emergency treatment” makes me think it’s a good idea to use the product as sparingly as possible.

Still, for beginning backpackers the price is right (about $7 for enough tablets to treat 25-50 quarts of water) and the weight is light. As a beginning backpacker I relied on Potable Aqua tablets and today I carry them on trips where I plan to carry all the water I need anyway (like desert backpacking trips). Even if you don’t plan to rely on purification tablets in place of a water filter they’re a great addition to any first aid kit - you never know when your filter might break down!

Also be sure to check out our backpacking water filter reviews.

The ontheroad blog posted their list of the top 5 camping essentials and after reading it I was left scratching my head. I mean, sure they hit all the major items - sleeping bag, tent, flashlight, stove - but the first item on the list was an air mattress / foam pad, an item many might consider a luxury rather than an essential. As a Boy Scout and wilderness survival merit badge instructor I remembered a slightly different list and it goes something like this:

1. First aid. In any outdoor survival situation the first priority is to take care of life threatening situations whether it be bleeding, a broken bone, etc. Pack your first aid kid and you’ll be set to take care of many potential threats to your safety while camping.

2. Shelter. The ontheroad blog got this one right - bring a tent and a sleeping bag plus weather appropriate clothing. According to the Wikipedia humans cannot survive more than 3-hours when exposed to extreme low temperatures. Blazing summer heat can take its toll as well which leads us to essential #3:

3. Water. In many places you don’t need to bring your own water since it is available via spigots or natural springs. No matter where you go be sure to bring something to store and transport water like milk jugs or Nalgene bottles. If you’ll be relying on natural springs you’ll want some type of purification equipment as well - either tablets or a water filter (and no, a Brita pitcher doesn’t cut it).

4. Fire. The Boy Scouts put this priority before water which is a little questionable in my mind but fire is definitely important. It’s useful for signaling if you’re lost and can be used to purify water in an emergency situation. Fire also goes a long way to improving your state of mind and you can use it to cook any critters you might catch on your trip (see #5). Bring some matches AND a back-up fire starter (a lighter, flint & steel, etc.) and you’ll be set for camping.

5. Food. Man can survive for weeks without food but in my opinion a camping trip without food isn’t really all that fun Of course you need food but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll need to cook anything. Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) are available from military surplus stores and contain everything you need to prepare and enjoy them (including a heat source). Ok, so maybe enjoy is a strong word but you get the point. Crackers, Snickers bars, and Pop Tarts are all good camping food - no stove required!

So there you have it - the tripleblaze camping essentials list. Of course this list leaves a lot to be desired on the comfort scale so check out our camping checklist for a more detailed list of items to take on your next camping trip!

We’ve started posting Appalachian trail maps in our hiking section and the plan is to post the entire 2,174 mile trail section by section. We’re starting with the southern end of the trail with Springer Mountain in Georgia and working our way north to Maine. Each trail map shows the trail, local roads in the area, and shelter locations along the trail.

Trail sections are bounded by roads (generally paved) on either end and labeled accordingly. Ideally the sections will be around 20 miles or so but this depends on finding good starting and stopping points. Members can post reviews or additional info on each trail section and can even post photos taken along the trail. The trail lengths posted are estimates and we hope to post links to high resolution PDFs of each trail map very soon. In the meantime you can download the first three detailed Appalachian trail section maps here:

Section 1: Springer Mountain to GA Hwy 60

Section 2: GA Hwy 60 to GA Hwy 348

Section 3: GA Hwy 348 to US Hwy 76