The Green Hiker

The Northville-Lake Placid Trail (NPT) in the Adirondack Park now has its own website.

Developed by Tom Wemett of the Adirondack Mountain Club, the Northville-Lake Placid Trail website provides info on this 133 mile hiking trail in New York’s Adirondack Park. The site provides information on the trail conditions and planning a successful and safe hike.

The trail winds it way through some of the most remote areas of the Adirondack Park including the West Canada Lake Wilderness.

So whether you want to spend 10 days hiking the entire trail, or just hike short sections of the NPT, check out the newest web property of the Adirondack Mountain Club. And say hello.

Other Trail Resources:

• Northville Lake Placid Trail

• A Guided Thru-Hike

• Schenectady Chapter of NPT Trail

Now Go Outdoors!

How are your backcountry navigation skills?

You’re on your own and about to leave the well-marked trail. Maybe to explore a lake, climb a peak, or cross a snowfield.  Do you know what natural features provide a good line of travel? Can you meld the surroundings with the map in your hand?

Well, if you’re a bit rusty or unskilled, not to worry:

Simply check-out Molly Absolon and Backpacker Magazine’s newest publication, Trailside Navigation: Map and Compass.

Trailside Navigation includes chapters on:

• Topographic Maps
• Compasses and Altimeters
• “Dividing the World”
• Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and
• Route Finding

Well-written, insightful, and informative, Trailside Navigation is a great addition to your hiking library.

Now Go Outdoors!

Hiking Utah, a new blog from The Salt Lake Tribune is up and running. Four contributors will cover Utah hiking news and gear reviews including:

• A Hike of the Week feature.

• Forest Service and National Park news releases.

• Live posts from Salt Lake City’s Outdoor Retailer Summer Market.

• General musings, insights, and observations on all that is hiking in Utah.

Other Utah Hiking News and Info:

• Hiking Trails in Zion National

• Hiking at Zion and Bryce, two national-park gems in Utah (seattletimes.nwsource.com)

• Climbing management plan in the works for Arches National Park (gadling.com)

• Moab Utah Half-Day Hike To Delicate Arch for Novice Hikers (utah-travel.suite101.com)

• Climbing management plan in the works for Arches National Park (gadling.com)

Now Go Outdoors!

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)

Now Go Outdoors!

Today, June 5th, is National Trails Day!

The trail awareness program sponsored by the American Hiking Society attempts to inspire both the casual outdoors person and the dedicated hiker to explore a local hiking trail.

And in the spirit of the day, the National Park Service is waiving entrance fees in over 100 parks this weekend.

Additional Info:

• AHS General Trails Day Information

• State by State Listing of Parks with entrance fees waived.

Now Go Outdoors!