The Green Hiker

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!

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!

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!