Save the Bolton Backcountry

Those of us who love the Bolton Backcountry are fortunate that the Vermont Land Trust has stepped up to protect this land in perpetuity.  One of the best places to find fresh powder stashes, this land accesses trails and glades loved by nordic and telemark skiers alike.  According to the VLT's Press Release, they've "signed a contract to purchase the 1,161 acres that hosts the Bolton Valley Nordic and backcountry trails."  This keeps the land out of private hands and will insure its use by the public for years to come. 

To complete this deal the Land Trust needs to raise over $1M dollars.  That's where you come in.  Learn more about how you can be involved in the effort to Save the Bolton Valley Nordic and Backcountry trail network.  If you like you can just send a donation to:

The Vermont Land Trust
8 Bailey Avenue
Montpelier, VT 05602

Please write "Bolton" in the subject line of your check. Thanks!!

Getting in Shape for a Long Distance Hike

A year ago I grabbed a life list opportunity to hike the final 50 miles of the John Muir Trail and finish on the summit of Mt. Whitney.  The only problem was I wasn't in shape to backpack those miles at that altitude with a heavy pack.  So the first thing I did was buy the airplane ticket; I was committed. 

And did it take commitment to get up early and make the time to get in shape.  I only had 12 weeks, but I figured if I started small I could build up.  I started the day after I bought my ticket with Monday morning 1 mile run before work!  And added a mile every week.  I kept a log, and somehow I managed to find over an hour every day to train.

I trained by hiking with increasingly heavy packs.  I snowshoed with weights in my pack.  I cross trained.  Then when I wasn't losing weight I went back to the last diet that worked for me: the South Beach Diet.  And I trained the muscle specific groups I'd be using on the trip by finding the longest, steepest local mountains to climb. 

While the trip didn't quite turn out as planned, I did lose 17 lbs, immensely increased my stamina and strength, packed 50 miles, and summited Whitney.  And I felt great doing it! 

Now's the time to get started...and I suggest you look for some real inspiration.  Someone who has done something you wouldn't think possible.  Check out how Andrew Skurka--reknowned long distance hiker--suggests training for long distance hikes. 

Sierra Designs Tents & Sleeping Bags

2012 Sierra Designs Tents & Sierra Designs sleeping bags embody the change we expect as the seasons change and our days get longer.  With the lengthening day comes the ability to travel longer, and Sierra Designs new lightweight Mojo Tents and Cloud sleeping bags will help you.  Both caught our attention at trade shows last summer, and the editors at Backpacker Magazine have taken notice.  Use of cutting edge new materials and technologies give you better performance and lighter weights.  You'll have to wait or hit the newstand to read what Backpacker's editors have written, or you can visit our website and follow our blog.  I expect you'll be hearing more in online forums and in social media as Spring 2012 moves on.  While the Sierra Designs brand itself has seen a lot of change of late, I think their Spring 2012 products reveal their long standing commitment to innovation and excellence

Big Agnes Tents...at it again.

Again this spring Big Agnes tents continue to whittle away at the amount of weight backpackers need to carry to shelter themselves on the trail.  Known for setting new standards in the ultralight tent category with its Fly Creek UL and Copper Spur UL tent series, Big Agnes unveils improvements in both series that you're sure to love.  Impressive new value 4 person tents and a two person tent with a monster vestibule round out the new options available to those looking for the "best".  And if you're looking for a bomb-proof base camp, Big Agnes still offers the ever popular Flying Diamond 4, 6, and 8 person tents.  Our Big Agnes tent brand page is fully loaded with the complete selection of 2012 tents so take a look around and get ready for our Spring 2012 Big Agnes Sale which will start on March 15th! 

2012 Jetboil Update

Last year a Jetboil Stove graced the cover of the Backpacker Gear Guide and Jetboil received a nice review of their Sumo Cookpot.  This year Jetboil--without all the fanfare--combined the 1.8L Sumo pot with the all-weather Jetboil Sol burner to form the Jetboil Sumo Group Cooking System Camp Stove (what a mouthful).  I haven't tried out the Sumo Stove set-up yet but I'm guessing it will edge out the Jetboil Flash for those who usually share their camp stove.  And the Sumo will definitely have an edge over the Helios Group Cooking System for  its cold weather performance.   But as a fan of the Helios, its wide base and low center of gravity I have to wonder if the Sumo is going to feel too tippy to relax while cooking on uneven surfaces.  Shouldn't be too long before I find out; we'll get our first shipment within the next few weeks. 

No sign yet of the 2012 Backpacker Editor's Choice Awards on their website...I guess they want you to buy the Gear Guide at your local newstand or better yet get a subscription.  If you've followed our blog--and store--you know we like to feature the Backpacker testers picks.  Who else has such a cool job as being handed hot new products and then spending all that time in the outdoors putting them through their paces.  Check out Backpackers' 2012 Gear Guide Sweepstakes where they raffle off some of their used test product

Alas this year's picks feature a mix of proprietary product and lesser known brands or niche products.  So we've got our homework cut out for us trying to open up new channels for bringing in these cool items.  In the meantime we'll have some fun with some of the other products they reviewed that we've been able to put our hands on and have come to know and love.  

One of our favorites is the Selk Bag sleeping bag with arms and legs.  Maybe you've seen one of their ads... the walking sleeping bag in beautiful outdoor settings.  In my opinion there is no more comfortable way to sleep; albeit I like to sprawl out when I sleep.  It's bulky and no lightweight so its more of a campground novelty than a must-have for your next backpacking trip, but hey why not give it a try or give it as a gift.  In the interest of full disclosure, although I've been known to travel with 3.5 lbs of lux sleeping pad I've never backpacked with my Selk Bag.  In fact I've gotten more use of it as a Halloween costume, but it has been well used and worth every penny.

Backpacker's Sierra Designs Sleeping Bag Picks

That Sierra Designs Cloud 15 sleeping bag I reviewed a few weeks back was cited by Backpacker's Editors for being a "durable featherweight".  (page 86 of the 2012 Backpacker Gear Guide.)  One of their "ultralight zealots" raved "It scrunches down even smaller than my puffy jacket!" For comparison they noted that the Cloud is tighter than the Marmot Plasma, their 2011 Editor's Choice pick, but not as trim as the "minimalist" pick for 2012, the Mountain Hardwear Speed 32. 

Another innovative Sierra Designs Sleeping Bag, the Pyro Maniac 15/30 won accolades as the "most versatile" bag for its detachable quilt.  Just insert the extra 10 oz. layer of down and take your sleeping bag down to a solid 3 season bag.  At $319 for 2 lbs, 13 oz. of bag this is a great value when you consider you're getting two different warmth bags for the price of one.