Plotting for a vacation? Well Romania is “the” spot to be…it is easily the most diverse country when it comes to climate, terrain, plants and creatures snow assigned mountain tops along with a sultry shoreline- you are able to ski on snow or on water! It’s situated in southeastern Europe. Romania is encircled by Ukraine […]

I was backpacking in the Sleeping Bear Dunes. It was March, so when I made it through the woods and over the dunes, I’d have miles of beach to myself. It was an over-nighter, a chance to test new ultralight backpacking equipment. I hiked the wooded hills quickly, enjoying the cold air. Halfway through the […]

Carefully chosen walking shoes will make a world of difference on your vacation. Your feet are as unique as your personality so just any old shoes won’t do. Here are some tips to help you choose the right walking shoes for you. Find an athletic store that has qualified people who can evaluate your walking […]

If you spend any amount of time in the backcountry at all, it will rain on you.  Remember this – rain is a good thing; without it there wouldn’t be much backcountry to enjoy.  How you prepare for rain and how you handle yourself and gear in the rain, makes the difference between a great […]

There is no need to get 4 season tents for gentle summer camping. Even if there is a heavy downpour, the use of sleeping pads combined with adequate planning should keep everything fairly dry. The important thing is to not camp at the bottom of a hill, to make sure the rain fly is secure, […]

Does the thought of buying a gift for a friend or relative make you smile or does it stress you out?  Is there a hiker or camper on your gift giving list?  What can you give to the someone who already has everything?  The secret of gift giving is not always the “what.”  Many times […]

Can you name the number one spectator sport in North America?  It’s not baseball, figure skating or racing.  It’s bird watching.  That’s right, more people are watching birds than football and hockey combined.  With so many people hoping to see a bird they’ve never seen before, it’s not surprising to see a clamoring for the […]

Time out of doors is a precious commodity to the outdoor enthusiast – but are we getting the most out of this time.  One way to ensure maximum backcountry enjoyment is to get the most possible value from the gear you acquire and use.  Here are 5 ways to get the most out of your […]

Have you ever had a backpacking trip that was a disaster – even though you brought everything you needed? Maybe you had matches, but couldn’t get that fire going. You need more than good gear to assure a safe and enjoyable wilderness experience. You need to know how to do a few things, and the […]

Long and frequent has been the debate amongst hikers and campers regarding the use of internal or external frame backpacks.  Many old timers insist that external frame packs are the way to go, mainly due to years of utilizing externals, and reluctance (like all of us), to change.  The younger generation tends to gravitate toward […]