hiking backpack help?

Q. so im going to Africa, for alittle over a month. my team and I have been told to bring hiking back packs. i have no idea where to begin but im going to be packing a fair bit of clothing

I only have 3 weeks til I go so Im hesitant about buying things online

so here are some of the ones ive been looking at i guess
1*
http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524443282030&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474396672271&bmUID=1210662862573&deptid=1408474396672192&ctgrid=1408474396672198&subctgrid=1408474396672271#product_aa

2*
http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524443286407&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474396672271&bmUID=1210664061199&OmniCrossSell=0760645%20Outbound+Nootka+Backpack++55+L

3*
http://www.rei.com/product/764212

if anyone could help it would be greatly appreciated :)

any advice/tips would be awesome! (Ill be in Northern Uganda in the refugee camps)

-hollyy
we're told what to pack
we're packing our uniforms
i don't really have a choice, as far as the amount of clothing thats required

Answer
I have a brother in law (and his entire family) in Nigeria right now, and have been since last August and won't return until this July/Aug. I have had friends whose teenage kids spent 2-3 aweeks in Kenya with church groups as well. Since we don't know what you're up to over there, and you didn't ask for help or advice on that, I'll stick to the question:

Your question was about a backpack, so here is my advice:

If there is any way at all that you can go to an REI store or other similar store, I would recommend that. If the pack you get doesn't fit properly, you'll be miserable. If you must buy online, some of the online stores will offer "fit help" on the site - they'll tell you what size of torso works best for a particular pack. Definitely pay attention to the measurements.

That being said, you can get great deals from Sierra Trading Post, and their shipping is prompt. (REI is quick too). If you're worried about making sure you get the right pack, order 2 different ones, and send back the one you don't like:

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/311,66801_Marmot-Diva-35-Backpack-For-Women.html

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/311,85633_Indigo-Equipment-Betty-Rox-60-Backpack-For-Women.html

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/311,85818_Gregory-Maven-Backpack-For-Women.html

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/311,85850_Mountainsmith-Scarlet-Backpack-Internal-Frame-For-Women.html

There are tons more...

Good luck!

camping with kids?

Tina M

do any of you guyshave a list or something for kids and camping? I have a 4 yr old and a 2 yr old. what things did you all bring for entertainment/food?

Answer
My kids have always simply ate what I eat. We don't fix them special meals or snacks and the same goes while hiking and backpacking. As for entertainment, being in the woods is enough for anyone, looking for wildlife, swimming, fishing, just being out there is enough for anyone. I suppose at night you could sing, tell stories, play games, music, etc, but usually my kids have hiked and played all day and are ready for bed when it gets dark.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What are some good jobs that would allow me to go backpacking, and have limited contact with other people?

best kids backpack for hiking image

Shinigami

Something I could start doing after 2 years training in community college or even work my way up from the bottom if I got hired right now, or something I could do after taking a NOLS course? Studying animals, plants, trees, rocks, trail maintenance? Where do I begin? I can't work with the public or any sort of policing/rangering isn't my style, nor anything more dangerous than hiking/backpacking. I can't teach kids or give speeches. I could write reports, make observations, do hard work, but not Sherpa style, and no internships or volunteering which are against my philosophy. Have I whittled it down to nothing?
None of these anwesrs give me much of a clue, so I'll let this one go to voting.

Answer
Maybe something in biology.., forest service, or maybe taking care of someones property..it may not pay as well but there is a web site called, caretakers.com.. I belonged to it several years ago and most of the work was not that great, but sometimes there would be a posting for someone to care for a remote place and your job would be feeding animals and some, other care taking or something like thal, it may be worth looking into...go look, you may find what you want and be very well worth the effort...good luck .... I know what you need...

What national park has alot of good dangerous hiking trails?

Jonathan H

Planning on going backpacking in summer 12', im looking for some long dangerous (and of course beautiful) trails. Im not looking for a frozen wasteland or getting lost in a desert, just the kind of place where you really have to watch what your doing on the side of a mountain while taking in the views. Im also trying to avoid heavily visited tourist areas such as the Grand Canyon. Keeping this in the west coast/ rocky mountain area

Answer
Good morning Jonathan H.

I hope you are having a great day. I am very happy, because we finished the last of our Christmas gifts. Each year we can and dry fruits and vegetables from our trees and garden. Each friend and relative receives a big basket filled with quart jars of peaches, plums, strawberry Guavas, pickles, pickled green cherry tomatoes, jams, and dried and fresh fruits.

I have been a camper and hiker my whole life. I love the outdoors. I know almost every great nature place for hiking, camping, and fishing in the state of California. I usually do not tell because too many people. But I will give you one of my favorite because the area is so vast. You can branch out and learn others from here.

California has the second highest mountain in the United States within the Mighty High Sierra Nevadaâs Mountain Range. The crystal clear lakes are full of wild Golden Trout which are only found in Californiaâs high mountain ranges. You will marvel while you backpack with 3000 year old, born before Christ, redwood trees in which not even fire can destroy. I call all these things/places, âGodâs beautyâ. You must see the biggest and maybe the oldest living tree on earth and you will never forget âGeneral Shermanâ.

At night you can lie in your sleeping bag and count shooting stars. Your mind can run amok with the wonders and vastness of space. You can point out and view constellations which until now were part of chapters in a school text book. You can fall asleep viewing the heavens and our own Milky Way.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Nevada_(U.S.)

Head up US395 and park your car in Onion Valley. Start off your trip by hiking over Kearsarge Pass, which is an old Indian trail, to Bull Frog at 10,000 feet with snowcapped peaks reaching over 14000 feet as a backdrop. The Indians are no more and very few people see this type of beauty.

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?_adv_prop=image&fr=yfp-t-701-s&va=sierra+nevada+mountains+california

Kearsarge pass will usually not open until after Easter. The snow can reach fifteen (15) feet deep in the winter. The website below follows the path with pictures and words. Physically I hope you are in good shape. Read left side of website as well. I usually hike this four (4) mile trail once a year. I try to time my trip with the coming of a shooting star event. As you can see from the website, there are hundreds of lakes. I have fished almost all of these lakes. This is my day only hike. I hike in and fly fish for dinner. I camp out and head back in a day or two. I spend my time hiking between lakes in this area.

http://www.naturalbornhikers.com/KearsargePass/KearsargePass.htm

For longer trips, Kearsarge pass will lead you into the John Muir wildlife trail. It does get cold at night. You will need a good sleeping bag. The John Muir Wilderness trail runs 211 miles throughout the Sierras. You will have to check website for partial distances. I have hiked the total John Muir Trail twice. In high school, we spent all summer in the Mighty Sierras. We lived off the land. Click on âThe Trailâ for images of the trail on website below.

http://johnmuirtrail.org/

Jonathan H., you can start this trip from Yosemite Valley. Yosemite Valley is on the western side of the Mighty Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. The John Muir Trail is almost flat and very easy going for ten (10) miles outside Yosemite Valley. You will be hiking along with city folks, their kids, and tour guides. I have given you a starting point with very few people and no kids.

The wilderness can get dangerous. Stay on clearly marked trails or go with another person. You may see a few people or a mule pack, but all in all the experience and the lakes will just be you. Use your head. Stay safe.

You and your family have a beautiful week. Peace, from Los Angeles.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What is a good dog breed for hiking?

best kids backpack for hiking image

arbolito

I like a medium size dog that preferably doesn't shed too much. What breed should I look at for a hiking companion that will accept carrying a pack and not get too tired or aggitated?

Answer
Okay, now if you 'medium' to mean less than 20-22 inches at the shoulder and under 60 lbs but over 16 inches and over 20 lbs, that is a tough call.

By the way, do people actually READ the question or just automatically type in their favorite breed? You say "medium", they say large (Lab, German Shepard, Old English Sheepdog) or very large (Husky, Boxer) or giant (St. Bernard.) You say "doesn't shed much - they say Old English who strew the house with balls of fluff and require a lot of grooming to keep their coat nice, Huskies from whose discarded coat you can spin a sweater........

While a dog can carry up to 25% of their body weight for a distance, they should generally not exceed 10-15% for any real distance depending upon their build. For example, a greyhound with a tall narrow body would be hard pressed to do 10% of its body weight but a broadbacked, stocky Aussie could easily do the 15% and up to 20%. Now 'real distance' is anything in excess of a half mile or so.


Do not ask a long body breed like a Basset to do this - it is very tough on the spine and they already have to cope with that elongated spinal column and can't get their back legs under to balance and drive as is needed in order to a carry the pack.
Haven't met a dog yet that I couldn't get to carry a packback in less than an hour.

For a dog that will have the energy and endurance, look at the Herding and Sporting Breeds. (The Working Breeds can do it easily but these are the big guys - 26 inches or more at the shoulder and 85/90 lbs and up.)

Keep in mind that Sporting Breeds where bred to chase and retrieve. Doggy will have to be very well-trained before hitting the back country without a leash.

The Hounds - well, fleet of foot and gone on a scent - again leashes until 100% reliable in off-lead work.

Herding tend to stick closer - they want to know where their charges are at all times.


Years ago my Golden and I would backpack in alone for 1-2 weeks at a time - each of us with our packs (and me with most of it!)

After wrecking my shoulder with a sports injury, I now rely upon a Kuvasz as a Mobility Service Dog - he wears packs and carries what I can't (anything above 5 lbs). He is 110-115ish and can easily handle 20 lbs even in deep sand.

I stongly recommend the Wenaha packs. The pack part attachd to a body harness with velcro and can be lifted off to give the dog a rest without having to undo all the straps. Here is one site that has them: http://www.getoutoutfitters.com/browseproducts/Wenaha-Dog-Pack-Explorer-III.HTML

Mine came from REI but I'm not sure if they are carrying them or have them in stock (they always sold out fast.)

They aren't cheap but they are tough and last forever.


Now the 'not shedding much' complicates matters and eliminates long haired breeds. Labs are pretty good at going along but be prepared for a lot of stubborness and passive resistance if they don't want to do something.

Sporting: Try the Spaniels - Brittany, English and Welsh; Vizsla (taller but not massive);

The others suitable (Labs, Goldens) are considered large breeds.

Hounds: Top pick is the Rhodesian Ridgeback but they may be larger than you want - up to 26-29 inches at the shoulder and 80 100 lbs. They are actually a herd guarding breed from Africa who were also used for hunting. My choice for a Service Dog for what I needed came down to a Rhodie or Kuvasz, and the deciding factor is that we live on Lake Michigan further north than Chicago - with the cold and snow, a short coated Rhodie woul d not have been happy out running errands on a winter day.

Another posiblity is the Norweigan Elkhound - sturdy dog with medium length thick coat.

Terrier Group - don't even go there. They will be off after everything and have ignoring you down to a fine art.

Non-sporting; Dalmations (if there are no kids under 12 in the household or likely to be any in the next 14 years.)
Keeshond - smaller but very sturdy, Again they have the longer coat.
STANDARD Poodle - give them a terrier clip and not that pouffy stuff and thye look like a real dog ready to hit the water and work. No shedding. Usually 22-27 inches. They were bred as water retrievers.

Herding Group:
Australian Shepherds
Border Collie

NOTE: I see people are recommmending German Shepherds which aside form being a Large breed, are a breed that is having horrendous problems with the dogs' rear end - problems beyond hip dysplasia. I would be extremely extremely careful and not only want to know if the dogs in the immediate family tree passed all their health checks but if any collateral realtives (aunts, uncles 1/2 siblings ....) ever had any of the problems endemic in the breed.

Now, in this group all except the Corgis and the Australian Cattle Dog have longer coats. Australian CD (often called blue tick helers or blue heelers by backyard breeders) is long on energy, short on trainability (okay, maybe come and some basic-basics but...) and obedience and can be nippy.



Go to the AKC website and read in detail about the breeds

http://www.akc.org/breeds/index.cfm?nav_area=breeds

You can search by Group, Breed name or all of them at once.

Now, when you click on the picture of the dog and go to the page for that breed, on the left is a column. At the bottom of the column, is a link captioned "National Breed Club". Click on it - that takes you to the link to the National Club for that breed that sets the breed standards.

The Clubs' websites will give you an ENORMOUS amount of information about the breed - the good, the bad, and the why or why not to get that breed.

The clubs websites also have:
(1) a breeders list - all of whom have agreed to abide by the breeders code of ethics (which you can read)
(2) a link to the breed rescue for their breed

Do give serious thought to adopting from an adult from a breed rescue. The clubs' breed rescues go to a great deal of trouble to determine the dog's temperment, personality, likes and dislikes (particularly kids and cats and other dogs in the household), HEALTH, and level of training. They make a huge effort to match the right dog to the right home - and if they don't have one they think will be suitable for your home, they won't place it. Great way to avoid the puppy training, newpapers, chewing.......

If you decide to get a puppy, please use one of the breeders who are members of the breed club. A well-bred pet puppy may not be a candidate for the show ring (that nose being 1/8th of an inch to long or something else very picky) but they will be very healthy, the parents carefully screened for hereditary health problems, and from a breeder who has devoted a great deal of time to understanding the breed and bloodlines. A responsible breeder will have a written contract with a health guarantee for hereditary problems; require that if for any reason you ever have to give up the dog that it comes back to them; and always be available for help, assistance and advice about your dog. Such a breeder wil tell you if they don't think their breed is right for you based upon your needs. They want a perfect forever home for the puppies - not the money. (In 43 years in the dog show world, I have never known a breeder of that caliber who has made a profit on their dogs - it is labor of love.)

A puppy from such a breeder costs no more - and often less in view of the vet bills for an animal from poor quality breeding - than from a backyard breeder who doesn't do the health checks, knows nothing about the breed or bloodlines, doesn't give a guarantee, never wants to hear about the puppy again and has breed from mediocre or poor quality dogs.

I you want a hiking companion, you will have to very careful about getting a dog from a breeder who screens their breeding stock for hereditary orthopedic defectsthat and other problems that can affect their ability to go out and go with you - hips, elbows, patella, cardiac, eyes....

Now many reputable breeders will have adult dogs that they bred that they are placing. The dog may be a rehome since a good breeder requires the dog be returned to them if the owner can't keep it. The dog may be one they held back to show and it turned out to just not quite be show caliber as it grew up. Occassionally, in rare instances, they may have a dog who did finish its AKC championship but the breeder needs to place it in a home as a co-own (you get the dog, they get to use it for breeding - with a female maybe 1-3 litters and male as a sire for number of litters. Once the breeding career is done which is earlier than mosst pet people realize, the dog is spayed/neuterd.) SImilarly the dog could have finished its cahmpionship -after much effort, many shows and a lot of money - but the breeder decides not to use them as breeding stock because the dog hated showing so much and lacked the personality and temperment for the ring. If the breeder is placing a dog who is over 12 months, ask to see its health exams - they can preliminary xrays on elbows, hips and patellas at that age, and compelte on eyes cardiac and thyroid.

Good luck and happy hiking,

Can I take a backpack carrier on a plane?

Mamaof2

Its one of those backpacks you would put your kid in while hiking. I want to use it in the airport so I can't check-it. Anyone taken one on the plane before? If so, did it fit ok in the overhead compartment?

Answer
How about calling the airline you're flying with and ask them. They should be able to tell you if you can or can't take it.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What is a good lightweight backpack for hiking?

best kids backpack for hiking image

Brian P

I am looking to start doing some lightweight hiking and camping and I am looking for a good internal frame pack that will hold enough clothing and equipment for my 7year old son and I for 2 days. If anyone has any input I would be most thankful.

Brian

Answer
a lightweight pack for 2 is going to be a little tough
if you pack a tent and two sleeping bags and pads, you are going to need some volume
I have a Jansport that is around 4200 cu in and It works pretty good for a 3 day trip in summer or 2 day in winter if weather is mild
try info at REI
they also carry some pretty good stuff
Campmor has some good prices
the best bet on a pack is to get all your stuff together that you think you will take and pack it all down to camping supply store and see what fits
http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/backpack.html
http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/backpacking+kids.html
http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/camping
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Home_

What are some good jobs that would allow me to go backpacking, and have limited contact with other people?

Shinigami

Something I could start doing after 2 years training in community college or even work my way up from the bottom if I got hired right now, or something I could do after taking a NOLS course? Studying animals, plants, trees, rocks, trail maintenance? Where do I begin? I can't work with the public or any sort of policing/rangering isn't my style, nor anything more dangerous than hiking/backpacking. I can't teach kids or give speeches. I could write reports, make observations, do hard work, but not Sherpa style, and no internships or volunteering which are against my philosophy. Have I whittled it down to nothing?
My philosophy is that I get paid for my efforts in life.
Yeah, not even a clue. I don't even know where to begin?

Answer
I know theres places in the Smokey Mountains like around Ober Gatlinburg that will pay you about 200,000 a year to live in a cabin on the mountain to just...well watch the mountain lol...but you pretty much have to stay there...thats about all I know though...don't know many details about it or how to go about getting hired...I know if they could run dsl/cable out there I might do it lol

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What are some good jobs that would allow me to go backpacking, and have limited contact with other people?

best kids backpack for hiking image

Shinigami

Something I could start doing after 2 years training in community college or even work my way up from the bottom if I got hired right now, or something I could do after taking a NOLS course? Studying animals, plants, trees, rocks, trail maintenance? Where do I begin? I can't work with the public or any sort of policing/rangering isn't my style, nor anything more dangerous than hiking/backpacking. I can't teach kids or give speeches. I could write reports, make observations, do hard work, but not Sherpa style, and no internships or volunteering which are against my philosophy. Have I whittled it down to nothing?
My philosophy is that I get paid for my efforts in life.
Yeah, not even a clue. I don't even know where to begin?

Answer
I know theres places in the Smokey Mountains like around Ober Gatlinburg that will pay you about 200,000 a year to live in a cabin on the mountain to just...well watch the mountain lol...but you pretty much have to stay there...thats about all I know though...don't know many details about it or how to go about getting hired...I know if they could run dsl/cable out there I might do it lol

Backpacking and abandoned and haunted and odd and strange places in Hew Hampshire?

April Gibs

I am looking for off trail hikes and other trips in New Hampshire. Abandoned hospitals, prisons, trails, rail roads, bridges, tunnels, schools, etc in New Hampshire. Warm springs and springs. Places to backpack, long day hikes, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, etc. Can any one help me out?

Answer
uh oh. OMG I just watched a horror movie last night about some people who went hiking in the winter and got lost then found this old mental, hospital and went inside to keep from freezing.

Only there were some cannibals living in the building and they caught the stupid horney guy that was with them. And the insane inbred hill billy crazies living there started eating them, so watch out! Bring a dog along to bark. Wake up if someone is about to cut off your head with a machete. Do that, and you will be fine. In fact, bring a camera along and make your own Blair Witch style home movie!

I recommend you go to that hotel they used in Stephen King's "The Shining" movie, but bring a bunch of pre-charged cell phone batteries and an m 16 semi automatic rifle with you. And leave behind the kid who writes redrum (murder backward) on the bathroom wall in blood.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers