Backpacking & Hiking
I've been hiking and backpacking, off and on, for many years.
I've hiked with a number of local hiking clubs in the Baltimore - Washington area
including: Sierra Club, Mountain Club of Maryland, Center Hiking Club, Potomac
Backpackers, Capitol Hiking Club, Ski Club of Washington DC (SCWDC), and Columbia Ski
Club. In recent years most of my hiking has been with the Sierra Club, PATC's STS,
or private hikes.
I really prefer backpacking over day hiking. Backpackers can get to places that day hikers
can only read about in magazines. Also your senses are stimulated much more: you see,
hear, feel, and smell much more when you're in the wilderness for the entire twenty four
hour daily cycle. I've found that backpackers and day hikers have a very different outlook on
hiking in general. Day hikers are to backpackers what snorkelers are to scuba divers -
rookies. While I do quite a bit of dayhiking since its less time consuming than
backpacking, I am always amazed at how poorly prepared most dayhikers are.
Backpackers have to be able to solve a lot of problems. These include: planning the trip
route; selecting and preparing the appropriate gear; knowing how to use the gear; physical
conditioning; selecting a menu for the duration and difficulty of the trip; selecting good
campsites; purifying drinking water; cooking and cleaning up after; getting your body
clean; staying warm and dry for extended periods in inclement weather; staying on your
route or getting back on with good map and compass skills. Other activities that make the
trip more enjoyable include: photography, writing, sketching, looking for interesting
plants and animals, or using an amateur radio transceiver.
Technical Hiking Information
Backpacking Boots
Rainsuits
Magnetic Declination
Purifying Water
Backpacking & Hiking Links
Major National Trails
Appalachian
Trail
Pacific Crest Trail
Continental Divide Trail
Pacific Northwest Trail
American Discovery Trail
Arizona Trail
Hiking Clubs or Organizations
Appalachian Mountain
Club
Potomac Appalachian Trail
Club
American Hiking Society -
National Trails Day
Sierra Club (National)
Sierra Club (MWROP)
Mountain Club of Maryland
Regional Information
Northern
California Backcountry
Magazines
Backpacker Magazine
Basecamp
Outside Magazine
Books & Maps
Adventurous
Traveler Bookstore
Trails Illustrated
Maps
TopoScout GIS Maps
Topo! GIS Maps
Other
Leave no Trace
Appalachian
Trail 2 Meter Repeaters
GORP: Great Outdoor Recreation
Pages
Outdoor Gear Exchange
Backpacker's
Guide
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