#3. Insulation (extra clothing)

You checked the weather forecast before you left the trailhead, right? Even if it calls for clear skies and warm temperatures down below make sure to pack at least an extra layer, usually including wind and/or rain gear. Weather can change quickly, especially above tree line.

What you bring will depend on the season and outing and could range from a raincoat and long underwear tops and bottoms in summer to an extra insulated jacket, pants, gloves, and hat or balaclava in winter. No matter the season, avoid cotton, which loses its insulating value when wet.

Still not sure what to bring? Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills suggests you ask yourself this question: “What is needed to survive the worst conditions that could be realistically encountered on this trip?”

    Tips:

• Extra socks can be used on feet and hands.
• Don’t judge by how you feel hiking uphill; you’ll cool off once you stop moving.
• Anticipate whether you’re likely to warm up or cool down and adjust layers in advance; your clothes will stay drier and your temp better regulated.

Have tips or suggestions for this essential? Share them with us.

Read the full "10 Essentials for Backcountry Travel" article in the Gear Guide.

#2. Sun Protection

Sunglasses, sunscreen (for skin and lips), and appropriate clothing is necessary for sun protection year round, but is especially important when on water, ice, snow, and at higher altitudes. The higher you go the more ultraviolet rays you’re exposed to, increasing your risk of serious sunburn and skin damage, including cancer.

Sunglasses protect your corneas from ultraviolet light year round. Sunglasses, glacier glasses, and goggles also can help prevent snow blindness from sunlight reflecting off snow.

Sunscreen should be at least 15 SPF (though 30 is preferable), block UVA and UVB rays, and be applied anytime you go outside, even on cloudy days. Reapply frequently, including lips, particularly if you’re sweaty or wet.

Clothes supply varying degrees of sun protection depending on their material, weave, color, and moisture content (a wet, cotton T-shirt is practically useless). Some clothes are treated to absorb more UV radiation and come with specific UPF ratings, which can be useful for desert hikes and other very sunny treks.

    Tips:

• Carry a backup if you rely on contacts or prescription glasses.
• Carry an extra pair of sunglasses for group outings.
• Fashion emergency eye protection from cardboard or cloth cut with small slits.
• Wear a cap or brimmed hat to shield your face.
• Don’t forget to cover your neck.

Have tips or suggestions for this essential? Share them with us.

Read the full "10 Essentials for Backcountry Travel" article in the Gear Guide.

Volunteers across the country will test recipe submissions throughout the summer and fall, and winners will be included in the American Hiking Society cookbook, printed in 2009. The top camp cook will receive an Outback Oven from Backpacker’s Pantry.

Deadline for submissions is July 31, 2008. E-mail entries to Volunteer@AmericanHiking.org.

#1. Navigation

While the 10 essentials can vary depending on the trip you’re taking and whom you ask, a detailed topographic map and compass have been at the top of the list since its 1930s debut by The Mountaineers club. Now, navigation tools may also include a GPS receiver or altimeter, but those are in addition to a map and compass, which never need batteries and work even in dense tree coverage. Of course, these tools only work if you also have the know-how to use them. Consider signing up for a navigation course.

     Tips:

• Store your topo map in a ziplock or other protective case or waterproof covering.
• A compass with a sighting mirror works as a signaling device in an emergency.

Have tips or suggestions for this essential? Share them with us.

Read the full "10 Essentials for Backcountry Travel" article in the Gear Guide.

Here are two ideas to get the creative juices flowing:

• For $19.95 you can buy a solar-powered LED LightCap200 from SolLight and turn any standard water bottle into a weatherproof lantern for the backyard, treehouse, boat, or wherever, no batteries required. If you wanted to string a bunch of Nalgenes around your yard that could get pricey pretty quickly though.
• I also came across this idea for using a bottle to store a first aid or emergency kit inside your car or to take along while traveling. Add a light cap and there's no need for a flashlight. Obviously this idea can be extrapolated for storing other non-liquid, non-food items.

Have an idea for turning polycarbonate water bottles into something safe, functional, and affordable? Musical shakers, perhaps? Share it with us.

Or you can support their efforts to plant trees in National Forests that have been damaged by fire, insects, and disease.

For more information: www.arborday.org

It's Earth Day. Get outside and enjoy—and protect—your favorite places on Earth.

 According to Sports One Source:

REI said it would begin pulling polycarbonate bottles containing the chemical bisphenol A, or BPA, from its store shelves and stop selling them on line
…
“REI is in the process of removing all water bottles made with BPA from its store shelves," REI Public Affairs Director told The BOSS Report late Friday. "These bottles will also no longer be sold on REI.com or REI-OUTLET.com. When the process is complete, we will offer only water bottles that have been made without BPA.”

Also, the April 18th Wall Street Journal article "Wal-Mart, Nalgene Move Away From Bisphenol A" states:

“...a few key dominoes fell this week: Canada moved toward declaring the chemical a dangerous substance, and a draft version of a U.S. government report said BPA might present risks.”

If you're among the many now looking for an alternative water bottle, read  “Building a Better Water Bottle: Aluminum, Steel, and No BPA” in the Gear Guide first to see some of your options before rushing out for that new bottle.

Right about now, I'm pretty happy to have my SIGGs .

Happy birthday, John Muir (April 21, 1838 – December 24, 1914).

• April 19-27 is National Wildlife Watch Week, a chance for kids and adults to get outdoors and connect with nature in their neighborhoods and beyond. (www.nwf.org/watch)
• It’s also National Park Week, with many parks celebrating National Junior Ranger Day on Saturday, April 26, along with guided nature hikes, bird watches, and other activities weeklong. (www.nps.gov/npweek/sched.htm)
• And, of course, there's Earth Day on Tuesday, April 22, and
• the venerable Arbor Day on Friday, April 25. (www.arborday.org)

One doesn't need a holiday proclaimed to celebrate or give back to the great outdoors though. It's open to hikers, backpackers, and climbers every day.

From the April 18th New York Times:

Bottle Maker to Stop Using Plastic Linked to Health Concerns
Nalgene, the brand that popularized water bottles made from hard, clear and nearly unbreakable polycarbonate, will stop using the plastic because of growing concern over one of its ingredients.

The decision by Nalgene Outdoor Products, a unit of Thermo Fisher Scientific, based in Rochester, came after reports that the Canadian government would declare the chemical bisphenol-a, or BPA, toxic. Some animal studies have linked the chemical to changes in the hormonal system.

You can read the full article on The New Yorks Times site.

Or Nalgene's press release "Nalgene to Phase Out Bottles Containing BPA" in the News section.

Canada Likely to Label Plastic Ingredient ‘Toxic’

The Canadian government is said to be ready to declare as toxic a chemical widely used in plastics for baby bottles, beverage and food containers as well as linings in food cans.

A person with knowledge of the government’s chemical review program spoke on the condition he not be named because of a confidentiality agreement. He said the staff work to list the compound, called bisphenol-a, or B.P.A., as a toxic chemical was complete and was recently endorsed by a panel of outside scientists.

You can read the full article on The New Yorks Times site.

Looking for an alternative water bottle? Read  “Building a Better Water Bottle: Aluminum, Steel, and No BPA” in the Gear Guide.

Committed to your Nalgene? The company recently launched NalgeneChoice.com to profile its full product line, which also includes polyethylene, stainless steel, and Eastman Tritan copolyester bottles, in addition to polycarbonate.

From the April 10th USA Today:

State Parks Blaze Trails for Wireless Internet Service

Outdoor enthusiasts may dislike the idea of a laptop in every tent, but the number of state parks with wireless Internet service is growing rapidly.

State officials say park users want Wi-Fi, so parks are installing it in campgrounds, lodges and visitors centers. Some states, including Tennessee and Kansas, plan to equip every park with it.

The paper found that 28 states have installed Wi-Fi in at least one of their parks. Read the full article to see if yours is one of them.

Then, tell us what you think of this trend. Is it a sign of the outdoor apocalypse, or are state parks simply meeting the needs of more potential outdoor enthusiasts?

The Conservation Alliance, Anker, and Timex Expedition recently launched Return to the Outdoors, an effort to motivate everyone to spend more time outdoors and to raise awareness of the Conservation Alliance’s mission to help protect outdoor spaces (35 million acres so far).

In the campaign's first of two short films by Jimmy Chin and David Gonzales, Anker discusses some of his earliest memories from Wyoming’s Teton Crest:

The second features Davis base jumping in southern Utah’s canyonlands:

A third, featuring environmentalist and Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard, will be released next month.

Inspired to share your own outdoor story? Tell it in 500 words or less, or with video clips or a slideshow, and you'll have the chance to win gear from Timex Expedition, The North Face, Camelbak, and Ahnu, or an all-expenses-paid outdoor adventure vacation for two.

For more information: www.returntotheoutdoors.com

GoLite's non-footwear products—clothing, packs, shelters, and sleeping bags—will not be affected, and spring 2008 products will still be available for both footwear brands.

I don’t have personal experience with GoLite Footwear, but I’m sorry to hear Mion will end production. They’re an innovative, environmentally-committed outdoor footwear brand. I have a pair of their Pen Shell Clogs that are super comfortable and always generate interest from other outdoor enthusiasts when I wear them.

Why can't we stop the Crocs phenomenon instead?