TODAY ON HIK3R - Hiking STORIES

The North Face Endurance Challenge Series

www.abc-of-hiking.com — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:18:16 UTC

The North Face, the worlds premier supplier of authentic, innovative and technically advanced outdoor apparel, equipment and footwear, announced that registration will open at 12:00pm EST today for the 2012 The North Face Endurance Challenge Series, presented by Gore-Tex. In its sixth year, The North...

Sierra Designs DriDown at Outdoor Retailer

MountainMan — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:21:34 UTC

It looks like Sierra Designs did the impossible with DriDown. The company debuted this game-changer for jackets and sleeping bags at Outdoor Retailer last month and I had a chance to see the results up close. First, a little primer on down insulation. If you've ever shopped for a sleeping bag you know...

The North Face Terra 35 (2011)

www.livefortheoutdoors.com — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:00:00 UTC

One of the few packs to use a padded, channelled back system, and it's one of the best. Although warmer than mesh systems, the channels do help keep the centre of gravity close to the body, making this more stable...

Bear-resistant Storage Containers Now Required on Section of Appalachian Trail

The Smoky Mountain Hiker (noreply@blogger.com) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:07:00 UTC

Beginning on March 1st, anyone camping overnight along the five miles of Appalachian Trail from Jarrard Gap to Neels Gap in the Chattahoochee National Forest must bring a solid, non-pliable bear-resistant canister to contain personal garbage, toiletries and foods. The new regulation was issued by the...

The North Face Diez (2012)

www.livefortheoutdoors.com — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:00:00 UTC

This is a classic down mid-layer-style of jacket. There's no hood so it won't keep your head warm, but it does mean the down is less likely to get wet in a wintry shower. It has a shortish cut, built...

Historic Bear Mountain Inn to Reopen February 18

www.abc-of-hiking.com — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:33:37 UTC

The historic Bear Mountain Inn at Bear Mountain State Park, which had been closed for renovations for over six years, will reopen its lodging facilities to the public on February 18, 2012. Originally built in 1915, the Inn has been extensively renovated to include 15 luxury guest rooms and suites designed...

A Novice Tramper in New Zealand - how to get on the trail safely!

Frank — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 22:14:59 UTC

For a complete beginner, going from a casual day hike to a well-planned multiday tramp, as they are called in New Zealand, can be a daunting task. In this article, we will help you make the jump with advice on the essential backpacking gear that you will need to acquire in order to be safe, self-sufficient...

One World Trekking announces new Himalayan treks

www.abc-of-hiking.com — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:46:20 UTC

One World Trekking (OWT), a 24-year leader in Himalayan adventure travel, has announced a selection of new trekking options for travelers looking for a once in a lifetime experience in 2012. The new trips expand on an already impressive array of adventure travel opportunities that mix exotic culture...

What are Hiking Boots?

bill-sassani.suite101.com — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:19:44 UTC

For many hikers and backpackers, a sturdy pair of hiking boots are the footwear of choice for being outside on the trail. Hiking boots can provide support, comfort, and grip for walking either a well-maintained trail or on a backpacking expedition that involves off-trail travel. Hiking boots come in...

Gear Crush: Ice-Gripping Adidas Outdoor Libria Boot

Adventure — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:01:27 UTC

Welcome to the blog of National Geographic ADVENTURE. Sign up for ADVENTURE's free monthly newsletter. More Find the trip of a lifetime with the first authoritative rating of adventure tour operators. I'm from Minnesota and grew up crossing slick oceans of ice in parking lots, on sidewalks, encompassing...

Top Snowboarders Face Off in Travis Rice's Supernatural at Baldface, B.C. (Video)

Adventure — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:30:01 UTC

By Samantha Cook Starting today, 18 of the world's top snowboarders will face off in the inaugural Red Bull Supernatural Contest, a competition unlike any before. Snowboarder Travis Rice, one of our 2012 Adventurers of the Year, has created his dream playground designed to determine the best snowboarder...

La Sportiva FC Eco 4.0 GTX Hiking Boot - Men's

www.topix.com — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:00:47 UTC

Please note by clicking on "Post Comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Service and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator. Send us your feedback. With the Sun and Moon working well today, you may...

Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

www.topix.com — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 02:06:23 UTC

The descent past ruins, terraces and sacrificial altars is the culmination of a four-day and three-night backpacking trip over three mountain passes and 26 miles. Please note by clicking on "Post Comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Service and the comment you are posting is in...

Outdoor Photo of the Day + Enhanced Trail Maps

MountainMan — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:57:51 UTC

Each day we'll be highlighting one of the 20,000 member-submitted camping and hiking photos on Tripleblaze - just click the new photos tab in the header to take a peek. We also added a gallery showing all the photos submitted to Tripleblaze.com (ordered newest to oldest) and even a gallery of past photos...

Outdoor Advice + Tips: Fast, Light, Delicious Backcountry Grits

Adventure — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:29:08 UTC

By Contributing Writer Aparna Rajagopal-Durbin, faculty member and Diversity + Inclusion Manager at the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) Whenever you travel into the backcountry, do you ask yourself: "Eat like a king but break my back with the weight; or eat like a squirrel and travel light...

Helly Hansen Cross Insulator (2012)

www.livefortheoutdoors.com — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:00:00 UTC

A classic mid-layer insulator jacket, in a bit of a 1970s ski jacket style. The synthetic fill allows it to work even in the wet and it's not too thick so it fits under a shell easily enough. The relatively...

Mountain Hardwear Kelvinator (2012)

www.livefortheoutdoors.com — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:00:00 UTC

MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR KELVINATOR 220 Our rating: ***** Review: A classic-looking mountain-style down jacket, complete with hood for battening down the hatches when it's really cold outside. As it uses natural down filling inside, it is susceptible to wet conditions, but...

Marmot Baffin Half-Zip (2012)

www.livefortheoutdoors.com — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:00:00 UTC

This is a kind of hybrid style of jacket that offers more warmth than a fleece with a bit of extra waterproofing thrown in. As a pullover style it won't be to everyone's taste, and it isn't the easiest to...

Adirondack Fish and Game Report (Feb 2)

Editorial Staff (noreply@blogger.com) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:00:00 UTC

Become a part of the solution: Andrew Liveris (UPENN interview) and the Nature Conservancy hope to plant a billion trees in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. New York Apartments Looking for Budget Hotels in Manhattan New York or New York Apartments? Lets Book Hotel is a good resource for all your new...

Some comments from Ken about the trails closed because of the lambing season

DesertHiker — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:51:20 UTC

It is lambing season in the mountains now for bighorn sheep. Hopefully their offspring will be plentiful and strong.During lambing season it is especially important to stay at a distance from bighorn sheep and to stay on the official trails where we can hike in the national monument legally all year...