Appalachian Mountain Club's Equipped

Best New Gear from Winter Outdoor Retailer 2012, Part 2

2012-01-25T20:00:00.002-05:00

Post 2 of 2 rounding up the coolest new gear from this season's Outdoor Retailer geartopia convention in Salt Lake City.

Reactive Lighting: Petzl Nao Headlamp
It's not just a new headlamp—it's an entirely new category of headlamp. The Nao is the first headlamp to employ "reactive lighting," which adjusts the brightness of the beam based on where you look. Smart sensors detect ambient and reflected light and brighten, or dim, accordingly. You need a brighter light to peer into dark surrounding woods, for example, but less light to illuminate a map in your hands. Petzl touts the headlamp as its brightest yet, a whopping 355 lumens at maximum.

The technology provides convenience and can also help conserve battery power, but it's not cheap. Watch for the Petzl Nao ($175) in July—and expect to see this technology in more headlamps soon.

Louis Garneau Winter Bike Boots
One of the biggest challenges of winter cycling is keeping your feet warm. This is especially true if you ride with clip-in pedals; the metal connection between shoe and pedal transfers in a lot of cold. Louis Garneau's new Glacier Road Shoes ($179) and Ergo Grip Shoes ($179) offer warm (the Ergo is rated to 0 degrees Fahrenheit), insulated coverage for your winter biking feet, including protection from the cold underfoot. Available up to European size 46.

Terra Nova Quasar Backpacks
Terra Nova is a UK-based ultralight gear manufacturer that will be rolling out a line of ultralight packs in 2012 that use cuben fiber, an ultralight material that has its origins in the sailing industry. The Quasar line will be available in a 45-liter capacity model (17 - 21 ounces) and a larger 55-liter version (19 to 30 ounces, depending on accessories). Watch for it in February ($240 to $300).

For more on Winter Outdoor Retailer 2012, check out the blog coverage at Gear Junkie, Sectionhiker, and The Gearcaster.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Best New Gear from Winter Outdoor Retailer 2012, Part 1

2012-01-23T20:00:00.001-05:00

Winter Outdoor Retailer wrapped up today, bringing to a close the latest installment of the great gear smorgasbord. Twice each year, outdoor gear manufacturers gather in Salt Lake City to hype their latest, greatest products. Here are some of the standout products and technology that caught my attention this year. Post 1 of 2.

Timberland Radler Series
Check out the ultra-packable design of the Radler Trail Camp shoe ($65)—it folds in half and zips together like a wallet. In 2012 Timberland is adding a Radler insulated camp boot, which zips flat together with its mate for easy packing. Both styles feature a rubberized sole with a solid tread and can easily handle serious use, both inside and outside your tent or cabin.

Brooks Range Invasion Tent
It's a single-wall four-season tent for two that weighs a scant 3 pounds, 7 ounces ($599). The tunnel-style tent features an external pole system that sets up first; the body is then hung inside the structure—a major plus for windy conditions. Made from ultralight waterproof silnylon. (Watch those crampons!)

Water-Resistant Down and Wool
Sierra Designs debuted its water-resistant "DriDown" technology at this year's show. (I highlighted it in my previous post: Waterproof Goose Down?). Brooks Range, a mountaineering-specialty company, also introduced a similar "DownTec" technology with its 800-fill Mojave Jacket ($299, pictured right).

New Zealand-based Icebreaker unveiled a line of water-resistant merino wool insulation that "uses nanotechnology and triple-layer construction to increase performance." Translation: Drier, warmer, lighter wool in damp and wet conditions. Here's the press release.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Waterproof Goose Down?

2012-01-18T20:00:00.001-05:00

Goose down is the ultimate insulation, providing an unparalleled warmth-to-weight ratio. It just has one fatal flaw: If it gets wet, it loses all of its insulating ability. Enter a new species of treated, highly water-resistant down.

The idea is simple. Coat each individual down cluster, plumule, and feather with a thin layer of water-repellent, or "hydrophobic," material. This keeps water from penetrating the down and causing it to collapse in a wet, useless blob. (For more on the amazing structure and properties of goose down, check out my recent Equipped column, Down Time: The Story of a Miracle Material.)

This month Sierra Designs unveiled its "DriDown" technology, which features treated goose down that, according to the company press release, "stays dry 7 times longer in the presence of rain, melting snow, or spills, maintains 98% loft after a night in a high humidity environment, and dries 33% faster when it does get wet." (Sierra Designs remains vague, however, on the precise technology and chemicals used to create DriDown, noting only that it "features a molecular level polymer" and "a proprietary application method.")

So this new form of down is not exactly waterproof, just much more water resistant than the untreated alternative. This presumably provides minimal benefit if you're wearing a down jacket in the rain for a while (it will still eventually get soaking wet), but does have huge upsides for maintaining the loft of sleeping bags in humid environments or on long winter trips, where moisture buildup can become an issue.

In June, Sierra Designs will introduce the new treated down in a line of 600-fill DriDown sleeping bags, which will retail from $199 to $299. Across the Atlantic, the UK-based gear company Berghaus also just introduced its own line of hydrophobic down, which it's incorporated into a few hybrid jackets like the Mount Asgard. If hydrophobic down lives up to the hype, I would expect most other major gear manufacturers to introduce similar products in the years ahead.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Photo courtesy of IDFC

New England Life List Trips: Book Reservations Now

2012-01-16T20:00:00.001-05:00

Sometimes the most essential piece of gear for a big adventure is something completely intangible: a camping, hut, or cabin reservation. If you hope to visit some of New England's most iconic destinations this summer—including Baxter State Park (and Katahdin, pictured), Acadia National Park, and AMC huts atop the Presidential Range—consider booking your trip now. Right now you can have your pick of days, even holiday weekends. A few months (or even weeks) from now, you won't.

Acadia National Park
Maine's national park offers two drive-in campgrounds—Blackwoods and Seawall—both of which can be reserved up to six months in advance through Recreation.gov, the comprehensive reservation site for recreation on most federal lands. As of January 15, ample sites were available through July 15, including every weekend. To reserve a site in remote Duck Harbor Campground on Isle au Haut, you'll need to contact the park directly after April 1.

Baxter State Park
Baxter State Park opens its rolling reservation system for summer camping Tuesday, January 18. Reservations can be made up to four months from a given date (July 1 opens on March 1, for example) by mailing in a completed reservation form. You cannot book reservations online, though you can check current availability. You can, however, book reservations online or over the phone within 14 days of arrival—it is often worthwhile to check availability, especially if you have flexibility with your exact dates

You must make reservations for both drive-in and backcountry campsites. The park's most spectacular—and coveted—backcountry campground is Chimney Pond, which nestles at the base of Katahdin and tends to book almost instantly. (The single site at Davis Pond—a key overnight location for backpacking trips—is another crucial spot to reserve early.)

AMC Huts
Perched above treeline along the spine of the Presidential Range, AMC's Lakes of the Clouds Hut (right) and just-renovated Madison Spring Hut (below) offer eye-popping scenery and convenient overnight locations for a multi-day adventure on the Northeast's highest mountains. They are also two of AMC's most popular destinations. Reservations are now open for the entire 2012 season; several weekends are already full (or close to it) at Lakes of the Clouds. Make a reservation now.

AMC of course offers a range of other lodging opportunities, including six more huts in the White Mountains, wilderness lodges in Maine, and several lodges in New Hampshire locations, including Mount Cardigan, Pinkham Notch, and Crawford Notch. If you motivate to make your reservation now, you can have your pick of days this coming season.

White Mountain National Forest Cabins
One final mention: The White Mountain National Forest offers three public cabins for overnight use, most notably Doubletop Cabin. You can book them up to six months in advance through Recreation.gov.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

The White Mountain Direttissima: Summit all 4,000-Footers in One Continuous Hike

2012-01-11T20:00:00.001-05:00

Thousands of people have climbed all 48 of New Hampshire's 4,000-footers. Very few have tagged them all in one single continuous hike.

In a recent post on SectionHiker.com, Philip Werner muses on the "White Mountain Direttissima." The premise is simple: Summit all 48 of New Hampshire's 4,000-foot peaks in one continuous hike without outside support. The trip must be done entirely by foot, carrying all supplies for the entire journey—no food resupplies, no car shuttles.

It's a long, strenuous hike. Any White Mountain Direttessima runs at least 250 miles with nearly 100,000 feet of elevation gain and loss. Werner doesn't map out a precise route, but does reference a successful 2007 Direttissima by Mats Roing. (You can view his trip journal at Views from the Top, a Northeast hiking forum and web site.)

Planning a Direttessima presents some interesting challenges. The summits are unevenly distributed, with several distant outliers (Moosilauke, Cabot, Passaconaway, etc.). Your pack is heavy initially but steadily diminishes as you progress, which affects your early and late route selection. You need to figure out where to start and where to end, then determine how many days of food you'll need for the adventure. Plus you can consider establishing short-term base camps to tag surrounding peaks on long dayhikes. It's an engaging puzzle to figure out an optimal route and strategy.

Roing completed his 2007 Direttessima in 11 days. His route began over Moosilauke and the Kinsman Range, went over Franconia Ridge and around and into the Pemigewasset Wilderness, headed south to the Sandwich Range, back north to the southern Presidentials and Mount Washington, east to the Carter Range, and then completed one last leg north over the northern Presidentials and on to the final peaks of the Kilkenny Range.

Interested in planning a Direttissima? For a quick survey of the possibilities, I recommend AMC's White Mountain National Forest and Guide (freshly updated in 2011), which covers nearly the entirety of the White Mountains on one side (the northern Kilkenny Region is on the other side). It also conveniently indicates the 4,000-footers, making it easy to spot them as you trace potential routes.

Hike on!

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

How to Boil Water in a Paper Pot

2012-01-08T20:00:00.001-05:00

And you thought titanium was lightweight. If a new patent-pending design from Hexa Pot becomes a commercial reality, you may soon be able to boil water in a half-ounce container made from paper.

Constructed from a "special non-toxic waterproofing multi-ply paper material," the Hexa Pot is named for its six-sided, hexagonal design and is capable of withstanding the heat required to boil water or other liquids (though not for cooking solid food) without burning. It lies flat for easy packing, folds together quickly, and even includes two flaps that extend upward from the sides for easy lifting. To pour liquids, simply grab the flaps and tilt the pot forward; the hexagonal shape creates a sharp-angled, easy-pouring corner at the front. When cooking, the flaps fold down to keep the included paper lid in place.

The Hexa Pot is made from a biodegradable material that can be tossed out, recycled, or even composted. Though designed for single-use, Hexa Pot claims that it can be used several times before the paper material starts to degrade and/or leak. A small and a large size have been created to date, weighing in at 0.3 ounces and 0.5 ounces, respectively.

Here's the catch. The Hexa Pot doesn't yet exist for purchase. It's a project on Kick Starter, a web site that generates public funding for creative projects like this one. Anybody can donate to help make the Hexa Pot a reality; I certainly hope they make it. The minimum pledge is only $1, though if you pledge $15 or more, you'll receive your very own Hexa Pot as a thank you for your support. (Like any Kick Starter project, if you make a pledge and the company fails to reach its target, you don't pay anything.)

The fledgling company is trying to raise $25,000 to get the Hexa Pot off the ground. As of January 8, they were still shy of $2,000 with only 19 days left. Regardless of whether Hexa Pot succeeds, there seems little doubt that this type of ultralight cooking technology will start appearing in packs in the coming years.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

A Primer on Ski Wax

2012-01-04T20:00:00.000-05:00

If you cross-country ski, friction is your enemy. Minimize its fun-slowing effects and you'll go faster, farther, and with less effort. Ski wax is a crucial ally in this battle, so it's worth knowing the basics of how it works. First of all, ski wax comes in two varieties: glide wax and kick wax. For most skiers, the friction-reducing properties of glide wax make it the more important of the two; it should be regularly applied to every type of cross-country ski, including skate and so-called "waxless" styles...

This column originally appeared in the December online edition of AMC Outdoors. You can read the full story here.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

(Photograph: Pat Bagley)

High-Visibility Backpack Covers for Cycling

2012-01-02T20:00:00.001-05:00

If you ride at night, it's crucial that motorists see you on the road. You may already wear a bright cycling jacket or jersey, but its effect can be muted if you're wearing a dark, low-visibility backpack on top of it. The Hump line of high-visibility backpack covers provides an excellent solution.

Hump is a brand of Respro (a UK-based company specializing in urban survival equipment) devoted to high-visibility backpack covers for cycling, jogging, hiking, and motorcycling. The company will ship its products anywhere, including the US, though its web site lists all prices in British pounds (January 2, 2012 exchange rate: £1 = US $1.55).

Hump covers are constructed using a lightweight synthetic fabric and come in a range of colors, including red, orange, and blue, though I recommend the "Flo-Yellow" color. As I discussed in my recent Equipped column, Now You See Me: Bike Lights, Reflectors, and High Visibility, such a bright yellow-green color is most visible to the human eye and provides you with maximum visibility during daylight hours.

For night riding, Hump covers feature reflective strips and/or chevron patterns that enhance visibility. (If you're planning on using the cover only for night riding, you can purchase the Reflective Hump (£35.99), which is constructed entirely of reflective material.) For even greater nighttime visibility, Hump offers covers with battery-powered, flashing LED lights, including the P15 Chevron (£49.99) and Vegas (£44.99, pictured ). You can visit the Hump YouTube channel to see them in action.

Most Hump covers accommodate backpacks with a capacity of 25 to 35 liters, more than enough for most day packs. Basic models, like the Plain Hump (£17.99), are not waterproof. For watertight coverage, you'll need to upgrade slightly to a model like the LC Hump (£22.99).

If you're interested, now is the time to buy—Hump currently offers free shipping anywhere in the world, though only for a limited time.

See you on the road!

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Gear Watch: A $65 Altimeter Watch

2011-12-28T20:00:00.001-05:00

Altimeter watches are incredibly useful, but they haven't been cheap—until now. The Casio SGW300H-1AV multifunction watch ($65) is one of the first altimeter watches to break the $100 price point, making this the most affordable wrist-top option for measuring your elevation.

To achieve this price point, Casio has made some significant trade-offs. First, there is a conspicuous absence of functions. The SGW300H-1AV measures and displays your current elevation, as well as the barometric pressure (which it uses to gauge your altitude), but doesn't do much more than that. It won't track your cumulative elevation gain/loss (one of my favorite features), indicate your rate of ascent or descent, and has no altitude alarms to alert you when you reach a certain elevation—all standard features on other, more expensive altimeter watches.

Second—and this is a biggie—the SGW300H-1AV doesn't feature a user-replaceable battery. Estimated battery life is three years, but after that you'll need to send it in to Casio or take it to a watch shop to swap in a fresh battery. This is a real bummer; most other altimeter watches have a user-replaceable battery that makes it easy to extend the life of the watch (my Suunto Vector altimeter watch has been on my wrist for more than a decade now).

Third, there's no electronic compass though this is only a minor drawback in my opinion; in general watch compasses are a crude tool useful for little more than orienting yourself.

The SGW300H-1AV does have a few other capabilities beyond the altimeter. It features a built-in thermometer, though (like all watch thermometers) it must be used away from your wrist and its accompanying body heat to provide an accurate measurement. It also offers a good range of basic watch functions, including a backlight, stopwatch, countdown timer, and alarm. All in all, it's a great value for the price.

Casio also offers the SGW300HB-3AV ($65), which is the same watch in an olive green color with a cloth band; and the SGW300HD-1AV ($75, right), also the same watch but with an aluminum band. If you're looking for a fuller range of altimeter watch features, check out the excellent Casio Pathfinder series ($200 to $400+), which includes a range of models featuring everything from solar power to tides to phases of the moon.

Like all altimeter watches, the SGW300H-1AV measures altitude based on barometric pressure, which fluctuates with ambient weather conditions. As a result, you'll want to recalibrate it any time you're at a known elevation.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

New Boots for Christmas? How to Check (and Adjust) the Fit

2011-12-26T20:00:00.001-05:00

If you received a new pair of hiking or winter boots for Christmas this year, make sure they fit properly. If they don't, return them immediately for a better fitting alternative. Here's what to look for.

Check the Length
First, don whichever socks you expect to wear with your new boots. Next, identify your longer foot (most people have one foot larger than the other). Loosen the laces of the corresponding boot and slide your foot inside. Leave the boot unlaced, stand up, and push your foot forward until your toes touch the end.

At this point, you should enlist the help of a friend or family member. Stand upright and have them check how much room you have behind your heel. In a properly fitting boot, they should be able to get roughly one finger between your heel and the back of the boot. If they get significantly more or less than that, the boot is too large or small. (Note that you can’t check this yourself; your foot and heel lift forward when you bend over.)

Check the Width
Now lace up your boot and evaluate the boot for width. If your toes or the sides of your feet are painfully crunched, the boot is too narrow. If you can slide your foot from side to side inside the boot, then the boots are too wide and may cause blisters on the bottom and sides of your feet. If they boots are snug, but not uncomfortably so, then you should be fine—most boots will stretch enough to ensure a comfortable fit.

Check the Heel
Your heel should be locked in position inside the boot and not slide up or down as you walk (the number one cause of blisters). When lacing your boots, leave the area over the top of your foot loose but cinch down tightly across your ankles to secure your heel in place. Walk around and stand on your toes to check for heel lift. Ideally there should be none, though a small amount of movement (quarter-inch or less) is considered acceptable.

Fit Adjustments
When it comes to length, boots fit—or they don't. There's nothing you can do about it except trade in for a different size. When it comes to width, you can wear thicker or thinner socks if the fit is just a little bit too wide or narrow. If the width is tight, but not painful, be aware that leather boots will stretch significantly more than synthetic alternatives and fit better the more you use them.

If your heel continues to slip even after tightly cinching the laces, consider swapping out the existing insoles for a pair of after-market insoles like those from Superfeet. Look for models that take up extra room in the boot, such as the "Green" insoles from Superfeet. This can help eliminate some of the extra space around your heels that's causing them to slip in the first place.

Remember: Returning a pair of ill-fitting boots might be inconvenient—but it pales in comparison to the long-term misery brought on by wearing the wrong pair.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

How accurate is a GPS watch?

2011-12-21T20:00:00.001-05:00

GPS watches measure your speed and distance, providing detailed stats about a given workout, whether running, walking, biking, or any other motion-based activity. But how accurate are they?

Not very, according to a recent New York Times article. The piece cites several personal tests by the author, as well as some good interviews with race organizers who deal with legions of GPS-armed runners. The upshot? GPS watches seem to have a margin of error on distance in the two to five percent range (eg. reading 12.8 miles on a 13.1-mile half marathon course), and potentially much larger errors in speed, especially pace.

This is not too surprising. Inexpensive commercial GPS units are accurate to within 10 feet, and accuracy varies with atmospheric conditions. Over the course of a long workout, those small discrepancies add up to produce a small, but statistically significant, variation.

It's also interesting to note that all brands and models apparently suffer from the same issue. So it's not the just your GPS watch that's not quite perfect—it's every GPS watch out there.

GPS watches range in price from roughly $150 to $400-plus; more expensive models usually feature heart rate monitors as well. They tend to be bulky—largely due to the significant battery power that GPS receivers require—but are steadily slimming down. GPS units are notorious power hogs; wristtop units generally last only six to eight hours per charge.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Last-Minute Online Deals for Outdoor Gifts

2011-12-19T20:00:00.002-05:00

It's the final countdown. Here's a quick round-up of week-before-Christmas deals (and shipping speed) from major online outdoor retailers.

Cabela's
Cabela's has their "Christmas Hot Buys: 25 Days of Deals," which features a variety of heavily discounted items at 20 to 50 percent off. To get it there by Christmas, Cabela's is offering a free upgrade to their guaranteed express shipping for orders of $100 or more placed by 12/20 at 10 p.m. Eastern time. It's not free, but may be a cost effective option for the very final minutes option.

Eastern Mountain Sports
EMS offers a daily Deal of the Day, usually around 40 to 50 percent off. Lightweight fleece hoodies were available on December 19 for only $24.50. If you purchase $100 or more online before Christmas, you'll receive a $20 Gearbucks Card, which can be applied to one $75 or more merchandise purchase online or in store from 12/25/11 through 1/10/12.

EMS offers free standard shipping on any purchase and guarantees delivery by Christmas if ordered by noon on December 20. After the 20th, guaranteed (not-free) delivery only by 2nd day and/or next day air.

If you shop from EMS, make sure and start from this referral page on the Mount Washington Observatory web site. When you click through to the EMS site, a portion of the sale goes back to support the Observatory. It's like making a donation without spending an extra dime!

L.L. Bean
L.L. Bean is running a "12 Days of Christmas Savings" daily deal promotion that features one item at a steep discount. On 12/19 it was a Polartec Windpro Fleece Jacket for only $35. L.L. Bean has free shipping with guaranteed delivery by Christmas for orders placed before 12/21 at noon Eastern time. Express shipping (not free) gets it there by Christmas for orders placed by 12/22 at noon.

REI
You can buy one REI brand item for 30 percent off until 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve. They are offering free standard shipping on any purchase up to $50, and free two-day shipping on orders of $50 or more (through 12/21 at noon Eastern time).

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Best Gifts for Outdoor Map Lovers

2011-12-14T20:00:00.001-05:00

Raven Maps
Raven makes the most beautiful wall maps. Period. For big-picture dreaming, check out their North America Map ($40 paper, $60 laminated), one of the few maps I've seen that portrays the continent in its entirety. For more local dreaming, Raven produces a striking series of State Maps ($30 paper, $50 laminated).

AMC White Mountain Tyvek Map Set
Anybody who ever hikes in the White Mountains should have this map set in their library ($29.95, members $23.96). The same maps come with AMC's White Mountain Guide ($24.95, $19.96), but are paper and much less durable than these indestructible, waterproof Tyvek versions that last forever.

Mount Washington Map by Bradford Washburn
One of the most precise maps I've ever seen, this map ($10.95, $8.76 members) is part topographic map, part art, and an outstanding example of both. A must-have for anybody interested in Mount Washington.

DeLorme Atlases and Gazetteers
These state atlases ($19.95 to $24.95) make a great addition to any vehicle. If the driver is like me, they'll reference it a lot to navigate the often screwy roads and highways of the Northeast. Lots of info on outdoor destinations and activities is a bonus. DeLorme is based in Yarmouth, Maine—I highlighted the company and its products in a recent post.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Outdoor Gift Ideas for Less Than $50

2011-12-11T21:00:00.001-05:00

It's crunch time for holiday shopping. Here are a few inexpensive gear items that I've given over the years to the outdoor adventurers on my list.

Head and Neck First
Winter hats are a highly personal choice of style and fit—and thus a challenging gift to get right. I recommend instead a liner balaclava ($20 to $40), which makes a great base layer for your head and neck. For minimal weight and bulk, it adds considerable warmth to your clothing system and also works well—and stays on your head—for a warmer night in the sleeping bag. I prefer styles with larger face openings that don't constrict against your chin or cheeks.

You can add a neck gaiter ($10 to $20), a tube of fleece, wool, or other insulating material that nestles close to your neck and helps retain the warmth exuded by your heat-pumping jugular. It also makes a great seal around the neck of the jacket to prevent the warm air around your torso from escaping.

Give 'em a Hand
Or two warm hands, really, with a pair of Power Stretch liner gloves ($20 to $30). They provide full dexterity while still offering exceptional warmth, fit, and durability. I prefer the Black Diamond Midweight Glove ($25)—you can read my recent rave review of them—though Power Stretch glove options are available from many other manufacturers as well.

Superfeet
These shoe insoles offer excellent support and cushioning for your feet, no matter what activity you're doing. I swear by Superfeet and wear them in all my footwear. They're a bit spendy ($40 to $50 per pair for most styles), which puts off many people who might otherwise benefit from them—another reason they make such a good gift. Learn more about Superfeet and the many different styles in my posts: Hooray for Superfeet, Part 1 and Part 2.

Indestructible Smartphone Cases
A gazillion iPhone cases and their like are available. For the most serious outdoor use and abuse, I usually recommend the Defender series from Otter Box ($50), which are available for a multitude of smartphone brands and styles.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Lego Headlamp—Made by the Wind

2011-12-07T20:00:00.003-05:00

A Lego headlamp makes a fun gift or stocking stuffer for the children and toddlers you're trying to inspire for future outdoor adventures. Even better, you're helping support wind power with every Lego item you purchase.

What's the connection between renewable energy and strapping a Lego Man to your child's head? Lego was one of the founding companies behind WindMade, the first global consumer label that identifies organizations that use wind power in their operations or production.

To qualify for WindMade certification, a company must demonstrate that a minimum of 25 percent of its electricity comes from wind energy. (Learn more about the WindMade standards, as well as the other current WindMade member companies.) So far, the WindMade certification only applies to a company as a whole rather than to specific products, though standards for a WindMade product label are currently in development.

Wind or no wind, a Lego headlamp is a fun and engaging gift that costs only $10 to $15, depending on where you buy it. You can find it in a variety of places, including Amazon and REI (where it's currently on sale for only $6.93!).

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Choose the Right Winter Backpack

2011-12-04T20:00:00.000-05:00

Winter is gear junkie paradise. Crampons, ice axes, snowshoes, shovels, skis, snowboards, avalanche gear...whole worlds of specialized equipment await the cold-weather adventurer. There's just one problem. You need a way to carry it all. And for that, you need the right winter backpack...

This column originally appeared in the November/December edition of AMC Outdoors. You can read the full story here.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

(Photograph: iStock)

Gear Watch: The Piggyback Rider

2011-11-30T20:00:00.001-05:00

My 1-year-old just discovered the fun of riding piggyback on Daddy—and has since been demanding rides like I'm a pony at the fair. Which is why the Piggyback Rider has captured my attention of late.

The Piggyback Rider ($79) consists of a pair of shoulder straps worn by the parental pony of choice, which are then attached to a stiff foot bar that hangs down the back. The child stands on the bar and grabs a pair of small handholds sewn into the shoulder straps, thus keeping the parent's hands free. For younger riders, parents can purchase an optional child safety harness ($15), which clips into the small handholds and safely tethers the kid.

The Piggyback Rider is designed to support a child up to 60 pounds and the foot bar can be adjusted up or down to accommodate various heights (though I wonder how comfortable it is to carry 60 pounds on your back without any sort of waistbelt support). It's recommended for children age 2 1/2 and up, which means I'll have to wait a bit before my personal pony show can accessorize with it.

The whole system weighs less than 3 pounds and rolls up to compact, easily toted size when not in use. It is produced by Full Sail International, a small family-owned business based in Bethesda, Maryland.

"Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid

What's Your Favorite Swiss Army Knife?

2011-11-28T20:00:00.001-05:00

Victorinox produces several hundred styles of Swiss Army knives. Dozens of different tools are available on the various models. Do you have a favorite style, color, or tool preference? I do.

For years, my go-to knife has been the One-Hand Trekker ($53). Unlike most other styles, it features a locking blade that is nearly an inch longer than the standard Swiss Army blade. It is easily opened one-handed; your thumb nestles neatly into the raised hole on the blade and provides ready purchase for opening.

The body of the knife is also contoured for a better grip and its larger 4-inch size fits much nicer into large hands like the mitts I've got dangling at the end of my arms.

The One-Hand Trekker features some basic tools, including a can opener, bottle opener/flathead screwdriver, awl, saw, Phillips head screwdriver, toothpick, and tweezers. I've used all of them at one time or another, though the can and bottle openers have been the most useful. The saw is the only thing I find extraneous and could do without (I wish they made an option that had scissors instead).

If you like the locking blade but are looking for different tools, or just the blade, or one in camo colors, Victorinox has a whole line of locking blades that use the same basic body shape as the One-Hand Trekker.

If you prefer something slightly less bulky, I usually recommend either the Climber (pictured) or the Super Tinker (both are $36). They're essentially the same thing and have mostly the same tools: a large and small blade, scissors, bottle opener/flathead screwdriver, can opener, awl, hook, tweezers, and toothpick. The only difference is that the Climber features a corkscrew while the Super Tinker has a Phillips screwdriver instead.

"Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid

Studded Bike Tires for Winter, Part II

2011-11-21T20:00:00.001-05:00

I wanted to follow up yesterday's winter bike tire post with some common questions--and answers—about studded bike tires.

How much grip do studded bike tires provide?

A lot. It's remarkable how much traction they provide on ice or snow. But it's not equivalent to riding on pavement. If you slam on the brakes or make a sharp turn at speed, your tires will still slide on the ice or snow. When riding in winter, it's important to maintain a bigger safety cushion around you to minimize situations that require rapid acceleration or braking.

Do the studs significantly increase rolling resistance?
Yes, though it depends markedly on the number of studs. I currently have a pair of 240-stud Nokian tires (pictured) mounted on my mountain bike for all-purpose, go-anywhere winter conditions. They ride noticeably slower on pavement and often require me to downshift one or even two gears relative to what I would use with unstudded tires. If you're riding through snow, rolling resistance is amplified further. Expect a good workout!

Is it OK to ride studs on pavement?
Yes, but it's worth keeping to a minimum. Pavement will not damage studs. (The studs actually damage the pavement, leaving noticeable scrapes if you skid your tire.) But pavement does wear away the rubber treads. As the rubber around the studs diminishes, they can come loose and fall out--shortening the life of your tire.

How effective are studded tires in fresh snow?
In my experience, they work well in up to 2 inches of fresh snow. When depths hit 2 to 4 inches, riding becomes squirrely and your tires will slide around, especially if you're riding a thinner tire. Above 4 inches, cycling becomes arduous to extremely difficult. Above 6 inches, forget it. Studs work best on ice and hard-packed snow.

Who is Nokian Tyres?
Studded bike tires are a funny niche industry that's dominated by a Finnish tire company, Nokian Tyres. They mostly manufacture heavy-duty tires for vehicles and industrial uses in all seasons, but use their well-honed stud technology for winter bike tires as well. Apparently it's a very small sideline operation—their bike tires (er, tyres) aren't even listed on the Nokian website.

For more, read my recent AMC Outdoors Equipped article, Ride On! How to Bike Through Winter).

"Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid

Studded Bike Tires for Winter

2011-11-20T20:00:00.001-05:00

If you want to bike through the Northeast winter, there's only one piece of equipment you need to buy for your ride: Studded tires. They provide the essential grip for cycling on ice or packed snow, but vary markedly depending on your cycling needs. Here's what you need to know.

Winter biking is great. Fellow AMC blogger Kristen Laine just detailed many of its highlights in her post Winter Bicycling with Kids and I can vouch for its fun and safety after riding year-round for three years in Anchorage, Alaska, and many other seasons in Massachusetts. (You can read a full overview of the clothing and equipment systems I recommend for winter biking in my AMC Outdoors Equipped article, Ride On!)

Studded bike tires feature hard metal studs embedded into the rubber tread, which provide ample grip for riding on slippery snow and ice. The number of studs varies, however, depending on the tires' intended use, from more than 300 individual studs per tire to well under 100. So the key question you need answer is what type of winter riding you intend to do, and what type of conditions you'll expect.

Urban/Suburban Commuting
If you ride on paved, well-plowed roads where the biggest risks are patches of ice or hard-packed snow, then you only need studs toward the center of the tire. Models like the Nokian Hakkapeliitta W106 (106 studs, ~$60 each, pictured) or Nokian A10 (72 studs, ~$75 each) work well.

All-Purpose
If you ride on unpaved roads or paved roads that are poorly plowed, you will likely encounter icy ruts on your ride. These slippery troughs are often created by frozen tire tracks or underlying ruts in the dirt and can be difficult to escape unless you have studs close to the tire's sidewall. Thus, for all-purpose, go-anywhere commuting and riding, you'll want a tire with more grip, like the 240-stud Nokian Hakkapeliitta W240 (pictured at top, $69 each).

Extreme Traction
For riding icy singletrack trails, you'll want maximum grip like that provided by the 294 studs of the Nokian Extreme 294 ($89 each).

Keep in mind that grip and rolling resistance are intertwined. The more studs you have, the greater the rolling resistance and the effort required to ride. As a general rule, try and select the fewest number of studs that best meets your expected needs.

Also, Nokian (a Finnish company) is widely considered to produce the best winter studded bike tires, though Schwalbe has recently upgraded their studded tires to match the ultra-hard, ultra-durable steel carbide used in the Nokian line.

Studded bike tires can be hard to find. Online is your best bet. REI has started carrying a limited selection of Nokian tires. Perhaps the best site I've found is from Peter White Cycles in Hillsborough, N.H., which stocks a full array of winter tires, plus provides a comprehensive overview of the options (pictures are courtesy of the site).

"Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid

New Patches and Pins for New Hampshire State Parks

2011-11-16T20:00:00.001-05:00

New Hampshire State Parks has unveiled a series of new logo designs for nine of its most iconic parks and destinations. They are currently available as patches or pins, with a new line of T-shirts, mugs, and other logo products slated to be released in the coming year.

These new logos are not yet available in stores. At the moment, they can only be acquired with the purchase of a New Hampshire State Park gift certificate (excellent for the coming holiday gift-fest). Buy a $30 gift certificate and you'll also receive a patch or pin of your choosing. For $60, you receive both a patch and pin. Gift certificates are good for day-use and camping fees at any New Hampshire state park, as well as admission to Hampton Beach State Park and Wallis Sands State Park. To order, call 603-271-3556. (They are not available for online purchase unfortunately.)

Logos are available for the following parks and destinations:

Bear Brook State Park
Franconia Notch State Park
Lafayette Place
Flume Gorge
Greenfield State Park
Pawtuckaway State Park
Mount Sunapee State Park
Mount Washington State Park (the summit is actually state park property)
White Lake State Park

These new logo designs provide park users with another great way to support the New Hampshire State Park system. Such support is essential for their continued operation. New Hampshire is the only state in the country that requires its state parks to get all of its funding solely from user fee revenue—it allocates no state funds for any aspect of park care and maintenance. Now you can wear your support with pride.

"Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Polartec Power Stretch: The Best Base Layer Fabric

2011-11-13T20:00:00.002-05:00

A good base layer is crucial for staying warm during the approaching months of cold, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors. In my gear locker, nearly every base layer I own is made from Polartec Power Stretch. In my opinion, it is hands-down the best fabric out there for next-to-skin warmth and comfort.

Why? Several reasons. First of all, Power Stretch earns the name from its four-way stretch, which provides form-fitting comfort and a full range of motion. Most other base layers use a polyester fabric that only stretches two ways, which can lead to a looser fit and a consequent loss of warmth.

Second, Power Stretch features a soft fleecy inner face that feels great on the skin and a smooth outer face that makes it easy to layer over. This combination also enhances the material's wicking ability—your sweat is drawn from your body by the many fleecy fibers, then spread out over the smooth surface for more efficient evaporation.

Third, Power Stretch is very warm due to its thicker construction compared to other base layer fabrics. This warmth is also perhaps its only performance drawback. I actually find it too warm to use in highly aerobic activities, like biking or skate skiing. (I usually wear a lightweight polyester base layer instead.)

Fourth, Power Stretch is extremely durable. I own several garments that have withstood more than a decade of serious wear without issue. For this reason, Power Stretch is a great selection for liner gloves, which take as much abuse as any other item of clothing.

Perhaps the biggest drawback to Power Stretch is the price tag. Expect to pay $80 or more for a Power Stretch top or bottom. (Liner gloves start around $30.)

"Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Touchscreen Gloves

2011-11-09T20:00:00.001-05:00

Winter's imminent arrival is already nipping fingers across the Northeast. If you have a touchscreen phone, this poses a problem. Fleece and nylon gloves won't register on the screen, forcing you to expose your scrolling digits to the elements. An ever-growing line of touch screen compatible gloves offers a potential solution.

Touchscreens work by using your body's natural conductive properties. Fabrics like fleece, nylon, cotton, and wool do not conduct electricity and thus won't register. To get around this problem, glove manufacturers incorporate conductive thread into the finger tips, usually just the thumb and index finger.

When shopping for a pair, keep in mind that fit varies widely by brand—whichever pair fits you the best is usually the one to buy. That being said, most of these styles are new this season and seem to be generating some mixed reviews. Keep an eye on user feedback and reviews as these gloves become more commonly used in the months ahead.

Here's a quick round-up of options from several major gear companies. Note that most are available in both men's and women's (links are to men's versions).

The North Face Etip Series
A range of styles are available, from the lightweight, around-town Etip Glove ($40, pictured) to the beefier Etip Pamir Windstopper Glove ($60) to the snowsports-oriented Etip Facet Glove ($75).

Outdoor Research
Select from either the Sensor Glove ($65), a wind-resistant midweight option with excellent grip, or the heavy-duty Ambit Glove ($99, pictured). Outdoor Research is one of the few companies that offers styles without silvery fingertips. Touchscreen compatibility comes instead from "TouchTec" technology, which integrates conductive fibers into a leather-like material.

Marmot E-Tip Series
Marmot offers the Connect Glove ($30), a lightweight stretch-fleece liner.

Burton TouchTec Series
Burton focuses on the skiing and snowboarding crowd and, like Outdoor Research, uses TouchTec leather in its slope-ready Pinnacle ($99) and Gondy Leather Gloves ($95, pictured). The company also offers one of the least expensive touchscreen liner gloves ($18), which are available in a rainbow of non-black colors.

Several other companies produce touchscreen gloves (mostly liners), including Seirus, Manzella, and Isotoner.

"Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Ultralight Winter Sleeping Bags

2011-11-06T20:00:00.003-05:00

Looking to head out this winter on an overnight backcountry adventure? You'll need a good sleeping bag to keep you warm and cozy through the chilly night. A high-quality ultralight winter bag can shave a pound or more off your winter pack weight and last for years of regular use. Here are my favorites.

I've highlighted two genres of cold-weather bags: those rated down to zero degrees Fahrenheit and those rated well into the sub-zero range (most are rated to minus-20). If you are looking for a winter-specific bag for any and all conditions, I recommend the sub-zero variety. If you want a bag that you can also use in the cooler—but not frigid—shoulder seasons, consider a zero-degree version and be prepared to layer up for extra warmth for the coldest winter nights.

One last thing. A high-quality, ultralight winter sleeping bag isn't cheap. But properly cared for, it will last a lifetime of cold-weather trips. To help rationalize the expense, think of the cost as being spread out over many years, if not decades, of use. (Or just add it to your dream list of holiday gifts.)

Note that listed weights and prices are for the regular length versions, which fit sleepers up to six feet in height. Add a few ounces and $20 to $40 for long versions (they fit up to 6'6").

Zero-degree bags

Montbell U.L. Super Spiral Down Hugger #0
Weight: 2 pounds, 13 ounces
Fill weight: 28 ounces of 800-fill power down
$499
Montbell is unique in cutting many of its sleeping bags "on the bias," which means that the threads are oriented at a 45-degree angle to the main seam lines. This creates a stretchier design that snugs close to your body while still providing ample room to move around.

Western Mountaineering Kodiak MF
Weight: 2 pounds, 12 ounces
Fill weight: 30 ounces of 800+ fill power down
$509
Made in the USA, with an extra roomy cut across the shoulders. The MF stands for microfiber, a reference to the ultralight fabric used in the outer shell. Also available in an extra-long length that fits Sasquatches up to 7 feet in height. For an extra 6 ounces and $100, you can get the Kodiak with Gore Windstopper, a windproof layer that also better repels water.

Marmot Lithium
Weight: 2 pounds, 12 ounces
Fill weight: 28 ounces of 850+ fill power down
$499
Marmot bags excel in their hood design, which naturally cocoons your head thanks to its ergonomically cut six-baffle construction.

Sub-zero bags

Western Mountaineering Lynx MF
Temperature Rating: -10 degrees Fahrenheit
Weight: 3 pounds, 2 ounces
Fill weight: 32 ounces of 800+ fill power down
$565
A good choice if you head out in all but the deepest winter freeze. Also available in a short (to 5'6"). For an extra 6 ounces and $100, you can get the Lynx with Gore Windstopper, a windproof layer that better repels water.

Montbell Super Spiral Down Hugger EXP
Weight: 3 pounds, 7 ounces
Fill weight: 38 ounces of 800 fill power down
Temperature Rating: -20 degrees Fahrenheit
$609
Same basic design as the zero-degree version of the bag, with 10 ounces more down.

Marmot Col MemBrain
Weight: 3 pounds, 14 ounces
Fill weight: 38 ounces of 800+ fill power down
Temperature Rating: -20 degrees Fahrenheit
$639
Features Marmot's MemBrain as the outermost layer, which provides good wind- and water resistance.

REI Expedition -20
Weight: 3 pounds, 10 ounces
Fill weight: 36 ounces of 800 fill power down on top, 700 fill power on bottom
Temperature Rating: -20 degrees Fahrenheit
$379
By far the best value for a lightweight sub-zero bag, in part due to its use of less expensive 700 fill down underneath. Slightly less warm than the other minus-20 bags in this list. Also available in a short (to 5'6").

"Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

It's All on the Wrist: Watch hybrids for outdoor adventures

2011-11-02T20:00:00.001-04:00

Watches for outdoor adventure don't just tell time anymore. These days they can identify your elevation, determine your precise location, monitor your heart rate, tell you which way is north, and even track the tides. So which of these tricked-out, wrist-top computers is right for you?...

This column originally appeared in the October online edition of AMC Outdoors. You can read the full story here.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

(Photograph: iStock)

AMC Guide to Outdoor Photography: A Review

2011-10-31T20:00:00.002-04:00

Digital photography can be an incredibly complex and overwhelming topic. The new AMC Guide to Outdoor Photography from professional photographer Jerry Monkman demystifies it with simple, easy-to-understand explanations and dozens of excellent full-color images from Monkman's extensive archives.

The book is divided into five sections. The first—"In the Photo Pack"—provides an in-depth discussion of the myriad cameras, lenses, and other equipment of the digital photo world. It can be a useful guide for determining which photography gear is right for you, but if you've already got a camera and are more interested in using it to take better pictures, the next section is where this book really shines.

Section two—"In the Field"—discusses the variety of settings you can manipulate on your digital camera to take better pictures, including white balance, exposure, ISO settings, shutter speed, aperture size, composition, and more. Here Monkman often includes two side-by-side images of the same shot taken with different camera settings—an invaluable demonstration of how these settings affect the resulting image. If you did nothing but flip through this book, look at these side-by-side comparisons, and read the explanatory captions, you would be well on your way to becoming a better photographer.

Section three—"In All Conditions"—explains the equipment challenges presented by weather and seasons. These include methods for protecting your gear in rain and snow, as well as techniques for more effectively shooting fall foliage. It's a useful section if you spend a lot of time in the field in a variety of conditions.

Section four—"At the Computer"—covers all of the post-processing work that you can do with various photo editing software. It's extensive and comprehensive, but geared more towards serious photographers willing to invest the computer time and expense. But if you're looking to take the quality of your images to the next level, this provides the road map to get you there.

In section five—"Case Studies"—Monkman highlights 15 of his images and discusses the specific equipment, techniques, and post-processing tools he used to create them. Each is designed to cover a particular aspect of digital photography and feature titles like "Creating a Story," "Working with Light," and "Capturing the Energy." The section provides a nice concluding element that ties the entire book neatly together.

Monkman is a New England-based photographer—and a regular contributor to AMC Outdoors. Most of his featured images highlight the area's natural beauty and provide a wonderful region-specific feel to the title. Though the book focuses on outdoor photography, much of the information is applicable to other settings as well. I would recommend it to anybody interested in improving their photography skills and capturing compelling, unforgettable images.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Proper Snow Shoveling Technique

2011-10-30T20:00:00.001-04:00

Like most of New England, I spent the morning shoveling snow. Wet, heavy, sloppy snow. My muscles, joints, and lower back weren't too happy about it. So I wanted to share a quick refresher on ways you (and I!) can minimize the chances for a snow-shoveling injury this winter season.

First of all, invest in a good snow shovel with a curved ergonomic handle. They significantly reduce the amount of strain on your lower back. Look for a model with a full metal blade and an extremely secure attachment to the handle. (I've had numerous blade-handle attachments become sloppy and loose, which causes the blade to shift about in maddening fashion as you shovel.) In my experience, shovels with plastic blades don't hold up to a season of regular use and abuse, nor do they effectively deal with icy surfaces. In particular, the thin metal strip attached to the front of the blade seems to always get worn out from repeated scrapings.

Next, focus on proper shoveling technique. If possible, always push snow to the side rather than lift it. If you must lift it, face the loaded shovel blade with your shoulders and hips square towards it. Bend with your knees and not your lower back. Keep your back straight (think about pushing your chest forward) and then lift the shovel using your leg muscles.

Now it's time to deposit your shovel-load somewhere else. If possible, walk it over rather than throw it. If you need to toss it, avoid twisting your back as you do so. Instead, turn your body to face the direction you're going to throw. When you toss it, try and keep the blade close to your body and your center of gravity. Avoid extending your arms in the process, which increases stress on your shoulders, elbows, and wrists.

Proper technique is more time-consuming than just hurling the snow willy-nilly, but the amount of time it takes pales in comparison to the pain, hassle, and inconvenience of a back injury. Shovel on!

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

The Best Flannel-Lined Pants

2011-10-26T20:00:00.001-04:00

Face it. No matter how much you love outdoor adventure, you spend many of your days, if not most of them, in a much more civilized setting. At home, at work, around town, whatever. Life calls. And for most of it, you wear casual clothes. My world is the same. So now that the first chill fingers of winter are upon us, I have switched over to my favorite go-to pants for staying warm in the cold months: flannel-lined pants.

My hands-down choice is Carhartt's Flannel-Lined Washed Duck Dungarees ($60). Made of heavy-duty cotton and lined with a warm, soft flannel layer, they provide both ample warmth and serious durability. Their relaxed fit is hyper-comfortable, the pockets are capacious yet accessible, and it's even available in a 36-inch inseam for tall folks like me. I have four pairs and wear them in steady rotation all winter long. Available in brown, dark green, and black.

Carhartt also offers lined jeans with either flannel ($58) or fleece ($60), as well as a few other options. (I'm not a jeans guy, so have no direct experience with these. I suspect they are made from a slightly thinner cotton fabric than the thick dungarees.)

L.L. Bean also offers a variety of lined pants ($55 to $80), including fleece- and flannel-lined jeans, chinos, cargo pants, and more. I would recommend going for their "natural" or "relaxed" fit, rather than their tighter-fitting "classic" fit. L.L. Bean certainly wins the best name award for lined pants: The Katahdin Iron Works Utility Pant with Nor'Easter Cotton ($79, pictured).

Hello winter! Stay warm out there.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Tick Repellents and Other Tick Defenses

2011-10-23T20:00:00.007-04:00

We are once again in the thick of the tick. Late October and early November are the most active period of the year for adult deer ticks, the species primarily responsible for the spread of Lyme disease. If you spend time in the woods and fields of the Northeast, here are some useful tips for protecting yourself—and your pets—from their potentially infectious bites.

1) Wear light-colored clothing, including socks. The dark-colored adult deer ticks (males are black, females dark brown and black) stand out prominently against the lighter background. It is very difficult to spot ticks on dark clothing, especially black fabric. And if you don't spot 'em quick, they're much more likely to make a meal out of you.

2) Consider tucking your pant cuffs into your socks to prevent ticks from infiltrating under your pant legs. (It may look ridiculous, but I'd say it's a more attractive look than an engorged tick attached to you.) I've also noticed that heavy cotton pants (like flannel-lined Carhartts, one of my cold-weather staples) seem to provide a much "grippier" surface to grab ahold of than the thin threads and tight weave of nylon or polyester pants

3) Check yourself and your pets regularly, constantly, especially if you've spotted a tick anywhere that day. Where's there's one, there's likely many more. Use a flea comb on your dog after a walk in tick country; pay close attention to the head, paws, and legs. Also keep in mind that even if an infected tick has embedded itself in you or your pet, you still have 36 hours to remove it before it transmits Lyme disease. Don't let your guard down.

4) Commonly used insect repellents are effective at keeping ticks at bay. An in-depth comparative study (Tick Repellents: Past, Present, and Future, published in Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology, 2010) found repellents containing DEET to be more than 90 percent effective at repelling tick bites, followed by oil of lemon eucalyptuys (88 percent effective) and picaridin (63 to 78 percent effective, depending on concentration, which ranged from 5 to 15 percent in the study).

The Department of Defense utilizes a two-part system for U.S. soldiers: a DEET-based repellent (3M's Ultrathon) and permethrin-impregnated clothing. Permethrin is an insecticide that can be applied to clothing through a variety of commercially available, water-based treatments. As the applied solution dries, the permethrin bonds with the fibers; studies have shown it to be virtually non-toxic to humans once dry. When ticks crawl over treated fabrics, they come in contact with the permethrin, which kills them. Applications usually last two to six weeks, depending on use and the number of washings.

5) Buy the Pro-Tick Remedy Tick Remover, an ingeniously simple tick removal device ($4, widely available online). It has been the most effective tool of the many I've used to pull embedded ticks. The Tick Key from Liberty Mountain (good pics of it in action) also garners excellent reviews ($4). Unless it's your only option, avoid pulling ticks with tweezers—it's easy to snap the mouthparts off under the skin.

The American Lyme Disease Foundation offers an excellent overview of the deer tick life cycle, as well as a good poster showing the probability of Lyme disease transmission based on how long the tick has been feeding.

A few other useful things to keep in mind about deer ticks:
•They are largely inactive in temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
•Deer ticks are in the nymph stage from May to September, peaking in early to mid-summer (see chart). Their small size (about the size of a period or pin head) makes them much more difficult to spot. Consequently, nymphs transmit the majority of Lyme disease to humans.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Jetboil of Manchester, N.H.

2011-10-19T20:00:00.001-04:00

Jetboil was the first company I profiled in my ongoing series on Northeast-based gear companies (see the complete list below). It's still one of my favorites. Here's the latest on this great company, plus a personal rave experience with their customer service folks.

Nearly a decade ago, Jetboil pioneered a hyper-efficient integrated stove and cooking system. They called it the personal cook system, or PCS. You can read all about in my previous Jetboil post. Since then, the company has updated their classic design, as well as introduced a line of slightly smaller, lighter weight stoves.

The PCS evolved into the Flash Cooking System (left, $99, 14 ounces). It's essentially the same thing, though they added some features like a color-changing heat indicator on the insulating sleeve, which alerts you when the contents are hot. It's also available in three different colors (green, blue, or black).

The rest of the product line features a slightly smaller cookpot (0.8 liter vs. 1 liter) that helps reduce weight and bulk. For the cost-conscious, there's the Zip Cooking System ($69, 12 ounces), the most basic Jetboil option. Unlike other Jetboil stoves, however, it lacks the automatic piezo ignition, which means that you'll have to light it manually.

For the weight- and efficiency-conscious buyer, Jetboil offers two options. The Sol Advanced Cooking System ($119, 10.5 ounces) and Sol Ti Premium Cooking System (right, $149, 8.5 ounces). Both feature Jetboil's new "Thermo Regulate" technology, which shaves 15 seconds off the boil time for a half-liter of water. The weight (and price) difference comes from the titanium cookpot featured in the Premium system.

Jetboil also offers a fantastic accessory for making coffee. The Jetboil Coffee Press ($15, 0.8 ounces), integrates with the lid and provides one of the lightest weight brewing solutions I'm aware of. It's what I've used for years. Which brings me to the last part of this story.

Last weekend, I broke the press basket while trying to mash some grounds into the bottom of the cookpot. I called Jetboil the next day, got a customer service rep on the phone in less than a minute, and explained the problem. She sent me a brand new basket at no cost the next day (and no, I didn't tell her I was a gear blogger). Awesome!

Support your Northeast gear companies! Here are the 15 I've profiled to date:
Delorme (Yarmouth, Maine)
Ibex Outdoor Clothing (White River Junction, Vt.)
Jetboil (Manchester, N.H.)
New England Ropes (Fall River, Mass.)
Nemo Equipment (Manchester, N.H.)
Orion Signal and Survival Products (Easton, Md.)
Dermatone Sunscreen (Windsor, Ct.)
Darn Tough Socks (Northfield, Vt.)
STABILicers (Biddeford, Maine)
Noble Biomaterials (Scranton, Pa.)
Hyperlite Mountain Gear (Biddeford, Maine)
New Balance (Boston, Mass.)
Sterling Rope (Biddeford, Maine)
Stephenson's Warmlite (Gilford, N.H.)
Crazeeheads (Port Washington, N.Y.)

Have a suggestion for a Northeast-based gear company to profile? Please let me know!

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Nice Pad: Sleep Warm, Sleep Comfy

2011-10-16T20:00:00.000-04:00

The ground is your cold, hard nemesis. You need a good sleeping pad to protect against it. With the right one beneath you, you'll keep heat loss at bay and sleep in dreamy comfort 'til the sun rises again. The trick is to figure out how much padding and warmth you really need...

This column originally appeared in the September/October edition of AMC Outdoors. You can read the full story here.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

(photograph courtesy Nemo Equipment, Inc.)

Leafsnap: App IDs tree species with visual recognition software

2011-10-12T20:00:00.001-04:00

In the near future, you'll be able to point your smartphone camera at just about anything outdoors—birds, plants, mountains, tracks, flowers—and an app will instantly use visual recognition software to identify the species, background, and other relevant information. No more fumbling through arcane identification keys. No more "I wonder what that is." Everybody will be a pocket naturalist.

Leafsnap represents the first primitive iteration of that future. Simply snap a picture of a tree leaf with your iPhone, iPad, or iTouch, and this free app will identify the species for you. It works by automatically uploading the image Leafsnap's "recognition servers," which provide probable matches and presents them to you.

The concept is simple, but there are some limitations. The leaf must be photographed against a perfectly white background, which means you'll need to carry a piece of blank paper or other backdrop if you want to use it in the field. Identification also requires an internet connection to upload the image in question to the Leafsnap servers. If you're off the grid, forget it.

Launched earlier this year, Leafsnap is a collaboration of Columbia University, the University of Maryland, and the Smithsonian Institution. So far, the app covers dozens of tree species in the Northeast—including all of the trees of New York City and Washington, D.C.—though the goal is to expand this nationwide in the months and years ahead.

Here's the Leafsnap page in Apple's app store. No Android version is currently available, though this may change in the months ahead. Stay tuned as the future develops.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

CrazeeHeads of Port Washington, New York

2011-10-10T21:00:00.001-04:00

Part 15 in an ongoing series highlighting Northeast-based gear companies. You're smart enough to wear a helmet while you ski, bike, or otherwise risk your noggin. But are you brave enough to wear a crazeeHead?

CrazeeHeads are helmet covers stitched to look like plush animals. Eleven different creatures are available from this small New York company, including a monkey, panda, snow leopard, raccoon, and more. Each of them has a name, plus important information about their background and preferences. These include (text from the company web site):

Mo the Monkey: "Most monkeys hang out in the jungle, but Mo has adapted well to living in the snow – so now he’s perfectly at home on the slopes. You’ll have fun fooling around with him!"
Poppi the Pig: "Poppi the Pig is the most lovable and squeezable "oinker" you've ever met! Her pink fur sparkles in the sun (like a movie star)."
Pickles the Alligator: "He’s the absolute, guaranteed, no-doubt-about-it, cutest and softest gator who ever walked the Earth."

CrazeeHeads area also available in a fashion collection, which look more like oversized—and much more stylish—hats. They are available in three designs: basic quilted, embroidered velvet, and animal skin patterns (right). CrazeeHeads are sized based on helmet dimensions and cost $37 for plush animals, $23 to $28 for the fashion collection.

Support your Northeast gear companies! Here are the 14 others I've profiled to date:
Delorme (Yarmouth, Maine)
Ibex Outdoor Clothing (White River Junction, Vt.)
Jetboil (Manchester, N.H.)
New England Ropes (Fall River, Mass.)
Nemo Equipment (Manchester, N.H.)
Orion Signal and Survival Products (Easton, Md.)
Dermatone Sunscreen (Windsor, Ct.)
Darn Tough Socks (Northfield, Vt.)
STABILicers (Biddeford, Maine)
Noble Biomaterials (Scranton, Pa.)
Hyperlite Mountain Gear (Biddeford, Maine)
New Balance (Boston, Mass.)
Sterling Rope (Biddeford, Maine)
Stephenson's Warmlite (Gilford, N.H.)

Have a suggestion for a Northeast-based gear company to profile? Please let me know!

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

How Canister Stoves Work: The Science Behind the Fuel

2011-10-05T20:00:00.001-04:00

Canister stoves are easy, lightweight, and convenient to use in the backcountry. Simply attach your stove to a canister of fuel, turn the knob, light it, and you're done. But have you ever wondered what exactly is in those canisters? And why they start to burn with less intensity as their contents dwindle?

Backpacking fuel canisters hold a mix of propane and butane under pressure, which keeps the fuel in liquid form. (You can hear it sloshing around inside if you shake the canister.) Gaseous vapors rise from the liquid, emerging from the top and into the burner when a stove is attached. For this reason, canisters must always be used in an upright position. (If you tip the canister over, liquid fuel reaches the burner and causes a major flare-up.)

As you cook, liquid fuel is continuously transformed into vapor to replace what's burned off. This process requires a small amount of heat. This is why canisters also cool down while in use—you'll often notice condensation forming on the metal.

In many ways, propane is a more desirable fuel than butane because it contains more heat for its weight. However, it is also much more volatile and must be held at higher pressure. This is why pure propane canisters are made of much thicker, heavier metal. (Think of the classic green Coleman propane canisters.) To get around this problem, manufacturers blend in butane, which can be held at a lower pressure. The resulting mixture can be safely contained in lighter weight canisters more suitable for backpacking.

As you start to use the fuel mixture, the propane burns off first, providing high-heat cooking power. But as the propane content is depleted, the remaining butane burns less intensely. Add to this a decrease in internal pressure as the fuel dwindles and you have a much fainter flame once the canister reaches its last 10 to 20 percent.

Cold temperatures also affect fuel performance. As the mercury drops, so does the volatility of the pressurized liquid fuel, reducing the amount of gaseous vapors needed to power your stove. Mixes with regular butane stop working reliably right around the freezing point. Most mixes, however, use isobutane, a variation of butane that will continue to work down into the 20s. They are often marketed as "four-season" mixtures.

If you're stuck with a cold non-functioning canister, you can always warm it up by holding it close to your body. This will provide you with a potential cooking window even in sub-optimal temperatures.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

How to Stay Dry in Heavy Rain

2011-10-02T20:00:00.001-04:00

If you're hiking for hours in a steady downpour, it's inevitable that you're going to get soaked eventually, no matter what you're wearing. There are, however, some simple things you can do to stay drier, longer.

Seal your wrists
Jacket cuffs are a common leak point. As your hands get wet, water dribbles down toward your wrists. If the cuffs aren't sealed tightly, the water will continue its journey along your forearms and into your clothing. When shopping for a rain jacket, look for cuffs that seal tightly, but comfortably, with wide Velcro strips for assured closure. And make sure to seal them!

Push up your sleeves
If you're wearing a long-sleeve garment underneath your rain jacket, push the sleeves up your forearms or even over the elbow. This prevents cuff-leaking water from wicking quickly up the fabric toward your shoulders and core.

Ventilate to the max
Forget about your jacket being "breathable." Even the fanciest waterproof-breathable materials stop breathing once the outer layer of nylon becomes saturated from incessant rain. This means that all your sweat and other trapped moisture can't pass through the jacket. (You can increase the time your surface layer stays dry by regularly applying a durable water treatment, but it too will eventually fail.)

To allow some vapor to escape, open your pit-zips if you've got them. Loosen the jacket around your hips so that air can flow freely upwards. Open your top zipper as much as conditions allow—it doesn't help your ventilation cause if rain is pouring in.

Accept wet feet
Even if you have fully waterproof boots, they'll still steadily fill with moisture as water wicks down your socks from above the boot tops. Long rain pants that extend over your boots help some, but much better results come from wearing a pair of waterproof gaiters, which seals the crucial ankle gap (though even then, water will eventually drip down your rain pants and under the gaiters...).

Carry an umbrella?
In a sustained deluge, an umbrella may actually be your best protection. Several ultralight hiking models are available, such as the seven-ounce Dome Trekking Umbrella from GoLite.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

First Aid Supplies: Sprained Ankle Support

2011-09-28T20:00:00.001-04:00

My ankles are my nemeses. I've sprained them many times. Weak and overly flexible, they are a constant concern on my backcountry adventures. This is what I carry to deal with my evil ankles, along with the recommended ways to tape an ankle in the backcountry, courtesy of my recent Wilderness First Aid course from the Wilderness Medical Institute.

ACE Bandage
These wide, stretchy bandages provide both quick support and compression. When wrapping an ankle, the goal is to get the ACE bandage as tight as is comfortable without compromising circulation (it will loosen up some as you start walking on it).

I usually start just above the ankle, keeping the bandage as flat as possible, and make a complete wrap. I then begin a series of figure eights, rolling the bandage across my instep and under my foot before circling it back around the top of the ankle. Take care to keep each wrap as smooth and kink-free as possible—tiny wrinkles can be a surprising aggravation when you walk on them.

Look for 6-inch-wide ACE bandages that secure with a strip of Velcro, as opposed to the little metal clippies found on many models. These are easy to misplace and don't hold up well to repeated use.

Medical Tape
If you need maximum support for your ankle, take the time to tape it up. ACE bandages are easy, fast, and convenient to use, but are bulky and often difficult to get into a hiking boot. They also don't provide the same level of support you can get by taping your ankle with medical tape, which is usually white. Look for 1-inch width.

When taping an ankle, try and keep the joint as close to a right angle as possible. First encircle tape around your upper ankle (roughly one to two finger widths above the ankle bone) and your instep (again one to two fingers from the ankle bone). These are your "anchor" strips and mark the upper and lower limits of your tape job. Next cut three equal-length pieces to act as "stirrups." Attach each one first to your heel and then stick them to the sides of your ankle to reach the anchor strip. Overlap them as you do this.

Next you'll create three "J-wraps." Take the roll and stick the end of the tape to the inside of your upper ankle, then wrap it down, across your instep, over the outer edge of your foot, under your arch, and then back up the side of your ankle to the upper anchor. Repeat two more times, again overlapping them as you go.

The finishing touch is three "figure eight" wraps. This is essentially the same as a J-wrap, except that you complete it with an extra wrap by circling the upper ankle with the tape at the end. If any large patches of skin remain exposed between the wraps, consider placing a few pieces of tape over them to prevent chafing and hot spots.

May you have happier ankles than mine!

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

First Aid Supplies: Wound Care

2011-09-25T20:00:00.000-04:00

I spent the weekend getting my Wilderness First Aid recertification in a course taught by the Wilderness Medical Institute. Now that the course is done, I intend to update my first aid kit with a few new items, especially for wound care. Here are WMI's recommendations for dealing with a wound in a wilderness setting, as well as the appropriate supplies.

First, control the bleeding by applying direct pressure to the wound. Protect yourself from any blood-borne pathogens (HIV, hepatitis, etc.) by donning a pair of protective nitrile gloves. Bleeding will usually subside within 10-12 minutes as the body's clotting mechanism takes effect. You can elevate the wound as well, though the latest evidence shows that this has no real beneficial effects in stopping the bleeding (though it doesn't do any harm, either).

Once the bleeding is controlled, your next goal is to prevent infection and help promote healing. First clean around the wound with soap (if you have it) and water, then rinse the area around the wound with clean, drinkable water. Next remove any foreign objects (dirt, debris, etc.) from the wound. You can do this with sterilized tweezers (heat the tips up until they glow, then allow sufficient time for them to cool) or by gently brushing out the wound. Your last cleaning step is to irrigate the wound with at least a half liter of disinfected water. The only truly effective way to do this is with an irrigation syringe (pictured), which generates sufficient pressure to fully cleanse the wound.

Once the wound is clean, your next goal is to close it by bringing the cut edges of skin back together. Traditional "butterfly closures" will work, but the current recommendation is with "steri-strips," thin sterile adhesive strips that are placed across the wound and allow you to pull the wound closed. Once closed, you want to cover the wound with a protective dressing that keeps the wound moist to promote more rapid healing. WMI recommends a transparent semi-permeable dressing, which sticks to the skin around the wound and is made from a see-through transparent material that allows you to check on the injury without removing the dressing. For maximum adhesion, you may want to consider applying tincture of benzoine to the skin around the wound.

Change the dressing at least once every 24 hours and watch it for signs of potential infection, which include redness around the wound, swelling, pus formation, and in cases of serious infection, red streaking away from the wound, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. Seek medical attention immediately if an infection shows no signs of improvement within 12 to 24 hours.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Take Better (Foliage) Pictures, Part 4: Polarizing Filters

2011-09-21T20:00:00.000-04:00

The next installment in my ongoing series of simple tips and tricks to improve your pictures. Fall is here, which means the arrival of glorious fall foliage that explodes around you like a kaleidoscope of color. Except your pictures never seem to capture the vivid hues you remember. There's a common culprit: reflected glare. Eliminate it with a polarizing filter.

First some super simple science. Light travels in two separate wavelengths oriented at 90 degrees to each other. When light is reflected from a surface, only one wavelength bounces back. That reflected wavelength causes glare.

Trees coat their leaves with a thin waxy covering that helps protect them from the rigors of the environment. You seldom notice it, but that near-invisible surface reflects light and causes small amounts of glare. That glare obscures and washes out the underlying colors. Hence dull foliage shots.

Polarizing filters block one of the two wavelengths of light, allowing you to orient them in such a way as to eliminate reflected glare. Now the colors can truly pop. Polarizing filters not only create more vivid foliage shots, they also have noticeable effects on any other high-glare elements, such as water, clouds, or glass.

On SLR cameras, polarizing filters are threaded on or otherwise attach to the end of the lens. Mounting systems and lens size varies by brand and lens style; make sure to shop for your particular set-up. They run $40 to $150 and up, with larger lens diameters and higher quality optics driving up the price.

For point and shoot cameras, your options are more limited. Few styles allow you to attach a filter to the front of the lens, which means you'll have to handhold the filter in front of the lens while you shoot.

Interested in taking better pictures? Here are my previous posts:
Part 1: Understanding White Balance
Part 2: Exposure Compensation
Part 3: The Rule of Thirds

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

The Best SLR Camera Bag Features

2011-09-18T20:00:00.000-04:00

More than seven years ago I acquired an M-ROCK camera bag for my recently purchased digital SLR camera. It's been one of the best pieces of gear I've ever owned. It's successfully protected my camera on hundreds of trips into the backcountry, including multi-day forays into winter snows and summer deluges. These are the features I love, which you can also find in other styles and brands.

Easy one-hand buckle closureI keep the bag slung over my shoulder and accessible on my right side at all times. It's crucial that I can quickly and easily open and close the case single-handedly. A single buckle, as opposed to a double buckle system or closure zipper is ideal for this.

Full closure zipper
That being said, it's also important that I have the ability to fully seal up the case when I need to, such as when it's wet, snowy, or dusty.

Padded shoulder strap
I keep the bag slung across my shoulders for hours and days at a time. A small amount of padding makes an immeasurable difference and helps prevent chafing against my shoulder and neck.

Plastic swivel hooks
The shoulder strap attaches to the case with two plastic swivel hooks, which gives me the ability to twist my shoulder strap flat without having to rotate the entire strap—a nice convenience. I've also found that plastic hooks squeak less than their metal counterparts.

Compact size
SLR cameras are already bulky objects. The last thing you need is a camera bag that increases the volume even more. "Holster" style bags taper towards the bottom, minimizing size. My holster case fits the camera with a standard, non-zoom lens—and not much more. (I sacrifice the ability to tote a zoom lens, but it's something I seldom carry into the backcountry anyway.)

Small pockets
I carry a spare battery, extra memory card, and lens cloth. A few tiny pockets are all that's required to accommodate them.

Excellent padding and protection
I've dropped my camera bag, stuffed it into my pack, and generally visited all kinds of unpleasantries upon it. It's important that the bag offers padding everywhere; a single stray weak point will inevitably be the one you drop it on.

Reinforced fabrics
I've noticed certain high-wear areas, especially where the bag rubs against my hip and pack waist belt. Reinforced materials in these areas are highly desirable.

Here are the current iterations of M-ROCK SLR holster bags. My camera case is most similar to today's Appalachian compact SLR camera bag ($50).

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Gear Watch: These (Mountaineering) Boots Are Made for Walking

2011-09-14T20:00:00.000-04:00

If you've ever tromped around in a pair of rigid mountaineering boots, you know the clunk, clunk, clunking discomfort they entail. They're hard on your shins. They're taxing on your calves. Yet stiff soles are all but essential if you intend to do any serious winter climbing or mountaineering. If only there was a boot you could switch from a flexible walking mode to a fully rigid climbing mode. Soon there will be.

Salewa, an Italian gear company, recently introduced their Pro Gaiter and Pro Guide mountaineering boots, which both feature the company's new patented Flex System. To switch from walk to climb, you turn a small metal mechanism in the heel using a coin or the included adjustment tool. The mechanism locks, or releases, a metal element that runs the length of the sole to allow full climbing stiffness or flexible walking comfort, depending on your needs. (Here's a YouTube video from Trailspace.com that demonstrates how it works.)

The Pro Gaiter ($599) is designed for serious alpine use and features a waterproof-breathable membrane, integrated elastic gaiter, and watertight closure zipper. It is available in a variety of widths and volumes. The Pro Guide ($499) is a slightly less beefy version. Look for them both in 2012.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Patagonia Gear, Cheap and Green

2011-09-12T20:00:00.000-04:00

The greenest garment is one that's never made in the first place. In keeping with this philosophy, Patagonia just announced an expansion of their Common Threads Initiative, an ongoing effort that encourages people to reuse and recycle their outdoor clothing.

In cooperation with eBay, Patagonia just launched a dedicated eBay Patagonia Store to help—and encourage—consumers to both resell and purchase used Patagonia equipment. According to Patagonia's press release, it marks the first time that a major retailer is actively encouraging consumers to purchase used gear rather than buy new (and infinitely more profitable) stuff. Indeed, Patagonia receives none of the profits from their eBay store.

Launched late last week, the Patagonia eBay store already features nearly 100 items, including waterproof-breathable jackets, fleece and other insulation layers, and a variety of casual clothing—all for much, much less than their brand-new equivalents. Expect the selection to grow rapidly in the weeks and months ahead as the word spreads.

The eBay store marks the latest addition to the Common Threads Initiative, which also enables consumers to recycle their used Patagonia clothing at any Patagonia retail store and offers quick and inexpensive repairs (or free if it's a defect). Learn more here.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Stephenson's Warmlite of Gilford, N.H.

2011-09-07T20:00:00.000-04:00

Part 14 in an ongoing series highlighting Northeast-based gear companies. Jack Stephenson was a pioneer in outdoor equipment. In the 1950s, he was one of the first to use lightweight nylon fabrics in tents and down sleeping bags, replacing the cotton and polyester materials in common use at the time. He developed some of the first tents that featured arched poles. He introduced the world's first padded waistbelt in the early 1960s, a full decade before it became commonplace in other styles. He also promoted the benefits of vapor barriers, creating an entire line of vapor barrier clothing.

Today the family-owned company is based in Gilford, N.H., and helmed by Jack's son, Bill. It continues to produce innovative, lightweight gear that hews close to some of Jack's original designs. Among its offerings are ultralight hoop-style tents in 2-, 3-, and 5-person designs (2.3 to 4.7 pounds) and Warmlite Triple Sleeping Bags, which use 800+ fill down and include several innovative and unique features, including an integrated vapor barrier liner and a wrap-around zipper that allows you to fully separate the top and bottom layers, or join them together to create a large down quilt.

Stephenson's Warmlite also continues to produce a complete line of vapor barrier clothing, including a pair of inexpensive vapor barrier liner socks ($8) that I would recommend to any winter hiker or backpacker. (The company's website offers extensive information about the benefits of vapor barriers.)

Support your Northeast gear companies! Here are the 13 others I've profiled to date:
Delorme (Yarmouth, Maine)
Ibex Outdoor Clothing (White River Junction, Vt.)
Jetboil (Manchester, N.H.)
New England Ropes (Fall River, Mass.)
Nemo Equipment (Manchester, N.H.)
Orion Signal and Survival Products (Easton, Md.)
Dermatone Sunscreen (Windsor, Ct.)
Darn Tough Socks (Northfield, Vt.)
STABILicers (Biddeford, Maine)
Noble Biomaterials (Scranton, Pa.)
Hyperlite Mountain Gear (Biddeford, Maine)
New Balance (Boston, Mass.)
Sterling Rope (Biddeford, Maine)

Have a suggestion for a Northeast-based gear company to profile? Please let me know!

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Got Trees? Welcome to Your Next Campsite: Hammocks for the backcountry

2011-09-04T20:00:00.001-04:00

Trees are everywhere in the Northeast backcountry. Good tent sites are not. Unlock the secrets of hammock camping and you'll radically expand your choices for overnight sites. Plus you'll save weight, stay dry, keep the bugs at bay, and enjoy a swinging good time in the process. Today's backpacking hammocks are marvels of lightweight packability, comfort, and protection. Used correctly, they offer one of the lightest weight sleep systems that fully protects from both rain and bugs...

This column originally appeared in the August online edition of AMC Outdoors. You can read the full story here.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

(photograph by Marc Chalufour)

Take Better Pictures, Part 3: The Rule of Thirds

2011-08-31T20:00:00.000-04:00

The next time you pick up an outdoor magazine, take a close look at the pictures. You'll quickly notice that the main subject is almost never placed dead center in the picture. Now find a few shots that feature a horizon line between land and sky. Notice how the horizon line almost always divides the shot between one-third sky and two-thirds land, or vice versa? Guess what. You just discovered the rule of thirds.

The rule of thirds is a simple guideline for positioning the different elements in your photograph to create a more compelling image. To help visualize how it works, imagine overlaying a tic-tac-toe grid on top of your photo. The four lines create four points of intersection evenly distributed in the upper and lower right- and left-hand corners. The four lines also neatly divide the image into thirds.

When you're composing an image, the goal is to place your main subject at or near one of the points of intersection. If you have other elements in the shot (foreground objects, prominent features in the background, etc.), try and place them at or near the other intersections. If you are working with long, linear elements (like a horizon line, trail, or tree trunk), place them close to one of the "tic-tac-toe" lines. You'll likely notice an immediate improvement in your images.

One of the primary goals of the rule of thirds is to keep the subject and other primary features away from the center of the image. Why? Because our eyes are naturally drawn to the center of a picture. If there's something prominent there, we tend to focus exclusively on it and ignore all the other potentially great stuff lurking in the periphery. This creates a very one-dimensional image.

On the other hand, when the subject and other elements are placed throughout the photo, our eyes are drawn through the entire image, creating a richer, more three-dimensional visual experience. The rule of thirds provides an easy technique for doing this. To accomplish it, you'll need to think a bit more about positioning yourself when taking your shot. Move around. Squat down. Look for the right angle that positions your elements appropriately.

Keep in mind that the rule of thirds is only a guideline, and like any guideline, there are exceptions. If you want to have your viewers focus exclusively on the main subject—because it's so fascinating and compelling in its own right—then by all means place it in the center of the image. Advertisers do it all the time. Flip through your magazine again and you'll quickly notice that highlighted products are often placed dead center for this very reason.

For more on taking better pictures, check out my recent posts:
Part 1: Understanding White Balance
Part 2: Exposure Compensation

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Images courtesy of http://www.photoinf.com/.

Take Better Pictures, Part 2: Exposure Compensation

2011-08-29T20:00:00.001-04:00

Have you noticed that your camera sometimes takes pictures that are overexposed and overbright, especially if you're dealing with a lot of bright sky? Or that the pictures are underexposed and inappropriately dark? There's a simple way to address this problem: exposure compensation.

Every digital camera, even the simplest point-and-shoot will give you the option of making the image either darker or lighter. Just look for the symbol pictured on the left. On most point-and-shoot cameras, you'll find it in one of the main menus. SLR cameras usually feature an exposure adjustment button near the shutter-release (what you push to take the picture).

In both cases, the exposure adjustment feature gives you the option of making the image either lighter (the plus direction) or darker (the minus direction). On most cameras, you can adjust the exposure in increments of a third of an f-stop.

But what is an f-stop anyway? The term dates from the analog days of camera-dom. In traditional lenses, an f-stop (or "stop" for short) indicates the aperture size, the hole through which light enters the camera body and hits the film (or these days, the electronic sensors) inside. The bigger the f-stop number, the smaller the aperture. And vice versa. Going up one stop doubles the amount of light passing through the aperture. Going down a stop decreases light by half. (If you really want to know all the details, here's the f-stop wikipedia page.)

It's not really important that you understand the technical details of f-stops. All you need to remember is that when you adjust the exposure compensation minus = darker and plus = lighter. In most cases, an adjustment of one-third or two-thirds of a stop is more than adequate.

On point-and-shoots, you'll need to tweak this setting in the menu. SLR cameras make the process much easier. For most models, simply hold the exposure compensation button down while spinning the wheel or dial near the shutter-release. You'll see the setting change either at the bottom of your viewfinder or on the settings/info screen on the back of your camera.

Keep in mind that you have to adjust the exposure compensation before you shoot (and remember to reset it before moving on to your next shot). If you're unsure what the best setting is, you can do what is known as "bracketing." This simply means taking the shot three times: once at one- or two-thirds stops down, once at normal zero setting, and once at one- or two-thirds stops up. This helps guarantee that one of the three shots will be exposed exactly right. Some cameras even give you the option to enable automatic bracketing; it will automatically take the three shots according to whatever plus/minus numbers you set.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Take Better Pictures, Part 1: Understanding White Balance

2011-08-24T20:00:00.001-04:00

Got a camera? Want to take better pictures? Then read on. This is part 1 of a series that will discuss several simple things you can do to improve your photos.

Understanding White Balance
Consider this. If you take the color white and put it in a precarious situation, say on a tightrope over the Grand Canyon, how long can it keep its balance before plummeting into the gorge? No, just kidding.

White balance refers to the color adjustments that a digital camera makes every time you take a picture. Our eyes and brains are incredibly adept at interpreting different types of light. A piece of white paper indoors under artificial light essentially appears the same color as that same piece of paper under direct sun. Digital cameras, on the other hand, aren't nearly so talented. They need to be told what sort of light is present in order to render that piece of paper—and all other color elements—appropriately in your pictures.

Lighting varies according to what is referred to as its "temperature." Colors like red and orange are considered "warm" colors; examples include the light emitted by incandescent bulbs and rosy sunsets. Blues and greens fall on the other, "cool" end of the spectrum; examples include direct sunlight as well as overcast skies.

The temperature is measured in terms of degrees Kelvin (K), with higher temperatures actually resulting in cooler colors. The diagram indicates the different temperatures of different types of light, as well as the common associated icons found on most digital cameras.

Have you ever taken pictures indoors and noticed that everything looks strangely orange? Or snapped a photo outdoors on a brilliant sunny day and noticed that the colors seem drained and not nearly as vivid as you remember them? Or taken a shot of a spectacular sunset, only to discover that the picture looks strangely washed out? All of these scenarios are caused by an inappropriate white balance setting.

Every digital camera, even the simplest point-and-shoot gives you the ability to adjust the white balance to a series of predetermined settings. These usually include direct sun, clouds, incandescent bulbs, and fluorescent bulbs, as well as auto white balance. Many include other settings, such as sunset and flash adjustment.

Cameras are set by default to auto white balance, which strives to achieve a decent color adjustment, regardless of the lighting. This works fine for many typical scenarios, but tends to fail when the light falls farther toward the "warm" and "cold" extremes. (Hence the orange indoors shot, washed-out sunsets, and faded colors in bright sunlight.)

If you're shooting in one of these environments, adjust the white balance accordingly! You'll almost surely notice an immediate improvement in the color quality of your shots. Just remember to adjust the setting again next time you're taking pictures in a different environment.

If you learn how to adjust only one thing on your camera, make it the white balance! You can usually find it under one of the main menus on your camera.

Happy shooting!

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Diagram courtesy of exposureguide.com.

Giardia in Backcountry Water Sources: How Real is the Risk?

2011-08-21T20:00:00.001-04:00

The outdoor industry has done a good job stressing the importance of water treatment in the backcountry, primarily to eliminate giardia—a nasty intestinal parasite—from your drinking sources. But the evidence is mixed, at best, as to how real the risk actually is.

The most comprehensive study I was able to locate comes from the International Journal of Infectious Diseases: Risk of Giardiasis from Consumption of Wilderness Water in North America: A systematic review of epidemiologic data. Published in 2000, the study reviewed all available scientific literature and medical studies related to giardia in the backcountry, a total of 104 articles. Of these, nine met the study's inclusion criteria.

Having giardia, or giardiasis as the condition is medically known, is an unpleasant experience. Even the study's scientific description of it sounds grim: "Giardiasis is an enteric infection with the binucleate trophozite phase of the flagellate protozoan parasite Giardia lamblia." It's acquired when you drink water containing giardia cysts, which then blossom in your gut into the "binucleate trophozite phase" pictured here. This leads to diarrhea, excessive flatulence, foul-smelling excrement, nausea, fatigue, and abdominal cramps. Yuck. (For everything on giardia, here's a comprehensive giardia round-up from Stanford University.)

Giardia is obviously worth preventing. The million-dollar question, though, is what is the risk of acquiring giardia from backcountry water sources? And the study in question has these conclusions:

>> Based on published reports, there is a statistically higher rate of giardiasis among outdoor recreationists compared to the general population.
>> It is unclear whether this is a result of drinking contaminated water or poor hygiene, which can result in food contamination during meal preparation.
>> Virtually no water sample studies have been done in the backcountry to measure the presence, or lack thereof, of giardia. Therefore it is impossible to determine with any certainty the actual level of risk.

So what's the upshot? My take on it is this: I think that there is an extremely low risk of acquiring giardia from drinking untreated water in the backcountry, BUT the consequences of getting giardia—however low the risk—are worth preventing. So I treat my drinking water.

I'm also convinced that a significant number of gastrointestinal issues in the backcountry do come from poor hygiene, especially in large groups. If the outdoor industry stressed good hygiene as much as water treatment, I suspect that the incidence of giardia and other stomach nasties would go down. I encourage all hikers and backpackers to add Purel or another disinfecting hand cleanser to their packs—and use it regularly, especially after defecating.

Image courtesy of giardiaclub.com.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Gear Watch; Summer Outdoor Retailer 2011, Part 2 of 2

2011-08-17T20:00:00.001-04:00

Here's part 2 of the latest and greatest gear from the recent Outdoor Retailer convention in Salt Lake City, culled from a variety of online blogs and other sources. Watch for these new products in late 2011 and 2012.

Gerber Steady Multi-Tool
Shutterbugs no longer need to carry a separate tripod on backcountry excursions. The Steady multi-tool features two flip-out legs and a standard camera screw-mount, along with 11 other handy gadgets, including the standard blade and pliers. (From GearJunkie.)

Mountain House Low-Sodium Freeze-Dried Meals
I'm very pleased to see Mountain House rolling out their first low-sodium options. Three options will be available starting in 2012: New Orleans-Style Rice with Shrimp and Ham; Chicken Alfredo; and Chicken and White Bean Chili. Each features less than 300 mg per serving. (From the REI blog.)

ACR ResQLink
Weighing a scant 4.6 ounces, this latest iteration of the personal locator beacon is being touted as the lightest weight, most compact version on the market. The ultimate in survival insurance for the weight of only a couple energy bars. (From ACR Electronics.)

Ultralight Tents and Shelters
An increasing number of tents and shelters are pushing below the 2-pound barrier. Here's a great round-up of the latest offerings, including the Echo 2 shelter from Hyperlite Mountain Gear (here's my profile of the company), courtesy of Trailspace.com. One new tent not included in the round-up is the Fly Creek Platinum from Big Agnes, which uses sub-20 denier thread to create a two-man, double-wall tent weighing a mere 29 ounces. (More info, including a video, is on the REI blog.)

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Gear Watch: Summer Outdoor Retailer 2011, Part 1 of 2

2011-08-14T20:00:00.001-04:00

The outdoor gear universe gathers twice a year in Salt Lake City for Outdoor Retailer, where manufacturers showcase all the latest and greatest in the world of gear. Over the next two posts, I'll highlight some of the most interesting items, culled from a variety of online blogs and other sources. Watch for these new products in late 2011 and 2012.

Mammut Realization Climbing Shorts
A climbing harness is integrated directly into these climbing shorts, creating an all-in-one system for hitting the crags. For women, Mammut has created the Refine climbing skort. (Picture and info from The Gearcaster.)

Mountain Hardwear Hoopla
This floorless, four-person shelter weighs a mere 26 ounces. Trekking poles provide the central support. It received a Best in Show award from Gear Junkie.

Ruff Wear Omnijore
If you've ever wanted your dog to pull you on skis, rollerblades, or any other conveyance, there's finally a harness available from a major gear maker. One of Outside Magazine's 10 picks for Gear of the Show. (Picture and an in-depth review from Trailspace.com.)

DeLorme inReach
A compact satellite text messenger that uses the Iridium satellite network. Can be used by itself or paired with any Android-operating smartphone. Here's the DeLorme press release.

L.L. Bean 100th Anniversary Gear
To celebrate its centennial, L.L. Bean is making 10, individually numbered anniversary canoes that feature canvas stretched over a cedar strip frame, plus a variety of other iconic items. (Picture and more info from Trailspace.com.)

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

How long should you boil water to make it safe to drink?

2011-08-10T20:00:00.001-04:00

There's no doubt that boiling water makes it safe to drink—the high temperature kills all the aquatic baddies that might otherwise make you sick in the backcountry. But how long do you really need to boil water before its safe?

Over the years I've heard any number of recommendations, from 5 minutes, to 1 minute, to just enough to get "fish-eye" bubbles on the bottom of your pot. If I'm boiling water for dinner in the backcountry, I often prefer the convenience of not filtering it or adding a chemical treatment beforehand. To conserve fuel, I want to minimize the amount of time I have to boil it to be safe. Here's what I've learned.

Water temperatures above 160 degrees Fahrenheit kill virtually all pathogens within 30 minutes, including bacteria and the two prime backcountry nemeses: giardia and cryptosporidia. At 185 degrees Fahrenheit, they're dead in just a few minutes. Almost nothing can survive sea-level boiling temperature (212° F) for any length of time, though a few pathogens like botulism can persist at even higher temperatures (none that are a concern in the backcountry).

Keep in mind that boiling temperature decreases with altitude at roughly one degree per 500 feet. So on top of Mount Washington (6,288 feet), the boiling temperature will be almost exactly 200 degrees F. If you're traveling to high country outside of the Northeast, boiling temps can be as low as 195 degrees F (9,000 feet) or 190 degrees F (12,000 feet).

So what's the upshot? Most health organizations, including the Center for Disease Control, recommend that you boil water vigorously for 1 minute up to elevations of 2,000 meters (6,562 feet) and 3 minutes at elevations higher than that. You're guaranteed to be safe from giardia and crypto if you follow those guidelines.

Here's my personal take on the matter. At lower elevations (anywhere in the Northeast certainly), I always achieve a rolling boil at a minimum. "Fish eye" bubbles don't cut it since they aren't an indication that all of the water has reached boiling point. If you turn off the heat the second it starts to boil, the time it took to go from 185 degrees F to boiling will almost surely have killed all the baddies in the water. However, one extra minute is a small price to pay and I usually go for the extra 60 seconds for ultimate peace of mind.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Gear Watch: Point 65 Modular Kayaks

2011-08-08T20:00:00.001-04:00

Looking for a recreational kayak for two? No, wait, for one? Used to be that you had to buy two separate boats to have both. Now you can have it all with a single modular kayak from Point 65, a Swedish company that has recently begun offering its wares through L.L. Bean and other U.S. retailers.

Point 65 modular boats separate in the middle into a front and aft portion. Two simple cam buckle systems (the "Snap-Tap System") secure the sections together and can be attached or disassembled in under a minute. (It's true; I tested one out this past weekend.) To convert the boat into a tandem, simply add in a third middle section and voila! you have a boat built for two. Not only do you gain versatility, you can also avoid strapping the boat to the roof of your vehicle (assuming you've got a roomy SUV or truck that can accommodate the sections, which range from 4-foot-8 to 5-foot-7).

Point 65 offers two models: a sit-on top design called the Tequila! and a closed cockpit design dubbed the Martini. (Note: Please, please don't drink either while you're on the water.) Most retailers sell the kayaks as solo boats ($579 for the Tequila! at L.L. Bean) with the middle section sold separately ($400). The Martini is $750 and $549, respectively. (L.L. Bean doesn't stock it yet; it's new this year.)

The concept is so simple, it's remarkable that this type of boat is a recent innovation. I would expect other boat manufacturers to jump on board (hah) in the years ahead.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Pack Heat, Not Weight: The pros and cons of alcohol stoves

2011-08-03T20:00:00.000-04:00

Interested in a stove that weighs less than 3 ounces, burns in blissful silence, features no complicated moving parts, and uses a low-cost and widely available fuel? Plus is inexpensive, durable, and ultra-simple to use? Meet the alcohol stove, a featherweight cooker that can instantly shave a pound or more off your packweight. Its unique design smokes the competition in many ways—just be prepared to make a few sacrifices if you want a cook system that weighs less than a gulp of water...

This column originally appeared in the July/August edition of AMC Outdoors. You can read the full story here.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

(photograph by Ryan Smith)

White Mountain Webcams

2011-07-31T20:00:00.001-04:00

Before you head to the high peaks of the White Mountains, check out the current conditions with the help of these live web cams.

Mount Washington and the Presidentials
The Mount Washington Observatory (MWO) operates several excellent webcams that cover all sides of the Presidentials, including views from Bretton Woods, Wildcat Mountain, Attitash Ski Area, and Jackson. Webcams are also located on the summit of Washington and capture views north, views west, and across the observatory's observation deck. You can find them all together on the Mount Washington Observatory Webcam Network. (MWO members receive access to nearly 20 more views from the webcams; membership starts at $45.)

One other good resource is the Mount Washington view from www.hazecam.net, which details the amount of air pollution and haze present.

Franconia Notch
This Franconia Notch webcam is the best I've found for the area. Located in Easton, N.H., the cam is accompanied by real-time data from an adjoining weather station, including wind speed and direction, temperature, precipitation, and more. It looks eastward toward Mount Lafayette and Cannon Mountain.

Other Webcams
Here's a comprehensive round-up of webcams around the Lakes region of New Hampshire, with more than a dozen views of Lake Winnipesaukee. Here's a broader round-up of webcams across the New Hampshire, from Rye Beach to Pittsburg.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Gear Watch: Camping Espresso Maker and Under-the-Seat Bike Hydration

2011-07-27T20:00:00.001-04:00

If you love espresso and want a piping hot shot of delicious caffeine at your next campsite, check out the Presso Espresso Maker. This elegantly designed piece of machinery requires no electricity, just boiling water and a little muscle power. Simply add espresso grounds to the basket, pour water in the top, pull up the two arms, then push them down to force the water through the basket and into your cup in a matter of seconds. (Here's a video of the Presso in action.) It's not lightweight (about 4 pounds) or compact enough for backpacking, but easily fits into your next car camping adventure. $150.

To drink water while cycling, you need to either bend down and pull a water bottle from its cage on your frame, fish one out of the back of your cycling jersey, or wear a hydration pack. To make water more accessible, Showers Pass has introduced VelEau, an under-the-seat hydration system that features an easy-to-grab tube positioned right by your handlebars. "Retractable magnetic reels" allow you to pull up the tube to drink, then snap the tube back into its out-of-the-way position when you're done. Its 1.25-liter capacity is double that of most bike water bottles. $80.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Greenhead Repellents

2011-07-25T20:00:00.001-04:00

Greenheads are a type of large biting fly that live in saltwater marshes from early July until early August. When they're out in force, they can be a blood-sucking bane for beachgoers from North Carolina to Maine. Here's what you can do to keep them at bay.

Greenheads are big, roughly an inch long, and named for their large, distinctively colored eyes. Like mosquitoes, the females need blood to nurture their eggs. But unlike mosquitoes, which sip blood through a tiny proboscis, greenheads obtain their meal by ripping open victims' flesh with razor-sharp, scimitar-like mouthparts. They then lap up the blood as it pools. And yes, having your skin torn open really hurts; welts often result as well.

Unfortunately, insect repellents have little effect on deterring greenhead advances, regardless of whether it's DEET, picaridin, or other common repellents. No matter what you slather on, they will still land on you. (There is some evidence, however, that repellents do reduce the chances that they'll actually bite once they've landed.)

So what to do? Here are your options:

Cover up, especially around your ankles and lower legs—greenheads seldom fly higher than about 3 feet off the ground.

Wear light colors. Greenheads are attracted to darker colors; blue is supposedly their favorite.

Pray for wind. A steady breeze keeps them effectively grounded.

Try using Avon Skin-So-Soft as a repellent, the most recommended chemical deterrent. My first-hand experience has shown that it does help keep them away, though not entirely.

Identify which member of your group is most attractive to greenheads—and stick close to them.

If all else fails, start a contest with your friends to see who can swat the most greenheads.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

4,000 Footers: Books, Bottles, T-Shirts, and More

2011-07-20T20:00:00.001-04:00

It's a major check on the life list of many New England hikers: summiting all 48 of New Hampshire's 4,000-footers. Whether you're on the trail to this hiking milestone, or have already accomplished it, check out these resources and gear that celebrate this iconic list.

First of all, here's the official list of the 48 peaks from the volunteer-run Four Thousand Footer Club. Hikers who successfully climb them all can submit a membership application, which earns them both recognition and a nifty shoulder patch (pictured).

Anybody heading for the high peaks should of course have a copy of AMC's White Mountain Guide. It comes with a full set of paper maps for the Whites, or you can buy a separate map set printed on durable, waterproof Tyvek.

For more detailed route and historical info, check out The 4,000-Footers of the White Mountains by Steven D. Smith and Mike Dickerman, a 550-page volume of everything you ever wanted to know about these high peaks. Also consider carrying Scudder's White Mountain Viewing Guide, which diagrams every summit visible from 47 peaks in the Whites.

A range of other products are available to help you keep track of the 4,000-footer list. You can order a 4,000 Footer Club T-shirt or visit Ragged Mountain Equipment of Intervale, N.H., which has an entire product category for NH 4,000 Footers, including a water bottle, beer glass, and men's and women's T-shirts.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Gear Watch: Magnetic Locking Carabiners from Black Diamond

2011-07-17T20:00:00.001-04:00

Black Diamond just unveiled its latest innovation in carabiner design: Magnetron Technology™. Essentially, Black Diamond has created auto-locking carabiners that use tiny magnets to prevent the gate from accidently coming open.

Here's how it works. A small steel insert is placed inside the nose of the carabiner. Two tiny locking arms are located on either side of the gate, with small magnets inside. When the gate is closed, magnetic attraction automatically snaps the two arms closed and effectively prevents the gate from popping open. When the gate is released, the magnets in the two arms repel each other, keeping them open wide enough to ensure that the gate smoothly closes without interference.

Traditional auto-lockers use either a screwgate or twistlock. Screwgates must be manually spun closed to lock the carabiner gate into position, which leaves them prone to human forgetfulness and error. Twistlocks are usually spring-loaded and automatically lock, but can be difficult to open, especially with wet, cold, or gloved hands.

The new Black Diamond carabiners open by squeezing the two locking arms and thus pulling them away from the magnet. This will probably make it easier to disengage with cold or wet hands (unlike a twistlock, no friction will be required to spin open the auto-locking mechanism), but it's unclear how easy, or difficult, this operation will be with gloves.

Two new carabiners are slated for release in July 2012 using this technology: the Magnetron GridLock and Magnetron RockLock. Prices have not yet been announced.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Definition of the Day: Datum

2011-07-13T20:00:00.001-04:00

If you own a GPS unit and use it for backcountry navigation, it's crucial that you understand this term. Simply put, a datum is a model of the earth's surface that has been created using a specific reference point. There are dozens of datums in use worldwide. Each of them is slightly different, which means that an exact point on earth will have different coordinates depending on the datum used to identify it.

In North America, there are only a handful of datums in common use, most notably the World Geodetic Survey of 1984 (WGS84), the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83), and the North American Datum of 1927 (NAD27). The vast majority of North American maps use one of these three, with WGS84 accounting for most maps created in recent decades.

If you're using a map in conjunction with your GPS, it's critical that the datum used to create the map and the datum that your GPS is using are the same. If not, there can be a significant discrepancy—up to hundreds of feet—between the two. For example, if your GPS is set to NAD27 and you plot a coordinate to a map created using WGS84, it will be off by a noticeable amount. (I recently tested this in Hingham, Mass., and found a discrepancy of 170 feet.)

Any USGS topographic map, as well as most recreational trail maps, will indicate the datum used to create it, though it is often buried in extremely small print. (If the datum is not listed, your best bet is WGS84.) Once you identify it, check to make sure your GPS is using the same datum. On most GPS units, you'll find this under the "Set Up" menu in either the "Coordinate System" or "Units" sub-menu. (You may see the abbreviation "CONUS" after some of the datums, which is shorthand for "Continental United States.")

A couple quick caveats here. Using the appropriate datum matters only if you're using a GPS in conjunction with a map, or if you're sharing coordinates with somebody else (they need to know the datum you used to identify it). If you're simply using your GPS to identify the direction and distance back to your car, say, your GPS will work fine since it's working within the same frame of datum reference.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Sterling Rope of Biddeford, Maine

2011-07-10T20:00:00.001-04:00

Part 13 in an ongoing series highlighting Northeast-based gear companies. The small town of Biddeford, Maine, is quite the hot spot for local gear makers. Two of the 12 companies I've profiled to date hail from there (STABILicers and Hyperlite Mountain Gear). Now there's a third: Sterling Rope.

Sterling Rope produces a full product line of high-quality ropes and climbing hardware for both outdoor/recreation and safety and rescue uses. All of its ropes and cords are produced—and tested by hand for quality control—at its Biddeford manufacturing center.

The company touts its DryCore technology, a proprietary treatment of the yarns inside a rope's core that reduces moisture absorption. (Wet ropes lose strength—and stretch more—when compared to a dry rope.) This distinguishes Sterling's ropes from other "dry ropes," which have only the outer sheath treated to repel moisture. (Sterling also treats its sheaths with its Arid System technology.) So if you're a climber or safety/rescue worker out in wet conditions, Sterling Ropes are definitely worth a look.

The company manufacturers literally dozens, if not hundreds, of different ropes in all lengths and diameters. These include everything from its popular all-purpose Evolution Series of climbing ropes to specialized twin and half ropes to fire rescue ropes. They also have a great 16-page technical publication (Guide to Rope Engineering, Design, and Use) that explains everything you ever wanted to know about ropes and rope manufacturing in a concise, easy-to-understand style.

Support your Northeast gear companies! Here are the 12 others I've profiled to date:

Delorme (Yarmouth, Maine)
Ibex Outdoor Clothing (White River Junction, Vt.)
Jetboil (Manchester, N.H.)
New England Ropes (Fall River, Mass.)
Nemo Equipment (Manchester, N.H.)
Orion Signal and Survival Products (Easton, Md.)
Dermatone Sunscreen (Windsor, Ct.)
Darn Tough Socks (Northfield, Vt.)
STABILicers (Biddeford, Maine)
Noble Biomaterials (Scranton, Pa.)
Hyperlite Mountain Gear (Biddeford, Maine)
New Balance (Boston, Mass.)

Have a suggestion for a Northeast-based gear company to profile? Please let me know!

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Alcohol Stoves: Useful Resources

2011-07-06T20:00:00.001-04:00

My current Equipped column in AMC Outdoors—Pack Heat, Not Weight—focuses on alcohol stoves. I did a lot of research for this piece and wanted to share a few of the best resources I found online for learning about, building, buying, and using an alcohol stove.

Zen and the Art of the Alcohol Stove
This is hands-down the best, most comprehensive online resource for alcohol stoves. The site covers everything, from stove and fuel types to building your own to tips on use.

Art Simon's Reviews of Alcohol Stoves
Though a bit dated (2006), this provides one of the better run-downs and reviews of many alcohol stoves, most of which are still available. He tested 10 of them for boil times and fuel consumption.

Commercially Available Alcohol Stoves
Here's a short list of alcohol stoves available for purchase online, with links to the manufactuer's web site. Note that this is by no means comprehensive.

Brasslite Backpacking Stoves
Clikstand (pictured top left)
Etowah Outfitters Etowah II
Mini-Trangia
ThermoJet MicroLite (bottom right)
Liberty Mountain Westwind
Vargo Outdoors (middle left)
AntiGravityGear Alcohol Stove

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Rock On! How to Choose Climbing Shoes

2011-07-03T20:00:00.000-04:00

My first climbing shoes squished my feet and crunched my toes in throbbing misery. I quickly learned that crushing toe pain isn't exactly compatible with fun or motivation—and climbed a lot less as a result. My mistake? I went shopping with the misguided belief that climbing shoes should fit as tightly as possible for maximum strength and feel against the rock. Though this isn't entirely false, most people—especially beginners—will benefit much more from a comfortable fit in a durable, all-purpose climbing shoe. Here's what to look for...

This column originally appeared in the June online edition of AMC Outdoors. You can read the full story here.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

(photograph by iStock)

Spare Your Pieces: Noseless Bike Saddles

2011-06-29T20:00:00.001-04:00

Standard bike saddles are bad for you. The protruding front piece, or nose, compresses against your perineum, that small section between your, ahem, front and back equipment. This reduces blood flow to your genitals and can cause decreased sexual function and sensation in both men and women, especially if you spend a lot of time on your bike. There is a solution, however: noseless bike saddles.

Noseless bike saddles are designed to eliminate pressure on your perineum. They position your weight over the rounded bones in your lower butt (your ischial tuberosities to be exact), where it should be. They range widely in design. Some feature nothing more than support for those crucial pelvic bones, while others incorporate a hole or slot where the perineum can rest pressure-free.

Noseless bike saddles remain a niche product that has been embraced by only a small minority of riders, despite the overwhelming evidence that standard bike saddles are bad for your sexual health. Professional riders argue that the nose provides crucial steering control by engaging the inner thigh muscles. For most recreational riders, however, the difference is probably not worth the dysfunction.

If you want to locate a noseless saddle, stick to bike specialty shops or order online. Expect to pay $50 - $100, depending on the model. I've included some useful links below to help you find one that's right for you, as well as some other good information on the topic.

Noseless Saddle Manufacturers: Here's an excellent round-up of links to more than a dozen different noseless saddles from www.healthycycling.org.

A Release Valve for Cyclists' Unrelenting Pressure: An excellent New York Times article that inspired this post in the first place.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

How to Make Cowboy Coffee: Video and More

2011-06-27T20:00:00.000-04:00

Mmmmmm, coffee. In this new video, I explain how to make cowboy coffee, a powerfully delicious cup of caffeination brewed using only coffee grounds and a pot of boiling water. At the end, I've added several more details that didn't make the final editing cut.

Pouring off Cowboy Coffee In the video, I show my recommended way for getting cowboy coffee out of the pot, by skimming the top with a small cup or other scooper. However, you can also simply pour out the grounds-free coffee by slowly and gently tipping the pot. As the coffee level gets lower, pour a thin slow stream that allows you to see when grounds first appear.

The Risk of Boil Over After adding the grounds to the pot of hot water, the usual recommendation is to return it very briefly to a boil on the stove. All the bubbling churns the water and grounds together for maximum mixing of the two key ingredients. But this is not an essential step--vigorously stirring the grounds and water with a spoon or stick does the trick almost as well.

If you do let it boil, keep a watchful eye on it. It will rapidly bubble up and boil over the sides of the pot, making a real mess. In my experiments during the filming process, this happened within 30 seconds of the coffee/water mix returning to a boil. It happened equally quickly regardless of whether I stirred the coffee grounds (breaking the surface tension) before returning the pot to the stove, or just poured the grounds in and let them sit on the surface.

The Bandana Filter This does work, but it works very slowly. No matter how long you let cowboy coffee sit, the smallest micro-grounds never really settle. When they're strained through the bandana, they rapidly clog up the fabric's pores and slow the process to a crawl. Unless you've got a lot of time--and even more patience--I recommend you skip this step and instead savor for maximum flavor.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

One-Pound Sleeping Bags

2011-06-22T20:00:00.001-04:00

The nights can be warm during the dog days of summer, which means you need only the bare minimum of insulation to keep you comfortable while sleeping in the backcountry. It also means that you can save some serious ounces by investing in an ultralight sleeping bag. Here are the lightest of the light, five options that hover around a single pound.

For the most part, these sleeping bags are designed for nighttime temperatures down to the low 40s at the coldest, with temps in the 50s being the most comfortable. (As always, you may be able to go colder if you're a warm sleeper.) They also make for a great emergency item in your winter daypack for the unexpected night out. They all feature 800-plus fill power down.

Western Mountaineering HighLite
850-plus fill power down provides the insulation in this classic, the first one-pound sleeping bag ever made. Features a half-length zipper and, like most superlight bags, is relatively narrow. (59" - 60" shoulder girth, depending on length). Available in short (to 5' 6", 15 ounces, $260), regular (6' 0", 16 ounces, $270), and long (6' 6", 17 ounces, $280). Made in the USA.

MontBell U.L. Spiral Down Hugger #3
MontBell touts this bag's unique baffle design, which is cut at a 45-degree angle and increases the amount of stretch in the bag. This helps you to comfortably shift around inside the bag and makes the narrow cut more bearable. A full-length zipper helps as well. Available in regular (to 5' 10", 19 ounces, $259) and long (to 6' 4", 20 ounces, $279).

Mountain Hardwear Phantom 45
Features the best hood of the bunch, which cinches snugly and comfortably around your noggin. The cut is also less narrow (60"-62" shoulder girth, depending on length). The hood and integrated neck baffle help increase the bag's warm, but also (along with the full-length zipper) add weight. Also available in three lengths (18-20 ounces, $240-$260).

Feathered Friends Vireo
This is a specialized hoodless, zipperless sleeping bag designed with alpine climbers in mind. It features more insulation in its narrow lower half (rated to 25 degrees Fahrenheit) than its wide upper (45 degrees Fahrenheit) and is specialized for overnight alpine bivouacs (and emergency winter use). It does double well as a summer sleeping bag, offering maximum warmth-to-weight and a wide shoulder girth (64") for large-shouldered folks. (16-18 ounces, depending on length. $269.)

Nunatak Ultralight Arc Ghost
Another specialized option, this one is actually a modified quilt design. The lower half is enclosed like any sleeping bag, but the zipperless upper opens up like a blanket. It secures to your sleeping pad with two attached underside straps, which also allow you to adjust the girth to your comfort and warmth desired. Another good option for ultralighters who like warmth and room in one package. The lightest of the bunch. Small (to 5' 4", 12 ounces, $326), medium (5' 10", 14 ounces, $359), and large (6 '4", 16 ounces, $399).

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Gear Watch: Superfeet Sandals

2011-06-19T20:00:00.001-04:00

I've never been a big fan of flip flops, those ubiquitous summer sandals that attach with little more than a foot-tickling piece of material between your big and second toes. One of the main reasons is that they are terrible for your feet and lower legs. Now Superfeet has attempted to address this problem with its innovative FLP sandals, a line of flip flops that incorporate the same support technology used in the company's line of shoe inserts.

At least one recent study has shown that wearing flip flops actually changes a person's gait. Most wearers take shorter strides than usual, in part because they often curl their toes downward to keep the flip flops in place, making it more difficult to lift the foot to its normal walking height. All of this increases stress on your feet and lower legs and can lead to persistent foot and ankle pain, especially if you wear flip flops for extended periods of time. On top of this, most flip flops have no arch support whatsoever, which increases the likelihood of developing a painful case of plantar fasciitis. (Here's a good Newsweek article on the topic.)

The Superfeet FLP sandals ($89.95) address at least one of these problems by incorporating a stiff integrated orthotic footbed underlain by a series of shock-absorbing foam posts underneath your heel and the balls of your feet. I'm a big fan of Superfeet insoles for shoes (check out my posts on the topic: Hooray for Superfeet, Part 1 and Part 2) and suspect that these sandals will largely eliminate the support issues, but wonder whether the curled-toe problem will be addressed equally as well. (If you own a pair of these, please let me know!)

Whatever the case may be, it's safe to say that if you're a die-hard flip-flopper, these are the ones I'd recommend.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

The Best Sunscreens

2011-06-15T20:00:00.001-04:00

The Environmental Working Group recently released its 2011 Sunscreen Guide, a comprehensive round-up of 1,700 sunscreens and SPF-rated lip balms, moisturizers, and make-ups. The guide reviews them all, including their effectiveness against both UVB (which causes sunburn) and UVA (which causes wrinkles, premature skin aging, and increased cancer risk).

Here's a list of their Top Sunscreens. They all provide "broad spectrum" coverage, which means they effectively block both types of UV rays. They also all contain the minerals zinc or titanium, which effectively block UVA. None of them contain chemicals that may have potential health risks, such as oxybenzone and a form of Vitamin A called retinyl palmitate. (Here's are articles on the chemical risks and potential hazards of Vitamin A).

If you want to learn more about your current sunscreen, you can search by product name and brand. The guide also features a Hall of Shame, which highlights some of the worst sunscreens out there—and explains why they symbolize what's wrong with current sunscreen labeling practices.

On that note, the FDA just announced new regulations regarding sunscreen labeling that will take effect over the next two years. Here's a New York Times article for more: FDA Unveils New Rules About Sunscreen Claims.

Finally, remember that the best sunscreen of all is a hat and shirt. Enjoy the sun!

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Got No Hips? How to deal with a common backpack fit issue

2011-06-12T20:00:00.001-04:00

When you're shopping for an overnight backpack, the single-most important feature to look for is a good fit. And when it comes to fit, the most important element to get right is the waistbelt. If, however, you've got no hips, no outward curvature around your waist, then you may have a problem. I certainly do. Here's my solution.

Backpack waistbelts are designed to transfer the majority of the pack's weight, roughly 80 percent, to your lower body. This uses the strength and stability of your legs and skeletal structure to carry the load, sparing your easily fatigued shoulder muscles. Thing is, waistbelts need something to rest on: the gentle outward curvature of your hips.

Many men, myself included, have virtually none of that. Tall and thin, my torso merges with my legs in an almost straight line. Two little bony nubs are all that protrudes from my waist. As a result, I have found that my waistbelt inevitably scooches downward as I hike, often rubbing my skin raw in the process. For years, my only solution was to cinch the belt as tight as I could stand, which relieved some of the discomfort on my hips, but replaced it with the displeasure of having my guts squished.

A few years ago, I finally hit on a solution that works. I take a fleece, fold it upwards from the bottom three times to create a flat padded surface, and use the sleeves to tie it around my waist. Voila! Suddenly I have artificial hips that my waistbelt can comfortably rest upon. This discovery has been a tremendous boon to my backpacking comfort—and provides the added bonus of keeping your fleece handy anytime you stop and need to add a quick layer.

Now I'm a hipster. No, I'm hip to what works. No, it's a hip solution. No, wait. Ah, never mind.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Debunking a Common Wetsuit Myth

2011-06-08T20:00:00.001-04:00

Neoprene wetsuits are an amazing invention, allowing wearers to stay warm in chilly waters that they would otherwise never be able to withstand for any length of time. But there's a common myth about how they work, one I've heard repeated over and over again. The myth is this: Wetsuits keep you warm by trapping a thin layer of water between your skin and the suit.

This is incorrect. A wetsuit that is bone-dry on the inside will actually be warmer than one that's wet. Neoprene is a type of stretchy closed-cell foam that gains its insulating abilities from zillions of tiny enclosed nitrogen air pockets, or microscopic bubbles, that are created within the neoprene during its production process. The air in these bubbles is trapped; it cannot migrate out of the material. All of this dead air space impedes heat transfer, allowing you to retain your body heat rather than losing it to the cold water. Nitrogen is particularly resistant to heat transfer, helping to optimize neoprene's insulating abilities.

The myth probably arises from this fact: Once water penetrates the suit, it is essential that it remains trapped in place in order to keep you warm. (Note that water can't pass through neoprene; suits fill with water through the neck, leg, and arm openings, or through leaky seams or punctures.)

Your body quickly warms a thin layer of water that finds it way between your skin and the suit; body heat and the insulating neoprene then maintain it at a comfortable temperature. If, however, that warm water is forced out of the suit due to motion or turbulence (the dreaded "flush"), it will be replaced by another cold layer that must again be warmed. This slowly drains your body's heat-producing energy and will reduce the amount of time you can comfortably be in the water. For this reason, wetsuits should fit as snugly as possible without restricting motion. Loose suits allow more water to more easily flow through the suit, robbing you of neoprene's insulating benefits.

So in conclusion, our common wetsuit myth should instead read: Wetsuits keep you warm even when there's a thin layer of water trapped between your skin and the suit.

As an aside: Interestingly, the number of nitrogen bubbles in the neoprene affects buoyancy. (All that trapped air floats.) As a general rule, the thicker the wetsuit, the more it will float. But different neoprene is used depending on the intended use of the wetsuits. For example, buoyancy is a challenge for divers, who are trying to stay submerged. As a result, diving wetsuits typically contain less trapped air than a surfing wetsuit of comparable thickness; consequently, a thicker suit is necessary to provide the same level of warmth.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Environmental License Plates that Make a Difference, Part 2: Mid-Atlantic

2011-06-06T20:00:00.001-04:00

Welcome to part 2 of my round-up of specialty license plates that directly help fund conservation and environmental causes in the Northeast. This post covers New York and the mid-Atlantic states down to Maryland. (Check out the previous post for New England conservation plates.)

In New York, you can bolt on a bluebird designed by famed naturalist Roger Tory Peterson as part of the state's conservation plate. Known as the Bluebird Plate, it directly supports the state's Environmental Protection Fund; each plate purchase provides $25 in funding for conservation projects identified in New York's Open Space Plan. Alternatively, you can purchase the Striped Bass Plate, which supports education, research, and conservation in New York's Marine and Coastal District.

New Jersey offers a Conserve Wildlife Plate, which features a soaring bald eagle with outstretched wings. 80 percent of the $50 purchase price funds protection efforts for the state's endangered wildlife, including peregrine falcons, osprey, bald eagles, plus wetland habitats essential for turtles and owls.

Pennsylvanians can purchase a River Otter Plate, which carries the message "Conserve Wild Resources." Proceeds benefit the Wild Resource Conservation Fund, which supports education and research programs related to the state's native wild plants and non-game wildlife.

In Maryland, you can treasure the Chesapeake with, yes, a Treasure the Chesapeake Plate. The Chesapeake Bay Trust receives financial support from the sale of these plates and uses the funds for conservation, research, and education efforts in Chesapeake Bay and its surrounding watershed.

Delaware residents can cruise with one of two Environmental Plate designs: lighthouse and shore or duck and inland waters. Proceeds support the Delaware Center for Inland Bays and the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, both of which fund various environmental projects around the state.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Get on the Bike: Which style is right for you?

2011-06-05T20:00:00.002-04:00

Bicycles are simple. Two wheels on a metal frame adorned with handlebars, saddle, and a bunch of gears. Yet these basic elements can be configured in a multitude of ways, creating a diverse bicycle kingdom for every pedal-powered activity under the sun. So which bike species should live in your garage?...

This column originally appeared in the May/June edition of AMC Outdoors. You can read the full story here.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

(photograph by iStock)

Environmental License Plates That Make a Difference, Part 1: New England

2011-05-30T20:00:00.001-04:00

This month New Hampshire released a new special license plate that specifically benefits New Hampshire State Parks—and provides you with a year's free entry to NH State Parks to boot. It marks the latest additions to New England's roster of plates that directly support environmental efforts. Here's a quick round-up.

The New Hampshire State Park Plate features a profile on one side of the Old Man of the Mountain (who even in his defunct rubbled condition seems destined to live in perpetuity as the state's abiding symbol) and the New Hampshire State Parks logo on the other. It costs $85, plus a few fees. Proceeds support operation and maintenance of New Hampshire State Parks. If you already have the existing Moose Plate—which benefits a variety of conservation and cultural preservation groups—you can combine the two into one super moose-park plate (pictured).

Maine has offered the Maine Loon License Plate since 1993. It benefits the state's Bureau of Public Lands and Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife. In 2008, the loon plate generated $145,000 in support for the maintenance and improvement of state parklands.

Vermont has unveiled a new version of the Vermont Conservation License Plate, which provides financial support to the state's Non-game Wildlife Fund and Watershed Grant Fund, which works to protect local water resources. The new version features a catamount, or mountain lion. The original version featured a peregrine falcon, and is still available.

Massachusetts has three "Preserve the Trust" Plates that all provide funds to the Massachusetts Environmental Trust, which provides grants to conservation projects and efforts with a focus on water and water quality issues. You can currently choose from a Right Whale Environmental Plate, a Leaping Brook Trout Plate, or a Blackstone Valley Mill Plate. A fourth, new plate—the Land & Water Plate—will be available soon.

Rhode Island offers the Osprey License Plate, which supports the Audubon Society of Rhode Island and Save the Bay.

Connecticut provides several Environmental Plates, including designs for wildlife conservation, greenways, and Long Island Sound. They may tout your particular conservation interests, but don't provide any special proceeds toward those efforts.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Nemo Equipment of Nashua, NH: 2011 Ultralight Tents

2011-05-29T20:00:00.001-04:00

Nemo Equipment continues to produce some ground-breaking ultralight tents from its home in Nashua, N.H. Since I profiled the company two years ago as part of my ongoing series of Northeast-based gear companies (see end of post), Nemo Equipment has released some noteworthy new designs. Here are the ones that caught my attention.

**Note that packed weight most closely approximates camping reality. Minimum weight includes the tent, fly, and poles but not stakes, stuff sack, guylines, etc.

OBI Series
The lightest of the light.
Obi 1-person and Obi Elite 1-person: packed weight 3 pounds, 3 ounces and 2 pounds, 7 ounces, respectively; minimum weights 2 pounds, 8 ounces and 1 pound, 15 ounces. Minimalist double-walled pole-supported tents. The standard ($349) uses 20 denier nylon fabric in its rainfly, an astoundingly thin thread. The Obi Elite ($399) is Nemo's lightest weight poled tent and shaves the ounces down by using a whisper-thin 10-denier nylon in the rainfly. If you laid out 9 kilometers of the thread used in the Obi Elite rainfly, it would weigh only 10 grams, or barely a third of an ounce! This is the smallest denier I've yet seen in any outdoor gear. (Here's a definition of denier from one of my previous posts.)

Obi 2-person: packed weight 3 pounds, 10 ounces; minimum weight 3 pounds, 0 ounces. Like so many ultralight tents, ounces are saved by sacrificing length (and tall customers)—it runs only 84 inches in length. $389

META Series
Ultralight singlewall designs that provide significantly more room than the Obi Series for the same weight. Instead of tent poles, the tents use trekking poles.

Meta 2-person: As a tall guy, the 96-inch length of this one really catches my attention. Packed weight 3 pounds, 9 ounces; minimum weight 2 pounds, 15 ounces. Won a 2010 Editors' Choice award from Backpacker Magazine. $369

Meta 1-person: A one-person shelter that's 1oo inches long, another great tall-person option. Packed weight 2 pounds, 8 ounces; Minimum weight 1 pound, 15 ounces. $299

Support your Northeast gear companies! Here are the 11 others I've profiled to date:
Delorme (Yarmouth, Maine)
Ibex Outdoor Clothing (White River Junction, Vt.)
Jetboil (Manchester, N.H.)
New England Ropes (Fall River, Mass.)
Nemo Equipment (Manchester, N.H.)
Orion Signal and Survival Products (Easton, Md.)
Dermatone Sunscreen (Windsor, Ct.)
Darn Tough Socks (Northfield, Vt.)
STABILicers (Biddeford, Maine)
Noble Biomaterials (Scranton, Pa.)
Hyperlite Mountain Gear (Biddeford, Maine)
New Balance (Boston, Mass.)

Have a suggestion for a Northeast-based gear company to profile? Please let me know!

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Best Trail Mix Ever? It Gets My Vote.

2011-05-25T20:00:00.001-04:00

If you're a Costco member—or know somebody who is—pick up a 30-ounce bag of their Wholesome Fruit & Nuts on your next shopping visit. In my opinion, it's one of the tastiest, healthiest, highest-calorie, and best value trail snacks available. It's even sodium-free to boot. (If Costco isn't an option, you can still find it elsewhere online.)

Sold under the Kirkland Signature label (the Costco house brand), Wholesome Fruit & Nuts consists of exactly five ingredients: dried cranberries, dried cherries, almonds, walnuts, and dry-roasted pistachios. The tangy sweetness and soft texture of the dried fruit (cherries especially) balance nicely with the savory crunch of the nuts.

It packs a solid 140 calories per ounce, which translates into a lot of go-power for the weight. The ingredient combination also provides an excellent nutritional mix. According to the bag's nutrition label, each 30 gram serving (just over an ounce) includes 8 grams of fat for long-term power, 15 grams of carbs for quick boosts (mostly sugars from the dried fruit), 4 grams of protein for muscle replenishment, and 2 grams of fiber for regular flow. Plus there are antioxidants (cherries) and Omega 3s (walnuts) in there as well.

Depending on the Costco, a 30-ounce bag retails for only $9 to $10. At most grocery stores, you'll pay nearly that much for a small 6-12 ounce bag of just one of the ingredients! If Costco isn't an option, you can also order a bag for $16.99 through amazon.com.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

It's in the Bag: The Best Ziplocs for the Backcountry

2011-05-22T20:00:00.001-04:00

When it comes to packing food for the backcountry, protecting essential gear from moisture, or entombing a biohazard pair of smelly socks, there's one item that does it all: Ziploc Freezer Bags.

Ziploc is the brand name product line from SC Johnson. Zip-lock bags are from any of its myriad competitors. In my experience, they all work fine provided you purchase the versions designed for freezer storage. Why? They're thicker than your average sandwich bag, which averages 1.5 mil in thickness (a mil is 1/1000th of an inch). Most freezer bags are at least 2 mil; Ziploc brand freezer bags are some of the thickest at 2.7 mil.

This increased thickness translates to greatly enhanced durability, a key feature if you'll be stuffing and unstuffing them repeatedly from your pack. What's more, a thickness of 2 mil or more allows manufacturers to produce the closure strip at the same time the bag is produced. On thinner sandwich bags, the closure strip has to be laminated on (and can potentially peel off with repeated use).

In terms of the type of closure system, I prefer the classic design (pinch the closure system with your fingers and thumb and slide across to seal it closed). It is the least expensive style and has proven much more durable with repeated use. Some designs feature a slider tab that makes closure quick and easy. Convenience is good, but in my experience it can be hard to get a fully airtight seal with these (especially with repeated use) and the tab can sometimes pop off or come loose, in which case the bag is essentially shot with no way to close it.

I use Ziplocs to repackage my backpacking food more efficiently for space. After transferring food from its original packaging to a Ziploc, I close it nearly all the way but leave a small opening at one end. I then suck all the air out by mouth to minimize its volume. (Be careful doing this if you're packaging powdery items like hot chocolate or pancake mix or you'll be hacking dust for several minutes afterward.)

Finally, consider double-bagging your food if it will be put through extreme abuse (like being stuffed and restuffed into a bear canister) or if a significant amount of material will leak out through even a small hole (hot chocolate powder, etc.).

I usually purchase the gallon size bags for maximum versatility. Smaller pint- and quart-sized bags are also available if you prefer a smaller option for your packing needs.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Made in the USA: New Balance of Boston, Mass.

2011-05-18T20:00:00.001-04:00

Part 12 in an ongoing series highlighting Northeast-based gear companies. Have you ever tried to find a pair of shoes that was made in America? It's not easy. These days the overwhelming majority of footwear is manufactured overseas, especially China. When it comes to running shoes, in fact, only one company still manufactures footwear in America: New Balance.

Founded and still headquartered in Boston, New Balance operates five domestic factories. They're all in New England (Boston and Lawrence, Mass.; Norridgewock, Skowhegan, and Norway, Maine). Together they produce 25 percent of New Balance shoes sold in North America, collectively provide more than 2,000 jobs, and are economic mainstays in their communities, especially in the smaller Maine towns.

New Balance prominently identifies its Made in the USA shoe styles, which the company defines as "proudly manufactured in the USA with a minimum of 70% domestic value." They also include another category, Assembled in the USA, which indicates that the shoe was made in U.S. factories using mostly imported materials. The New Balance site offers extensive info and videos about it all on their USA Collection page.

New Balance is also a great option for giant-footed individuals like me; many of their styles go to size 16. Other styles offer a range of widths, perfect for folks with thin and narrow (or fat and flat) feet.

Support your Northeast gear companies! Here are the 11 others I've profiled to date:
Delorme (Yarmouth, Maine)
Ibex Outdoor Clothing (White River Junction, Vt.)
Jetboil (Manchester, N.H.)
New England Ropes (Fall River, Mass.)
Nemo Equipment (Manchester, N.H.)
Orion Signal and Survival Products (Easton, Md.)
Dermatone Sunscreen (Windsor, Ct.)
Darn Tough Socks (Northfield, Vt.)
STABILicers (Biddeford, Maine)
Noble Biomaterials (Scranton, Pa.)
Hyperlite Mountain Gear (Biddeford, Maine)

Have a suggestion for a Northeast-based gear company to profile? Please let me know!

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Survival Essentials: The World's Loudest Whistle

2011-05-16T20:00:00.000-04:00

A whistle is an essential piece of survival equipment. This lightweight and inexpensive piece of gear can provide the margin between life and death in the event of a backcountry mishap—especially if you're alone or separated from your group. And the louder the whistle, the better the odds that rescuers will find you.

Unlike the human voice, which is only discernible for a few hundred yards, the piercing sound of a loud whistle can be heard more than a mile away. What's more, you can only shout for a short period before your voice tires but you can blow a whistle in regular bursts almost indefinitely. (A series of three short blasts is the universal distress signal.)

Dozens of whistles are available. Most retail for $5 or less, weigh less than an ounce, and are compact and easy to carry. The loudest, however, seems to be the Storm Whistle, which has been recorded at volumes up to 130 decibels (equivalent to a roaring jet engine at 100 feet)—not something you want to test near your hiking buddies!

The Storm Whistle is bulkier than other survival whistles, due to its unique sound-amplifying chamber design (check out the Storm Whistles FAQ page for more). However, it's still very lightweight (0.75 ounce) and inexpensive ($6). A smaller and more compact version is available as well (the Windstorm Whistle, 0.48 ounce), though it's not as loud.

A whistle is only one element of a good, basic, lightweight survival kit, which should also include a fire starter for emergency warmth and heavy duty trash bags for emergency protection from the elements. For more, read my Equipped article Survive or Die: The difference may be only a few ounces of essential gear.

"Equipped" is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

A Sticky Situation: Tincture of Benzoin and Blister Treatment and Prevention

2011-05-08T20:00:00.001-04:00

There are a lot of different blister prevention and treatment products out there for your feet. There's only one problem: All of them must stay in position to protect the blister or hot spot. The best blister product on Earth won't do your chafing heel any good if it slips off and ends up on the bottom of your foot. The stickiest, best solution to this challenge? Tincture of benzoin.

I'm blessed with extremely sweaty feet, which has given me the opportunity to test a range of blister products in a very high moisture environment. And sure enough, I've discovered that nothing sticks well to a sheen of sweat. Even if I stick something to completely dry feet, it soon succumbs to the sweaty foot tide underneath. And I've tried a lot of things: moleskin, molefoam, Spenco 2nd Skin, Blist-O-Ban, even nylon repair tape (one of the best, stickiest options actually). All of them work for a while, but they also all eventually slip.

When I'm desperate for maximum adhesion I pull out the big gun: a small bottle of tincture of benzoin. Benzoin is a very sticky resin obtained from the Styrax genus of trees and shrubs, most of which grow in tropical and sub-tropical regions like southeast Asia and equatorial South America. (Most commercially produced benzoin resin comes from Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.) Tincture of benzoin is simply benzoin resin dissolved in alcohol.

When it comes to dressings for blisters and hot spots, here's how I use it. First, the application area should be completely dry; letting your foot dry this much requires patience if you're dealing with it in the middle of a hike. Second, apply a thin layer of tincture of benzoin and let it air for a few minutes so the alcohol can evaporate, leaving the sticky stuff behind. Then place your preferred blister treatment on top of it.

Tincture of benzoin can also be used to toughen up sensitive spots. Some hikers and athletes will apply it to known hotspots in the days or weeks prior to activity, creating a more blister-resistant layer of skin in high-friction zones. It is also widely used in first aid to provide better adhesion for bandages and medical tape.

Tincture of benzoin is available at most drug stores; you may need to ask for it in the pharmacy. A one- to two-ounce bottle—good for dozens of applications—sells for roughly $10. If you're saving weight, you can sometimes find it in single-use ampules.

"Equipped" is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Reinventing the Bike Lock: Meet the TiGr!

2011-05-04T20:00:00.001-04:00

Bike locks come in only a handful of basic designs. Now an inventor in Tewksbury, N.J., has introduced a radical titanium rethink of the entire genre: the TiGr lock.

The TiGr lock is an ultralight titanium band long enough to secure your bike frame and both tires to a post or other object up to roughly 5 inches in diameter. After wrapping the band around your bike, you secure the two ends with a cylinder lock that "uses a highly pick-resistant and environmentally robust rotary disc key mechanism." When not in use, the TiGr lock wraps around the top tube of the bike frame and is secured with some simple straps (see photo).

Prototypes of the TiGr lock have been developed in two widths: 0.75" or 1.25". The thinner version weighs less than a pound (14.5 ounces, including cylinder lock). The thicker comes in at 22.8 ounces. Compare this to most U-locks, which typically weigh several pounds. No word yet on possible prices for the TiGr lock.

The developer of TiGr, John Loughlin, also touts the theft-resistance of his invention. The 1.25-inch version can't be snipped even with a pair of 48-inch bolt cutters and it takes twice as long to saw through it compared to a classic D-lock made of stainless steel. Here's a "destructive testing" video demonstrating it all (with lots of sawing and failed bolt cutter action).

At the moment, the TiGr is just a working prototype. But you can help make it a reality. Loughlin is attempting to commercially launch his new product with the help of Kick Starter, an innovative web site that helps inventors fund their projects through community-based financial support. You can help make projects like TiGr a reality by pledging as little as $1 to the effort. (Very neat concept—I had never heard of Kick Starter until researching this post.) Here's the TiGr Kick Starter page.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Backpack to the Future: Five trends in pack design and technology

2011-05-01T20:00:00.000-04:00

Backpack styles have proliferated in recent years, creating a dizzying rainbow of high-tech, specialized designs in all shapes, sizes, and weights. Today's packs are often created for very specific activities. A growing spectrum of load-carrying technology is used. Lightweight and ultralight styles are increasingly common. An astonishing range of fit adjustments are available. And recycled fabrics have finally begun to appear in pack construction. Expect all of these trends to continue in the years ahead...

This column originally appeared in the April edition of AMC Outdoors Online. You can read the full story here.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

(photograph by iStock)

Super Laces?

2011-04-27T20:00:00.001-04:00

Sometimes you find big innovation in the lowliest places. Like the top of your shoes. It is there that you duly ignore the humble shoelace when it does its job and stays tied. Only when your shoelace fails does it earn your attention—and it's not usually positive thoughts. Now you can spare untied shoelaces your scorn with the new Sure Lock lace from New Balance.

The Sure Lock lace features what New Balance describes as a "reciprocating wave pattern." Essentially, the lace is alternately narrow and wide along its entire length. The wider sections give the appearance of the lace "bubbling" out; hence you'll also often see them referred to as "bubble laces."

The idea behind them is simple. When you tie them or run them through the eyelets on your shoes, they inherently cinch down on a narrower section. The wider adjacent section then faces much greater resistance to pulling through. It evidently works—they earn rave reviews for staying tied and keeping taut across your instep.

Here's a link to the New Balance video on YouTube that shows more detail. You can buy a pair from a variety of retailers, including Amazon, for $2.99.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Ultralight Trekking Poles

2011-04-25T20:00:00.001-04:00

Most trekking poles weigh about 8 ounces each (roughly a pound per pair). Lightweight versions dip down into the 5-6 ounce range. But did you know that styles are available weighing less than 3 ounces?

I'm a big fan of trekking poles and use them regularly to reduce knee compression and pain on downhill descents, improve balance over uneven terrain, and make stream crossings a snap. (They do have their downsides, however. For a complete overview of their pros and cons, check out my Equipped article: Sticks and Stones—The Pros, Cons, and Proper Use of Trekking Poles.)

The vast majority of trekking poles feature two or three adjustable sections that collapse down for strapping to the side of your pack. But this standard design adds weight and material. Gossamer Gear strips out these grams with its fixed-length LT3C trekking poles ($110). Made from a single shaft of carbon fiber with strapless EVA foam grips (pictured), the poles are available in increments of 5cm, from 110cm to 130cm. Depending on the length, each pole weighs a mere 2.7 - 2.9 ounces without baskets (they add 0.4 ounce each).

Fixed-length poles are inconvenient to carry if you're not using them, however. For less than an ounce more, Gossamer Gear offers the adjustable, two-section LT4 trekking poles (3.6 ounces each, $160), also without straps. For straps, you'll need to get the LT4S trekking poles with straps (4.1 ounces each, $175).

Another ultralight trekking pole option are the Adjustable Goat Poles from Titanium Goat, a two-section collapsible set weighing in at a mere 3.5 ounces each (baskets, included with the $130 price, add 0.2 ounce each). Like the Gossamer Gear models, they use carbon fiber to keep the weight down.

There's a big potential trade-off with carbon fiber, however. It saves ounces, but if it breaks, it fractures beyond repair. (Aluminum poles, on the other hand, can almost always be bent back into shape if damaged.) But the Goat Poles certainly look strong and resilient, as this picture from the Titanium Goat web site attests!

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Gear Watch: Square Bike Tubes

2011-04-24T20:00:00.002-04:00

The Michelin Man has unveiled his latest creation: the Michelin Michelin Protek Max. It's a tube for your bike tire with some unusual qualities. First, it's square in cross-section. Second, it's dimpled with raised circles on three sides. Third, these features combine to give it the ability to self-seal in the event of a puncture, reducing the chances of a blowout on your next ride.

When a traditional bike tube is punctured, the air pressure inside creates an expansive force on the hole. This "balloon effect" can increase the size of the puncture and lead to rapid deflation. In contrast, the Protek Max is engineered to instead create a compressive force on the puncture that can reduce its size and even seal it closed. The inside of the tube is coated with a layer of sealant, as well, further amplifying this effect.

Here's a mock-up from Michelin illustrating the effect.

Michelin also claims that the square shape of the tube allows it to naturally sit in proper position. No more worming a twisty sausage shaped tube into position. The Protek Max is currently available with Presta or Schrader valves for both road bikes (sizes 700 x 35-47c) and mountain and other wide-tire bikes (26 x 1.4-2.125 inches). It retails for around $8.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Synthetic Insulation: The Long and Short of It

2011-04-20T20:00:00.001-04:00

If you've shopped for outdoor gear, you've seen the zillions of labels identifying what type of synthetic insulation is in that coveted sleeping bag or jacket. Primaloft, Polarguard, Thinsulate, Climashield... the list goes on and on. But do you know which of these are short staple and which are continuous filament? And why it matters?

Short-staple insulation consists of a huge collection of short synthetic fibers, each usually less than 2 inches long, that interlock with each other to create a layer of insulation. In contrast, continuous filament insulation consists of a single, long fiber that weaves around and interlocks with itself.

The fibers in short-staple insulation are often smaller in diameter than those used in continuous filament. This, coupled with the fact that the fibers are able to move more or less independently, makes short-staple insulation more compressible than continuous filament. The fibers are also more tightly packed together, creating more dead air spaces—and thus more warmth for the weight. The short length of the fiber creates a much puffier, down-like feel; most garments stuffed with short-staple insulation will be very soft and flexible, draping closely against your body. Finally, this type of synthetic insulation is the most compressible synthetic insulation available.

The downside? Short-staple insulation has a tendency to move around over time and use, creating lumps and cold spots—especially after months of repeatedly cramming it into a stuff sack. (For this reason, you seldom see short-staple insulation in sleeping bags.) It also tends to lose loft (and thus warmth) faster than its continuous filament brethren. Most versions of Primaloft use short-staple insulation. Thinsulate is another.

Continuous filament insulation is more durable and retains loft longer than short-staple. It also tends not to shift around with use and abuse. This is what you usually find in sleeping bags. Continuous filament is relatively stiff, however, which makes it less desirable for use in jackets and other garments. It does tend to retain more loft and warmth over time than short-staple insulation. Insulations from Polarguard and Climashield usually feature continuous filament technology.

All this raises a bit of a dilemma. When they're new, short-staple insulations are clearly better than continuous filament: lighter, warmer, and more compressible. But fast forward a year of regular outdoor use. Now the continuous filament is warmer for its weight. Hmmm... (Note that neither will be as warm as the day you bought it; all synthetic insulation loses a noticeable amount of loft and warmth with use.)

At least now you're armed with the knowledge to make the decision that's right for you!

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Image courtesy of Primaloft.

Appalachian Trail: The Latest Stats, Books, and Maps

2011-04-17T20:00:00.001-04:00

It's the time of year when aspiring thru-hikers have descended en masse on the Appalachian Trail. How many will make it the entire way?

Based on statistics from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), would-be thru-hikers heading northbound from the southern terminus in Georgia have a better than 90 percent chance of completing the first 30 miles, about a 50 percent chance of making it halfway to Harpers Ferry, and only a 25 to 30 percent chance of making it all the way to Katahdin in Maine. These are just some of the fun statistics kept by the ATC.

You can browse all the stats here, which includes eight years of info on southbounders, flip-floppers, section hikers, and more.

The ATC also offers the best, most comprehensive online store for books, maps, and other materials related to the AT. Here's a quick update on what's new for the 2011 season:

Appalachian Trail Data Book and Thru-Hikers' Companion
Updated every year, these two references are once again fresh for the planning. The Data Book ($6.95) lists trail distances between shelters, road crossings, and other significant landmarks in a slim pocket-size volume. The Thru-Hikers' Companion ($14.95) is a succinct overview of the entire trail, including planning, highlights, and amenities along the way.

New State Guides
New editions are available this season for the Massachusetts/Connecticut Guide and Maps ($27.95), Central Virginia Guide and Maps ($22.95), and Southwest Virginia Guide and Maps ($22.95). (FYI, several of my personal top 10 favorite hikes in New England involve portions of the AT in Massachusetts and Connecticut.)

Cool New Accessories: 2,181 Decal and 3-D View from Space
At 2,181 miles, the Appalachian Trail is now 1.9 miles longer than it used to be (see my January post for more info). Stay up to date with a new 2,181 Decal ($1.95). Finally, new for 2011, you can purchase a 3-D, raised relief map of the entire AT as seen from space ($49.95, more if framed). Seems like a very absorbing motivator, memento, or just a very cool thing to hang on your wall.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

What's on My Bookshelf: Natural History Guides, Part 2

2011-04-13T20:00:00.001-04:00

Last week I posted several of my favorite, go-to natural history guides for the Northeast. Here are a few more favorites, including several that cover topics not featured in my original post.

Forest Trees of Maine: Centennial Edition
Maine Forest Service
In 2008, the Maine Forest Service published the 100th anniversary edition to this wonderful guide to the state's tree species. It's a comprehensive round-up of all trees in Maine, though nearly all of the species can be found across northern New England and New York. Many also grow in southern New England and points south. One of the best features of this guide is its side-by-side comparison of similar species, which allows you to quickly learn the key distinguishing differences between different varieties of spruce, birch, oaks, and more. Available for free download as a pdf, or you can order a print version for $15.

AMC Field Guide to the New England Alpine Summits
Nancy Slack and Allison Bell
The Northeast offers more above-treeline acreage than anywhere else east of the Rockies. This harsh environment is home to a rugged, unique collection of flora found nowhere else in the region. Expand your alpine knowledge with this slim, pocket-sized field guide that focuses exclusively on this ecosystem—and fits handily into your pack for your next peak-bagging adventure.

Newcomb's Wildflower Guide
Lawrence Newcomb
April and May are prime time for wildflowers in the Northeast. If you're interested in identifying those beautiful blossoms underfoot, this is the guide to buy. Newcomb's unique classification system allows you to quickly hone in on the flower type using three simple criteria: flower type (number of petals), leaf type, and plant type. In general, the system is intuitive and easy-to-use, even if you have limited knowledge of flower terminology or anatomy.

New AMC Books
While I'm talking books, I would be remiss for not mentioning several new releases from AMC Books, including AMC's Best Day Hikes in the White Mountains and Passport to AMC's High Huts of the White Mountains. There are also new editions available for AMC's Best Day Hikes Near Boston and AMC's Best Day Hikes in the Catskills.

Do you have a favorite natural history guide for the Northeast? Please let me know!

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Google Earth: New Mountain Layer Features

2011-04-10T20:00:00.001-04:00

Daydreaming about the summits you'll climb this summer? Google Earth has just added several new features to further inspire your desktop plotting, including aerial tours of most major peaks, elevation profiles, and quick links to related images.

First, if you haven't already done so, download and install the latest version of Google Earth. It's free. Open it up and make sure the "Mountains" box in the Layers sidebar on the left hand side is checked (it's under the "Labels" category). Now head to whichever mountain or region interests you, either by flying and zooming around manually or entering your desired peak into the search box. A green, twin-peaked mountain icon appears on most prominent summits—click on it to open an embedded screen with information and options.

By far the most compelling option is a 360-degree aerial tour that allows you to fly around the peak, pausing at any point for closer inspection (such as Katahdin in Maine, pictured in the accompanying screen shot). You can also view an elevation profile for multiple cross-sections of the mountain, view a collection of photos from on and around the summit, and link directly to the mountain's Wikipedia page.

Almost every major summit in the Northeast is included in this new Mountains layer, delicious electronic fodder for peak-baggers eager to hit the trails this season.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

What's on my Bookshelf: Natural History Guides

2011-04-06T20:00:00.002-04:00

Snow has all but disappeared in southern New England and is steadily retreating northward (check out the latest snow depth map). In its wake, spring has sprung on the forest floor and green life has begun its rapid return. It's the time of year when I brush up on my field identification skills so that I can enhance my appreciation and understanding of this most special time of year. Here are the books I return to time and again for reference.

The Tree Identification Book
The Shrub Identification Book
George W.D. Symonds
These books use a visual method to help you identify all of the tree and shrub species throughout New England and much of the Northeast. Excellent photographs and illustrations of leaves, bark, branch patterns, flowers, berries/fruit, and more make this one of the most useful guides for determining species. Don't let the publishing date (1973) dissuade you—it's a timeless reference and must-have resource.

Sierra Club Naturalist's Guide to Southern New England
Neil Jorgensen
The Sierra Club published an excellent series of Naturalist's Guides to locations throughout the U.S. in the early 1980s, including southern New England, the North Atlantic Coast, and the Middle Atlantic Coast. As a Massachusetts resident, I constantly refer to the Southern New England title, which provides an exceptional, comprehensive overview of the region's ecosystem types and common species therein. It's unfortunately out of print at the moment, though you can find used copies online. Worth the effort to track it down.

The Nature of Vermont
Charles W. Johnson
A similar comprehensive overview to the state of Vermont. I've been unable to find equivalent titles for Maine and New Hampshire, but since much of the forest types and ecosystems are similar across much of northern New England, this serves as an excellent regional proxy.

Roadside Geology Guides
Mountain Press Publishing Company
Spring is a great time to check out geology—foliage has not yet had a chance to cloak interesting and insightful outcrops. The Roadside Geology series provides an excellent layman's overview of the geologic history and interpretation of the Northeast states, all of which can be viewed from major highways and travel corridors throughout the region. Titles are available for Maine; New Hampshire & Vermont; Massachusetts; Connecticut & Rhode Island; New York; and Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C.

Reading the Forested Landscape
Tom Wessels
An exceptional overview for interpreting the history of a given forested area based on clues in the landscape, including stone walls, tree types and ages, animal activity, and more. Beautiful woodcuts illustrate the key points in each chapter. There's also a new companion book, Forest Forensics: A Field Guide to Reading the Forested Landscape. Read more in my February 16 post: Two New Guidebooks to the Forested Landscape.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Which Canoe For You? Understanding the options

2011-04-03T20:00:00.003-04:00

It's summertime at the lake. The family clan gathers. It's a paddle-happy reunion—and everybody wants to go canoeing. There's only one problem. A flotilla of different canoes is stored in the shed. Some family members even brought their own boats! How will they decide which to use? Their choices will help guide you to the right canoe for your needs.

The Recreational Canoe
Young nephew Jimmy charges down to the water. "Me first! Me first!" he cries in glee, eager to paddle on this calm, fair-weather day...

This column originally appeared in the March/April edition of AMC Outdoors. You can read the full story here.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

(photograph by Jerry and Marcy Monkman)

Gear Watch: Supercollar

2011-03-31T18:43:00.010-04:00

What's a supercollar? It's a dog collar with a built-in retractable leash. A molded rubber handle secures to the collar. When you need it, simply undo the quick-release turn lock and pull the handle. Two thin steel cables extend up to 36 inches from small housings on either side of the collar for instant canine control.

According to supercollar.com, each cable has a breaking strength of more than 100 pounds, plenty even for the feistiest trail buddy. As you release tension, the cables automatically go back into the housing, thanks to "patented waterproof retractors with dirt and debris flushing technology." The supercollar is further featurized with reflective tabs and standard metal D-rings for clipping a regular leash.

It seems like an excellent solution for situations where you may be leashing and unleashing your dogs multiple times, like an off-leash run through the local woods where you may meet other people and/or dogs who may be skittish around an unleashed dog. Or for that short distance between your car and the trailhead, where you want to leash your dog for safety from vehicles. Or for emergency situations where you must immediately gain complete control of your animal.

The supercollar caught my attention because it won a 3M-sponsored In-New-Vation Award at 2011 Winter Outdoor Retailer. It has garnered considerable press and numerous other accolades as well. The supercollar retails for $39.95.

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Avalanches in Tuckerman Ravine: Best Videos

2011-03-28T20:00:00.003-04:00

Three skiers triggered an avalanche in Tuckerman Ravine earlier this month, which was captured on video. This video, along with a collection of others, highlights the very real risk of avalanches for spring skiers heading up north in the weeks ahead. Let these be a reminder to always check the current avalanche forecast from the Mount Washington Avalanche Center. And to always carry—and know how to use—the essentials of avalanche safety: beacon, probe, and shovel.

March 19, 2011

April 25, 2009

And this one just in from this past weekend: March 26, 2011

Here's one from 2009 (uploaded May 3, 2009)

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

New England National Scenic Trail: What's New for 2011

2011-03-27T20:00:00.002-04:00

It runs 220 miles across Connecticut and Massachusetts, touring the full ecological, historical, and scenic diversity of southern New England. The New England National Scenic Trail celebrates its second anniversary on Wednesday, March 30 and begins its next season of snow-free outdoor fun. Here are some of the latest developments—and trip-planning resources—for 2011.

Interactive Trail Map A Google-map based work-in-progress, the map currently shows the entire trail route at whatever zoom-level you choose. Basic at this point, but watch for more access information—including trailheads and parking lots—in the coming months. I would expect this to become increasingly rich with content, images, etc. in the coming years.

2010 Notable Trail Accomplishments The New England National Scenic Trail (NET) was a flurry of activity in 2010. For a full overview of the highlights, read the NET 2010 Accomplishments Report. Here's what jumped out at me: Volunteers constructed 16 NET kiosks for placement at major trailheads throughout 2011. Report lists 5 thru-hikers so far. New 1.5-mile connector trail added in Ragged Mountain Preserve, Conn.

Guidebooks No detailed NET trail descriptions are currently available online. Detailed descriptions of the Massachusetts portion can be found in the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail Guide, available from AMC's Berkshire Chapter. For Connecticut, use The Connecticut Walk Book East and West, available from Connecticut Forest & Park Association. The trail is also included in AMC's Massachusetts Trail Guide, 9th ed. (AMC Books).

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear of Biddeford, Maine

2011-03-25T13:14:00.015-04:00

Part 11 in an ongoing series highlighting Northeast-based gear companies.

Ever hear of Cuben fiber? Originally designed for high-end racing sails, this stuff is half the weight of silnylon, 50-70 percent lighter than Kevlar and four times as strong, and 100 percent waterproof. By incorporating this magic stuff into their product line, Maine-based Hyperlite Mountain Gear is creating a new standard for the lightest weight outdoor gear.

I can't resist adding more details about Cuben fiber, courtesy of the Hyperlite Mountain Gear web site: "Cuben Fiber is a high-performance, non-woven, rip-stop, composite laminate developed in the 1990s by a nuclear weapons physicist and an aerospace composite engineer. Technically speaking, Cuben fiber is a laminated fabric made using patented technologies with unidirectional prepregnated tapes of in-line plasma treated fibers that are spread into mono-filament level films. In more simple terms, Cuben fiber is made by sandwiching Spectra or Dyneema polyethylene fiber filaments a thousandth of an inch thick, in various arrangements between thin outer layers of polyester film. The 'sandwich' is then melded together in a high-pressure autoclave." So there you go.

The upshot is that this stuff has tremendous potential for use in ultralight—er, hyperlight—shelters and backpacks. The downside? It's spendy stuff—in-line plasma treated fibers and high-pressure autoclave melding apparently don't come cheap. But if you're after some of the lightest, most durable ounce-shaving shelters available, then you should consider Hyperlite's Echo I or Echo II shelter systems (23.7 ounces with guylines, $520; 29.5 ounces, $620). These floorless shelters are designed to be used with trekking poles for support. For the hyperlightest option, consider an Echo I tarp, a 51-square-foot solo tarp that weighs in at a mere 8.0 ounces with guylines ($270).

It's a better cost story, however, when it comes to Hyperlite's excellent backpack offering: the Windrider Ultralight Pack. Rated "Best Ultralight Backpack" in Backpacker Magazine's 2011 Gear Guide, it is stripped down simplicity in all its glory and weighs a scant 1 pound, 9.5 ounces. The Windrider is a more affordable ($255) option compared to their tarps and shelters, due evidently to the use of "rip-stop Cuben fiber/nylon hybrid material" which must be cheaper than pure Cuben fiber. The hybrid material is still 100 percent waterproof and this, along with the roll-down cinch top, makes the pack entirely watertight—no rain cover required.

Support your Northeast gear companies! Here are the 10 others I've profiled to date:
Delorme (Yarmouth, Maine)
Ibex Outdoor Clothing (White River Junction, Vt.)
Jetboil (Manchester, N.H.)
New England Ropes (Fall River, Mass.)
Nemo Equipment (Manchester, N.H.)
Orion Signal and Survival Products (Easton, Md.)
Dermatone Sunscreen (Windsor, Ct.)
Darn Tough Socks (Northfield, Vt.)
STABILicers (Biddeford, Maine)
Noble Biomaterials (Scranton, Pa.)

Have a suggestion for a Northeast-based gear company to profile? Please let me know!

“Equipped” is an AMC Outdoors blog, written by Matt Heid.

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