Comments on: How to get started backpacking [and contest!] http://matadornetwork.com/sports/how-to-get-started-backpacking/ travel culture worldwide Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:22:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Bedarda http://matadornetwork.com/sports/how-to-get-started-backpacking/#comment-94000 Bedarda Mon, 24 Oct 2011 23:58:00 +0000 http://matadorsports.com/?p=283#comment-94000 Wonderful article,  I prefer ultra light two man tents.. the latest breed such as the Big Agnes Fly Creek II weigh  about 2 1/2 lbs   http://www.humbleoutdoors.com On a cold rainy night, I will take a well made tent! Wonderful article,  I prefer ultra light two man tents.. the latest breed such as the Big Agnes Fly Creek II weigh  about 2 1/2 lbs   http://www.humbleoutdoors.com

On a cold rainy night, I will take a well made tent!

]]> By: Bedarda http://matadornetwork.com/sports/how-to-get-started-backpacking/#comment-94001 Bedarda Mon, 24 Oct 2011 23:58:00 +0000 http://matadorsports.com/?p=283#comment-94001 Wonderful article,  I prefer ultra light two man tents.. the latest breed such as the Big Agnes Fly Creek II weigh  about 2 1/2 lbs   http://www.humbleoutdoors.com On a cold rainy night, I will take a well made tent! Wonderful article,  I prefer ultra light two man tents.. the latest breed such as the Big Agnes Fly Creek II weigh  about 2 1/2 lbs   http://www.humbleoutdoors.com

On a cold rainy night, I will take a well made tent!

]]> By: Bedarda http://matadornetwork.com/sports/how-to-get-started-backpacking/#comment-94002 Bedarda Mon, 24 Oct 2011 23:58:00 +0000 http://matadorsports.com/?p=283#comment-94002 Wonderful article,  I prefer ultra light two man tents.. the latest breed such as the Big Agnes Fly Creek II weigh  about 2 1/2 lbs   http://www.humbleoutdoors.com On a cold rainy night, I will take a well made tent! Wonderful article,  I prefer ultra light two man tents.. the latest breed such as the Big Agnes Fly Creek II weigh  about 2 1/2 lbs   http://www.humbleoutdoors.com

On a cold rainy night, I will take a well made tent!

]]> By: Bedarda http://matadornetwork.com/sports/how-to-get-started-backpacking/#comment-94003 Bedarda Mon, 24 Oct 2011 23:58:00 +0000 http://matadorsports.com/?p=283#comment-94003 Wonderful article,  I prefer ultra light two man tents.. the latest breed such as the Big Agnes Fly Creek II weigh  about 2 1/2 lbs   http://www.humbleoutdoors.com On a cold rainy night, I will take a well made tent! Wonderful article,  I prefer ultra light two man tents.. the latest breed such as the Big Agnes Fly Creek II weigh  about 2 1/2 lbs   http://www.humbleoutdoors.com

On a cold rainy night, I will take a well made tent!

]]> By: ‘The Dime Traveler’ ep.1 http://matadornetwork.com/sports/how-to-get-started-backpacking/#comment-79925 ‘The Dime Traveler’ ep.1 Fri, 13 May 2011 15:42:32 +0000 http://matadorsports.com/?p=283#comment-79925 [...] In this web series, Brandon moves around the European continent, visiting popular destinations for backpackers, and illuminating ways to pinch pennies. First stop: Munich Germany, where he prioritizes his [...] [...] In this web series, Brandon moves around the European continent, visiting popular destinations for backpackers, and illuminating ways to pinch pennies. First stop: Munich Germany, where he prioritizes his [...]

]]> By: Where to Hike After You’ve Finished the Appalachian Trail http://matadornetwork.com/sports/how-to-get-started-backpacking/#comment-43431 Where to Hike After You’ve Finished the Appalachian Trail Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:47:20 +0000 http://matadorsports.com/?p=283#comment-43431 [...] to the trails? Check out our article on how to get started backpacking. var ids = new Array; ids.push(514); Tagged under: appalachian trail, backpacking, Bicentennial [...] [...] to the trails? Check out our article on how to get started backpacking. var ids = new Array; ids.push(514); Tagged under: appalachian trail, backpacking, Bicentennial [...]

]]> By: 10 Essential Items For Backcountry Travel http://matadornetwork.com/sports/how-to-get-started-backpacking/#comment-43045 10 Essential Items For Backcountry Travel Sun, 17 Jan 2010 02:37:36 +0000 http://matadorsports.com/?p=283#comment-43045 [...] of heading out camping in the backcountry but don’t know how to start? Check out the piece, How to Get Started Backpacking. There’s also a free book up for grabs. var ids = new Array; ids.push(767); Tagged under: [...] [...] of heading out camping in the backcountry but don’t know how to start? Check out the piece, How to Get Started Backpacking. There’s also a free book up for grabs. var ids = new Array; ids.push(767); Tagged under: [...]

]]> By: Brooks http://matadornetwork.com/sports/how-to-get-started-backpacking/#comment-42964 Brooks Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:25:38 +0000 http://matadorsports.com/?p=283#comment-42964 Great article. I think you really hit the nail on the head, especially when you were discussing appropriate clothing to take. It's very common for first-time backpackers to overpack on their first trip, so this is a great guide for beginners. One important thing that I think this article overlooked is hydration. As an avid hiker/backpacker, I can't stress enough what a difference it makes if you're well hydrated before (and, of course, during) your trip. I'd recommend drinking a supplement (<a href="http://store.mpgear.com/nuunactivehydration.aspx" rel="nofollow">nuun</a>, <a href="http://store.mpgear.com/search.aspx?find=elixir&log=false&manufacturer=59" rel="nofollow">Camelbak Elixir</a>, etc.) infused bottle of water the day before and the day of your trip. Additionally, be sure to pack a <a href="http://store.mpgear.com/filtersandpurifiers.aspx" rel="nofollow">water filter/purifier</a> and/or plenty of iodine/purification tablets. You DO NOT want to get caught in the wilderness without a steady supply of clean water, so this is the one area where I would definitely recommend overpacking, just to be on the safe side. Tablets are small and practically weightless, so I repeat, BRING EXTRA. I hope everyone has a safe and happy trip on their next adventure! Great article. I think you really hit the nail on the head, especially when you were discussing appropriate clothing to take. It’s very common for first-time backpackers to overpack on their first trip, so this is a great guide for beginners.

One important thing that I think this article overlooked is hydration. As an avid hiker/backpacker, I can’t stress enough what a difference it makes if you’re well hydrated before (and, of course, during) your trip. I’d recommend drinking a supplement (nuun, Camelbak Elixir, etc.) infused bottle of water the day before and the day of your trip. Additionally, be sure to pack a water filter/purifier and/or plenty of iodine/purification tablets. You DO NOT want to get caught in the wilderness without a steady supply of clean water, so this is the one area where I would definitely recommend overpacking, just to be on the safe side. Tablets are small and practically weightless, so I repeat, BRING EXTRA.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy trip on their next adventure!

]]> By: Julie http://matadornetwork.com/sports/how-to-get-started-backpacking/#comment-42769 Julie Fri, 03 Jul 2009 22:35:15 +0000 http://matadorsports.com/?p=283#comment-42769 Congrats, Neal; you're the winner of our contest! Please contact me at julie@matadornetwork.com to indicate your address so we can send you Alexandre's books! Congrats, Neal; you’re the winner of our contest!
Please contact me at julie@matadornetwork.com to indicate your address so we can send you Alexandre’s books!

]]> By: Stef http://matadornetwork.com/sports/how-to-get-started-backpacking/#comment-42779 Stef Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:58:00 +0000 http://matadorsports.com/?p=283#comment-42779 My first backpacking adventure was in the urban jungles of Europe. After college, a friend and I grabbed Eurail passes, backpacks and a box of Luna bars, and hopped on a plane bound for Paris (via Reykjavik). We brought way too many clothes, way too little camping soap to wash out those clothes in hostel (or hostile, depending on the city) sinks, but just the right amount of clueless optimism. The top two things I learned about backpacking around Europe: 1.Try to make reservations, or at least know where some potential lodgings might be. Nothing can ruin a city faster than wasting a day wandering around with a pack on your back (My first impressions of Florence were forever tainted). 2.Never think you’ll be able to sleep sitting up on an overnight train. After a night spent pushing a drunk dude’s head repeatedly off my shoulder, I would’ve gladly paid extra for a sleeping car. My first backpacking adventure was in the urban jungles of Europe. After college, a friend and I grabbed Eurail passes, backpacks and a box of Luna bars, and hopped on a plane bound for Paris (via Reykjavik). We brought way too many clothes, way too little camping soap to wash out those clothes in hostel (or hostile, depending on the city) sinks, but just the right amount of clueless optimism. The top two things I learned about backpacking around Europe:

1.Try to make reservations, or at least know where some potential lodgings might be. Nothing can ruin a city faster than wasting a day wandering around with a pack on your back (My first impressions of Florence were forever tainted).

2.Never think you’ll be able to sleep sitting up on an overnight train. After a night spent pushing a drunk dude’s head repeatedly off my shoulder, I would’ve gladly paid extra for a sleeping car.

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