The Backpacker

Bed frames are made from trees, but sleeping bags? Why not, reckon Vaude, the German mountain sports company.

The insulation for a new range of Vaude sleeping bags due in 2010, will comprise 50% Tencel, a more benign form of nasty old viscose (aka Rayon), made from plantation tree pulp in a process that recycles most of the production solvents. Tencel is a relatively new fibre, having first appeared in 1987, and scoring its own textile category, known as Lyocell. Interest in the fibre waned for a while, but has been revived of late, with a whole raft of new fabrications coming to light.

This being one of them. Lenzing, the makers of Tencel, claim that laboratory tests for a Tencel blended wadding, showed less heat loss than an all polyester insulation filling. Furthermore they believe it’s possible to get equal or better warmth than polyester insulation with less thickness of wadding.

Tencel, is a man-made cellulose fibre, sort of a hybrid natural material, with the raw material derived from a renewable resource, yet processed in a fibre extrusion process akin to that used for synthetic fibres. It absorbs moisture as if it was wool, but dries quickly mimicking petroleum based materials. Among its other properties it tends to have excellent drape — the way a material gently follows the curves of a body.

In Vaude’s case, they’ve teamed soft, drapey Tencel with recycled polyester to create the insulation for the ‘Blue Beech’ line of sleeping bags. There will be three models, covering both children and adults. The lining of the bag, although not disclosed, is a “bluesign certified fabric that is especially skin-friendly and meets highest ecological standards.”

Oh, and the reason we were alerted to this was that Vaude picked up a win the 2009 OutDoor Industry Award for “Products with high ecological and sustainable value.”

Look out for Tencel insulation also becoming more prevalent in household bedding and quilted apparel.

Choosing the right binoculars and spotting scopes is dependent on many factors, such as your primary use for the device, your desired options, and your budget.

Choosing Binoculars

Binoculars come in many different types. Specialized binoculars are available for birdwatchers, hunters, and other specific applications, such as sporting events. Discount binoculars may seem attractive, but your money will be wasted if the discount scope lacks the necessary features to inspire you to take them off the shelf and put them to use. The best binoculars for you are ones that have the features you want without adding unnecessary cost.

One very important feature to consider when choosing a pair of binoculars is weight and size. If you will be carrying your binoculars over long distances or packing a considerable amount of gear, you may want to choose compact, lightweight binoculars.

One important feature for those who wear eyeglasses is the type of eyepieces present on each model. Special eyecups are required to visualize properly with binoculars while wearing corrective lenses.

Nitrogen gas-filled binoculars keep the lenses from fogging up and are a desirable option for most. If you plan to use your binoculars to hunt at dusk or in other low-light conditions, you will need to choose a pair with wider lenses that allow in more light for better viewing conditions. Coated lenses can also improve the lighting, but add to the purchase price of the binoculars.

Most people, especially bird watchers, prefer a wider field of view. However, this requires sacrificing magnification to gain a greater visual area.

Popular Types of Binoculars

• night vision binoculars
• compact binoculars
• stabilized binoculars
• birding binoculars
• waterproof binoculars
• zoom binoculars
• digital camera binocular
• military binoculars
• digital binoculars

What’s Popular in Binoculars

Some popular brands of binoculars are Zeiss Binoculars, Bushnell Binoculars, Vivitar Binoculars, Steiner Binoculars, and Nikon Binoculars. You can read binocular reviews written by actual owners online to help you decide which brand you prefer.

Choosing a Spotting Scope

Spotting scopes are used to locate and observe objects the same as binoculars, but spotting scopes are much more powerful than binoculars. They are in essence portable telescopes designed to withstand the rigors of the outdoors and frequent transportation. Scopes provide a brighter, clearer image with greater detail than what is seen through a pair of binoculars.

Spotting scopes are available with either a straight body or an angled body. The difference is often a matter of personal preference.

When choosing a spotting scope, the greatest determining factor is your budget. You may want to field test a few different types of scopes to determine the most comfortable eye relief length for you.

Magnification is varied by replacing the lenses. Most wildlife and bird watchers prefer a magnification in the 20x- 40x range.

What’s Popular in Spotting Scopes

Popular brands of scopes are Carl Zeiss Scopes, Leupold Scopes, Leica Scopes, Burris scopes, Weaver Scopes, Nikon Scopes, and Bushnell Scopes.

Choosing between binoculars or a spotting scopes is an individualized process. Selecting the right binoculars or spotting scope for you depends greatly on your desired use and your budget.

Purchasing the most expensive devices or whatever happens to be on clearance that week is not the best method for selecting an ocular device. Spend some time researching brands and determining a desired feature set before making your purchase.

Ultra light backpacking and camping gear refers to specially designed gear that, once fully assembled, enables a pack to weigh less than 10 pounds.

This goal is sought out for conservation of energy on long and difficult hikes. It is also a desirable goal for minimalist hikers and campers.

The first step when attempting to pack an ultra light backpack is to eliminate all unnecessary items.

This means that your favorite coffee mug and that change of dry clothes gets left behind. If an item is not absolutely necessary for survival in the wild, it is not included. There is no room for comfort items in the ultra light backpack.

This includes eliminating any items that can substituted with an item found in the hiking environment.

Water, fuel, and basic elements of shelter can often be obtained from the natural environment while backpacking and camping, so minimal amounts of these items are carried on the hike. (This naturalist concept can be taken to the extreme by learning to live off the land as much as possible. Many popular backpacking and camping books are available on this subject.)

The next step is selecting gear made from lightweight materials. This process may begin by selecting a nylon backpack over canvas and choosing titanium over aluminum or stainless steel.

Finally, ultra light backpacking and camping seeks to find multiple uses for the same item. rain poncho may be used as a shelter or ground cover and selecting a heavier jacket can make it possible to pack a lighter-weight sleeping bag.

What to Pack: the Essentials

Every pack must contain necessary items for a shelter, a sleeping cover, and the means to transport these necessary items. Silicone tent poles and lightweight hammocks are popular choices for the ultra light backpacker.

The ultra light backpack itself is most often a frameless model, constructed of ripstop or silnylon. Even an internal frame backpack can significantly reduce the amount of weight a hiker carries. Tarps, down quilts and closed-cell sleeping mats are popular choices as well.

Some ultra light extremists prefer to make their own gear, rather than rely on the commercially manufactured options. The resulting gear can weigh as much as 50% less than a store bought pack.

Whether ultra light backpacking and camping is a reflection of your life’s philosophy or just a handy means to travel more country in a day, it is a great way to extend your camping and hiking horizons.

Great recipes for backpacking and camping excursions can vary from the basic to the elaborate. Even simple recipes cooked on an outdoor fire can taste exquisitely if prepared properly.

Knowing a few great recipes for backpacking and camping before you venture out into the wild can make your meals seem heavenly.

The Basics

Bisquick on a Stick
Everyone loves Bisquick on a stick. This camping tradition is simple enough for children to prepare and enjoyed by everyone.

Simply mix the batter with water and roll out a biscuit. Place it on the end of a sharpened stick and pinch the ends to secure. Roast over an open flame until golden brown. You can also use prepackaged biscuits from a pressurized cardboard tube. To satisfy a sweet tooth, brush melted butter on the outside, coat with sugar and fill the hole from the stick with jam, jelly, or fresh berries.

Mix up your own maple syrup for pouring over the biscuits by combining 1 cup of brown sugar, ¼ cup water and 2 tablespoons margarine. Heat until bubbly and serve warm.

Breakfast Bisquits
Last night’s can of beans can be washed and used to make the morning’s breakfast. Drop in a few tablespoons of biscuit mix, add an egg, and place the can in the fire for five minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper or cinnamon and sugar- eat with an oven mitt and spoon straight from the can!

Multipurpose Meals

Beef and Vegetables
Slice up beef into chunks, add carrots, potatoes, onions, celery, and broccoli, and pack in foil packets with a little butter or margarine. Place foil packs directly into the fire and roast for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic, or steak sauce for flavoring.

The leftover meat and vegetables can be made into soup if refrigerated. Add water and seasonings like parsley, oregano, and black pepper to taste. You can also add instant mashed potatoes to the broth for instant and nutritional thickening.

Tuna and Noodles
Boil noodles rapidly for 12 minutes and drain. Add one can of drained tuna and one can condensed cream of mushroom soup. Mix well and serve warm as a side dish.
(peas are optional).
Add salt, pepper and beef cubes to the leftover mixture along with broccoli and melted cheese for a delicious, well, rounded meal.

Desserts

Energy Bars
Heat and stir 3/4 cup packed brown sugar and 1/2 cup honey. Bring t o a boil and remove from heat. Add 1½ cups peanut butter and stir until smooth. Stir in 5 cups whole grain cereal flakes and 6 ounces mixed dried fruit. Spread out to cool and cut into portion-sized bars.

Apple S’mores
Slice apples into matching lengths, spread with peanut butter, and create an apple sandwich with a marshmallow in the center. Toast lightly over open flame and eat warm!

These great recipes for backpacking and camping can be adapted for your individual taste and substitution of items may create the next great backpacking and camping recipe!