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Backpacker Magazine – Online Exclusive
2011 Be a Gear Tester -WINNERS ANNOUNCED!
These lucky readers will be hitting the trail for us, pummeling gear and telling us what they think.
Gear tester Will Rochfort on a mid-summer afternoon in the Ansel Adams Wilderness.
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Our “Be a Gear Tester” contest went looking for passionate gear junkies who aren’t afraid to tell it like it is—and found them. After sifting through submissions of sample gear reviews and video applications, we’re happy to initiate these five finalists as Official Backpacker Gear Testers.
Winner #1: An avid outdoorsman with experience in hiking, climbing, fly fishing and, of course, backpacking, Justin Paynter currently resides in the seacoast region of New Hampshire. With degrees in both English and Creative Writing, plus all of New England to explore, Justin has great gear reviews up his sleeve.
Winner #2: Stephanie Buelow’s spontaneous spirit took her adventuring after leaving home for school in Chicago. She spent semesters in both Spain and Chile before heading to Keystone, Colorado for the ski season. Now, you’ll find her working and playing in Moose, Wyoming, just minutes from Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone, with ample opportunity for backcountry camping, climbing and hiking. She hopes to put our gear to the test on the Grand at least once this summer.
Winner #3: Living in Lake Tahoe, California means Toby Citret can hit the trails almost every day of the year. He puts his gear to the ultimate test on ski tours, mountaineering climbs, and demanding hikes in order to find what’s tough and reliable. This summer, he’ll trade his backcountry skis for a backcountry backpack on 130 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail from Tahoe to Yosemite, not to mention a number of trips planned with his canine companion, Donner.
Winner #4: Chris Doric has the perfect gear testing grounds at his fingertips. As a student leader of outdoor trips at the University of New Hampshire, Chris spends ample time in the backcountry of the White Mountains with its unpredictable and challenging weather. What’s more, he’s headed to Fairbanks, Alaska this summer for peatland greenhouse gas research and plenty of hiking.
Winner #5: When we saw Ryan Kelley’s gear closet, we knew he was meant for Backpacker. He is well stocked with skis, backpacks, sleeping bags, cookwear and much, much more. A resident of Charlotte, North Carolina, Ryan kick-started a backpacking club for friends and family and plans to hit the trails hard this summer.
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READERS COMMENTS
If ever looking for kid gear testers my children (6,7,8 and 9) and I are through hiking the Fingerlakes Trail, putting in at least 8 nights a month out on the trail. Sgravino@roadrunner.com
Posted: Jul 22, 2011 Sarah
I'm on the Appalachian trail right now thru-hiking. I'd love to be a tester for some womans gear if there are any companies in search for a real test on their gear email me: yoda563@aol.com
Posted: Jun 23, 2011 Styx
I am a soldier deployed to afghanistan till sep 2011 I would really like to enter this contest but will not be able to make it to the test peoriod it is one of my dreams to be a backpacker gear tester. will you be having another contest next year? I meet all the requirments. I really love the mag it keeps me sane while im over here in afghistan. All I dream about is being on the trails when get home!!!
Posted: Apr 29, 2011 josh marshall
Are you open to folks in the tropics? I'm from southeast Asia.
Posted: Apr 29, 2011 Alman
is there an age limit?
Posted: Apr 03, 2011 Anonymous
The gear I usauly prefer is Alpine, I find this gear to be strong and durable from toughness to comfort. I have also had there tent and could rate that as a 4, if the scale was from one to five. I hiked all around The Hawaiian Islands using this gear and no tears or straps to be replaced at all, I recommended this too all my friends, for I have friends from Hong Kong To Europe and from Europe to the states. I now live in AZ and would love to test ur gear out here, I would put it through the toughest test and may even go back to AK during the testing to try it out there. I travel alot and you can contact me at kennethbollinger1@yahoo.com.. Sorry I do not have any video at this time..
Posted: Mar 27, 2011 Kenneth Bollinger
To answer the above questions:
Autumnstars: yes, we will certainly base pack size on torso length, but we ask this question about height to get a general sense of the size of the testers. We do our best to choose a variety of shapes and sizes.
northern trekker: Yes, canadians welcome!
Jade Dance: Believe me, Jade, this is always at the top of the consideration list. But more important, MOST important, is the ability to log the needed number of miles and nights out. Testers are of no use to me if they can't get out and do the testing.
Posted: Mar 10, 2011 Kristin Hostetter, Gear Editor
Actually, I find total height to be more-or-less irrelevant. It would be more helpful to also give the reviewer's torso length.
Posted: Nov 19, 2010 autumnstars
pick some one who is 5'5" no less with good dental history
Posted: Nov 02, 2010 barlow
any qualifying chance for a Canadian? We have mountains and wicked-wild conditions too!
Posted: Nov 02, 2010 northern trekker
So folks, when picking female testers, could you PLEASE consider picking some who are NOT either really tall and slim or all petite? These are both delightful body structures, but for those of who are not 5' 10" OR 5' 1", it's not all that useful. Most people are in between.
Thanks and have fun...
Posted: Oct 28, 2010 Jade Dance
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