Backpacker Photo School: Choosing a Lens

If you don’t invest in more than one lens for your DSLR, it's almost like you never upgraded from a point and shoot at all: you've still got one camera and only one shooting option. When you can change your lens, suddenly you can get very different perspectives from the same spot. How do you choose the lens that’s best for your needs? Here, three things you need to consider.

Many cameras come with a lens when you buy them; usually one that’s not specialized for anything in particular. With this lens, your camera has capabilities similar to your point and shoot, only much heavier. With additional lenses the possibilities for different kinds of shots really open up. Keep reading below...


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Friday, March 19, 2010 in: BACKPACKER Photo School
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Wolves in Illinois

Trail camera captures rare wolf in state; coyote hunter later shoots it

Wolves are back on the campaign trail to dominate the news cycle at all costs, it seems. After potentially attacking and killing a woman in Alaska, now a wolf has been spotted in Illinois. This didn't turn out so well for the wolf, though: A hunter shot the lone land-o'-Lincoln wolf near Walnut, mistaking it for a coyote.

Wildlife officials are DNA-testing the wolf; it's the only way to be certain that it isn't a hybrid or another canine. But at 140 pounds, this large animal certainly fits the size range. Any wolf straying int Illinois is classified as endangered, but accidental shootings aren't prosecuted. Read Full Story...

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Thursday, March 18, 2010 in: News and Events, Nature and Wildlife
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Trail Chef: Stinging Nettle Soup with Strong Irish Coffee

Celebrate the Irish with this wild soup and coffee combo.

Making something out of nothing has been the modus operandi of the Irish people for hundreds of years. This is exemplified by the Irish stinging nettle soup. Ireland doesn’t possess the richest soil for agriculture, so any wild edibles are a welcome discovery. The same can be said for a long backpacking trek: Any food that can be found on the trail is less weight for you to carry. Of course, no hearty Irish meal is complete without a strong drink to accompany it, and a truly original Irish coffee is enough to relieve the aches and pains of any strenuous backcountry day. Read Full Story...

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Wednesday, March 17, 2010 in: Trail Chef
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Western Cities Are Happier

Boulder tops a survey of the nation's happiest, healthiest cities

Apparently, BACKPACKER couldn't have picked a better place for headquarters. Boulder, Colo., tops a recent list of the happiest and healthiest cities in the nation: The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index surveyed over 350,000 people and asked them to rate their well-being based on jobs, finances, physical health, emotional state of mind and communities. When the results were tallied, our fair hamlet at the base of the Flatiron mountains came up king.

Researchers concluded that the happiest respondents tended to live in the west, while the unhappiest respondents lived in the south and east. The top ten happiest cities included include four in California, two in Utah, one in Colorado, and one in Hawaii. The only East or Midwest winners were Holland, Mich., and Washington D.C. (huh?). Here's the top ten: Read Full Story...

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Wednesday, March 17, 2010 in: News and Events, Weird and Funny
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Gear Test: Soto Pocket Torch Update

This super lighter won an Editors' Choice Award this year, but has been tough to find—until now

Soto's Pocket Torch has been a recent BACKPACKER editor favorite: In wet and windy weather, it lights up like a flamethrower—even after getting submerged in puddles of water. Best of all, you don't need any specialized fuel: Simply pop in any cheap gas-station-style lighter (no Bics, though). We dug it so much we gave it an Editors' Choice Award this year. Here's our video review:



There's only one problem: Until now, it's been nearly impossible to find. Read Full Story...

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Wednesday, March 17, 2010 in: Gear, Gear Test
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Ask A Bear: Breastfeeding Around Bears?

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Q: My wife has been breastfeeding our 3-month-old daughter, and she'd like to get out for her first post-pregnancy backpacking trip this summer. While we cannot take the little one along with us yet, we had planned to take a breastpump and dispose of the pumped milk.

We can't seem to find any information about whether it is safe to camp in bear country while...uh...lactating. So, how about it? Is it safe to camp in bear country when you are a breastfeeding mom? Thanks! —Mike from Virginia, via email


A: Hey Mike. First of all, congratulations on the new cub—here's hoping she has two eyes, ten claws, and a shiny fur coat.

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Tuesday, March 16, 2010 in: Ask A Bear, Nature And Wildlife
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Recall: Ardica Mountain Hardwear Heating Jackets

Ardica recalls heating units in several jackets, citing potential for overheating and injury

Ardica, the makers of heating units in the Mountain Hardwear Radiance and Refugium jackets, the Sitka Dutch Oven vest, and their own Insulated Mid Layer and Insulated Parka, have issued recalls for the internal heating systems. The company cites potential for the units to overheat and cause injury, though none have happened so far.

Here's a bit more on the problem:

Ardica engineers have detected a very limited number of problems within the three heater panels (Front Right, Front Left, and Back Center) that are sewn into the lining of the jackets. The issues identified in the heater panels could cause overheating and/or hot spots on the heaters. The Moshi Battery Pack which powers these heaters and fits into the zippered sleeve within the jacket poses no hazard and we have seen no evidence of issues with its performance. We are, however, recalling the Moshi Battery Packs as well as garments with heaters. This will ensure that all Moshis in the field will be updated with software that is compatible with the enhanced safety and performance features found in the redesigned heater configuration and in all future generations of Ardica Enabled Products. Read Full Story...

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Tuesday, March 16, 2010 in: Gear
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Wildlife To Humans: 'Shut Up!'

New report shows human noise—even from hikers—can interfere with wildlife

Though wildlife gets plenty bothered by our polluting their air and water, sometimes they just want us to shut up. A new comprehensive review by researchers from Colorado State University analyzed 100 separate studies to show that human-generated noise interferes significantly with wild animals mating, prey location, and other essential behavior.

Worst of all, it's not always the noise you'd expect: While loud, prolonged sounds like snowmobiles and energy extraction certainly play a part, some animals are actually more disturbed by "quiet" human wilderness uses, like hiking or cross-country skiing. Read Full Story...

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Monday, March 15, 2010 in: News and Events, Nature and Wildlife
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Teton Boulder Project

Jackson residents, climbers, rangers, and pols join forces to establish community bouldering park

The Tetons can rightfully claim their place as one of the foundation locations of modern American alpinism, and so can the town of Jackson, Wyo.—y'know, that sleepy ol' town people stop by to refuel before heading into the imposing mountains nearby. Now, to both celebrate that climbing history and to provide a safe place for the next generation of climbers to begin sending their first routes, Jackson rangers, climbers, politicians, and regular citizens have joined forces through the Teton Boulder Project.
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Monday, March 15, 2010 in: News and Events
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Backpacker Photo School: How'd They Get The Cover Shot?

BACKPACKER cover photographer Seth Hughes shares the tricks and tips that helped him land the cover for our 2010 Gear Guide.

Selecting the perfect shot for BACKPACKER's annual Gear Guide means a lot more than taking a pretty picture. Boulder-based photographer Seth Hughes shares his secrets for capturing gear lust in photographic form.

Julia Vandenoever: How did you make this photo?

Seth Hughes: I used a Canon 5D with a 90mm lens to photograph the cover image. ISO 50, f/11, 1/125. A tripod was used. (In a studio environment, the camera’s settings can pretty much be whatever you want since the lighting is controlled).

JV: What were the conditions needed to create this image? 

SH: The image was photographed in a studio environment on a curved silver poster board. Three strobe lights were used. A diffused key light was placed on the front, left side of the pack. A light with a softbox was placed behind and to the right of the pack to serve as a kicker light that wraps around the side from behind. A ring light was used around the lens of the camera as a shadowless fill light. Also, a silver reflector card was hand-held to strategically bounce light into the darker area towards the bottom of the pack.
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Friday, March 12, 2010 in: BACKPACKER Photo School, Skills
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