Janyary/February 2010
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SPECIAL ISSUE
Readers’ Choice 2010
Welcome to our first all-reader edition! You’ll find hikes selected by regional reader panels, plus photos, essays, tips, and reviews from the world’s most experienced community of hikers. From start to finish, every section was created by your fellow BACKPACKER readers.
READER PHOTO CONTEST
Your Best Shots
Seeing is believing: BACKPACKER readers have been to some spectacular places, and here’s the proof. We pored over more than 700 photo submissions to bring you the year’s best images of wildlife, peaks, landscapes, and more. Pardon the drool.
America’s Worst Trail (A Love Story)
Got health insurance? You’ll need it for a hike on Vermont’s famously rugged Long Trail, according to this bloody and bruised reader. Our Green Mountains junkie reflects on what makes this 273-mile path the country’s most frustrating hike–and why he can’t stay away. By David Hiscoe
READER ESSAY CONTEST
Bears! Bulls! Mayhem!
What do you do when a bear steals your food and a deer crashes into your tent? Tell us about it! From survival epics to wildlife run-ins to first-trip disasters, 15 readers share their wackiest, wildest adventures in this collection of real-life hiking stories.
DESTINATIONS
NORTHWEST
Washington’s finest ridge, Idaho’s lonely lakes, and Oregon’s top campsite
MOUNTAIN WEST
Glacier’s best view, Colorado’s prettiest lake, and Yellowstone’s bubbliest pool
WEST COAST
Hawaii’s lushest coast, California’s giant sequoias, Nevada’s hidden peaks
MIDWEST
Top secrets: Oklahoma’s mountains, Illinois’s canyons, and Iowa’s bluffs
NORTHEAST
The best of the Catskills, Adirondacks, Presidentials, and Mahoosucs
SOUTHEAST
The best wildflowers, prettiest sunset, the Smokies’ tallest falls, and more
SKILLS
YOUR BEST TIPS
How to hang a better bear bag, plus 38 more cooking, first-aid, and photo skills
TOP CHEFS
Readers share winning recipes for shepherd’s pie, cashew chicken, camp Thanksgiving–and s’mores upgrades.
GEAR
WEEKEND BACKPACKS & 4 ULTRALIGHT SLEEPING BAGS
Our reader test team rates affordable load haulers, ultralight bags, and more.
PEOPLE
HEROES
Get inspired by these five real-life tales of success, survival, and giving back.