Have you ever heard that song? Sorry that I sing off key...

Confined to the house for most of this past winter I found myself with hours a day and nothing to do. One day my children gathered up all the magazines they could find. They brought them over to me where I was snuggled warm as a bug with my blankets. Oh great just what I need! TV was getting rather boring.

Perusing through the pile I came across my husbands latest issue of BACKPACKER The Magazine of Wilderness Travel. What’s this? Appearing on the cover of the magazine is a woman who is sitting on a cliff with her tent behind and cookstove next to her. She looks somewhat disheveled - like she just woke up. She is looking out over the horizon as the sun rises. She is sipping a hot drink. Oh.... I want to be her!

Focusing back on the magazine in my hands I noticed the exclusive of the month titled "We’ll Make You A Superhiker". Cool! This magazine looks like it may be a good source of information for a novice like me. I flipped to that section first and as I found it to list the feature topics for the upcoming year I will share them with you now.

March; Camping gear that is in your budget, April; Home fitness for the backpacker, May; How to get to the next level of backpacking - if you’re a weekender learn how to pack out successfully for a week or longer, June; Promised to teach backpacking technique - what that's’ all about I’m not sure but ready to learn. July has no issue so next is August; How to pack ultra light (I know from shopping that light means expensive). September; How to get your family and friends out on the trail - no problem there ~ just me getting on my feet. October; We will learn of the best backpacking spot in each state “or” what trail not to go to because the rest of the subscribers beat you to it. There is no issue in November. December; We’ll read up on BACKPACKER’s life list of places you have to see. January - no issue.

Each issue offers several enlightening and informative articles. The photography is fantastic. This is one magazine that I can honestly say which has advertising that is pleasing to the eye - backpacking gear needs natural backgrounds right? Even the cell phone makers have pretty ads. I’m impressed. The regular departments (columns) that you will find in each issue of BACKPACKER The Magazine of Wilderness Travel are;

The Journey Sole Searching
Written by Tom Shealey the Executive Editor of BACKPACKER The Magazine of Wilderness Travel. He is a truly gifted writer whose words offer much insight into his view of life. One article, which he wrote, was on his feelings of wolves. He tells of finding her a beautiful pelt “an unsettling purchase tinted with guilt, so I kept telling myself I was rescuing her” (from hanging in a store mixed in with raincoats and NFL jackets).

A few days after his purchase a friend was examining the pelt and pointed out the marks in the leg area, which indicated a trap, had held this magnificent animal that was latter killed by a single gunshot to the head. He shares his range of emotions and thoughts of this wolf - how at one point he hid the pelt in the closet as he envisioned her struggle and death. Being a very sensitive person who has such thoughts I was moved to read his view and how he dealt with his guilt. This editorial was published in the February 2001 edition.

This months editorial rang bitter sweet for me. Tom wrote of his visit to the Grand Canyon and of his teenage son back home who was just getting his driver’s license for the first time. He spoke of the beauty of the canyon. The boy he left back home and the young man he would be when his father returned. Later this month my oldest son is traveling with his dad to the Grand Canyon in Arizona. While I can see he is getting older I know he will leave my little boy and return a young man.

Backtalk Lip Service
This area is where readers write in with comments. I was actually amused to see one person wrote in this months (April) issue to complain about the editorial Tom wrote about trapping and wolves. This person felt it was wrong to have Tom’s feelings imposed on him. He also thought BACKPACKER The Magazine of Wilderness Travel should encompass all outdoor sports. Hmmmm

Signpost News, Notes, Briefs
Here you will find several short but informative articles. Did you know there really is such thing as a Jackalope? Are you surprised to hear that developers in Colorado want to build a resort in one of the “wildest valleys”? Did you know hikers on the Appalachian Trail cross the Keenebec River via a canoe ferry? It’s true; Steve Longley is the official ferryman.

You will find a wealth of information on political impact on our natural resources. I also noticed in this section there is a .com area which reminds you to check out BACKPACKER The Magazine of Wilderness Travel‘s website for current news bits. Here I learned that the Appalachian Trail now extends into Canada - had you heard this before?

Body Language Mind, Body and Spirit
Somehow I think those Survivors in the outback could have learned a tip or two to help their cohort after he fell into the fire. In the February issue they deal with classifying burns and how to treat them. I hadn’t realized that a serious facial burn could lead to suffocation (swelling of the airways). :shudder: I hope that is an issue I never have to deal with.

Trail Health Q & A can also be found in this section. Here readers can send in questions related to health and the trail. While I was aware that the person who sent in a letter concerned about a rash they had after sleeping (in a overly warm) sleeping bag had prickly heat, s/he was not. The columnist replied that it was most likely prickly heat and how they could avoid it in the future. You will also notice topics that I would consider of a more serious nature such as dehydration and methods to treat water before consumption.

Wild Things The Nature Of It All
Not caring for snakes I did not enjoy looking at their pictures. I don’t know what it is about snakes. When I was younger I had no fear. My best friend had a boa that I handled regularly. Now adays however I avoid them like the plague. I’m not too keen on sitting near the stonewall in our backyard or near the old dug well (my husband has seen several snakes down in that hole). For some reason my cats take great pleasure in bringing me snakes - oh too be loved... I am wandering off topic here... What got me off track? Oh yeah - snakes...

Do you know the difference between a Scarlett Kingsnake and a Coral Snake? You better learn, as it seems the Coral Snake possess the most toxic venom of any snake in North America. I was not happy to read that the Coral Snake resides in Arizona - hope they aren’t where my guys are going!

How many leaves does poisin ivy have? Three? That’s what they told me when I was a kid. You would learn in BACKPACKER The Magazine of Wilderness Travel that there are many varieties of poisin ivy. It can grow low to the ground, vine, bush or resemble a tree. The color, shape and texture can vary. If you aren’t familiar with the varieties and where they may be located you might want to pick up a book. I remember hearing a story when I was a child about an older family member who used a leaf as uh - toilet paper while out hunting. :chuckle: It appeared the poor fellow used poisin ivy. What a thing to have your family remember about you generations latter :chuckle:

Moveable Feast Good Grub
So you think all you can pack in with you is PB & J and noodles? Think again. With the help of this section of BACKPACKER The Magazine of Wilderness Travel. With each issue is they cover a topic that has educated me in ways to Fruit Leather, methods for drying meats & vegetables - in a dehydrator or an oven.

Something I never expected to find in a outdoor magazine they list recipes and how to’s of healthy and tasty meals for the trail. They list ingredients and what to prepare prior to the trip and how to package it up for quick preparation out on the trail.

We’ve read about various grains and pasta that are healthy to eat and cook on the trail. The next time one of our boys has a “Foods From Around The World Day” I have something new for them to bring - and I learned about it in the Moveable Feast section. Couscous (koos-koos) is tiny pasta that is commonly eaten in North Africa. We have eaten it mixed with some spices along with salad. We’ve also tried Bulgur, which is a Middle Eastern, food made from wheat. You can use this as a meat substitute or additive to breakfast foods etc.

Get Out More
“More Trails, More Bag Nights, More Wildlife, More Solitude, More Gorp, More Scenery, More Energy, More Blisters, More Fun ~ So Just Get Out!”

:whew: That was a mouth full!

Do you need help getting organized so that you can get out more and enjoy life? In this section you will find tips on how to get organized and keep organized. Finding yourself a bit out of shape to enjoy the trails? Sit down and read the Fitness program in this months issue that helps you work on aerobic conditioning, muscle strengthening & flexibility.

In each issue you will find a great travelogue and expedition planner. Here you will find valuable information on suggested guidebooks, weather, trails, base camps and seasons. Information is included on special equipment you may need and camp restrictions.


Weekend Wilderness
A feature, which is great for those of use whom, do not have a lot of time on our hands (or funds) for extended trips. Each issue covers different regions of the United States. Aprils issue discusses’ area’s to visit in the Southwest, Midwest, East & Western US.

Also given for each trail is more detailed information you would need for the trip. Drive time, Directions, Trail detail, Elevation, Spots to be sure to see, “Crowd Control” (details information such as hunting areas), Suggested guide books and details on permit needs and whether there are latrines or you’ll have to pack out your tp.

Outfitting Trail-Tested Gear
Similar to Epinions.com here you will find detailed reviews on gear that you need for your treks into the wilds. Need a new tent or backpack? Boots or trekking poles? Check out the reviews listed here - then be sure to stop by Epinions.com to see what members there have to say. Know-How Skills, Tips, Techniques
Interesting tidbits and tips to help you make your trip easier and successful. Do you know how to stake a tent in an area where you can sink the stakes? Did you know in the Artic you cannot trust your eyes to guide you? What you see will appear much closer than it really is. Follow your map not your thoughts.

You will find interesting tips such as sewing ribbons to your sleeping back so that you can hang it dry should it become wet. Perhaps I ought to sew some hair ribbons on my husband and sons’ bags for them? :chuckle: Just kidding. And in reality I think shoelaces would do the trick and not look feminine.

Backcountry Tales From The Trail
Most magazines I have read seem to have an editorial or story written on the last page.
BACKPACKER The Magazine of Wilderness Travel is no exception. These are nice short articles to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee with. One recent article I read was written by a woman who needs to learn to let go of her surroundings and “Just Go” and enjoy the trail. As she wanders around her home she notices the dirty dishes in the sink and laundry to be done and ponders her decision to stay or - should she go?

I enjoy BACKPACKER The Magazine of Wilderness Travel. The price is quite reasonable at $23.94 per year for subscribers. There is a wealth of information, detail and product review in each issue. There are feature articles monthly that I haven’t even touched on i.e. “Hiker, Heel Thyself” in Aprils issue - here they tell you how to treat blisters by not getting them to begin with. Arizona’s Sonoran Desert is featured in the article “The Big Empty” which was published in February’s issue.

Who would this magazine be best suited to? I think a wide range of people. Teenage Scouts would learn many useful things related to hiking, novice backpackers like myself who hasn’t quite made it out of car camp yet and intermediate backpackers like my husband who has done it before but is wise enough to know there is always something new you can learn.





Recommended: Yes