Articles written by James E. Ratzloff
Showing 31 Articles
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Avoid Getting Soft This Winter
Get out and train during the winter months, so next season you will see more wilderness beauty and mystery than you thought possible.
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Simplicity of Backpacking
When you are backpacking you shed all the technology, lights, business, and distraction of your normal life, and see how beautiful a day on this earth really is.
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What To Do In The Offseason
The winter months are a good time to repair any broken gear, organize your gear so you don't misplace anything, go over photos and dream of next season.
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Hiking Socks
Dry, comfortable, socks which keep your feet from blistering rates up there with a warm, dry, sleeping bag, as far as essential gear.
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Fall High Country Backpacking
Bring a heavier sleeping bag, a wool cap and neck protector, and googles to shield against strong, cold wind.
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Safe Water for Drinking
There are several methods for getting safe water for drinking in the backcountry. Water filtering is the most popular, and is effective in the North American Wilderness.
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Internal and External Frame Packs
Internal Frame packs hold the weight closer to your body, and allow more agility than external frame packs. External frames carry the weight higher, and are cooler.
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A Simple Meal Idea
Good trail meals can be found at grocery stores. It is not necessary to buy prepackaged backpacking meals.
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Avoid Dehydration
Make sure you drink three to four quarts of water while backpacking in hot weather. Add a quart if you are traveling above 8,000 feet.
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Protect Camping Food From Bears
Don't get sloppy about protecting your food from nightime visitors. Bears can and will enter your camp to steal your food stash.
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Handling Tough Uphill Hikes
There are several things you can do to make a difficult uphill hike easier - train, use trekking poles, and start early.
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Making a Backpacking Gear List
Forgetting an essential item can cast a negative cloud over a backpacking trip. Make sure this does not happen by consulting a backpacking gear list before you leave.
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Colorado Backpacking
A summary of backpacking in Colorado with my 21-year-old daughter. Despite complaints about the rain and mosquitos and hard climb, we had a memorable time.
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Taking A Companion Backpacking
Getting a Backpack Companion to train is not easy when you live in different cities and allowing your back and legs accustomed to carrying heavy loads takes time.
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Backcountry Camping
A person has more to give after getting away for a few days in the wilderness.
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Finding Time to Hike
As we move into summer, a struggle develops between domestic responsibilities and the freedom of high mountains and blue green evergreen forests.
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Storing Backpacking Gear
Read my article to find about my latest backpacking mistake. Has anyone else ever done something like this?
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Hiking the Continental Divide
I am going to the high country tomorrow, to experience the silence, freedom, beauty, and mystery of the wilderness. Here are some thoughts before heading up.
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Selecting a Tent Site
Selecting a tent site with dry, level spot with a good view nearby ensures a good backpack trip. Try to get an early start to find a campsite well before dark.
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Endurance and Weight Training
Time to think about getting in shape for the hiking season. Here are some quick tips.
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Choosing a Trail
Trip planning is one of the most enjoyable parts of backpacking - studying guide books and maps, to find a place where the adventure and beauty excites you.
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Backpacking State of Mind
Backpackers often possess a restlessness and adventurous spirit, to carry all they need on their back, and trudge through mud, storms, snow, and streams.
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Hiking With Children
Children who spend more time in nature playing and exploring and getting dirty are healthier physically and mentally.
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Lightning Safety Tips
Lightning season is starting, and it helps to be reminded of how to stay safe from strikes. Here is a quick primer of lightning safety tips.
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Exploring the Trail
Backpack very much and you may find what you considered important in life can begin to change.
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Leaving the Trailhead Early
Getting an early start allows you to take your time hiking - and enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
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Online Gear Deals
Bargains on Backpacking gear can be found online if your are patient. Backpacking gear is a good investment. It is very durable, and few things offer as much pleasure.
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Backpacking Stoves
There are several kinds of backpacking stoves - alcohol, white gas (Coleman fuel), canister fuel. Liquid fuel stoves, are the most popular, and are very reliable.
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Making a Campfire
The warmth of a campfire takes the edge off a winter or early spring backcountry trip. In the summer season a campfire should be avoided.
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Early Season Backpacking
Is early season backpacking safe? Should it be done? Here are my experiences below freezing and above 8800 feet, with some important tips for your spring season backpack
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Packing Your Backpack
Loading your pack is not as exciting as starting up the trail, but the success of the backpack trip often hinges on it. Take enough gear and food that you are safe.
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