backpacking

12 Gifts For Hikers, Day 2

By |December 13th, 2014|12 Gifts, 2014 posts, Current|Comments Off on 12 Gifts For Hikers, Day 2

12 Days of Trail Gifts For Under $50
Gift 2: Lightweight Libations!

Every hiker has to drink water, but plain water can get boring, and some water requires a disguise in order to ingest.

Add some pizzaz to your hiker’s beverage bar by tossing some of these treats in their stocking. When they mug up on their next adventure they will have you to thank!

 

 

Coffee:

Starbucks Via packets make an amazing cup of coffee from a small packet of powder. Last winterAdam’s mom gave him a pack of the Christmas Blend Via and we happily “brewed” them up each morning of our Idaho Hotsprings bike tour last summer.

 

 

 

Mount Hagen Organic Instant Coffeemakes a pretty tasty cup of joe, and the production ethics of the company are in line with the wilderness your hiker will be sipping it in.

 

 

Hot or cold:

Ginger Honey Crystals make up one of my favorite backcountry drinks. These are spicy, sweet, and are soothing to an upset stomach

Chai Powder is absolutely excellent cold or hot. Some of my favorites are the Trader Joes Chai Powder and Oregon Chai packets

Cold:

Nunn Tabs create a refreshing drink that does a good job of covering up cow water. Nuun is a little out of the average hiker budget, but most will appreciate having the opportunity to drink it up.

Crystal Lite Pure is a bit more normal, but still can be hard to find in some trail towns. These are a good daily drinker.

Powdered Coconut Water is AMAZING! I really like coconut water in the front country, and to be able to drink it up on the way up a steep, hot climb on the trail just feels right. Coco Hydro is just one of many delicious brands out there.

End of day Celebration:

BACKCOUNTRY […]

12 Gifts for Hikers, Day 1

By |December 12th, 2014|12 Gifts, 2014 posts, AT, Bigfoot Trail, Current, PCT|Comments Off on 12 Gifts for Hikers, Day 1

12 Days of Trail Gifts For Under $50
Gift One: Cheap Good Sleep

A new floor:

Window Film Groundsheet (or polycryo from Gossamer Gear)          Weight:2oz               Cost: $5-$15

If your hiker likes to sleep under a tarp (floorless shelter), or is a cowboy camper (out under the stars), they need a ground sheet. My favorite ground sheet is a rectangle of Window Film. It looks like saran wrap and it’s super light weight, about 2 ounces will cover 4’x6′.

Window film isn’t super durable, but if treated gently a piece can last 500-1000 miles. It’s always nice to have a fresh extra waiting in a bounce box though, so you might want to splurge and get the multi window pack or a roll when you head to the hardware store. ACE has “cut to fit” window kits, which are nice because you can choose the dimensions of your floor.

 

A mattress enhancer/ seat/ yoga mat:

1/8″ Thinlight pad from Gossamer Gear           Weight: 2.5 oz                Cost: $16

Your hiker will be stoked to have a little extra insulation from the cold ground at night regardless of if they sleep in a tent or a tarp. This full length pad has become one of my favorite pieces of gear. I sit on it at almost every break, I put my shorty mattress on top of it at night, and it’s great for stretching & yoga. In winter this matt works great to insulate air mattresses from the snow. It can be folded and packed on the top of your pack, adding rain protection & helping to keep your perishables and water a couple degrees cooler.

For more substantial […]