We honestly believe we are living a dream.  A dream that involves traveling to over seventy diverse destinations in 48 of the 50 continental United States as our job.  We know very few people who wouldn’t jump at this once in a lifetime opportunity, so believe us when we say, “we don’t take it for granted and we appreciate living our unique lifestyle too much to consider complaining.”

So please don’t take this as a complaint:   On Saturday September 4^th we were robbed.

We must admit, when someone violates you by stealing your stuff it takes riding a wild roller coaster of emotions to find a perspective that will allow you to continue to say, “We don’t consider complaining.”

The ride begins with some form of shock.  Everything seems to slow down as your mind resists comprehending the obvious signs of the situation.  The small pieces of glass on the ground as Randy approached the passenger’s side of the Subaru Outback created a confusion that had already overwhelmed him by the time his eyes could be convinced they were seeing a giant hole in the back window.  The confusion came accompanied by an all body weakness, maybe even a slight nausea.

At this point the ride goes into some form of cruise control.  You’re calling the police.  You’re informing the front desk that within the last ten minutes, in their busy-check out time of day-full parking lot only fifty feet from the lobby doors, your car has just been broken into.  You’re walking vigorously from nearby parking lot to parking lot with the hopes that you might find any sign of your stuff.   You’re not able to actually think straight, so cruise control takes over in search of action.

 Eventually you walk in enough circles to think again, and sure enough you start having moments of clarity.  The clarity is a welcome burst of reality at this point, it doesn’t get you your stuff back, but it does allow you to apply logic to the situation, and it relieves the nausea too.

  It eventually became perfectly clear what had happened.  Sheri has replayed the scene in her mind many times over.  At 8:50am Sheri had a subtle flash of Intuition.  She knew something wasn’t right about the blue minivan that was parked uncomfortably close to the passenger’s side of our car.  The blue minivan was so close that Sheri had to load her purse, her overnight bag and our camera bag into their usual positions in the car from the driver’s side; everything has its usual position because for eight and half consecutive months, our life is in our car.  When we hit the road there is no looking back, we don’t go home, we are home, that Subaru is the closest thing we have to a permanent address, so life has to be organized and you can only fit so much stuff, so everything has to have its usual position.  While loading the first trip of stuff from our night in the Holiday Inn Express near the airport in Portland, Oregon Sheri caught a glimpse of a guy who was sitting alone in the middle row of the blue minivan holding a bouquet of red flowers in front of his face with the sliding door on the driver’s side of the van open, uncomfortably close to our car.  She didn’t want to go near that side of the car, but felt like multiple chirps of the Subaru door locks was enough to secure our stuff in the car for the ten minutes it would take to complete a second trip, considering it was broad daylight and the parking lot had people coming and going regularly, there was no reason to think otherwise, he was just waiting on the rest of his party to check out, that was the innocent thought.  Between 8:50am and 9:00am we were robbed.

We have been traveling this country for five years and never once have we had a problem.  Until now, we hadn’t had a single experience that would cause us to say anything but positives about the people we have been fortunate enough to come into contact with along the way.

 Cruise Control eventually surrenders to a complete lack of control when the Hotel points at a sign that says, “Not Responsible For Damage To And/Or Theft of Car Or Contents”, and the police officer says, “welcome to Portland” as he explains that this will happen multiple times in Portland today, essentially putting a quick end to the emotions that coincide with hoping to catch this guy, which is where anger gets its turn on the ride of emotions.

Our Anger is by no means directed at the police.  The Officer who first arrived on the scene and the detective who came out to take fingerprints were both really nice guys and they genuinely would love to get our stuff back for us, but they also know that this guy did a very professional job.  The Anger is a necessary part of the ride though, each time you realize another piece of your stuff is gone the more angry you get, the first earrings your dad ever gave you – gone, anniversary presents from one another – gone, your prescription glasses – gone, Sheri’s purse – gone, the more you think about all your gone stuff the more angry you get, the more you think about the fact that someone is out there going through all your stuff the more angry you get, and the more you think about the fact that he has done it before and will do it again, the more angry you get.  You get mesmerizingly angry.  It feels like the ride is going through some sort of a cloud, the anger is blinding.

 Eventually you reach a point where you want off the ride.  For us it was the moment we realized that we were still letting this guy have an impact on us, we were letting the ride develop a domino effect.  If you stand up a line of dominos and then knock the first one down they will continue to fall without ever having to touch another one. That guy in the blue minivan knocked over that first domino when he used his crowbar to shatter our car window.  If we think about it like a set of dominos we can decide to stand our ground or just keep falling over, we can search for a perspective that is positive, a perspective that will put a little space between ourselves and the negative emotions that came standard with that first domino and we can stop falling.

As you step off the ride you will without a doubt feel tired, if not exhausted from the emotional roller coaster, but once back on your feet you will also feel empowered.  Empowered to know that in the end it is all just… well…just…stuff and stuff is not worth getting on that kind of ride. 

Would we like our stuff back, sure we would, but are we going to continue to let ourselves fall down on a negative ride of emotions over it, no way.  We have each other and we have another experience we will never forget, “we don’t take it for granted and we appreciate living our unique lifestyle too much to consider complaining.”

See You Outside,

Sheri and Randy Propster

If anyone in the Portland Area has any information concerning the robbery of the Get Out More Team please contact getoutmoretour@hotmail.com.

Teenagers are resilient.  The Life of a teenager is not easy.  Things are coming at you pretty fast as a teenager.  Changes that appear to creep in slow and steady when perceived from a distance (the perception of an aunt and uncle who spend most of the year traveling the country for instance) are actually occurring with each rapid and raging new impression a teenager is exposed to, impressions that intrude their influence on the developing minds, bodies and worldviews of today’s teenagers (teenagers like you, our Nephew Matt, for instance), impressions that are creating our world’s future.

We know that may sound a bit heavy on the philosophical side of things, but we just spent a week with a teenager, and for a couple of non-parents, that experience is without a doubt, deep.  

Matt you are a great kid, there is no question there.  We had a fantastic vacation together.

 For Randy’s brother Rob’s son’s 16th birthday we had him join us for a vacation, a vacation that provided us with an opportunity to explore the depths and insights of a modern day teenager while a modern day teenager explored the depths and sight of Yellowstone National Park.

 Yellowstone National Park is resilient too.

Actually, there are numerous comparisons that could be utilized to describe both teenagers and Yellowstone.  Life in both can be complicated for example.

Don’t get us wrong, sometimes complicated is a good thing, for both Yellowstone and Teenagers complicated leads directly to diversity, and diversity is definitely a good thing.

 The country’s first National Park proudly exhibits its complicated combination of turbulent geothermal activity, the calm of its enormous lake, the nurture of nature on display in its plush river valleys, and the rugged solitude in its Rocky Mountain peaks as they work together to create the one of a kind environment some of this country’s most diverse wildlife call the perfect home.

As for teenagers, even those in the most perfect of homes could be described as a “wild life”, a life that is at times digesting and at other times rejecting its nurturing as nature leads the search for the rugged solitude that comes in the form of their own opinion.  Sure, some moments in the life of a teenager compare to calm, but there is a lot of blowing off steam going on too.   Like we said before, we are not parents, but we don’t think a comparison to a teenager involving the word turbulent is too much of a stretch.

 After spending a week in Yellowstone with a teenager we are as confident that Old Faithful is going to put on an impressive display sometime in the next ninety-four minutes as we are confident that Matt is going to put on an impressive display in life.

We only hope that your experiences in Yellowstone learning about geothermal, tectonic, and volcanic activities, including the Mammoth Hot Springs, Norris Geyser Basin and its colorful extremophiles called thermophiles, fumaroles at Roaring Mountain and mudpots like those at the Fountain Paint Pots, can compete for the attention of your constantly developing and consistently evolving view of the world (and compete with X-BOX too).

We would like to think that a day of rafting below Electric Peak and through Yankee Jim Canyon would speak directly to the adventuresome heart of a teenager.

 We hope the hours spent climbing Mount Washburn for views overlooking the entire park, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, The Yellowstone Caldera and Yellowstone Lake from high in the Rocky Mountains will open up your mind to the idea that we live in a very big world and that the possibilities in life are endless if you continue to willfully put one powerful step in front of the other.

 We wish on every crystal clear star that you could see in the darkness above Yellowstone at night that the visits to the Madison, Hayden and Lamar River Valleys for countless wildlife observations will open your heart to the diversity in our world, and we will keep our fingers crossed that some of our passion for exploring these amazing outdoor wonderlands will possibly be contagious and you will search out similar experiences as you continue to define the life you choose to live.

Just remember Matt, with each choice you will create a new set of consequences, and whether you find yourself in the calm of a Yellowstone Lake or in the turbulence of the Lower Falls in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, you need never go alone into the rugged solitude because one consequence you can count on even more regularly than Old Faithful’s ninety-four minute cycle is the consequence of having a family that loves and appreciates you.

Thanks for a great vacation buddy.

See You Outside,

Aunt Sheri and Uncle Randy

For more on Yellowstone from Get Out More:  2009 Visit, Yellowstone Photos 2009 and Yellowstone Photos 2010

Our commute is unique for many reasons, one of which is the fact that our commute is never to the same place twice.  Today’s commute was in South Dakota, two days ago it was North Dakota and the day before that it was in Minnesota.  Since the beginning of April we’ve enjoyed commuting through 30 different states.

While many people dread their commute to work, we embrace the time in our Subaru.

We certainly understand why many people don’t exactly enjoy their commute.  It is certainly justifiable to associate the daily commute with stop and go traffic congestion, red lights, and honking horns.  We experienced all of those things during a commute into the big apple two weeks ago (we should point out that our respect for taxi drivers on Broadway in downtown New York City has been elevated to an entirely new level).

Today’s commute had a few (ok, very few) similarities to the typical commute.

 For starters todays commute involved stop and go driving.  The stop and go wasn’t in bumper to bumper traffic congestion though, it was to stop and take in the awe of the landscape and observe the unique wildlife along the Wildlife Loop and the Needles Highway in South Dakota’s Custer State Park and NorbeckWildlife Preserve.

We didn’t get stopped by a single red light, come to think of it we can’t seem to recall seeing a single traffic light all day.

 There were road blocks though, if you consider a herd of buffalo or a pack of feral burros (the Jacks and Jennies are not shy, if you’re not careful you might get a lick through your open window) standing in the road, a road block. 

We didn’t hear the honking of horns either, but we did hear plenty of barks and rhythmic chirps while driving through the densely populated “Towns” of Prairie Dogs along today’s route.

Actually and more accurately, today’s commute was absolutely nothing like a typical commute.

 Unless, of course, your typical commute is similar to the commute we enjoyed today. If your commute starts after enjoying breakfast and tea while watching a few hundred of the 1500 free roaming Bison in Custer State Park graze past your campsite then so far our commutes are similar.  If your typical commute involves a drive down the Needles Highway through the unique geology of the high granite “needles” and the narrow granite tunnels before exiting Custer State Park and the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve for a presidential-style detour to the Mount Rushmore National Memorial in route to the grasslands of the Great Plains as you continue toward the Devils Tower National Monument, then our commutes are thoroughly similar and you are more than welcome to call our commute typical, but only today, because tomorrow our commute will once again be unique.

 Tomorrow our commute will lead us into Wyoming, and while we can’t say for sure what we will encounter on the drive we can say for sure that the commute will be anything but typical.

Please help us keep our commutes anything but typical by suggesting the detours you think we should take.  We invite you to check out our Tour Schedule to see where our commute will take us next and let us know with your comments where we can find the “must-see” destinations. 

See You Outside,

Sheri and Randy Propster

At this time of the night, the last night we were outside, the temperature was much warmer (not that it’s cold tonight by any stretch of the imagination, but it is comfortable when compared to the “couldn’t get inside our sleeping bags kind of hot” we experienced the last night), and the last night we camped it was definitely far more humid, the skies were cloudy and the stars weren’t much for gazing.  Worst of all, the last time we camped out we didn’t see any wildlife and don’t recall hearing any either. 

When we woke up in a puddle that next morning it was evident that the conditions we were living in the night before were a side effect of an oncoming severe thunderstorm.  A thunderstorm which happened to come rolling through, for a number of hours by the way, crashing and flashing the fury of its lightning all over the open landscape of the field in which we were camped.

Many people would say, “You see, that’s why I don’t go camping”.  And in all reality it is possible that at one time in our lives we could have understood that perspective. Of course, we can no longer understand that perspective, but there is a chance that we once could have, had we not already developed such an intense Passion for the outdoors.  An outdoor passion that is fueled each and every time we get to live out the moments in our campers’ “dreams”.

Honestly, it could be perceived as very logical for people to think twice about whether or not they would want to go camping again had they experienced a night like that last night we spent in a tent.

It was a camper’s nightmare.

When you find yourself curled up on the ground in the fetal position, hoping the low spot that you’re lying in drains well, as downpours consistently batter the walls of your tent, you are definitely living a moment from a camper’s nightmare. It would be reasonable to think that a scenario like that might not be something someone would be chomping at the bit to risk happening again anytime real soon.  Unless of course, you have had the pleasure of experiencing a night like the night we are having tonight.  Tonight is the type of night in the outdoors that led to the outdoor’s association with the superlative “great”.  Tonight, much unlike the last night we camped, is cool and comfortable and our senses are in overdrive as our eyes, ears and nose compete for an appropriate balance of recognition. 

The earth feels alive!

The plants are quenched and aromatic thanks to a warm day in the sun, the white-tail deer around our camp grazed the sun down just in time for the creatures of the night to begin celebrating the clear skies with thousands of calls that both compete and compliment to create a mesmerizing yet chaotic rhythm and Venus is glowing in the west so brilliantly that it continues to appear to grow in size as its dominatingly bright and devotedly radiant light overpower all nearby twinkle regardless of the valiant effort of the Milky Way to occupy the sky’s attention, and we have no doubt that the Perseid Meteor Shower will take over our attention as minute by minute the view overhead reinforces that tonight is definitely different.

Tonight we live a camper’s “dream”.

Once you enjoy the euphoria of a camper’s dream you will never again understand anything that has to do with the thought of, “that’s why I don’t go camping”.  Once you’ve experienced a camper’s dream you will aggressively search them out.  We wish a camper’s dream on every camper, every night, and we know that with the right mindset and the right taste for adventure, just about any of the conditions that you can experience in the great outdoors can lead to a camper’s dream, even last night’s nightmare.  That’s right,  the last time we camped out was last night.  (Call it an addiction if you must, but we love the great outdoors.)

If we hadn’t lived last night’s nightmare, we wouldn’t be living tonight’s dream.

The front that pushed through last night set the stage for an encore worthy cast of creatures, flora and fauna to stimulate our senses.

Tonight our passion is fueling up.

Our biggest fear is that someone would experience a camper’s nightmare on their first camping trip.  If you hadn’t experienced a camper’s dream before a camper’s nightmare had come you’re way, you might be one and done.   It is certainly understandable to be discouraged by the idea of trying again, but before you “Craig’s List” your tents, think about it from this angle:  It would be like having a nightmare one night and then deciding that you were never going to go back to sleep.  It is without a doubt a greater risk to not sleep than it is to sleep and have an occasional nightmare.

Would the greatest risk be not getting a chance to dream?

So, we are outside again tonight, and yes it is once again different.

Tonight as we comfortably stretch out on the dry floor of our tent, we will sleep with no fear of nightmares because tonight we have already lived a dream.  And you see, “This is why we go camping”. 

See You Outside,

Sheri and Randy Propster

Some days come and go with the passing of time and seem to slip through our memory’s grip.  Some days, on the other hand, are unforgettable…

We just lived an unforgettable day.  Unforgettable in the sense that our memory has been engraved with visual images, olfactory hew, and even tastes – if you consider a renewed taste for adventure as a legitimate taste – of  our climb to the top of, and overnight stay on, the summit of Mt. Washington.

Mt. Washington has an elevation of 6,288’ and takes credit for being the highest peak in the Northeastern United States.

Over 150 people have died on Mt. Washington. 

The terrain that you encounter on a climb of Mt. Washington includes “lowland and boreal forest, a glacial cirque, and alpine highlands” and, “the trails are steep, rough and potentially dangerous, but the weather, especially above treeline is most often the cause of death”, informs cartographer Ed Rolfe in his Illustrated Visitor Map and Guide (The plethora of information and detailed route information found on Ed’s Mount Washington and White Mountains National Forests Maps is a critical resource for anyone attempting a climb in New Hampshire.   Contact The Wilderness Map Company at edwardmrolfe@gmail.com).

 We decided to climb up through Tuckerman’s Ravine. 

This approach would have us leave Pinkham Notch and attack the summit from the east side of the mountain before making our final push up the summit cone and into Mount Washington State Park from the south.  Mount Washington is surrounded by over 780,000 acres of the White Mountain National Forest, but the summit is actual part of Mount Washington State Park.

The State Park leases a portion of the Summit Building to The Mount Washington Observatory. 

The Observatory is a private non-profit scientific and educational institution that is maintained twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, three hundred and sixty-five days a year.  The staff of meteorologists, interns, and volunteers takes weather readings all day, every day so as to constantly monitor the “home of the world’s worst weather”.  The geographical location of Mt. Washington and its summit’s unobstructed exposure create a system of weather that is extreme to say the very least.  The Observers once recorded a wind velocity of 231 miles per hour, the highest manually recorded wind velocity ever recorded on the surface of the earth, and on a late July summer day, while many parts of the United States was in the midst of a heat wave with record temperatures in the triple digits, we were adding layers throughout our summit approach preparing for temperatures in the 30’s.

 The climb up Tuckerman’s Ravine Trail starts from the AMC Pinkham Notch Visitors Center.  The AMC (Appalachian Mountain Club) holds special use permits from the US Forest Service to provide the Visitors Center and eight other “Huts” (see Backpacker Magazine August 2010) found throughout the National Forest  as overnight accommodations for travelers who wish to explore the White Mountains.

 We didn’t start our climb up Tuckerman’s Ravine until mid day.  We knew the climb was going to be tough.  The Tuckerman’s Ravine route is a relatively popular route and everyone we talked with during the Seek the Peak weekend had both suggested the route as a favorite and warned of the route as a workout.  An early start is most certainly the best way to go if your plan is to go up and back.

We were taking our time and soaking up every last memorable view, scent and sensation the mountain had to offer because fortunately for us, we only needed to be concerned about a one way trip.

We received a few odd looks on the way up as everyone we passed seemed to be heading down, and we even had one concerned inquiry as we stood gazing at the waterfalls flowing off of the giant granite face in the top of the Tuckerman’s Ravine as a gentleman asked, “are you going to the summit?”  When we replied, “Oh Yeah!” he quickly responded, “You’re not worried about getting down before dark?” 

His question was without a doubt valid and typically an appropriate and important question to ask a fellow traveler in an extremely volatile environment like Mt. Washington (a question we wish many inexperienced climbers and backpackers could be asked before they put themselves unknowingly in harm’s way).

As a matter of fact, if he had read question #28 on the Mount Washington Observatory’s list of frequently asked questions,

28. Does anybody else live on the summit besides the Observatory staff?

Aside from the Observatory Crew, which inhabits the summit year-round, the Mount Washington State Park Crew also remains on top year-round. They rotate shifts on the similar schedule to the Observatory, weather permitting. In the summer, there are usually two State Park rangers on the summit every night, to do facility maintenance and to serve as emergency standby staff.

then he would have every right to assume that the two State Park Rangers, along with the crew of two meteorologists, two interns, one Observatory Museum caretaker, and one volunteer would be the eight lucky people who would get to spend the night on the summit.

Fortunately for us, on this particular night there would be ten lucky people sleeping on the summit.

 We explained to the inquisitive gentleman that we could take our time because we were only going to the top.  His immediate conclusion caused him to suggest that we had a ride waiting at the top, “someone driving up the auto road to pick you up?”  “Nope”, we said with a grin.  “Riding the Cog Down”, he continued his search for the logic behind our relaxed late afternoon summit run.  “Nope”, we said with an even bigger grin that was obviously a manifestation from some sort of guilty pleasure that was boiling over inside both of us.  “We are sleeping on the summit”, we offered “In the Observatory!”

We thought we would be putting an end to his confusion, but his confusion simple shifted to the question, “how do you get to do that?”

The usual answer would include explaining Edu Trips, overnight educational trips to the observatory that include an overnight stay, but our opportunity was a special invitation on behalf of the Observatory for our involvement in the Seek the Peak fundraiser.  After providing the curious gentleman with our explanation his intrigue transformed into his own form of excitement, an excitement for us, and that moment reinforced the engraving in our memory of just how lucky we were to live those very moments.

The climb to the summit lived up to the hype!

 We had summited Mt. Washington once before during our 1999 through hike of the Appalachian Trail.  The A.T. follows Crawford Path, the oldest continuously maintained hiking path in the United States, to the summit when hiking from South to North.  Our memories of that unforgettable day involve clouds, rain and wind, so it was only fitting that as we reached the summit cone during our climb up Tuckerman’s Ravine, the far away views we had been experiencing throughout the day from underneath the fast moving clouds became blanketed in white and our focus shifted to the boulders that required constant attention considering the winds were sustained in the low 60’s with gusts closer to 70m.p.h. during a day in which the Observatory recorded a 24 hour high wind velocity of 80.6 m.p.h.

The conditions were tough enough to keep the crowds of tourist toting their new, “This Car Climbed Mt. Washington” stickers and others who still lingered with the smell of biodiesel supplemented coal that puffs from the smokestack on the Cog at bay, so for that moment we had the summit to ourselves. 

 It is not unusual to see huge crowds on the summit, during less aggressive conditions of course.  When the clouds lifted the following morning (early enough to watch the sun glow its first rays of the day from the observation deck at the Observatory) we shared the summit with the typical summertime crowds.

For the rest of this day though the summit was going to be ours, ours to share with the eight true inhabitants anyway.  We certainly wanted to respect that domain.  We were guests here, this is their home.

 Meteorologist Brian Clark introduced us to the Observatory.  We hung on every word as he explained each aspect of the Observatory, when the observations are taken, where they are taken, how they are taken, and why they are taken.  Brian allowed us to experience the power of an unobstructed 60+ mile per hour wind from the highest point on the tower of the Summit Building.  Talk about, “Hold on Tight!”

We shared a family style meal prepared by Volunteer extraordinaire Dennis with Meteorologists Brian, Ryan, Museum caretaker Ryan, and Interns Hannah and Becca.  The crew was on day six of their eight day shift, shifts going Wednesday to Wednesday every other week.  We were completely welcome and they truly seemed to be as interested in our story as we were theirs.

They live very unique and yet in some ways very normal lives on the summit.

After dinner there was time for relaxation on the couch with Marty the Cat (the summit pet) while watching a selection from the Summit’s DVD collection, they just press pause on the hour so an observation can be taken.

 At 5:00am eastern daylight time and 4:00am Mt. Washington Observatory time (the Observatory does not recognize daylight savings) a knock came on the door as meteorologist Ryan softly announced, “Sunrise in fifteen minutes”.  Ryan had prearranged to wake us if the conditions would allow a view to the east at that time of the morning, saving us from waking for no reason on a clouded in summit.  We bundled up and headed for the east viewing observation deck.  On the way past Ryan’s desk he assured us the clouds were offering intermittent gaps to the east and that it would be worth our efforts.  He was right.  The clouds would fill in and then views would open up.  Just as the first rays of the sun graced New England with their presence the clouds opened and our memories gripped tightly to that moment, one of many moments that have forever been engraved into our minds as part of an unforgettable day on Mount Washington.

 Later that day, as we hiked the Crawford Path off of the summit to the Boott Spur Trail for our return trip to Pinkham Notch, we turned over our left shoulder every chance we got for another view of the majestic mountain.  Each and every perspective added to the collage of visions, smells and sensations that would ensure this was an experience we would never forget.

For a look at the SPOT Adventure from our trip to Mt. Washington go to:  http://www.spotadventures.com/trip/view/?trip_id=216095

For more pictures from our trip check out:  http://www.getoutmore2010.com/photo-journal/

See You Outside,

Sheri and Randy Propster

 If we are going to spend our nights in the outdoors we must satisfy our essential need to be sheltered.

The weather conditions that present themselves during a night in the wilderness can be extremely varied.  Our bodies are sensitive to temperature changes and wet weather combined with cold temperatures can quickly lead to hypothermia. 

 A Shelter will provide us with a refuge from the natural elements that come standard with a wilderness experience. 

 A wider range of temperatures, winds and precipitations should certainly be accounted for when deciding on a shelter for your overnight adventures.

There are numerous options that offer shelter in the backcountry. Bivouacs, Tarps, Hammocks and Tents can all be reliable shelters in the appropriate environment.

Bivouacs offer lightweight travelers a shelter that can be pitched just about anywhere you can lay your body.  Bivouacs take up very little space in your pack and are extremely light.  Our Big Agnes Three Wire Bivy weights only 1lb 12 oz.  Bivouacs are limited in space (little headroom).  Traditionally designed as a minimalist shelter, bivouacs provide a weatherproof barrier that slips over your sleeping bag.  The lightweight and convenient shelter offers a comfortable (warm and dry) place to sleep, but is designed to only lie down in.

 Tarps take minimalist shelters to the next level.  An extremely lightweight shelter option (Sea to Summit Poncho-Tarp just 12 oz.), a tarp offers refuge from the sun and rain so you will be technically sheltered, but due to the open sides and bottom you will not benefit from any additional insulation and will be impacted heavily by the wind.  We often utilize our Sea to Summit Poncho-Tarp as an addition to our Bivy.  The Poncho-Tarp is an excellent example of a multi-use item that can serve as our raingear, pack cover, ground cloth, and traditional tarp.

Hammocks are gaining popularity in the backcountry.  Hammocks offer the opportunity to hang a shelter off the ground and therefore do not require a flat or level ground to achieve comfort.  Some travelers enjoy the wrapped feel of hammock sleeping while others have difficulty getting comfortable without a firm level surface below them. 

Tents are without a doubt the most common backcountry shelter.  Tents offer a complete enclosure that can be a refuge from the weather, the sun, the wind and the bugs.  Tents can offer a greater level of insulation and are capable of sleeping multiple people.

When evaluating a tent for your adventure we recommend considering the tent Size, Season and Design.

Size will be typically listed as Packed Size (how much space it will take up in your pack), Floor Area, Vestibule Area, and Head Height.  Manufacturers categorize tents size by the number of people the tent is designed to sleep (capacity).  The Floor Area and Head Height will have a big impact on comfort while not lying down and additional vestibule space is a nice place to store your gear.

Season will define the conditions the tent is designed to protect you from.  A three-season tent will often offer greater ventilation and star-gazing due to the use of nylon mesh as a tent body material, while four-season or mountaineering tents will offer greater insulation and superior weatherproofing due to the threat of snow and ice during winter excursions.   

Tent Design will determine whether or not a tent is free standing or will require staking, whether the tent is a Single Wall (one layer of material acts as the walls of the tent) or a Double Wall (a tent body and a tent rain fly work together to provide weatherproof protection). 

A Ground Cloth will offer additional weatherproofing and abrasion resistance for the bottom of your tent.  Some tents are designed with a fast fly set-up that utilizes a footprint (custom ground cloth) as a lighter variation pitching option.  The Big Agnes String Ridge 2 that we have enjoyed using on the 2010 Tour utilizes a Cordura® Brand Fabric in the footprint and rain fly providing lightweight and durable weatherproof protection from the ground, wind and precipitation.

 Other major features of your tent will be the Poles that offer structural support and Stakes that fasten the tent to the ground.

 While evaluating tent specifications be aware that manufacturers will often list several weights.   Packed Weight will typically be heavier and include the tent body, rain fly, poles, stakes, guy lines, tent instructions, ground cloth and stuff sacks.  Trail Weight is generally lighter and will be limited to tent body, poles and rain fly.

The modern Materials that are utilized in tents will heavily impact a tents ability to be weatherproof, lightweight and durable.  Advances in high tech nylon fabrics from Cordura® Brand have enabled manufacturers to minimize weight without sacrificing durability.  Materials that have been silicone treated or polyurethane coated will provide waterproofing but we would still recommend seam sealing your tent before use.  The stitching process during tent manufacturing will put very small holes in the tent so seam sealing will ensure a water proof seam.

For additional information related to tent selection check out the article at:  http://www.backpacker.com/gear_checklists_tent_shopping_guide/gear/12194

We hope this information will be useful to you the next time you need to consider the shelter options that are available for your next outdoor adventure. 

As always we welcome your comments to any article and hope you will help us provide important information to the Get Out More Nation.

See You Outside,

Sheri and Randy Propster

 Sure, the checked pattern that makes up each of our individual lives is undoubtedly unique and we all take great care to put details in the fabric that will define our lives, but if we step back and see things from a proper distance the perfect plaid is exposed.

A plaid that outfits a nation full of good hearted, simple people, people who work harder and play harder.

The Get Out More Team is currently visiting the 21^st state of the 2010 Tour and everywhere we visit we can’t help but to feel that common thread.  The common thread that links the people who make their homes in the North Georgia Mountains with the people on the Coast of Connecticut with the people of the Great Plains of Kansas with the people of Albany New York.  The thread that, whether it’s laid horizontally or vertically, creates a pattern allowing us to recognize that this country is designed with diversity rooted in simplicity, a simplicity that graces us in its beauty with every rising sun, with each falling tide,  at each meander, in every river and high above all mountain peaks.

The common thread is the natural beauty found in this amazing country we can all proudly call home.

We have had the amazing opportunity to talk with thousands of men and women during our twenty-one state run and we know that whether it is in Nebraska or New York people everywhere are searching for and finding a connection with the outdoors. 

 The freedom of self-sufficiency has never held a greater value.  The perspective that this land truly is our land, knowing that no matter what the economy decides to do, the value of reaching that elusive summit or watching the sun melt into its own reflection on that quiet lake or falling to sleep at night under a blanket of countless stars, will forever and always be quite simply, priceless. 

So please consider this a thank you.  A thank you to each and everyone we have had the unique pleasure of meeting on the 2010 Tour, a thank you for recognizing the value that the outdoors can offer your lives and thank you for adding your details to the fabric that we are proudly able to perceive as the perfect plaid.

See You Outside,

Sheri and Randy Propster

If you want to wear the perfect plaid on your next outdoor adventure its got to be Woolrich.

We have always believed that one of the most attractive aspects of a backpacking lifestyle is the opportunity to hike your own hike and create your own backpacking style. 

The industry offers a multitude of equipment options and there are numerous environments that require unique accessories and supplies.

There is not one magic backpacking kit that can be created and outfitted to the backpacking masses. 

We do believe, however, that we can use an Example Backpacking Kit (a backpacking kit created as a result of evaluating equipment we have personally backpacked with) to demonstrate the variety of equipment options that are both available to the modern backpacker and most importantly essential to the modern backpacker. 

If you have attended a Backpacker Magazine 2010 Get Out More Tour presented by Woolrich event you have had the opportunity to witness an evaluation of an Example Backpacking Kit and experience a discussion by Sheri and Randy Propster emphasizing the need to coordinate the appropriate skills and knowledge to match your destination with the equipment choices necessary to prepare yourself with those items that have been proven to allow people to stay safe and comfortable while traveling by backpack.

Consider this article to be a supplement to that discussion. 

The following backpacking kit is an example of an Example Backpacking Kit that could be and has been seen on the Get Out More Tour.  The Example Backpacking Kit is set up for a three season weekend adventure (winter camping would require additional equipment) that requires staying outdoors overnight.  No particular destination has been used in the preparation of this Example Backpacking Kit, so be aware that specific destinations may require specific equipment not found in this Example.

For each item we will give the manufacturer’s name followed by the name given to the individual item (Links have been provided to manufacturers’ websites when available), we will list the weight of each individual item and provide a total backpacking weight for the entire Example Backpacking Kit.  We will also list the MSRP of each individual item as well as a total cost for the entire Example Backpacking Kit.

The equipment choices will be categorized by the ESSENTIAL SYSTEM that each of the individual items represent.  The order will attempt to follow a logical progression of the demands of the trail.

As Seen On Tour: A Get Out More Example Backpacking Kit

Backpack:  Simply by definition if we are backpacking we will need to have a backpack.  While not considered an Essential System, our comfort depends heavily upon how we carry all of our gear and a backpack that properly matches our Torso length, has an appropriate Volume for the amount of gear we will need, and has a carrying capacity that is capable of bearing the weight of our equipment choices is going to be necessary for us to achieve the comfort we desire.

Deuter ACT lite 65+10 

Weight:  3 lb 15 oz.     Cost:  $189.00

Sea to Summit Pack Liner 

Weight:  2.6 oz.            Cost:  $34.95

Sea to Summit Pack Cover w/ Cordura® Brand Fabric 

Weight:  4 oz.               Cost:  $39.95

INSULATION:  If we are doing anything in the outdoors we need to ensure we are dressed for the occasion.  Our Insulation System is essential to our comfort and our survival.  Our bodies can’t get too hot or too cold.  We need to maintain a comfortable thermal equilibrium in a wide variety of conditions so we utilize a system of layers consisting of shell layers (s), insulating layers (i) and base layers (b) that will allow us to add and remove layers as needed to match the conditions of our destination.  We include our clothing, footwear, sleeping bag and sleeping pad in our INSULATION SYSTEM.

Clothing:

 Woolrich Confluence Jacket  (s)

Weight:  11 oz.             Cost:  $120.00

Mountain Hardware Epic Pants  (s)

Weight:   8 oz.              Cost:  $90.00

Woolrich Men’s Hemisphere Convertible Pants (i/b)

Weight:  10.5 oz           Cost:  N/A

  Woolrich Men’s Downstream Tee  (i/b)

Weight:  7.8 oz.            Cost:  $30.00

Woolrich Trailhead Microfleece Pullover (i)

Weight:  9.7 oz.            Cost:  $45.00

Polartec Power Stretch Gloves (i)

Weight:   1.7 oz.           Cost:  $28.00 

Integral Designs Primalid with Primaloft  Hat (i)

Weight:  2 oz.               Cost:  $30.00

Polartec Power Dry in Patagonia Capilene 4 Bottom(b)

Weight:  6.5 oz.            Cost:  $65.00

Polartec Power Dry in Marmot Lightweight Crew LS (b)

Weight:  6 oz.               Cost: $42.00

Polartec Power Dry in Patagonia Capilene 4 Top (b)

Weight:  8.4 oz.            Cost:  $85.00

Underwear (b)  (2 pair @ 3 oz. and $25.00)

Weight:  6 oz                 Cost:   $50.00

Footwear:  Our mode of transportation will be our feet, so the appropriate footwear is critical to our success.  We count on a combination of socks and shoes that match our destination to keep our feet dry, cushioned and comfortable.  We always choose our socks first and then use them to try on our shoes because simply changing our socks can change the amount of volume our feet occupy inside our shoe, so it is critical that we create a sock and shoe partnership.  Regaurless of the length of our adventure we choose to backpack with three pairs of socks.  Three pairs of socks allows us to be prepared for any conditions we might face because with three pairs we have one pair we could wear, a second pair that can be washed or be wet, and a third pair that is always dry.  We also consider our trekking poles as an example of equipment that helps support our bodies while carrying a heavy load in rugged terrain so they will be listed here as well.

Woolrich Ten Mile Socks    (3 Pairs @ 2.5 oz. and $13.00)

Weight:  7.5 oz.            Cost:  $39.00

Kayland Zephyr  (Editors Choice)

Weight:  1 lb 3 oz.        Cost:  $190.00

LEKI Trekking Poles 

Weight:  14.6 oz.         Cost:  $179.00

Sleeping Bag:  Our sleeping bag will help insulate our bodies throughout the cooler conditions that coincide with an outdoor overnight stay.  We always consider temperature rating and fill materials when making our sleeping bag choices so as to ensure that our sleeping bag will be able to match the conditions of our destination.

EMS Velocity 30° with Primaloft 

Weight:  2 lb 5 oz.       Cost:  $189.00

Sea to Summit 8L e-VAC Dry Sack 

Weight:  2 oz.               Cost:  $19.95

Sleeping Pad:  Our sleeping pad is the second piece of our backcountry bed and will work with our sleeping bag to help insulate our bodies from the cool ground below us.  Our options include closed cell foam and inflatable air core pads.  We evaluate the relationship between weight, comfort and convenience when determining the appropriate sleeping pad for our adventure.

Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Pad with Primaloft 

Weight:  1 lb 5 oz.        Cost:  $79.95 

FIRE:  We consider our Fire System to be an extension of our ability to stay Insulated.  If we were to become cold and wet beyond the capacity of our Insulation System we would utilize our Fire building skills and the following supplies to create warmth with a fire.  We like to keep a small supply of fire building equipment in an emergency kit kept on our person so we will be prepared in the unlikely case that we were to become separated from our backpack during an emergency situation.

Weatherproof Matches

Weight:  0.6 oz.           Cost:  $5.00

Fire Starter and Tinder 

Weight:  0.32 oz.         Cost:  $11.00

HYDRATION:  It is essential that we stay hydrated!  Our bodies are made up of about 60% water and we can easily lose a half of a liter of fluids an hour during even light activity.  We always start with a supply of water and know where we will be able to re-supply water.  We always carry some type of water filtering or purifying treatment so as to ensure our water is safe to drink.  In addition to the portion of our hydration system carried in our backpacks we also  carry a few purifying tablets and a large square of aluminum foil which could be used to create a container for a supply of water in an emergency kit kept on our person so we will be prepared in the unlikely case that we were to become separated from our backpack during an emergency situation.

Water Purifying Tablets 

Weight:  0.5 oz.            Cost:  $9.95

Large Square of Aluminum Foil

Weight:  0.25 oz.            Cost:  $1.00

Deuter Streamer 3.0 Reservoir 

Weight:  6 oz.               Cost:  $28.00

Woolrich Aluminum Bottle

Weight:  4.5 oz.           Cost:  Free*

Sawyer 3-way Filter 

Weight:  1.8 oz.           Cost:  $55.00

Sea to Summit 10L Folding Bucket 

Weight:  2.8 oz.           Cost:  $25.00

Sea to Summit Pocket Shower 

Weight:  4.25 oz.         Cost:  $27.00

*Be one of the first fifty participants to attend a 2010 Backpacker Magazine Get Out More Tour presented by Woolrich event and you will receive a bottle as a gift.

NUTRITION:  We search for an appropriate balance of fats, proteins and carbohydrates when creating our backcountry meals.  We include our food, camp kitchen, and food storage method in our Nutrition System.

Food:  We typically search out high calories in light weight packages.  We always keep a high calorie snack in an emergency kit kept on our person so we will be prepared in the unlikely case that we were to become separated from our backpack during an emergency situation.  

High Calorie Snack

Weight:  2.5 oz.           Cost:  $2.00

6,000 Calories (Weekend Backpacking Adventure) *

Weight:  3 lb 2 oz.       Cost:  $30.00

*the amount of calories, weight of food, and cost of food will vary largely from adventure to adventure and individual to individual.  Remember this example backpacking kit is just that an example intended to be used as a supplemental guide to the 2010 Get Out More Tour.

Camp Kitchen:

Soto OD – 1R Micro Regulator Stove 

Weight:  2.6 oz.            Cost:  $69.95

Fuel Canister

Weight:  4 oz.               Cost:  $5.00

Cook Pot

Weight:  5 oz.               Cost:  $30.00

Sea to Summit Alpha Cutlery 

Weight:  0.3 oz.            Cost:  $6.95

Storage Method:

OPSAK Odor Proof Barrier Bag 

Weight:  1.5 oz.            Cost:  $11.75

Utility Cord (50 Feet)

Weight:  3.5 oz.            Cost:  $5.00

NAVIGATION:  We will definitely need to know where we are going so a map and compass are essential.  We prefer to keep our map and compass protected in a weather-proof case and we store our map and compass on our person, saving time and energy versus having to stop and get our map and compass out of our pack each and every time we need to make a directional decision.  Consistently monitoring our map and compass will benefit our ability to orient and be proactive in our efforts to stay on route.  We also consider our timepiece an integral part of our navigation system.

Map in a Sea to Summit TPU Case 

Weight:  0.7 oz.                 Cost:  $14.95*                               

Timex WS4 or E-Altimeter wristwatch

Weight:  3 oz. or 5 oz.      Cost:  $200.00

*Map weight and cost not included.  Map weight and cost will vary greatly from destination to destination.

FIRST-AID:  Once we hit the trail we need to be sure we are prepared to help ourselves in the event of minor injuries.  Our First-Aid Kit needs to match our destination, the length of our adventure, the number of people on our adventure, and our own personal health needs.  We are always sure to have the skills necessary to utilize all of the equipment in our First-Aid Kit so we could positively respond to any and all accidents and emergencies.  We also consider supplies for our personal hygiene as proactive First-Aid.

AMK Ultralight/Watertight .5 Medical Kit 

Weight:  3.65 oz.        Cost:  $17.00

Tooth Brush and tooth Paste

Weight:  1 oz.              Cost:  $2.00

Toiletries (plastic bags and toilet paper)

Weight:  2 oz.               Cost:  $2.00

Sea to Summit IPOOD Pocket Trowel 

Weight:  3.5 oz.          Cost:  $19.95

Hand Sanitizer

Weight:  0.5 oz.          Cost:  $3.50

Pocket Soap 

Weight:  0.5 oz.          Cost:  $3.95

Sea to Summit 2L Ultra-Sil Dry Sack 

Weight:  0.8 oz.          Cost:  $11.95

SUN and SKIN PROTECTION:  One of our favorite aspects of our adventures in the outdoors is soaking up the sunshine, but too much off a good thing can quickly turn into a bad thing when it comes to sun burn.  It is essential that we stay sun smart while playing in the outdoors and we also know that protecting ourselves from those pesky insects will definitely enhance the fun factor while out on trail. 

Sunscreen

Weight:  1 oz.              Cost:  $9.00

Hat

Weight:  2 oz.          Cost:  $15.00

Sunglasses* and Deuter Glasses Pouch 

Weight:   2 oz.            Cost:  $11.95

Lip Balm

Weight:  0.2 oz.         Cost:  $2.00

Bug Repellent

Weight:  0.8 oz.         Cost:  $3.00

*Sunglasses weight and cost not included.  Sunglasses will vary greatly in price and style.

COMMUNICATION:  If we find ourselves in an emergency situation that requires assistance, it is essential that we have the ability to bring attention to ourselves.  We utilize a communication system that would enable us to be seen or heard by others who are nearby as well as modern satellite technology that will allow us to communicate to emergency services from just about anywhere in the world.  We keep our whistle and mirror in an emergency kit kept on our person so we will be prepared in the unlikely case that we were to become separated from our backpack during an emergency situation.

Whistle 

Weight:   0.2 oz.         Cost:  $2.99

 Signaling Mirror

Weight:   1.2 oz.         Cost:  $10.00

SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger

Weight:    5.2 oz.       Cost:  $149.95

ILLUMINATION:  Our illumination system will also function as part of our communication system due to the fact that a strobe light (flashing headlamp) is one of the most effective ways to bring attention to ourselves at night.  We will be staying out overnight so a light source will be an essential need after the sun goes down.

Brunton RL4 (headlamp with strobe)

Weight:  2 oz.             Cost:  $42.00

REPAIR KITS AND TOOLS:  We always keep a knife or multi-tool as part of an emergency kit kept on our person so we will be prepared in the unlikely case that we were to become separated from our backpack during an emergency situation.  Not only is a knife an essential piece of survival equipment, but knives and tools are useful when making gear repairs and adjustments, when making a fire and when preparing meals among countless other uses.

Gerber  Octane

Weight:  5 oz.           Cost:  $67.50

SHELTER:  Even on a day hike we make sure to bring along some type of emergency shelter, an emergency blanket or bivy could be the difference between life and death if we were to become stranded in the outdoors overnight unexpectedly.  On our planned overnight adventures we often take a tent that can accommodate both of us.  We always divide the weight of our shelter so that we would both have a working shelter in the event that we were to become separated.  One of us will carry the tent body and poles and the other will carry the fly and the stakes.  This example backpacking kit is set up for a solo adventure and therefore includes a lightweight bivy and a tarp.

Big Agnes Three Wire Bivy w/ Cordura®Brand Fabric 

Weight:  1 lb 12 oz.   Cost:  $299.95 

Sea to Summit Tarp-Poncho w/Cordura® Brand Fabric 

Weight:  12 oz.           Cost:  $84.95

LUXURY ITEMS:  The benefit of efficiently organizing our equipment choices is seen in our ability to include luxury items in our example backpacking kit.   In addition to the Essential Systems that we will need to be safe and comfortable we can also include equipment in our example backpacking kit we would consider wants.

Game, iPod, Book and Sea to Summit TPU Case 

Weight:  10 oz.        Cost:  $*

*Luxury items are a very personal decision.  We evaluate the relationship between weight, comfort and convenience when determining the appropriate balance for our adventures.  The luxury items in our example backpacking kit weight 10 ounces, but the cost of luxury items will vary greatly and are therefore not included.

The Get Out More Example Backpacking Kit Weight and Cost Totals*:

            Total Backpacking Weight:  26 lbs 12.46 oz.         

 Total Cost:  $2,841.99

*The Total Backpacking Weight of the Get Out More Example Backpacking Kit is based on measurements taken by Randy and Sheri Propster on the scales at Apex Outdoor Gear in Grand Rapids Michigan (thanks to Mark and his great staff for hosting a fantastic Get Out More event and for allowing us to use the scales).  The Total Price of the Get Out More Example Kit is based on MSRP provided on manufactures websites and/or at online retailers.

The weight of this Example Backpacking Kit is a Total Backpacking Weight.  We define a Total Backpacking Weight as the sum of our From The Skin Out Weight, our Consumable Weight and our Base Weight.  The only weight not represented in the Total Backpacking Weight of this Example Backpacking Kit is the weight of Water.  The amount of Water needed for an adventure is dependant upon multiple factors and has therefore not been included in the Total Backpacking weight of the Example Backpacking Kit. 

Please use the Get Out More Example Backpacking Kit only as a guide, you will need to evaluate your destination, skills and equipment for each unique outdoor adventure, and remember that each of us will have our own unique balance concerning weight comfort and convenience, so what works for us may not work for you. 

We are well aware that it is possible to put together a lighter example kit just as it is possible to put together a heavier example kit.  We could put together a less expensive example kit and we could put together a more expensive example kit.  The example kit that we utilize on the Get Out More Tour is specifically designed to emphasize the importance of meeting the needs of the Essential Systems while highlighting the wide range of equipment options that are available to us as modern outdoor travelers.  The Get Out More Example Backpacking Kit was created with the intention of preparing travelers by providing them with information theywill need to safely and comfortably search out the fun of an overnight outdoor adventure.

We hope this supplemental information is useful to those of you who have experienced the Get Out More Tour.

Please use this information in any way you feel necessary while planning for your next adventure, create your own unique style, and passionately hike your own hike.

As always we will enable comments on this article, so we invite you to offer any options that you feel would be of supplemental help to your fellow outdoorsmen and women.  Thank You.

See You Outside,

Sheri and Randy Propster

While we don’t have all the answers, we truly believe more parents should get more kids into the outdoor world, so we thought we would use this BLOG to offer some tips that might help parents achieve all of the positive benefits that come with an outdoor experience and help eliminate some of the potentially challenging moments.

Once again, we are not parents. Most of our first hand experience with kids in the outdoors has been trips with our nephews or our godson. Because we know there are many parents that do expose their children to the power of nature we are going to be sure to enable the “comments” on this BLOG with the hope that some of those parents will share their experiences with us. The goal here is to create an environment in which children enjoy their first impressions with nature. Hopefully we can motivate more kids to become a generation of youth who benefit from spending time in the outdoors.

Let’s take a look at some potential pitfalls that parents should attempt to avoid:

 Problem: Too Much Too Fast. 

Solution: Start Small. Yes, start when the kids are small, but more importantly let their first trip into the outdoors start small. Don’t overwhelm kids with an experience that is too physically demanding. If you plan a day on trail be sure the distance is appropriate for everyone’s fitness level. Remember that your stride is much longer than the kids, so a short mile hike for you might seem like much farther for them.

 
 Enhancement: Deuter Kid Comfort. We have found that we can extend both our distance and time on trail when we use our Deuter Kid Comfort child carrier backpack. If you make the ride along feature of the pack a fun experience the kids will “want” to go for a ride before they “have” to go for a ride. The security of knowing your child is safely belted into the pack opens up the types of terrain you can tackle as well.  On a recent visit to Natural Bridge near the Red River in Kentucky our godson Lane loved riding in the pack and we loved the fact that we didn’t have to worry about him getting too close to the edge of the cliffs along the Gorge because he could only get as close as the adult carrying the pack would allow. 

 Problem: BORED. If the trees and grasses at the start of the hike are the same as those in the middle and end kids will lose interest.

 
Solution: New Around Every Corner. Search for trails or natural areas with diversity. Plan hikes with interaction and scene changes. Our Natural Bridge hike with Lane started along the Red River where Lane enjoyed the ducks and geese, then the hike changed in elevation so Lane could explore sedimentary rock formations and small caves.  At the top of the climb we reached the Natural Bridge where Lane not only received a geology lesson well beyond his years (It’s not all Randy’s fault, remember we don’t have kids), he was also able to climb through narrow rock walls and eventually stand on top of the rock formation with far off views of the Red River and the rolling hills of the Bluegrass State.

 
 Enhancement: SKY CHAIR – Keep The Surprises Coming. Lane was never bored because the experience was constantly changing. After reaching the summit with a diverse uphill climb Lane was surprised by the sight of the Sky Chair. Natural Bridge Recreation Area offers tourist a chance to see the Natural Bridge without having to take the hike to the top.  In all honesty, we would normally avoid these types of tourist filled areas and search out a more sucluded experience, but when you are a five year old (always try to think from the kid perspective) the Sky Chair was an awesome mid hike roller coaster ride. 

Problem: Hot, Cold, Wet, Bugs, Dirt. All of the natural aspects that make an outdoor adventure so wonderful can also make a kid quite uncomfortable.

 
Solution: Be Prepared. Sounds too simple doesn’t it. Truth of the matter is that the same type of effort you would make to ensure your comfort should be magnified to meet the more sensitive nature of kids. Some kids will love the chance to get dirty or wet and to play with small bugs, but there is a fine line between fun and miserable and you need to be able to push kids toward the fun side of that fence when you get the chance. Remember to bring plenty of food and water and use breaks to keep energy and hydration in check. Dress for the weather, bring clothing to match potential weather changes, and bring a change of clothing (change of shoes too) no matter what the weather (kids are like magnets for dirt and wet, well at least Lane is like a magnet to dirt and wet). Bring sunscreen and bug spray (kid friendly for both).

 
  Enhancement: Make Dirt Fun – Plan To Use The Backups. Encourage kids to dive in head first. When you bring a change of clothes and a second pair of shoes, plan to use them. Don’t pull the fun out of the experience by trying to stay clean and neat, rather turn the dirt and wet into the fun!

Problem: Not enough kids exploring the outdoor world.

 
Solution: Parents get involved, turn off the video games and the television, plan a trip today.

 
Enhancement: Come see the Get Out More Tour. The Get Out More Tour is traveling the country offering a backpack filled with tips and techniques that will enhance anyone’s time in the outdoors. Learn what you need to have with you to enable you to experience a fun, comfortable and safe outdoor experience. For a Tour stop near you check out our Tour Schedule.

Parents please help us motivate the next generation of outdoor explorers. We would love to have your comments about your experiences with kids in the outdoors.

See You Outside,
Sheri and randy Propster

And we mean EVERYTHING!

Ok, Ok, I know that some of you have to be inside some of the time, but there is no time like the present to come up with creative reasons to get outside.

Summer Festivals are in full swing.

 We enjoyed a fantastic weekend camped out on the banks of the French Broad River as we took in all the fun of the Festival grounds for the Asheville Mountain Sports Festival.  Biking, Running, Paddling, Disc Golf, and even Dodge Ball kept athletes working hard during the day and the festival grounds were sure to keep everyone playing hard all night with great live music on the main stage along with educational clinics and vendor booths in the festival village.

Summer Celebrations are calling your name.

The coming of June also means that it’s time to celebrate our trails! The first weekend in June was National Trails Day. The American Hiking Society is our voice in Washington and they give us thousands of great reasons to raise our voices on National Trails Day as we join the nation to celebrate all things trails. National Trails Day is not only a great excuse to get your hiking shoes on, but it’s also a fantastic way to add your voice to the mix as we help lobby our local parks, forests and politicians for their help in protecting the trails we already have and encourage them to continue to create more.
   We celebrated National Trails Day with some of our friends from The Trail Store in Louisville Kentucky at Jefferson Memorial Forest. The fun filled day included the dedication and final stone laying on the new Yost Ridge Trail and an interactive hike on the new trail with educational stations along the way informing hikers about everything that could be seen, heard and experienced in the surrounding Forest. We got in the mix as well with an afternoon presentation given to a full house (close to 100 attendees) covering many of the latest trail tested tips and techniques that can be discovered in the world of backpacking.

To be perfectly honest we would argue until we are red in the face that there is no such thing as a bad time to be outside.  We are well aware of the fact that right now, this time of year, as summer brings a climate that offers many warm daytime hours of fun in the sun followed by pleasant evenings packed with relaxation under a star filled sky, is debatably the best time to search out any and every excuse you can to get outside.

Get Creative…Get Outside…Get Out More!

See You Outside,
Randy and Sheri Propster