
##4110551 Scientists have been listening for signals from extraterrestrial civilizations for decades , but what would they do if they actually heard one ? <p> What eve never heard a peep from aliens . But improved S M technology is speeding up the search for extraM M * M terrestrial intelligence ( SETI ) , so what happens if today 's silence suddenly gives way to mm M tomorrow 's discovery ? Would the world rejoice in the news that someone 's out there ? Would euphoria engulf humanity , as Nobel Prizes are doled out like after-dinner mints ? <p> That 's one view . But many people think the discovery would be hushed up as quickly as a Mafia informant , assuming that the public could n't handle the news . Or scarier still , kept secret for fear that an unauthorized response would tell a hostile race exactly where to send their interstellar battlewagons . <p> That 's melodramatic enough . But has any serious consideration gone into what M happens when our efforts to detect cosmic intelligence pay off and we find a blip of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pours into the SETI antennas ? * <p> Some think that addressing that question - even in a speculative way - is hubristic at best and wildly presumptuous at worst . After all , SETI scientists have been torquing their telescopes toward celestial targets for more than half a century without ever detecting such a signal . If we have n't won the E.T . lottery in all that time , why worry about what would happen if we got the winning ticket ? <p> Simple : SETI researchers are buying more tickets all the time , and the chances of scoring the big one keep going up . As computer power improves and new detection technology comes out of the labs , the search is accelerating . Unless the aliens are excessively secretive or simply nonexistent , we could find evidence for their presence within decades . <p> So , again , then what ? <p> Immediate reactions <p> In the spring of 1960 , astronomer Frank Drake performed the first modern SETI experiment , whimsically dubbed Project Ozma after L. Frank Baum 's fictional queen of Oz . What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While pointing his antenna at the nearby Sun-like star Epsilon ( e ) Eridani , Drake heard a strong hammering signal . Surprised by how quickly his search succeeded , he wondered , " What do we do now ? <p> Drake answered his own question by rigging up additional equipment , and he soon proved that the throbbing bleats from his loudspeaker were terrestrial interference , not Eridanians trying to phone our home . <p> Project Ozma could tune to only one frequency at a time , but todays SETI receivers simultaneously monitor hundreds of millions of channels . Consequently , picking up a signal is neither remarkable nor rare : A few dozen typically come up with each scan . Naturally , no one gets very excited about this . Instead , researchers rely on sophisticated software to perform the tedious task of deciding whether these signals are likely to be alien intelligence or ( as in Drakes case ) just more human-caused radio static . <p> Only rarely does any signal survive this automatic scrutiny . But if and when that happens , a series of additional tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone at another observatory to verify the detection - to rule out equipment bugs , coding errors , or pranks . <p> The scenario for handling a signal is briefly described in a document developed under the auspices of the International Academy of Astronautics , and referred to as " SETI detection protocols . " These " best practices " boil down to this : ( 1 ) carefully verify that the signal is truly extraterrestrial , ( 2 ) inform other scientists and the public , and ( 3 ) seek international approval before transmitting any reply ( see " Abridged SETI detection protocols " on page 28 ) . <p> Not so fast <p> These are all patently good ideas that seem to suggest that everyone would handle a discovery soberly . However , such interesting signals are bound to provoke a response that 's both messy and confused because verification will take many days , at the least . <p> During all that time , word of the possible detection will surely spread via blogs and tweets from the researchers themselves ( there 's no policy of secrecy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before any official press conference announcing that we 've found the aliens , you 'll have heard about it many times over . Indeed , you should brace yourself for plenty of future false alarms caused by signals that - at first blush - look promising . This has occurred in the past and shows the error of those who think that a discovery could be covered up . <p> Any real detection would be a headliner , everyone agrees . SETI practitioner Paul Horowitz of Harvard University in Cambridge , Massachusetts , says it would " easily be the most interesting discovery in human history . Journalists would go wild , at least for a month or two . " <p> Astronomer Jill Tarter , who heads the SETI Institute 's listening efforts in Mountain View , California , concurs : " The general public will be in an excited state for a while , fueled by the media . But UFO enthusiasts will yawn because they knew it all along . " <p> A public reaction of initial enthusiasm , and not mayhem , has precedent . Consider the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a meteorite . That story ran in The New York Times with billboard-sized headlines for three days . The public 's reaction to the possible detection of life beyond Earth ? " That 's interesting . Tell us more . " <p> The meteorite story was a stunted reprisal of astronomer Percival Lowell 's reports of martian canals a century earlier . Again , people were tantalized , but few seemed to panic . <p> Early results <p> Of course , in 1996 no one felt threatened by dead protozoans , even if they were from Mars . But SETI searches for intelligent life , and given that human beings are still the new kids on the technological block ( consider that we 've only had radio technology for a hundred years ) , you can be pretty sure that anyone we hear will be more advanced than us - possibly much more advanced . <p> That might sound unsettling , but most people do n't see it that way . A 2005 survey by the National Geographic Channel , the SETI Institute , and the University of Connecticut found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excited and hopeful " to learn about a signal from E.T . Only 20 percent confessed they would be " anxious and nervous . " <p> Again , perhaps that 's not too surprising , given that any transmission we discover likely will be from beings many hundreds of light-years distant , a seemingly safe remove . And , at first , we wo n't know much more than the signal 's existence . <p> But you can bet your paycheck that every telescope on Earth will aim straight for the transmission . Is a star waiting there ? Does it have planets ? In the rush to learn more , even a stalled project like NASAs Terrestrial Planet Finder might see new life as scientists shake it out of its comatose state , infuse it with new vigor , and hurl it into orbit . <p> There are some things we could learn quickly about the signal 's source . Within a thousand light-years lie tens of millions of stars . Consequently , a few arcminutes separate them in the sky , on average . A high-resolution radio telescope , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has a beam size of about 5 arcseconds at the commonly used SETI frequency of 1420 megahertz . It would have little difficulty pinpointing which star hosts the detected aliens . We 'll know exactly where they live . <p> And that 's not all . Two decades ago , radio astronomers Jim Cordes and Woodruff Sullivan considered what we might learn by looking at the subtle variations of any alien signal . This includes small frequency shifts due to the Doppler effect ( which alters a signal 's frequency according to its motion ) , as well as intensity changes due to the atmosphere of E.T . ' s planet or simply its daily rotation . <p> Careful measurement could theoretically pin down the length of the aliens ' day and year , the size of their world , the presence of moons , and possibly even information about their atmosphere and magnetic field . <p> Initial questions <p> All of that would be tasty fodder for the technically inclined , but everyone else is going to ask an obvious question : What are the aliens saying ? That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - that they 've included a message in the signal . After all , the extraterrestrials might withhold commentary if they want us to reply first , perhaps so they can gauge what level of conversation is appropriate . <p> But let 's suppose that E.T . is trying to tell us something . Just getting the message " bits " could be hard . SETI observations add up incoming static for seconds or minutes to increase the sensitivity to weak signals . This is completely analogous to astronomical photography - the longer the exposure time , the fainter the stuff you can image . <p> Unfortunately , just as a long exposure would obliterate the rapid flashes of an optical pulsar , so too would these long SETI observations smooth away any message . If , for example , the alien transmission included a television-type signal , researchers would need an antenna roughly 10,000 times larger than most of today 's radio telescopes to see the picture . Building such an enormous antenna would require impressive amounts of money and time . However , after a signal 's detection , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practically unlimited , unlike today 's situation . <p> In the meantime , the public would be confronted with the fact of cosmic company . We would n't know what they 're like , nor what we might learn from them , only that they exist . Anthropologist Ben Finney of the University of Hawaii at Manoa has predicted that an " interpretation industry " would quickly sprout - facile pundits who , out of conviction or merely greed , will explain to the masses what contact means and how we should feel about it . <p> And in particular , how should religions react ? Research in this area is lacking , but most mainstream theologians have expressed the upbeat view that our belief systems could adapt . As Vatican Observatory astronomer Brother Guy Consolmagno has said , " If your religion has survived millennia - if it can handle Copernicus , Galileo , and even Darwin - then E.T . should eventually prove palatable . " <p> Mainstream religion might easily incorporate the discovery , but fundamentalists will have a harder time . They are less willing to accept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And unless you 're inclined to consider seraphim , nephilim , or angels as alien beings , most religions do n't anticipate the presence of intelligent life on other worlds ( an exception is Mormonism ) . <p> The fundamentalists would likely rail against the discovery , claiming it 's " just Satan , tempting you , " according to sociologist Bill Bainbridge of George Mason University in Fairfax , Virginia . <p> Significance sets in <p> Without doubt , learning of other beings among the star fields of the Milky Way would be discomfiting to some . But the most profound consequences of a SETI detection would surely be the long-term impacts . And these would affect everyone . <p> The degree to which a signal would alter the lives of our descendants depends on whether we could decode any attached message . This might sound like a tractable problem - merely a matter of time and effort . After all , humans eventually deciphered hieroglyphics , Linear B , and other " messages " that once seemed as inscrutable as teenage behavior . But the universe is old , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incomprehensible to our 3-pound hominid brains . <p> Still , lets take the sunny view and assume that we eventually learn what the aliens are saying . Because , as noted , they 're likely to be well in advance of us , the information might include such practical topics as all of physics and astronomy , the extent and nature of cosmic biology and intelligence , the whether and how of faster-than-light travel , and many other things that are the provenance of science fiction today . To suddenly learn such matters would trigger a sharp discontinuity in our species ' history - a kind of " wormhole " to a future that we might otherwise reach only after thousands or millions of years . <p> Aside from such a torrent of knowledge , we would confront the fact that the differences among humans are of trivial import compared to the gulf between extraterrestrials and ourselves . Some people , such as SETI 's Tarter , suggest that this would lead to more human harmony and less worry that we 're on the road to destruction . After all , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could , too . <p> Sociologist Don Tarter of the University of Alabama , Huntsville , is less sanguine . He notes that the idea of the world 's peoples coming together in sweetness and light - popular in the early days of space exploration with the first pictures of Earth as a small blue orb against a vast , dark sky - was shattered by subsequent wars and terrorist attacks . We 're back to the usual conflict and competition . <p> And what about a response ? If we know where the aliens live , do we dare reply with our own shout out ? Or would that , as some aver , merely expose our planet to possible future destruction because we 've given away our existence and position ? <p> In fact , while no one can say whether aliens would be peaceable or pugnacious , we 've been sending radio , television , and ( most visibly ) radar signals into space inadvertently for more than 90 years . Any society that has the capability to travel interstellar distances and threaten our world could easily pick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using their own sun as a gravitational lens , the nearest could theoretically see the lights from our cities . Any deliberate reply from us would simply add to information they already have . <p> The great unknown <p> Frankly , predicting the truly durable consequences of a SETI success is a fool 's errand . Consider if members of the Spanish court in 1492 had written a treatise on what the discovery of a new continent might eventually mean . An interesting exercise , but not one likely to have much currency a few hundred years down the road . <p> But this much we can say : If SETI succeeds , we 'll have proof that biology is as much a part of the cosmos as pulsars and pockmarked planets . And , while instant brotherhood is unlikely to erupt suddenly on Earth , we 'll at least know we 're neither the crown of creation nor even particularly exceptional . For as long as our species exists , we 'll be aware that we 're just one more duck in a row . <p> And you can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ <p> The search for extraterrestrial intelligence <p> ( SETI ) may not have found anything yet , but it 's important'to plan a response , says SETI expert Seth Shostak - likely the first person to know when the search succeeds . Astronomy : Roen Killy Sidebar <p> The Sun-like star Epsilon ( c ) Eridani was one of Frank Drake 's first targets in his search for extraterrestrial intelligence . Astronomers have since learned that the star anchors the closest known planetary system , depicted in this artist 's conception , but no detectable life , nas/PL/Caltech <p> American astronomer Frank Drak mounted the first modern searches for alien life , which helped establish the field he 's remained active in for six decades.Seth Shostak Sidebar <p> The Allen Telescope Array ( left ) and the Jansky Very large Array are powerful enough to detect and pinpoint a possible extraterrestrial transmission with a high degree of accuracy . The latter hosts 27 antennas , while the former boasts 42 and plans to have 350 upon completion . Seth Shojtak ; Dave Finley/AUI/NHAO/NSF Sidebar <p> When astronomers announced that a martian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than one-hundredth the width of a human hair ) in 19% , the public proved itself capable of " handling " an extraterrestrial discovery . NASA Sidebar <p> If we have n't won the E.T . LOTTERY in all that time , WHY WORRY about what would happen if we got the WINNING TICKET ? Sidebar <p> Any response we might make to alien signals would only accompany the TV , radio , and radar signals that have broadcasted our existence and position for decades . <p> Assuming we detect an extraterrestrial message , there 's no guarantee we 'd ever understand its content . Even human writings , such as the script found on these tablets ( dubbed Linear A ) , can prove indecipherable . Portum <p> Abridged SETI detection protocols <p> CONFIRMED DETECTIONS : If the verification process confirms that a signal is due to extraterrestrial intelligence , the discoverer shall report this conclusion in a full and complete open manner to the public , the scientific community , and the Secretary General of the United Nations . All data necessary for the confirmation of the detection should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , meetings , conferences , and other appropriate means . <p> The discovery should be monitored . Any data bearing on the evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence should be recorded and stored permanently to the greatest extent feasible and practicable . <p> If the evidence of detection is in the form of electromagnetic signals , observers should seek international agreement to protect the appropriate frequencies by exercising the extraordinary procedures established within the World Administrative Radio Council of the International Telecommunication Union . <p> POST DETECTIONS : A Post Detection Task Group under the auspices of the SETI Permanent Committee has been established to assist in matters that may arise in the event of a confirmed signal , and to support the scientific and public analysis by offering guidance , interpretation , and discussion of the wider implications of the detection . <p> RESPONSE TO SIGNALS : In the case of the confirmed detection of a signal , signatories to this declaration will not respond without first seeking guidance and consent of a broadly representative international body , such as the United Nations . <p> ( From the International Academy of Astronautics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 , 2011 ) Sidebar <p> Prominent SETI researcher Jill Tarter thinks the discovery of an alien message would help bring humankind together with the positive example of another successful society , seth shostak Sidebar <p> The content of any message might simply be INCOMPREHENSIBLE to our 3-pound HOMINID BRAINS . Sidebar <p> Perhaps learning that we 're not alone in the universe would help unify our species like never before . Of course , some thought the same would happen after early space exploration showed Earth as a tiny blue ball . We 'll have to wait and see how mankind reacts . NASA/NOAA/GSFC/Suomi NPP/VIIRS/Norman Kuring Sidebar <p> A+ Watch SETI videos , including a talk by the author , at www.Astronomy.com/toc . AuthorAffiliation <p> Seth Shostak is the senior astronomer at the SETI Institutein Mountain View , California . Seth shostak 
##4110555 This region 's top contestant in our Be a Mapper contest reveals his favorite off-the-beaten-path routes through canyon country and mountain refuges . <p> DAY <p> ZlON NP , UT <p> GET RED ROCK WITHOUT THE CROWDS . <p> Lesicka recommends Double Arch Alcove , a kid-friendly , 5.2-mile out-and-back in Zion 's off-the-radar Kolob Canyons area . He likes the mellow elevation change , creek-splashing opportunities , 1930s-era cabins , and colorful sandstone . From the Taylor Creek trailhead , descend over packed red sand and reach the creek in .1 mile . Head right ( east ) along the meandering trickle , which you 'll cross periodically . The log Larson Cabin at mile 1.1 marks the confluence with North Fork Taylor Creek ; stay on the main trail . Hillsides dotted with sagebrush give way to steep , iron-striped walls around mile 1.5 . Fife Cabin , another historic building , sits at mile 2.1 . The maintained trail ends .6 mile later at Double Arch Alcove , a Navajo sandstone atrium featuring hanging gardens , a black- , whiteand green-streaked grotto , and two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ From Cedar City , go 16 miles south on 1-15 . Take exit 40 , turn left on Kolob Canyons Rd. , and head east two miles . <p> WEEKEND <p> KANIKSU NF , ID <p> EXPLORE A REFUGE FOR RARE WILDLIFE . <p> Only about 35 caribou remain in the Lower .48 , and this 8.6-mlle out-and-back to troutfilled Two Mouth Lakes takes you into part of their habitat . Lesicka loves the solitude of this Panhandle jaunt into the lichen-rich forests caribou require . From a pullout off FR 663 , pick up Two Mouth Lakes Trail #268 as it heads north on an old logging road . Next , traverse boardwalks over boggy seeps , then head south to top the 6,000-foot Selkirk Crest at mile 3.4 ; the range 's 7,000-foot , glacier-carved peaks tower to the north . Drop east Into marshlands strewn with erratic boulders up to six feet across before forking right toward a prime campsite at the south edge of Lower Two Mouth Lake . Relax and explore : Head southeast to the upper lake , or hit the summit of Kent Peak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . Contact fs.usda.gov/ipnf Trip ID 989914 <p> THEWAY From Bonners Ferry , head west on CR 18 for 5.6 miles . Turn left onto FR 663 ( Myrtle Creek Rd. ) and go 12.3 miles . <p> MULTIDAY <p> APACHENF.AZ <p> SOAK IN A BACKCOUNTRY HOT SPRING . <p> Remote Hannah Hot Spring ( 1330F at the source ) is the ultimate basecamp : Hike off-trail 8.3 miles up a tricky canyon system to camp near top-tier dayhikes and nightly soaks . Lesicka says you 'll regret spending anything less than three nights . From the trailhead , head up the wide Blue River canyon , occasionally crossing the stream ( up to thighhigh in spring ) . Be ready to backtrack : User paths often dead-end . In 4.2 miles , turn right ( east ) up Little Blue Creek , then turn right up Hannah Springs Creek in 2.3 miles . Brave several waist-deep wades on your way to the hot spring 's 18-inch-deep stone-and-mortar catch basins , .3 mile up the slot . Camp on a leveled site above the springs , then soak and dayhike up Hannah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slots with wades . Contact fs.usda.gov/asnf Trip ID 1373461 <p> THEWAY From Clifton , go 30 miles north on US 191 . Turn right onto FR 475 . In 12.1 miles , turn left onto FR 475C . Reach the trailhead in three miles ( 4WD required ) . <p> Survey says <p> The region 's top weekend hikes on backpacker.com <p> Maroon Bells , Aspen , CO <p> Sandbeach Lake , Rocky Mountain NP <p> South Kaibab to Bright Angel , Grand Canyon NP <p> 71 Most miles you 've hiked in a day <p> #1 ON YOUR BUCKET LIST <p> 43% Teton Crest Trail <p> 41% Crest of the Wind River Range <p> 16% Escalante Route , Grand Canyon <p> Your Neck of the Woods <p> Scramble on red rock , camp at alpine lakes , cross a high pass , explore a trailless moonscape , and bushwhack to a peak . <p> Aparna Rajagepal-Durtan <p> Lander , WY <p> " Be alert for altitude symptoms ( headaches , nausea ) , especially in kids . " <p> Stough Creek Basin , Shoshone NF , WY Instant gratification alert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trout-laden lakes within three hours of setting off from the Worthen Meadows trailhead . " This Is our family 's go-to overnighter , " says Rajagopal-Durbin . Take the Stough Creek Basin Trail up to grand vistas at the 10,550-foot pass at mile 4.8 , then continue to the lakes at mile 8.1 for an epic day or nice overnight ( campsites abound ) . The lakes below 10,600 feet have more forest cover , but bugs can be Intense there in July , fs.usda.gov/shoshone <p> Lauren Kelley <p> Sedona , AZ <p> " Leave enough time to pause and soak your feet in Oak Creek 's year-round flow . " <p> Cathedral Rock Loop , Red Rock NF , AZ Snag views of a red-ciiffed valley and stand toe-to-rock with iconic 1,000-foot sandstone towers on this 4.9-mlle , half-day adventure . " It 's one of the Sedona classics , " says Kelley , who adds her own cross-country twist . From the Turkey Tank parking lot , take the Baldwin Trail to the Templeton Trail , trace Oak Creek , ascend 600 feet of switchbacks , and follow cairns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far side of Cathedral Rock to reunite with the Baldwin Trail for the 1.5-mile return . THp IO 1359557 <p> Charlie Hart <p> Albuquerque , NM <p> " This trail requires good routefinding skills to stay on-track through dense brush . " <p> Sandia Peak , Cibola NF , NM Summit a peak via open slopes and a wooded canyon on this hike with five- and 14-mile options . Hart calls the longer loop " one of the hardest In the area . " From Elena Gallegos Park , follow the Domingo Baca Canyon Trail to the TWA memorial , site of a 1955 plane crash . Bushwhack and scramble up another mile to intersect with the La Luz Spur Trail and an easy walk to Sandia Peak and its aerial tram . Easy : Ride down to a shuttle car . Better : Continue south on the Crest Trail to the Pino Trail to finish the 14-mlle loop . Trip ID 1369445 <p> Mike SancSsfnents <p> Boulder , CO <p> " Hike in late summer : The wlldflowers still linger and afternoon storms are less likely . " <p> Lake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Indian Peaks Wilderness on this 6.9-mile out-and-back through steep alpine terrain . Start at the 4th of July trailhead near Nederland ( avoid crowds by going in fall ) and climb three miles on the Arapaho Pass Trail , past the remains of a mine and above treellne , to a narrow saddle at 11,906 feet . Enjoy views of snow-specked peaks and lakes In every direction . From there , continue uphill .3 mile to the spur to 12,061-foot Lake Dorothy . Mt . Neva 's sheer walls provide a backdrop for lounging . Trip ID 1359407 <p> Karen Stevenson <p> Mites City , MT <p> " Watch out for rain : This area 's dirt roads turn to tire-sucking gumbo when wet . " <p> Natural Bridges , Terry Badlands Wilderness Study Area , MT There are no trails In this wonderland of arches , buttes , and hoodoos , so you can simply park and go . " It 's fun to explore , " says Stevenson . Her top pick ? A threemile out-and-back across prairie washes to a cluster of nine sandstone natural bridges , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , head 5.5 rough miles down Calypso Trail Road . Fork left on a dirt road to access the wilderness .4 mile above Outlaw Springs . From here , follow a user path northwest to the arches . ( 406 ) 635-5782 Sidebar <p> " On the Hannah Hot Spring route , I encountered 11 bears In five miles . " AuthorAffiliation <p> Travis Lesicka <p> Sandpoint , ID 
##4110557 Ready for the next level , but do n't know where to start ? Try these tips we customized for six readers who wanted to elevate their skills . Go bigger and hike smarter with advice from experts on navigation , family camping , gear maintenance , thru-hiking , cooking , and winter camping . By Kristy Holland <p> NAVIGATE OFF TRAIL <p> Open upa new door to adventure-by leaving the well-trod route behind . <p> REAOB ? Caria Danley , 50 , Portland , OR <p> Problem " I 'd like to see even more pristine places when basecamping . I know I need stronger map and compass skills , but I do n't want to have to rely on my GPS . What other tricks can I use to make off-trail travel easier ? " <p> EXPERT Bruce Crawford , wilderness navigation instructor for The Mountaineers <p> Solution " First , perfect your map and compass skills and learn to build a mental picture of real-world terrain by reading key landmarks on any type of map ( see page 75 ) . Then plan smart , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can stay on course , even in rugged or difficult terrain . " <p> Pick Your Path <p> FIND THE EASIEST WAY AROUND . <p> * Follow game traite . In overgrown areas frequented by targe species , follow animal paths to Increase your pace . Climb or descend by stair-stepping between trails , which often run parallel across slopes . <p> * Skirt vegetation . Avoid dense flora in wetlands and draws . Instead , travel on ridgelines or above treeline , if possible . In general , vegetation is thicker on northern and windward slopes . <p> * Contour around hills . Save energy by navigating hillsides along one elevation ( use your GPS altimeter ) . Contour lines on maps may not expose impassable cliffs or other hazards , so look ahead to avoid tough or dangerous terrain . <p> Stay On Course <p> Use the land to guide you . <p> * Follow a handrail . Identify your target ( X ) and a linear feature that leads toward it , like a stream or ridge , on your map . Guide your direction of travel by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . <p> * Reference a nearby land feature . Identify a prominent landmark within half a mile of your target destination , like a lake ( A ) . Hike to that point via the easiest route and then use your map and compass to fine-tune a bearing and calculate the distance to your goal . Pace count on that bearing to get there . <p> TAKE THE FAMILY <p> Use these tricks to get your kids begging tor another trip outside . <p> READER Brent Bauer , 45 , Broomfield , CO <p> * Problem " When my 7-year-old gets bored , she 'll basically boycott the rest of a trip . How do I make hiking fun and comfortable for my kids ? " <p> EXPERT Jen Aist , author of Babes in the Woods : Hiking , Camping , and Boating with Babies and Young Children <p> * Solution " The are three things that go Into making backpacking trips great for kids . First , bring comfort food , like pizza ; it will boost the morale of even the biggest grumps . Second , plan trips @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games or invite a friend , and set goals that will make hiking fun . " <p> Plan Kid-Friendly Hikes <p> Prep right and choose no-sweat trails . <p> * Practice . Dayhike with kids fully outfitted , so you can fine-tune their gear . Practice backyard campouts , too . <p> * Set realistic goals . As a general rule , plan a half-mile per year of age , and schedule a rest stop every 45 <p> * Snack and hydrate . Make sure everyone 's snacking . Active kids ( between the ages of 5 and 12 ) need 1,600 to 2,000 calories per day and as much water as adults , about 64 ounces . <p> * Pick kid-friendly destinations . Choose trails with playgroundlike features , such as streams and boulder fields . <p> * Give kids control . Teach them about layering , pack clothing appropriate for the lowest temps you expect , stand back , and let them self-regulate . " Kids are very capable , " says Aist . <p> Make Hiking Fun <p> ENTERTAIN AND CHALLENGE KIDS . <p> * Bring lightweight toys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and kites are amusing , but not heavy . For high-flying , portable fun , try Prism Designs ' Stowaway Parafoil kite ( $35 ; 4 Oz. ; prismkites.com ) . <p> * Tum chores into challenges . Make a game or race out of camp projects . For example : Who can pitch the tent fastest , or gather the most kindling ? <p> Camp Pizza <p> Cook up Aist 's kid-friendly pie , and see page 56 for a complete family kitchen kit . <p> 14 ounces of ready-made dough <p> 1 1/2 cup pizza sauce <p> 1/4 cup each of 2 to 5 pizza toppings <p> 8 ounces mozzarella cheese <p> 1 tablespoon olive oil <p> AT HOME <p> Form dough into four 8-inch rounds and prebake ( check package directions for oven temperature ) until dry to the touch . Cool and wrap in foil . Pack sauce in a spiltproof container . Chop toppings and store in zip-top bags . Crusts will last three to four days in your pack . <p> IN CAMP <p> Oil your pan and grate the cheese . Place one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sauce , toppings , and cheese . Cover and cook pizza on very low heat for 5 to 12 minutes ( until cheese is melted ) . Repeat with remaining crusts until complete . Serves 3 to 4 . <p> MAKE GEAR LAST <p> Save money and stay prepared . <p> READER Francesca LaManna.22 , Brooklyn , NY <p> * Problem " I do n't have a lot to spend on gear . How can I make my investment last ? " <p> EXPERT Kristin Hostetter , BACKPACKER Gear Editor and author of The Complete Guide to Outdoor Gear Maintenance <p> * Solution " Store things properly and do easy fixes yourself ; zipper blowouts and big rips are preventable . " <p> Prep for Storage <p> AVOID MILDEW AND GRIME DAMAGE <p> * Tent Dry it thoroughly before storing . Clean annually with a mild detergent and rinse poles . <p> * Bag Air out after each use and hang , lay flat , or stuff loosely in a cotton sack to store . Wash in a frontloading machine every 30 uses , or when excessively dirty . <p> * @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Remove odd tastes by soaking overnight with water and denture-cleaning tablets . Store flat . <p> * Boots Clean outside with a stiff brush and rinse boot insole with McNett MiraZyme ( $5 ; mcnett.com ) . <p> Make Preventive Repairs <p> Avert on-trail gear emergencies . <p> * Tears Fix small rips before they become big . Use an alcohol pad to clean fabric , and then seal it with a glob of McNett Seam Grip ( $8 ) . <p> * Bent/stuck zippers Do n't yank . Pull fabric ( not the slider ) to loosen snags . Clean zipper teeth with a stiff , dry brush and use needle-nose pliers to squeeze a bent slider into shape or reposition a tooth . Zip between squeezes to test performance . <p> * Waterproof finish Give an old jacket new life by refreshing its DWR finish when rain stops beading and rolling off its surface . Wash or spray on Nikwax TX Direct ( $13 ; nikwax.com ) . <p> CAMP COMFORTABLY IN WINTER <p> Extend your backpacking season : Here 's how to stay warm and protect your gear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , NJ <p> * Problem " I almost got frostbite on a cold-weather campout , and we barely slept because we were so cold . I love being out in winter , but how do I pitch a tent in snow , and what should I expect from my gear when temperatures dip below 2O0F ? " <p> EXPERT R.L Stolz , Alpine Adventures , Adirondack mountain guides <p> * Solution " Stay warm by picking the right spot to pitch your tent and making sure your gear is up for the conditions . Make your first-ever winter trips late in the season , when temperatures are typically milder and days are getting longer . The margin for error is larger . " <p> Pitch a Bomber Tent <p> Erect a shelter correctly-in the right spot , and secure against the worst weather . <p> * Pick a safe , warm site . Choose campsites away from cliff edges , avalanche slopes , and dead branches or trees ( called widowmakers ) . Try to set up away from wind and low spots , where cold air settles . Determine if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ estimating the alpha angle , the angle between the top of a potential avalanche slope and your campsite . If the alpha angle is more than 20 degrees ( see below left ) , do n't set up camp in that area . <p> * Pack the surface . While wearing skis or snowshoes , stomp out a platform about twice as large as your tent . Wait 30 minutes to one hour for the packed snow to harden ( called sintering ) enough to walk on . While you wait , dig out table surfaces for a cooking area , and pack down routes to a toilet and a water source . <p> * Stake it out . Use snow stakes ( or improvise with rocks , sticks , snow-filled stuffsacks , or skis- anything that you wo n't need to use while the tent is pitched ) to secure tent comers and guyllnes . To set anchors : Pack a one-foot-deep hole in the snow where you want to place the stake and ( ay the anchor in the base of It . Fill the hole with snow and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settle and harden . <p> * Protect against wind . Pitch your shelter 's most aerodynamic end facing the wind . Tents are most wind-resistant when pitched tightly , so stake it securely and use a sliding knot like a trucker 's hitch ( see below right ) so you can retighten lines without having to reset anchors . If possible , position the door at a 90-degree angle to the wind to minimize access-blocking snowdrifts . Consider pitching behind a natural windbreak like a dense stand of trees , or building a wall of snow on the tent 's windward side . If your wall is three feet tall , build it three feet from your tent so drifts it collects do n't bury your shelter . <p> Sleep Warm <p> REST WELL TO WEATHER COLD DAVS . <p> * Stay dry . Change into dry layers to sleep , brush off snow before entering your tent , and keep a small sponge on hand to wipe condensation off walls . <p> * Insulate . Do n't lose heat to the frozen ground . Layer a foam pad under an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Recluse 2.51 ( $80 ; kelty.com ) . <p> * Warm up . Pile on calories at dinner and snack before bedtime . For a warming boost snuggle with a hot-water-filled bottle and do a few sit-ups in your bag . <p> Keep Gear Frost-Free <p> Do n't lose performance in a deep freeze . <p> * Boots and gloves Put gloves and shoes and/or boot liners inside a stuffsack and keep the sack in your tent or sleeping bag footbox overnight . <p> * Water purification Leave pump filters at home ; they may freeze and crack . Instead , use a chemical or UV treatment to purify or plan to melt snow for drinking . Note : Boiling water from clean snow Is n't necessary because snow does n't harbor gut-busting bacteria . <p> * Stove Bring a white-gas burner ; the fuel performs better than canisters In temps below 400F . Melting snow to drink ? Pack at least 6 ounces of fuel per person , per day . Facing extreme temps ? Carrying up to 15 ounces of fuel per person per day may be appropriate . @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 320F . Keep cells warm in your pockets or use lithium ( which work down to -4O0F ) . Sidebar <p> NAVIGATION CENTER <p> Learn way finding skills for any conditions how to plot offtrail routes and tricks to avoid getting lost . **31;842;TOOLONG 
##4110559 Iconic scenery bolstered by serious solitude ? Get them both on this weekiong traverse . By Colleen Contrisciane-Lewis <p> Day 1 <p> Naturally , Rowan and I want quality time alone-we eloped just weeks before our hike , and this Continental Divide-crossing route will not only be my Reader Leader dream trip , but also our honeymoon . And judging from the deserted parking lot at the Chief Mountain entry near the Canadian border , we are off to a good start . The rewards come quickly on the Pacific Northwest Trail . Just two miles in , we pop through the trees for our first blown-open view of Glacier 's jagged peaks : Sentinel and Bear Mountains , both well over 8,000 feet , with a golden meadow sprawling below , framed with an explosion of purple lupine , beargrass , and fireweed . We are mesmerized . <p> At mile seven , we take a 300-yard side trail to Gros Ventre Falls , a 30-foot cascade spilling into a turquoise pool before coursing down another drop . Rowan ca n't resist a swim in " the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Glenns Lake Camp at mile 10.5 , next to sky blue waters beneath Cosley Ridge 3,000 feet above . We meet a couple camped nearby who are keenly interested in Rowan 's accent-he 's from Zimbabwe . They recognize it as the same unique accent spoken by their farrier , back home in Indiana . Like many African countries , Zimbabwe has experienced devastating famine and civil unrest in recent decades , which led to a massive diaspora . So while it 's preposterous to think Rowan would know the couple 's farrier , just because they both speak with a Zimbabwean accent , they ca n't help asking . More shocking than seeing a grizzly : The man was one of Rowan 's best friends in high school , but they lost touch In the chaos . This reconnection in the Glacier wilderness seems all but impossible , but serendipitous experiences like this have trained me to embrace interactions with people In the wild , rather than feel overly protective of my solitude . ( Rowan has since made contact with his lost friend . ) <p> Day 2 <p> @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Cosley Ridge and Pyramid Peak . As we begin climbing Stoney Indian , - it seems that every 100 feet of elevation gain grants us another mile of sky to see , another lake , waterfall , or row of peaks to appreciate . It 's immediately obvious why Stoney Indian campsite is so sought after : It 's prime real estate , offering a lake and a waterfall , an amazing westerly view , and an open-air privy . <p> Day 3 <p> When I backpack solo , I can do breakfast and pack in 30 minutes . With Rowan , It takes two hours , and my frustration is building to a boil . He has some serious backcountry skill-he worked as a safari guide the past 20 years , But he 's had porters take care of food , organizing , packing , and hauling gear- a backpacker 's essential crafts . This is his first real DIY trek . <p> We leave camp at 10 a.m. on trail thick with white , confettilike cow parsnip- neck high at times and heavy from last night 's rain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then turn and head north toward Goat Haunt . My spirits warm with the day and shoot sky-high when we arrive at our next campsite at Lake Francis , , a tealpool beneath thousand-foot cliffs . From the beach , we see runoff from Dixon Glacier plunging hundreds of feet into the lake and peaks turning peach In the setting sun . <p> Day 4 <p> The next morning , I do n't fuss about an early start . The magic of Lake Francis - and Rowan 's **30;905;TOOLONG approach- is seeping in , and I find myself losing track of time while photographing reflections In the water . <p> We climb up Brown 's Pass , a 6,255-foot saddle , enjoying Thunderbird Falls as a navigational handrail along the way . When we crest the top , we negotiate a graveyard of pines snapped like matchsticks . Most of the trees broke at their bases during a late-season avalanche , and snow still obscures the trail <p> Once we find the path , we lengthen our trekking poles and begin a steep and loose descent to Bowman Lake at mite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Peabody and Carter . <p> Day 5 <p> This morning , we take it slow purposefully . It 's our honeymoon , and the seven-mile stretch of trail along Bowman Lake is flat , fast , and breathtaking . The park 's topography changes quite a bit on the west side of the Continental Divide , and when we leave the Pacific Northwest Trail and turn down Lower Quartz Trail at mile ..... 51 we begin to notice the differences . The trees grow thicker and taller , and the mountains are rounder and gentler than the sharp peaks east of the divide . Another difference : We do n't see a soul , and our campsite at calm and piney Lower Quartz Lake is deserted . <p> We arrive at camp early , and talk about packing fishing rods the next time , so we can cook a trout dinner . Or maybe even horsepacking one day . Less than an hour later , a couple on horses appears . The husband jumps off his horse and says , " Do you like fish ? I 've heard this lake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of fish at our feet , the couple rides away to leave us to a private feast . Does the trail magic ever stop ? <p> Day 6 <p> As we hike from Lower Quartz Lake to the Inside North Fork Road crossing at mile 60.7 , the sense of being utterly alone becomes palpable . We never see so much as a fresh footprint . We linger by crystal-clear Lower Quartz Creek and have a languid swim in its shallow ( and ' warm ) waters . " <p> After crossing the road , we continue south to Logging Lake Trail . " Would you mind silencing your bear bell ? " Rowan asks . " The incessant jingle Is grating . And I 'd love to see a bear . " <p> Who am I to argue with a man who 's lived with lions ? So , against my better judgment , I silence my bell , and zip my lips . We hike 30 minutes before seeing a grizzly 20 yards off the trail . It behaves like every other bear I 've ever encountered and takes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think thditors of BACKPACKER would like " their readers to have such a juicy detail . But the bear only runs a short distance before stopping to stand on its hind legs and get a better view of Rowan . I make some noise , and the bear takes off again . Rowan naturally complains that I cut his first bear encounter short . I roll my eyes and un-silence my bell for the remaining 4.5 miles to our camp at Logging Lake . <p> Doit <p> Get there From Browning , take Duck Lake Rd. 33.2 miles to US 89 . Turn right and head 5.6 miles to a left on MT 17 . Go 14 miles to the trailhead . Shuttle Glacier Transportation ( 406 ) 892-3390 ; glaciertransportation . com Contact ( 406 ) 888-7800 ; nps.gov/glac GPSdata Download tracks and waypoints , view more photos , and print a custom map of this route at backpacker.com/winner <p> Day 7 <p> Logging Lake is a skinny , seven-mile-long pool tucked into a tight valley that hardly anybody goes to . The reason ? The trail along its banks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . We 'd planned on camping at trail 's end , just 4.5 miles away , for our final night . But when we awake the next morning , we want to be still- we put in more than 70 miles , are sore , and already have a PLm ? ampsiteqn thebeach pjthjs inviting lake . Nothing sounds better than spending a day lounging by the water- enjoying this remote and sublime landscape to the fullest- before hiking back out to the road . It is our honeymoon , after all . Sidebar <p> 2012 READER LEADER CONTEST WINNERS ! <p> More than 150 of you entered our contest to become a BACKPACKER field scout . Meet the winners here , starting with Colleen ContriscianeLewis , of Phoenixville , Pennsylvania . She earned the all-expenses-paid grand prize : an assignment to hike- and report on- her dream trip . Read about her 85-mile , weeklong transect of Glacier National Park on the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail , then turn to page 20 for seven more routes , from Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park to Quebec , all scouted by our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fill out an application at **27;937;TOOLONG 
##4110567 Seven lucky-to-be-alive subscribers share their real-life backcountry disasters . Here 's how they survived , and what you can learn from their mistakes . As told to Kristy Holland <p> Caught in a Flash Flood <p> Survivor Sarah Owen , 33 , Page , Arizona <p> Predicament Trapped by rising water and quicksand in Paria Canyon , Utah <p> Lesson learned " Gambling with the weather never pays off , even when you think you have great odds . " <p> I could go no higher , so I braced myself in a tiny cave , horrified , as the surge of water approached . The flood changed color in an instant , from gray to burnt orange . The force of the flood increased , and a wave of debris rounded the upstream bend , out-roaring the already deafening downpour . The water rushed by just three feet below my perch ; there was nothing I could do If It kept rising . <p> Earlier that day , when I discussed my plans for a three-day solo trip down the Parla River toward Lees Ferry with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rarely more than a trickle , she told me , but monsoon rains had swollen the river 's flow . It would be passable , but I should expect the water to be higher than normal , and I 'd have to be on alert for flooding . The forecast called for a 20-percent chance of rain- so I decided to go for It . <p> I started in a broad , brushy valley , and the trail let me avoid the knee-deep river and shoreline quicksand for the first four miles . Then the steep sandstone walls converged at the narrows . In the slot ahead , I 'd be getting wet . The river spanned the canyon 's width with only occasional sandy beaches . <p> Forging ahead , I checked that there was blue overhead . There was , but I could only see a sliver of the sky- I did n't realize there were ominous clouds above the plateaus nearby . Within 40 minutes , It started raining . I Immediately scanned the canyon walls for a high ledge and spied a three-foot-high cave that would provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . By the time I climbed Into It , the downpour was torrential and waterfalls spouted off the towering cliffs all around me . <p> The churning water carried full-size logs and seethed for more than an hour , cresting just a few feet below my cave . But instead of a wall of water that came and went quickly , the 30-foot-wide frothing flow took hours to recede . I knew that rain upstream in the drainage would mean more flooding here , so when the water level subsided , I decided to retreat from the narrows , back the way I had come . <p> I 'd passed a high-ground campsite about 1.5 miles upstream from my cave , but as I backtracked through the canyon , I sank Into quicksand . A thick slurry of water and sand clutched at my thighs , hips , and rib cage . Instead of staying calm , I flailed In the muck . When I finally realized that going forward meant thrashing through a gauntlet of sucking mud , I crawled out and retreated downstream to a ledge above the soupy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water recede . <p> I slept fitfully , watching the river 's mood change throughout the night It must have rained somewhere In the drainage because I heard the thundering approach of another surge crashing between the canyon walls . <p> A few hours after daybreak , a pair of backpackers rounded my campsite . They 'd camped in a different gulch downstream and were trekking toward the trailhead where I 'd started . They had n't yet encountered the quicksand I 'd seen upstream , and they were dismayed when I described the flooding and conditions I 'd encountered . I joined them for my retreat out of the Parla . It was slow going , as quicksand sucked at our legs , but thankfully , we made it back together . <p> ESCAPE PLAN <p> Find High Ground <p> You did everything right- checked the forecast , hiked during the dry season- but a freak storm caught you anyway , and the canyon is quickly filling with water . How high do you need to go ? " It depends on the geology of the canyon , " says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have higher , faster flows than wide , vegetated valleys . " His advice : Look for the debris line of sticks and logs left behind by previous floods and climb above It Ca n't find high enough ground ? As a last-ditch effort , get behind a boulder or rock fin that will reduce the force of the water . <p> Stay Afloat in Quicksand <p> * Do n't struggle . Moving water ( and panicked . Jerking movement ) reduces friction between Individual grains of sand , which lowers surface stability and will cause you to sink . <p> * Distribute your weight . Remove your pack and gently release your arms and legs from the sand as you crawl ontp its surface . Then , flip onto your back Into a spreadeagle position . <p> * Swim . Backstroke toward safety- higher ground , riverbanks , or sandy surfaces with rocks or plants on them , which indicate a more stable surface . <p> Uncontrolled Slide Down an Icy Slope <p> Survivor Ron Whlttaker , 50 , Boise , Idaho <p> Predicament Careening down a summer snowf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ <p> Lesson learned " Respect mountain conditions in every season . If you 're facing steep , slick terrain , bring crampons and an ice axe- or turn around . " <p> My rate of acceleration was so shocking that I could barely react . I was hurtling down a snowy slope at frightening speeds . I managed to flip onto my stomach and get my trekking pole Into a self-arrest position , but the icy slope jerked it out of my hands , and I slid out of control toward a minefield of rocks . <p> I 'd set out on that sunny July day with two buddies , Jerry and Tyler , to hike a 10-mlle stretch of the Idaho Centennial Trail . The unusually deep snowpack was definitely a surprise . This typically was n't a technical or dangerous area so we had n't packed crampons or even microsplkes for our hiking shoes , but even near the hike 's beginning we encountered IQ-foot-deep snowfields in our path . <p> At about 3 p.m. , we set out across a packed , 200-yard-wide drift clinging stubbornly to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slope without incident , driving his boots into the hard snow . Tyler almost made it all the way across , but near the snowfield 's edge he slipped , careening J5 feet downhill before digging his feet into the icy surface to stop himself . I followed Tyler 's footsteps until , just a few steps from the edge , I lifted my foot and my trekking pole simultaneously ; I was down and sliding before I knew it . My pole ricocheted out of my grip , and 1 could n't get any purchase with my hands and feet . I was hurtling faster and faster toward certain death in the boulders below . <p> Jerry , who was on solid ground , grabbed onto a tree and then for me as I slid past him . He clutched at my shirt , but his effort only shifted my momentum , slowing me slightly and twisting me toward the edge of the snowfield . As I tobogganed past a half-buried tree , I grabbed a branch and swung to a halt- just seconds above the field 's rocky base @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at full speed , this would n't be a survival story at all . <p> ESCAPE PLAN <p> Cross Summer Snow <p> * Check slope runout . Snow is n't avy-prone on compacted summer slopes , so when judging chute safety , your potential sliding path should be your primary concern . Avoid traversing above long , steep , or dangerous runouts when hiking without crampons , an ice axe , or rope . <p> * Find quality snow . Summer snowpack is often very hard , tough to dig steps Into . Look above and below the trail for softer snow . Tip : Beware areas near trees , streams , and rocks , which absorb heat and create dangerous holes . <p> * Kick steps . " Look for existing flats you can enhance , " suggests American Alpine Institute guide Kurt Hicks . For perfect steps , he suggests hitting the snow with the toe edge of your shoe in a slicing motion . Angle your foot so the platform is level , and continue kicking until it is wide enough to support more than half of your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put most of your weight on your forefoot , and maintain upright posture , which helps keep your shoe in contact with the snow . " Even if steps exist , " says Hicks , " you 'll have better traction if you kick into them . " <p> Charged by a 500-Pound Grizzly <p> Survivor Adam Shinn , 31 , Boulder , Colorado <p> Predicament Close-range encounter in Yellowstone National Park , Wyoming <p> Lesson learned " In bruin country , everyone should pack- and know how to use- a canister of bear spray . " <p> Three of us hiked eight miles into the Lamar . Valley for a springtime fishing extravaganza on Pebble Creek . When it was time to hike home , we spoke loudly as we traversed bear country- open meadows and thick forests . Three miles from camp , we cruised into a field of tall grass and flowers- and spotted a full-grown grizzly . <p> We froze . Speaking directly to the bear in calm voices , we backed away slowly . But he charged anyway , huffing and grunting as he ran , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was ready with bear spray , and I squeezed the trigger , emptying my canister , as my companions dropped to the ground . <p> The spray stopped him , but only briefly . He made another run toward us from just 30 feet away . A cloud of deterrent hung in the air ; when he hit it , he turned , and sprinted into the forest . Thankfully we did n't encounter another bear- without more spray we would have been easy targets for an attack . <p> ESCAPE PLAN <p> Use Bear Spray Safely <p> " If an animal comes within 50 feet , use your spray , " recommends Dave Parker , a certified * bear spray safety trainer . If the bear is n't running , point the nozzle about 30 feet away , and fire a series of one- to two-second bursts . If it 's charging , point the spray at the bear 's chest and hold the trigger until the can is fully discharged . Out of spray and the grizzly is still charging ? Do n't run , lay on your stomach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flipped , Soaked , and Freezing <p> Survivors Matt and Agnes Hage , 38 and 29 , Anchorage , Alaska <p> Predicament Hypothermic after a dip into icy Whitewater near Girdwood , Alaska <p> Lesson learned " If things do n't seem right , bail early . The compounding effects of bad decisions can kill people in the wilderness . " <p> In moderate conditions , the Twentymile River is a straightforward , beginner-level packraft trip with only a few rippling corners near the put-in . We were going on a mild July weekend with nighttime temps forecast to stay in the high 40s , and noaa.gov 's river gauge reported that the flow was mellow . Things looked perfect for our inaugural 15-mile float down the glacier-fed waterway . <p> The first few bends were supposed to be the crux of our trip . We hesitated because the water looked more aggressive than we 'd expected , but we proceeded anyway , thinking these waves would be the day 's biggest thrill . What we did n't know was that in the 24 hours since we 'd checked the water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Within minutes , Agnes hit a sweeper and her packraft flipped her into the 440F water . By the time we regrouped on the river 's far side , she was shivering and had lost her paddle- an essential piece of gear for ferrying her boat across the rapids . <p> We could n't cross the river back toward the trailhead without a major bushwhack , so we plodded through the shallows toward the flat lower valley . It was n't until evening , after we 'd spent the day knee-deep in the frigid water , that we realized the river was flooded and impassable . Our lips and skin were blue , our fingers and toes were numb , and we were shaking violently . Hypothermia was setting in , and we realized we 'd be stuck overnight . <p> At that point , we knew we were in trouble , and we focused on getting out of the water . It took two more hours of panicked bushwhacking and waist-deep wading to do it . We finally found a spot on a hillside to build a fire . We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dry clothes ( thankfully , we each carried a drybag with a wool baselayer ) warmed us enough to allow blood to flow back into our extremities . We even rested a bit before the all-day bushwhack to get home . Now , when in doubt , we turn back . There 's always a next time . <p> ESCAPE PLAN <p> Treat Hypothermia <p> * Mild Change into dry , insulating layers and do light exercises , like jumping jacks or sit-ups . Eat and drink ; warm foods ( such as steaming soups or hot chocolate ) are better , but even cold meals and liquids will boost metabolism and add calories , raising your body temperature . Apply external heat like a hot-water-filled bottle to the chest or armpits . Insulate bare skin from direct heat . <p> * Severe If the victim stops shivering due to energy loss , treat the situation as a life-or-death emergency . Handle his rigid muscles gently , and If the victim stops breathing , give rescue breaths , but do n't perform CPR . Bundle the affected person in an insulating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ca n't Breathe at High Altitude <p> Survivor Dustin Stein , 28 , Durango , Colorado <p> Predicament Pulmonary edema filling lungs with fluid at an 11000-foot campsite , Colorado <p> Lesson learned " Have escape routes in mind . If my partner had n't been prepared with a bailout plan , I could have died . " <p> I was fit after a winter of skiing , so when the snowpack was still solid in April , my friend Tim and I planned a light-and-fast ski traverse of the San Juan Mountains . Conditions were tough , and two 12-hour days wiped me out . I was tired and developed a cough from the all-day efforts in the dry mountain air- or so I thought . <p> On our second night , we set up camp near 11,000 feet , above the headwaters of the east fork of Colorado 's Piedra River , and I went straight to bed . At 11 p.m. , a low rumbling noise woke me up from a restless sleep . I listened for it again and realized that it was n't an animal in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I called out to Tim : " We need to get down , now . I think I have high-altitude pulmonary edema HAPE . " By 1 a.m. , we were dropping through the drainage en route to help , and descending to reduce my symptoms . <p> Tim had researched potential evacuation points before the trip , and we were headed toward a lodge lower in the basin . But by noon , my condition had worsened and we 'd only gone down a few thousand feet . I had slowed to a crawl , and was coughing up fluid with every exhale . We split up so I could rest while Tim raced for help . My breathing worsened throughout the night , but I surprised myself with my sense of clarity . I was grateful for being In the wilderness . <p> When the chopper touched down the next morning , I was barely moving , but after oxygen therapy and a few days in the hospital , I was on the road to recovery . I 'm healthy now , but I have a heightened awareness of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worst . <p> ESCAPE PLAN <p> Recognize HAPE <p> Only half of high altitude pulmonary edema ( HAPE ) victims show early signs of altitude sickness , so its onset might come as a surprise . Symptoms usually appear on the second night at altitude so be on alert , and descend immediately to stop them . <p> * Early signs Dry cough , reduced performance , shortness of breath ( while moving and at rest ) <p> * Later symptoms Gurgling noises when breathing , cough that produces phlegm ( frothy sputum is often bloody and pink ) , chest pain , and increased heart rate and respiration <p> Struck by Lightning <p> Survivor Stan Feil , 46 , Visalia , California <p> Predicament Caught In an electrical storm on the exposed summit of a 14,000-foot peak , Colorado <p> Lesson learned " Follow your instincts about reducing risk exposure , even if other people disagree with you . Your life depends on good judgment . " <p> An arc of electricity jumped out of the ground and flowed directly into my left hand . It looked like something you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ halfway between the summit of Colorado 's highest mountain ( 14,440-foot Mt . Elbert ) and treeline when I was hit . By then I 'd already been running full-bore down the mountain for almost 20 minutes . <p> We 'd waited longer than we should have at the summit , hoping that all 15 of the people in our group would make it to the top . Summit fever was high , as the peak would be the fifth Fourteener of the week for most of the Boy Scouts in the troop . I Joined the group , which Included my teenage son , lust the day before this hike . There had been rain , but no highcountry lightning all week . So when I mentioned the building clouds , the boys and troop leaders were n't overly concerned . I should have acted on my instincts to get off the summit right then . 1 was the only one who seemed worried about the storm until one of the boys , a 15-year-old with shoulder-length locks , pointed to his hairliterally standing on end because of the static @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . <p> The charge in the air was palpable and we should have dropped to the ground , but fear took over . We started running and I hoped that my legs and knees could handle the pounding pace . I yelled to the boys to spread out as they ran- not to group together- knowing that they 'd reach treeline long before I would . <p> Within minutes . It was pouring rain . Lightning and thunder boomed and flashed simultaneously . It was like a battlefield , with jagged bolts hitting the ground every 10 to 15 seconds like bombs . Boom ! Boom ! Boom ! <p> I was praying as I ran , and when I saw the bolt of electricity jump from the ground to my fingers , I thought I was a goner . My hand was hot and my arm was tingling from the shock , but surprisingly , 1 was otherwise uninjured . The pounding in my heart , lungs , and legs was from the running- not the direct hit I 'd narrowly avoided . It 's the only time in my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entire life did n't flash before my eyes , but I worried about my wife and family , and when it was over I felt lucky to be alive and humbled by nature . <p> ESCAPE PLAN <p> Reduce the Risk of a Strike <p> The forecast did n't warn of lightning within 100 miles of your hike- but that crack was unmistakable and clouds are rolling In . Now what ? <p> Lightning can strike ground more than 25 miles from storm clouds , so blue sky overhead does n't mean you 're safe . In fact , there 's no place In the backcountry that Is completely safe in an electrical storm , but your first move should be to seek safer terrain . Move off of peaks and ridges , and to the lowest ground nearby . In rolling landscapes , drop into a depression , like a dry ravine . Stay away from water and isolated tall trees or towers . <p> If the time between the flash and the bang is less than 30 seconds ( 5 seconds = 1 mile ) , consider yourself at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is making your hair stand up , a strike is imminent . Assume the lightning position : Spread out with at least 50 feet between you and other people so that multiple people wo n't be struck by one bolt , incapacitating the whole group . Crouch or sit with your feet close together on a foam pad or pack ( without a metal frame ) . Standing , laying down , and having your feet wide all Increase the potential damage from a direct hit . Removing metal jewelry will reduce the risk of a secondary burn , but not a lightning strike . <p> If there 's a threat of lightning overnight , use the safe terrain considerations described earlier in this section to choose your campsite ; tents offer no protection from lightning and may even attract It . 
##4110568 Top picks and values for backcountry lakes and rivers <p> expedition canoe <p> Nova Craft Prospector 17 <p> Tripping-style canoes are known for their shallow-arch hulls , which combine the Initial stability of a flat hull with the secondary stability ( steady when leaned over on edge ) of a rounded hull . This makes them hard to capsize- and a good all-around choice for paddlers who rank long-haul performance over short-course speed . Nova Craft 's 17-foot version of this iconic design stays faithful to the original , but uses modern Royalex Lite , a heat-bonded composite of vinyl , plastic , and foam that 's both rugged and lightweight . With two Inches of rocker ( end-to-end curve ) , the bow stays well above the water . " I stayed plenty dry through rolling waves and wind chop , " reports a tester who paddled through Utah 's 52-mile Stillwater Canyon . The Prospector scored well In tracking and ferrying ( paddling across the current ) . The liberal 15-inch depth results in extensive capacity ( up to 1.200 pounds ) , ideal for tong-and-luxe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oven , the table , and camp chairs , " says our tester . " This boat can handle it all without getting tippy . " Bonus : Nylon lace seats are cooler than cane on hot days . $1,679 ; 68 lbs. ; novacraftcanoe.com <p> pack raft <p> AlpackaDenali Llama <p> Few gear Innovations spawn entirely new sports , but that 's exactly what pack rafts- backpackable inflatable boats- have done . From Alaska tundra routes to remote desert canyons , hike-and-float fans are using these craft to explore terrain that was formerly all but off-limits . The one-person Denali Llama is slightly oversized at 7 ' 9 " , allowing you to ferry all your gear across rivers and even transport two paddlers In a pinch . Durable urethane-coated nylon makes the boat tight , 12-inch-diameter tubes keep waves from swamping it , and a newly designed , pointy " big butt " stern ( wider than the bow ) increases speed , tracking , and stability . " It holds Its tine really well once you get it going , " says a tester who packed it in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a remote take . Inflated In five minutes with a beltowsllke nylon sack , the tub-floored ( non selfbailing ) Llama can easily handle up to Class III Whitewater . It packs down to 9 by 24 inches ( in its included sack ) and can be stashed in or lashed on a pack . $850 ; 5 lbs . 3 oz. ; alpackaraft.com <p> inflatable kayak <p> AIRE Outfitter II <p> While hardshell boats are great for carrying gear on flatwater adventures , they can be unwieldy in rapids and a hassle to store and transport . Inflatable kayaks offer multiday gear-carrying capacity with legit Whitewater stability ( and the ability to bounce off boulders that would taco a hardshell craft ) . This buoyant tandem is perfect for wilderness runs that might be out of reach in less stable floaties and touring craft . Oversized side tubes ( 12.5 inches versus 11.5 inches on other models ) provide a steady ride and keep splashes at bay , while near-hardshell rigidity means the craft wo n't buckle in big drops . " Great for Class I to III trips with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Outfitter on a threeday float down the Colorado River . It has a whopping 34 tie-downs along the self-bailing floor to secure up to 525 pounds of payload . Sweet feature : Behind each seat is a map pocket and drink holder , complete with , yep , built-in coozies . And durability ? One staffer has had an AIRE for 15 years , and has never experienced a puncture or leaky valve . $1,459 ; 46 lbs. ; aire.com <p> iPhone armor <p> LifeProof iPhone 4/4S Case <p> Drop it , dunk it , rod it in dirt . Lots of cases out there offer similar protection from hard knocks and the elements , but none are as svelte and pocket-friendly as this one . It adds a barely noticeable Vie of an inch to the perimeter of your phone . Bonus : The optical glass lens wo n't dull the quality of your photos and videos . $80 ; 1 oz. ; lifepfoof.com <p> iPad protection <p> Sea to Summit TPU Guide Waterproof Pouch for IPad <p> Slip your iPad into this sturdy nylon and TPU sleeve and do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Its drybag-like seal is the best we 've seen : roll down the flexible ( touch screen compatible ) TPU , then secure it in two places with Vetera Strips . $40 ; 2.4 oz. ; seatosummit.com <p> sea kayak <p> Necky Looksha 17 Polymer <p> Sea kayaks , with their big-swell stability and buoyant load-carrying ability , are perfect for backpacking via water . This versatile 17 ' 4 " cruiser has the hull speed to keep paddlers in the peloton and enough storage space for long , Walden-esque escapes into the wilderness . While not as light and fast as fiberglass or composite boats of the same length , its durable polyethylene construction means you do n't have to worry about dragging it over rocks or cobblestone beaches . Its multichined hull design- featuring subtly angled edges instead of a smooth curve- offers high initial and secondary stability . On a Belize trip , testers could even hop out of the cockpit with snorkeling gear on and climb back in without wobbles . " Even when running broadside to the prevailing swell , I felt in control , " @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ width in middle ) enhances speed and glide ( which saves energy ) , while a high-volume bow ( more space up front than in the stern ) keeps waves at bay . Oval-shaped bow and stem hatches allow easy access for storing food and gear ( maximum capacity : 375 pounds ) . Bottom line : You get the performance attributes- stability , durability , and ample gear-hauling capacity- of Necky 's higher-end boats in an affordable package . 51,750 ; 65 lbs. ; neckykayaks.com <p> waterproof kayak storage <p> NRSHydroLockDiyBag <p> Sacks in this series are a giant roll-top and zip-top in one . Most drybags employ a simple roll-downand-buckle closure that can leak if you roll it wrong or load it too full . But this foolproof bag also has an interior zipper-type seat for an added layer of protection . Plus , it makes it harder to overload ; if you ca n't fasten the HydroLock seal , you 're carrying one too many pairs of socks . Made with a light-and-tough 70-denier urethanecoated nylon , the bag 's " smooth surface makes stowing It into tight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ island-hopping in the Caribbean . Bonus : A clear window lets you find the toilet paper in a hurry . Available in four sizes ( 6 , 10 , 22 , and 38 liters ) . $22to$43 ; 4.2oz.to9.6oz. ; nrswelom <p> chair <p> Wenonah Super Seat <p> Arm fatigue is n't the hardest part of extended canoeing trips : it 's a sore back that 'll get you . Wenonah solves that with its Super Seat , a downsized Crazy Creek-like chair that securely fastens to either bench or bucket seats to support and cushion your back and butt . Adjustable side straps let you change its recline for that stern-position snooze when your partner is n't looking . Bonus : On dry land it doubles as a comfy fireside camp chair . $40 ; Hb. 6 oz. , wenonah.com <p> Ufe vest <p> Kokatat Artes <p> The low-profile , adjustable Aries PFD features soft , PVC-free foam , which molds around your body for custom-fit-like comfort . Pull straps on each side and shoulder ( as well as a quick-release waist belt ) keep it In place if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rise up over my shoulders at all , " says one swimmer after a gunwale-jumping cannonball . With foam relegated to the front and back instead of the sides , generous arm openings allow full-motion paddle strokes , A 500-denier Cordura outer layer resists rips and abrasion while a nylon inner keeps It smooth against the skin . Nice touch : Thin foam in the lower back , topped by thicker foam higher up , accommodates low-rise seat backs without jutting you forward . $99 ; 1 Ib. 14 oz . ( XL ) ; kokatat.com <p> bargain canoe <p> Old Town Saranac 160 XT <p> This budget-friendly boat made from durable thermoformed polyethylene offers a plush ride for everyday paddling . One tester called it the minlvan of canoes " comfortable and fully-loaded but heavy . " It 's geared toward relaxed daytrips and short overnlghters . And the toaded part ? The two contoured seats have cushy back rests ; cup and rod holders are ideal for afternoon ftoat-and-flsh sessions ; molded storage trays on the sides keep snacks and fishing gear within easy reach ; and a mini-cooler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ center doubles as a bench seat for a third paddler . ( This compartment restricts the boat 's ability to carry large cargo items like expeditionsize drybags , but the boat can hold up to 850 pounds . ) The 16-foot-tong craft has a narrow shape and a flat , stable bottom with a moderate rocker . " It handles quite well compared to other recreational or entry-levet boats , " says one tester . And you ca n't argue with the price . $750 ; 89 lbs. ; oldtowncanoe.com 
##4110570 Pack the trunk or load the boat with luxe stuff . <p> camp throne <p> Ketty Lowdown Chair <p> We 've busted dozens of cheapo chairs over the years , but the Lowdown is built for long-term schlepping and chilling . The frame is steel ( not aluminum , like some models ) , and the pack-strength nylon fabric is reinforced in key spots with climbing-style webbing . " The ample seat is nearly a foot off the groundcomfortably high- but you can still fiddle with a stove , " says our tester . The backrest is angled for serious lounging , armrests move up and down for a custom fit , and the right-handed beverage holder adjusts to accommodate anything from a wide-mouth bottle to a mug . Nice touch : A bottle opener is tethered to the cozy . $48 ; 8 lbs . 8 oz. ; kelty.com <p> stove <p> Primus Profile Duo <p> Cheeseburgers and corn on the cob in camp ? Heck yeah ! Grilt-andcook combo menus are easy with this piezo-ignited* , propane-fired , clamshell two-burner . " I grilled burgers on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corn on the other , " says our gear editor . " At breakfast , I set a big griddle over the entire cooking surface and cranked out pancakes for a crowd . " The stainless steel casing proved bombproof through a season of garage-trunk-camp trips , and the removable , nonstick grill surface is easy to clean . Bonus : Sensitive flame control allows for simmering or lightly charring hot dogs . $120 ; 12 lbs. ; primuscamping.com <p> table <p> Snow Peak Ozen Solo Table <p> It looks like a toy , but do n't be footed . This tiny table proved worth the weight on both car-camping and group backpacking trips , where It served as a stable , level stove platform and prevented the burner 's heat from scorching picnic tables and other surfaces below ( can you ever be too LNT ? ) . The anodized aluminum is kick-around sturdy , and in sandy campsites the 16-by-12-inch table keeps cooking ingrethents off the ground and grit-free . Packed , it 's no bigger than a trifotd brochure . $50 ; 8 oz. ; snowpeak.com <p> rechargable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a frightening rate , but this one gets juiced through a USB cable ( included ) . After 15 hours of charge-time at home , it burns for four hours on high ( or 10 hours on low , perfect for a weekend trip ) . A spherical reflector in the lid lets it double as a flashlight or pendant lamp- which imitates candlelight and turns a camp dinner into a romantic date . Forgot to charge the battery pre-trip ? A hand crank nets 10 minutes of burn time in three minutes . $35 ; 7 oz. ; highgear.com <p> shower <p> NEMO Helio Pressure Shower <p> Luxurious at the end of a long day in the backcountry : 11 liters of sun-warmed water , enough for a seven-minute shower . " It 's the finest I 've felt after a gritty day of mountain biking , " attests one user , who rigged it to a tree at her basecamp near Moab , Utah . After dinner , she set it on the ground , where it made short work of rinsing dishes ( the pressurized chamber forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . It 's not for ultratighters , but car- and boat-campers and backpacking groups of six or more found it totable . Compressed . the Helio is cantaloupe-size. $100 ; 1 tb . 8 oz. ; nemoequipment.com <p> pump <p> Camp-Tek Microburst <p> Save your lungs for campfire singing- use this palm-size , ultralight pump to inflate air pads . It puffed up a three-inch-thick mattress in about five minutes . Top it off yourself to dial in firmness . ( It uses three AAA batteries . ) $30 ; 2.7 oz. ; camp-tek.com <p> dutch oven <p> Lodge Cast Iron Camp Dutch Ovens <p> Crank your campground cooking up several notches with one of these pioneer-worthy , chef-pleasing pots . Prop one over a bed of coals , place more coats on top , and you have an oven that can produce mouthwatering entres , fluffy breads , and delicious desserts . Our Editors ' Choice reviews start on page 25. $44-$175 ; lodgemfg.com <p> 4PlEZO IGNITION A push-button mechanism that generates a spark to automatically light a stove <p> cooler <p> Kelty Folding Cooler <p> This sturdy icebox ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not only keeps your cold ones cold , It keeps them from spilling , too . In camp , it doubles as a handy cocktail table with four cup holders built Into the Ud . Back home , the soft sides collapse , making it easy to store . Available In 20- , 35- , and 50-titers. $46-$76 ; 2lbs.2oz.to2lbs.l5oz. ; keltyxom <p> game <p> Hive <p> Meet some insects you 'll gladly welcome to camp : the ants , bees , grasshoppers , and spiders of this two-player strategy game . The goal : surround your opponent 's queen bee without getting cornered yourself . " It 's simple but challenging , and totally addictive , " says our tester , who credits the qulck-to-leam , quick-to-play game 's elegant rules ( each insect moves in a unique way ) for many evenings of fun with adult partners and kids age eight and up . And since there 's no board , the hexagonal pieces quickly pack into an Included carrying case the size of a bagel . And they 're hefty enough to withstand careless packing , dirt , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carrier <p> Osprey Poco Plus <p> This pack is tighter and more customizable than most child haulers , and both parents and tots were fans . " The higher seat placement gives my 1-year-old an unobstructed view , " says one tester . " And resizing the torso length* ( 15 to 22.5 inches ) and hipbelt is superfast , so it 's easy for my husband and I to trade Sherpa duty . " The Poco borrows the same light yet supportive suspension used in Osprey 's Atmos backpacks ( see page 42 ) . It 's rated for loads ( kid and gear ) up to 48.5 pounds , and testers shouldered that comfortably . The child compartment adjusts in height and girth , and stirrups reduce kids ' tendency to kick dad In the kidney . Bonus : Ventilation is excellent ; a climb in Intense Colorado sun did n't steam our tester 's back . $259 ; 5 lbs . 13 oz. ; ospreypacks.com <p> Kids ' Gear <p> Our littlest testers give a thumbs-up to these field-proven products . <p> SLEEPING BAG Most adult bags are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessary- and colder- since there 's extra space to heat . Solution : the Big Agnes Floyd ( and girl 's Maggie ) , which are scaled for youngsters ' smaller proportions , but do n't dumb down the tech features . The 600fill down bags include a snug hood and vertical baffles that keep the down from migrating , and the water-resistant nylon shell survived two spilled water bottles in a tent full of middle schoolers . And the legit 150F rating ensures your kid wo n't grow up thinking camping equals cold . As our 9-year-old tester put it , " I liked it because it was realty comfortable , warm , and soft . " A pad sleeve on the bottom accommodates a 20-inchwide mattress . Bonus : Kids ca n't lose the stitched-on stuffsack . Fits kids ( or smalt adults ) up to 5 ' 6 " . It 's spendy for a kid bag , but it 's hand-medown durable . $240 ; 2 lbs . 10 oz. ; 15 F ; bigagnes.com <p> SHOES Our 6-year-otd tester 's big brothers wished the La Sportiva @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liked the looks ; he liked the sticky-rubber traction , breathable mesh uppers , easy-pull lacing , and kick-anything toecap . He also praised the way they made him " look fast . " $75 ; 2 lbs . ( pair ) ; 29-35 ; sportiva.com <p> BACKPACK Common sense : If you want your kid to love backpacking , do n't saddle him or her with a too-big adult pack or a glorified book bag that makes every step a chore . The Deuter Fox 30 packages the best of the company 's Aircontact series- a perennial staff favorite for its easy-access packbag , rugged materials , and well-padded , adjustable suspensionin a model sized for kids down to about kindergarten age ( also available in a slightly bigger 40-liter version ) . $99 ; 2 lbs . 12 oz. ; 30 liters ; deuter.com <p> TREKKING POLES Little hands can operate the lever-lock adjustment on the twosection Black Diamond First Strike poles . And with downsized rubber grips , the aluminum sticks- length adjusts from 26 to 43 inches- were a hit with testers from 6 to 12 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low weight ) . $50 ; 14 oz. ; **25;446;TOOLONG 
##4110571 Get prepped with this core gear . <p> First Aid <p> minimalist kit <p> Adventure Medical Kits SOL Survival Medic <p> For minimum weight penalty , this iPhonesize kit combines the first-aid must-haves most hikers pack ( bandages and ibuprofen ) with the survival essentials ( space blanket , whistle , compass , and firestarter ) many leave at home . One patch of duct tape delivers blister prevention , but hot spot-prone hikers will want to add moleskin. $15 ; 4oz. ; **25;725;TOOLONG <p> Fire <p> lighter <p> WengerFidis <p> Let there always be light : The Fidis uses liquid fuel and a wick Instead of a butane torch ( which can be balky in extreme cold ) . Result ? A windproof flame capable of lighting a stove despite gusts- or Igniting tinder as one tester did during a squall in Colorado 's Indian Peaks Wilderness . The tall of the lipstick-size shaft houses two screw-top compartments : One is a spare fuel tank , and the other stores extra wicks and flints ( not included ) that ensure you 'll be able to field-fix the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acts like a mirror , reflecting the flame and making it bright enough to read a map . SIlO ; 3 oz. ; wengema.com <p> Hydration <p> water treatment <p> SteriPen Freedom <p> Last year 's Editors ' Choice-winning Adventurer Opti set the standard for reliable and packable water treatment . The Freedom is even lighter , more compact , and easier to use . Employing ultraviolet light , It treats a halfliter of water in 48 seconds , and you do n't even have to push a button : Just dip the UV tamp Into the water and swirl. $119 ; 2.6 oz. ; sterlpen.com <p> Navigation <p> long-trail maps <p> Pocket Profile Maps <p> One type of map- huge paper topos- existed when The Mountaineers first published the 10 Essentials , the club 's checklist of must-pack gear for any dayhike or backpacking trip . Nowadays , the options are endless . Case in point : These waterproof guides pack Webster'sworthy detail into a pocket-size package for AT and JMT thru-hikers . Mileages , elevation profiles , water sources , and routes appear on one foldout sheet that weighs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dozen individual maps , so you just carry the pages you need . $4 each ; pocketprofllemaps.com <p> custom maps <p> MyTopo / BACKPACKER Pro Maps <p> We teamed up with partner MyTopo to deliver the best hiking maps on the market . See a GPS-enabted trip you like on backpacker.com ? Log in and order it as a waterproof map with your choice of shaded-relief topo , aerial , or hybrid background . Then choose lat/long or UTM* grid overlays and custom-center it . No more buying a full park map that lacks route detail . You can also choose BACKPACKER PRO Maps , which give turn-by-turn directions and campsite info for our editors ' favorite weekend trips . PRO Maps come in medium ( 24 " x36 " , $20 ) and large ( 36 " x48 " ; $35 ) , while custom maps range from $10 to $230 , depending on map type , size ( up to 5'x8 ' for wall-worthy art ) , and paper ( such as waterproof , glossy , or laminated ) . **34;752;TOOLONG <p> compass <p> BruntonO.S.S.10B <p> Heading off trail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simple compass around your neck , " says our senior editor , who used the O.S.S 1OB to maintain course during a whiteout on Mt . Rainier 's Muir Snowfield . " For ultraprecise navigation , you 'll want a spendier compass with a sighting mirror , but for spot checks while following a bearing ( a common compass use for hikers ) , this is one of the simplest yet most reliable models out there . " Bonus : A clear baseplate allows you to overlay it on a topo during map consults , and adjusting declination requires no tools- just twist the housing . $13 ; 1 oz. ; bruntonoutdoors.com <p> illumination <p> headlamp <p> Black Diamond Icon <p> " BD crossed an Ml Abrams with a Prius , " declared our tester after a three-week expedition in Nepal . " The Icon is tank-tough , yet it sips fuel as economically as a hybrid . " Credit the four-AA power source and a dimmer switch , which let testers dial down the lamp 's brightness to the minimum required , like the subtle glow needed for reading In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ " he reports . After running the lamp for 63 hours on the same batteries over the course of his trek , he did n't notice any drop in power . At the brightest setting ( 200 lumens ) , the center LED shines 100 meters . In the lower setting , less powerful LEDs cast diffuse tight for close-up tasks ; a red setting proved handy for nighttime map consults and midnight tent exits . Bonus : It 's waterproof to three feet . Ding : Testers wished for padding on the battery case . Plus , expeditiontough and long-life power equals heavy . $80 ; 9 oz. ( with batteries ) ; **25;788;TOOLONG <p> * UTM ( UNIVERSAL TRANSVERSE MERCATOR ) A reference grid that divides topo maps Into 1-kilometer squares for easy and accurate navigating <p> Knife/Multitool <p> do-it-all <p> Gerber Steady <p> Smartest multitoot innovation in years : The addition of flexible , tripod legs and a standard quarter-inch camera screw so hikers can get no-blur images and video without schlepping an extra piece of gear . The Steady even has a clever adapter that lets you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the device also has a dozen other tools , such as long and short blades , three screwdrivers , can opener , wire cutter , needle-nose pliers , and more . And Its ergonomie design allowed our testers to apply more grip force than standard straight-sided tools . Note : Although the ball-and-socket tripod screw supports point-and-shoot cameras and smartphones , the system Is too weak for DSLRs , midsize video cameras , and the largest compacts . These heavier and less center-balanced cameras list forward or to the side ( but can work with some creative positioning/support ) . Our testers also wished for locking blades . The Steady fits big hands best . Bonus : Thanks to the plastic housing , it 's light considering the features . $65 ; 5.5 oz. ; gerbergear.com <p> Extra Food <p> emergency calories <p> Bridgford Ready To Eat Sandwiches <p> Whether you 're heading out for one day or 10 , it 's wise to pack an extra day 's food , ideally something you can eat without cooking . Pair the Cinnamon Bun with the Barbecued Beef Sandwich flavors to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep in your pack for three years . " These shelf-stable sandwiches are surprisingly moist and tasty , " says one tester . MRE-style food not your thing ? See page 125 for our favorite new bars and dehydrated meals . $4 ( each ) ; 3.7 oz. ; bridgford.com <p> Sun Protection <p> shirt <p> Columbia Sotar Polar 1/2 Zip <p> Most long-sleeved sun shirts feel suffocating in summer temps- but not the Solar Polar . It uses flat ( not round ) polyester yarns , which Increase the surface area of fabric touching your skin to transfer sweat faster . " It kept me comfortable in direct sun and 850F temps , " says one tester , who issues props for the shirt 's UPF* 50 coverage ( which eliminates the need to slather sunscreen repeatedly on long treks ) . A deep . 14-inch zipper let her enjoy cooling breezes while cranking out steamy bike rides . Downside : Some testers balked at the torso-hugging , superhero styling . $70 ; 5 oz. ( w 's S ) ; columbia.com <p> hat <p> Outdoor Research Revel Convertible Cap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ versatility than a typical sun hat offers . Now , you do n't have to carry two lids , or sacrifice comfort with a hat that works in one environment but not another . The Revet has two domes- a thin , stretchy nylon inner cap for breathability and sun protection , and a seam-taped , waterproof/breathable Pertex Shield DS stretch rain cover that unfurls from a pocket in the brim . The Pertex beaded melting snow on trail runs and let tons of sweat escape on power hikes . Nice feature : The easy-adjust Velcro strap locked the hat to our tester 's melon in high winds . $36 ; 2 oz. ; outdoorresearch.com <p> sunscreen <p> Elemental Herbs Zinc Sunscreen Sport SPF 30 <p> Some sunscreens contain chemicals purported to diminish water quality and pose a cancer threat , but this reformulated lotion from Elemental Herbs uses pure zinc oxide ( the non-nano particles are targe enough that they do n't get absorbed by your skin ) to shield you from solar radiation . Testers found it thick but spreadabte ; once applied , it does n't leave a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a five-hour hike at 11,000 feet , " reports one Colorado tester . $16 ; 3 oz. ; elementalherbs.com <p> Emergency Shelter <p> bivouac sack <p> Escape Bivvy by Adventure Medical Kits <p> Most emergency blankets and survivalist bivies provide insulation but do n't breathe , making you damp . The Escape Bivvy solves that problem by using a proprietary waterproof/breathable fabric that lets moisture escape while reflecting body heat to boost warmth inside . Our tester used it alone , without a sleeping bag or pad , on a 430F night and felt instant heat . A drawstring hood closure further prevents heat loss , although it does n't cinch shut entirely , compromising the shelter 's weather protection in hard rain . A side zip running to the knee makes it handy for non-emergency uses like adventure racing . $50 ; 8 oz. ; **25;815;TOOLONG <p> * UPF ( ULTRAVIOLET PROTECTION FACTOR ) Unlike SPF , it measures protection against both UVA and UVB rays . <p> Apparel <p> puffy <p> The North Face Think About it Jacket <p> With a wind-blocking nylon hood and sleeves married to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protection of a windshirt with the warmth of a vest . The result is a low-bulk , long-cut hybrid that 's perfectly suited to everything from brisk summer alpine days to cold-weather workouts . It became a go-to jacket for one editor , who reached for it for three-season use in the Rockies , where he stayed warm moving in sub-20F windchills and while sitting around camp with temps in the 50s . Bummer : While the brushed-fabric underarms enhance wicking , the lined sleeves reduce breathability without adding obvious function . ( Women 's version is the Kaleidoscope. ) $149 ; 11 oz. ( w 's S ) ; thenorthface.com <p> shorts <p> Mountain Hardwear Rifugio Trek Shorts <p> These wispy , nylonelastane blend shorts have a barelythere feel- ideal for managing the desert heat of Utah 's Castle Valley , as our tester did . An incorporated belt ensures custom fit without rubbing under a pack belt . A brushed lining at the waist and crotch make going commando comfortable . Benefit ? AC ! ' $75 ; 7oz. ( m'sM ) ; mountaJnhardwear.com <p> minimalist pants <p> Stoic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does n't even have a fly , just an elastic waistband with built-in belt , and one welded-zipper thigh pocket . What you do get : hardworking nylon/spandex fabric that 's comfortable in a wide range of temperatures , keeping our tester from overheating at 750F and from getting chilled while crossing snowfields in the 40s . The stretchy , midweight fabric has a DWR finish that repels light moisture . " Light , tough , simple , " says our tester . $99 ; IS oz . ( M ) ; stoicgear.com <p> super-fit pants <p> Helly Hansen Odin Quick-Dry Pant <p> Seeing a lot of Helly in this issue ? That 's because the Norwegians are killing it with smart features our testers love . These summerweight , stretch-nylon trousers feature a unique clasp that never comes unsnapped , perfectly placed pockets ( including one on the thigh for maps ) , and ( best of all ) an innovative waistband that permits custom sizing . Built-in elastic belts slide forward and back from the hip , attaching securely via wide Velcro patches however snug you like . Bummer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $85 ) ; 13.6 oz. ( 36 ) ; hellyhansen.com <p> underwear <p> Polarmax TransDRY Cotton <p> Dilemma : Synthetic skivies can get odiferous after just a day of wear , and wool can irritate sensitive undercarriages . Solution : this new-school cotton , which uses a hydrophobic* treatment on half of the cotton fibers . The treated fibers move moisture to the untreated so they disperse sweat over a greater area and speed evaporation . " It feels soft like my Fruit of the Looms , but wicks moisture and kept me dry , " reports one tester , who wore the Men 's Sports Brief for three days in Colorado 's Flat Tops Wilderness . Another tester wore the Women 's Bikini Brief while hiking near Moab , Utah , and Issued props for its stay-put waistband ( men 's and women 's models feature flat , anti-chafe seams ) . $25 ; 3 oz. ( m 's L ) ; polarmax.com <p> socks <p> ULTRALIGHT <p> Testers love the Patagonia ULW Merino Crew as a liner sock ( it 's uncushioned ) , but they also praise its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them on 90F days in Utah 's Arches National Park ) . The wool/synthetic blend ( 53 percent merino , 45 percent nylon , two percent spandex ) makes this crew more breathable than most all-wool socks , resulting in drier dogs . That , along with the unobtrusive toe seam , prevented blisters on high-mileage days . $18 ; 1 oz. ( m 's M ) ; patagonia.com <p> LIGHTWEIGHT " These make all of my hiking shoes fit better , " raves our tester of the FITS Performance Trail , a low-cuffed sock with a deep , C-shaped heel pocket that does n't shift- even after days of wear- and cushions this friction-prone area better than any sock she 's worn . " They 're like skin armor , preventing blisters even when my boots slip , " she attests . The wool/synthetic blend ( 58 percent merino , 32 percent nylon , seven percent polyester , and a whiff of Lycra ) adequately manages moisture , but sweatyfooted hikers found them warmer than most lightweights. $18 ; 2 oz. ( w 's S ) ; fitssock.com <p> MIDWEIGHT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Salega X Athlete Multisport Crew cushions feet without cooking them . Balega uses larger-diameter yarns and a " spacier " weave to promote airflow and moisture movement , and the durable polyester/ mohair blend absorbs impact from rocky trails and heavy loads . A padded band across the front of the ankle prevents chafing . Bummer : The thin instep bunched . $12 ; 2 oz. ( w 's S ) ; balega.com <p> * HYDROPHOBIC Water-repelling , so the fabric fibers do n't absorb moisture <p> baselayers <p> MIDWElGHT Even merino snobs were impressed with the Duofotd by Champion Varitherm Mid-Weight Long-Sleeve Crewneck and AnkleLength Bottoms . This synthetic combo ( 96 percent polyester and four percent spandex ) has a cottony feet . Plus , these affordable baselayers deliver excellent performance for all but the sweatiest endeavors : Testers who wore them backpacking and skiing report that moisture management is good ( they 're slower to dry than spendier synthetics , but faster-wicking than wool ) . " I never felt clammy when I wore these beneath a hardshell , " reports one wearer , who hiked up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivers a skin-tight fit , and after months of wear and tear from backpacks and washing machines , both pieces retain a like-new plushness . Tradeoff ? Fit after a full day 's wear . $28 each ; 6 oz. ( w 's M crew ) ; duofoid.com <p> HEAVYWEIGHT Get warmth without bulk . Cabela 's E.C.W.C.S. Thermal Zone Polartec Power Dry Crew Top and Bottoms use gridded , heavy-weight Polartec Power Dry in the core , paired with mid- and lightweight fabric panels under the arms and around the cuffs to reduce bulk when layered beneath jacket sleeves and glove gauntlets . The result : " Warmth where you need insulation , breathability where you do n't , " says our tester , who used the layers while climbing Colorado Fourteeners from fall through spring . The Power Dry 's impressive toft makes the core exceptionally warm . And the strategic mapping works equally well in the bottoms , says another tester who used them in the Chilean Andes . Fit is appropriately snug , and there are tall and XXL sizes for big guys . $80-95 ; 9.6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jacket <p> Hardshell <p> Staying dry is key to staying warm and comfortable . Peruse our favorite shells starting on page 96 to find the one that 's right for you . <p> Trekking Poles <p> 3 ways to increase stability and save your knees <p> LIGHTWEIGHT Testers liked the ounce savings of the three-section Hellnox Featherllte poles , but it was their durability that really wowed . " I placed 200 pounds of body weight on them when I leaned in for balance in steepterrain , " says our tester , who used them from Arkansas ' Ozarks to Nepal 's Everest region . " Through it all , they sustained only one small dent from impact . " The impressive strength-to-weight ratio comes from DACs light and strong proprietary TH72M aluminum alloy . Further weight savings come from the twist-lock mechanism , which is lighter than levers . The moldedfoam grips proved comfortable through hours of hiking , and the foam extension on the shaft let our tester choke up on the pole during short , steep climbs . Bummer : The twist-lock loosened in freezing or wet conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also available in 135 cm ) ; blgagnes.com <p> PACKABLE If you prefer to stash your poles while scrambling , get the Leki Micro Stick . " It 's the fastest , easiest assembly of any pole I 've used , " declares our tester , who carried it through 10,000 feet of relief in Chile 's central Andes . Available in three models ( for a max length of 51 inches ) , the Micro Stick collapses and expands like a tent pole , with a Kevlar cord running through each aluminum shaft : Just fit the lower sections over the aluminum connectors and close the lever-lock at the top , beneath the grip . Although length is n't adjustable , a foam extension let our tester change grip when climbing or sldehitling . That , plus the supershort packed length ( 16 Inches ) lead her to this conclusion : " The ideal blend of weight savings , strength , and packability. " $150 ; 1 Ib. 2 oz. ; Ieki.com <p> ALPINE Ski mountaineers who want adjustable poles ( but not collapsible , because they rarely store them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . This two-section carbon pole telescopes from 45 to 57 inches ( shrinking to 35 inches for storage ) and uses a unique , glove-friendly locking mechanism : A rigid arm on the upper segment clicks Into notches along the lower segment , and a lever cinches the connection . After months of use during snow climbs and ski-tours In Iceland 's Westfjords and Colorado 's Park Range , the lock never loosened inadvertently . The carbon composite displayed no fatal signs of wear or nicks , and the ergonomie foam grip is comfortable In a variety of hand positions . Plus : " The light swing weight* gives them a snappy , responsive feel . " $145 ; 13 oz. ; dynafit.com <p> SWING WEIGHT The way a pole feels as you swing it forward and back ; it 's affected by design as well as ounces 