This is basically an American magazine that targets American readers. However, there are still interesting topics which backpackers, hikers and adventurers can discover.
Most valuable in this issue has to be the guide to trekking destinations. There is the 165 mile Tahoe Rim Trail. 2 brothers document their 2-week sojourn. It’s a very personal or even an emotional writeup, but practical details are also given. Detailed maps and GPS data for this trail can be obtained from backpacker.com/tahoerimtrail
Other destinations, covered in less detail, are exotic trails like Horse Creek Trail, Ice Age Trail, Cloud Rest and others.
Maps for these trails can be obtained online at backpacker.com. Someone should set up something like this for Indonesia, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and other destinations closer to us.
Apart from navigation information, there’s even a section on self-diagnosis of health/medical issues which may arise on such long treks. I find this rather useless or even unsafe. In case of medical problems, I think the safest course of action is to get off the trail and seek medical help immediately. You can always go back on the trail on another day.
Another skills segment tells you what to do when lost. There are reviews on boots, trekking poles, sleeping bags, backpacks, wool and so on.
Next segment. Short weekend trips. Interesting suggestions, but unless you like in the US, it’s not going to be of much use. There’s one interesting suggestion – climbing Mera Peak in Nepal.
Finally, the trails to Neverland – New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Again, it sounds terribly distant to those of us in Asia, but I have no doubt it would be an interesting trip.
