Backpacker – September 2019

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019
04 BACKPACKER.COM

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Skill Set

35 ADVENTURE U

FIX YOUR KIT

Keep your gear going longer with

repair and maintenance tips.

38 BOOT CAMP

PADDLE ALL DAY

Strengthen your arms and core to

make easier miles on the water and

the trail.

40 PASS/FAIL

BACKCOUNTRY BY SUP

Paddling a loaded board in open-

ocean chop. What could go wrong?

42 TRAIL CHEF

PLANT POWER

These three recipes tame hiker

hunger without the meat.

44 TRAIL CRAFT

PLANT IDENTIFICATION

Learn to forage these four common

wild edibles.

46 OUT ALIVE

SLEEPWALKER

A hiker emerges from a dream—and

into a nightmare.

Field Test

49 SHAKEDOWN

APPAREL GUIDE

Upgrade your three-season layering

system with the best new pieces.

54 THE KIT

BASECAMP GEAR

Live large with these luxe products.

56 ROUNDUP

SLEEPING PADS

Boost warmth and comfort with

these insulated mats.

58 TRAIL MIX

Our staff’s latest picks

14 VIEWFINDER

ADIRONDACKS, NY

Score a fire-tower view of

fall’s flaming colors.

16 LIFE LIST

DENALI NATIONAL PARK

Traverse terrain the

guidebooks never mention.

18 INSIDER’S GUIDE

IRONWOOD FOREST, AZ

Explore a desert landscape

brimming with life.

20 VIEWFINDER

SPIRIT FALLS, WA

Discover a forest oasis.

21 VIEWFINDER

BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK

Descend into a canyon where

the views just get bigger and

bigger.

22 DONE IN A DAY

GEM HIKES

Discover three ways to fill

your pockets with pretty

things—legally.

23 GEOPINION

TIME TO STEP UP

Hikers need to put their

money where their boots are

to help fund conservation

projects on public lands.

24 VIEWFINDER

HOCKING HILLS STATE

PARK , OH

Enjoy an easy hike to a

historic—and huge—cave.

26 THE EXPERIENCE

BRING THE BINOCS

Slow down and look up to

spot birds on the trail.

28 PERFECT WEEKENDS

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDES

Cross a New England cliff

during peak foliage; find deep

woods in Pennsylvania; camp

lakeside in Michigan; and

touch Utah’s high point.

In every issue

8 EDITOR’S NOTE

10 TRAILCHAT

104 UNCOVERED

CONTENTS

Play List

16

ON THE COVER Cathedral Rock, AZ, by Eric Rubens Beta: page 104

46 42

September/October 2019