Tips for Buying the Best Hiking Backpack

So you’ve decided to go hiking. You’ll need a good backpack to hold all your hiking essentials. When you’re shopping for a backpack, consider how much you plan to carry with you. This will help you decide which is the best hiking backpack for you. How much you will carry depends on how long you’re going to hike and what the conditions are going to be throughout your hike. If you’re planning an overnight hiking trip in a place where you can easily grab food in a snack bar or diner, a small backpack would most likely be sufficient, but if you’re going on a week long hike out in the wilderness, you’ll need a much bigger backpack, obviously.

On the average, you will need one gallon (3 to 4 liters) of water for each day you are hiking. Of course, depending on your size, activity and general conditions in the area, that number can vary. And again on the average, you will need 1 to 2 pounds of food for each hiking day. If you’re in shape and you’re planning to hike from morning until evening, you could probably get by without food, just water. Remember, though, that hiking is a calorie burning activity so you’re likely going to eat more food than you usually do. While hiking is a good weight loss activity, you shouldn’t forgo sugars, salts and other nutritional components. You’ll also need to up your intake of fluid while you hike as electrolyte imbalances can make you more exhausted than usual.

You should also consider your overall fitness level when you’re shopping for a backpack. If you’re truly fit, you’ll be able to carry more weight much farther. However, try not to go overboard; even the most experienced hikers aim to minimize the load they have to carry. This load is often referred to as FSO (From the Skin Out) weight, and includes the weight of a loaded backpack (which could be 20 to 50 pounds, even more), socks and shows (around 3 pounds), and so on. Then there is what’s called pack weight, which includes only the weight of an empty backpack. Pack weight can vary due to the material and how much aluminum tubing is used in the construction of the backpack.

How you plan on carrying the weight is another thing you have to consider when shopping for a backpack. Most backpacks have several internal and external flaps and pockets, loops and buckles for carrying add-ons. Some backpacks have flaps that flip over the whole pack, keeping out dirt and water. The smaller flaps in some backpacks cover the buckles and other components that could prove to be uncomfortable or are likely to snag. The loops and buckles let you carry bungee cords, hiking poles, water bottles, tenting equipment and such.

When you pack, make sure you put most of the weight inside the backpack; otherwise, the backpack will be out of balance and will be much more difficult for you to carry. In addition, your backpack is more likely to get caught on tree branches and bushes that way. When you’re packing for a hike, think light, tight and confined.

Don’t just buy the first backpack you come across or that happens to catch your attention. Try out a few backpacks. Your backpack needs to be comfortable for you to carry, as well as be the right size for your build and height. Remember that you will be carrying your backpack and everything in it for hours, and even days. Make sure the backpack has adjustable shoulder straps with plenty of slack, as well as belt loops.

Fake pilot arrested - Italian 'Catch Me If You Can'

ROME -- Italian police describe it as a real-life sequel to "Catch Me If You Can," the hit movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio in the true story about an ingenious con artist masquerading as a commercial airline pilot.

An unemployed 32-year-old Italian man was stopped at Turin's Caselle airport on suspicion he successfully used false IDs, a cap and uniform to convince a crew he was a pilot and let him fly for free inside the cockpit aboard a commercial flight from Munich, Germany, to Turin, Carabinieri paramilitary police said Saturday.

Police said two real pilots flew the Air Dolomiti plane on the flight in April. The man, who wasn't identified, didn't touch the controls while in the cockpit. Police caught up with the man at the Turin airport terminal Wednesday after tailing him for months and receiving a tip. On his Facebook profile, the man also falsely bragged he was a commercial pilot and claimed he was promoted to captain's rank while still young.

A police statement said the suspect was cited for suspicion of putting at risk the security of air transport and "usurping a title," and was allowed to stay free on his own recognizance while the investigation continues.

"On at least one occasion in 2012, pretending to be a pilot of a foreign commercial airline, and with a fake name, he succeeded in flying as the third pilot in the cockpit," the statement said.

When police caught up with him, the suspect was dressed in a pilot's uniform, but without any company logo on it, and was sipping coffee at a bar near the check-in area in the terminal and hadn't passed through security. A police spokesman, who declined to be identified, said it didn't appear that the man was planning on using the same ruse that day and that it wasn't known if he had pulled off the trick on any other flights.

Air Dolomiti is part of the German airline Lufthansa.

"We know the case," Lufthansa spokesman Christoph Meier said. He declined to give any details, but insisted that nobody, not even a staff pilot, would be able to fly aboard one of the carrier's planes without having a ticket, indicating that the Italian might have had a passenger ticket.

Italian police said the suspect, after they confronted him, led them to a garage, where officers found piles of neatly pressed white shirts with epaulets, black trousers and jackets, similar to pilots' uniforms, and fake IDs, which were seized by authorities.

In the 2002 movie, directed by Steven Spielberg, DiCaprio portrays a real-life character, a young man who successfully forges millions of dollars' worth of checks through various guises, including as a pilot for now defunct Pan American Airways. So skilled was he that he won the grudging admiration of the FBI which chased after him, and eventually the U.S. agency sought his help in nabbing other check forgers.

Pack a Backpack for outdoor experience

It's happened to everyone before. You start out in the comfort of your living room, with a cavernous empty backpack and all your gear spread out before you.

Then, six miles out, you realize: Despite stuffing your pack to the brim, you've forgotten your rain shell and soaked your food in fuel. Here are a few tips to avoid mid-trip debacles and maximize the success of your adventure.

This article is part of a wiki anyone can edit. If you have advice to help campers or hikers maximize their pack mojo, just comment.

Contents 1 Outside In 2 Sleeping bag next 3 Distribute your supplies 4 Keep survival gear on your person 5 Balance it out

Outside In

Especially with a lightweight backpack, you should put your sleeping pad in first. Most likely you have a lot of stuff, and you don't think your food, water, cooking equipment, tent, poles, and clothes will fit into your pack in addition to your bag and sleeping pad. The sleeping pad is a great piece of equipment and is pretty tough. Roll it up and strap it to the outside of your pack. If you attach it vertically it will snag less on trees and other objects, but horizontally on the bottom is best for weight distribution, keeping your center of gravity low, and if you're canoeing it will float your pack (just close the valve after attaching).

Sleeping bag next

Pack in the reverse order of stuff you'll need. Rain gear on top, sleeping stuff on bottom. So put your sleeping bag in first, go ahead smash it in down there. If you use a compression sack this will also save you room as your bag will compress down well beyond it's normal size. If your bag is down use a waterproof sack, or other waterproof liner to keep it dry. Down does not retain warmth when wet.

Distribute your supplies

Tent: Heaviest items go in the middle and closest to your back. For most people, that means that after your sleeping bag comes your tent and your cooking gear. Most tents made specifically for backpacking are small and light enough to fit in one side of your backpack. If you haven't shelled out for one yet, you should be able to keep the cloth components inside your bag and strap the poles on the outside. Keep in mind, however, that carrying vital equipment on the outside of your pack, such as tent poles, may expose your equipment to severe wear and tear, and may even cause it to break, or fail when you need it most. For example, this approach is fine for a tame trip through a national park with forgiving terrain, but might be ill advised if you are on an off-trail solo-trek through Denali Park in Alaska in the winter.

Cooking Gear: If you're planning on hot meals along the side of the trail, your portable stove is up next. Many outdoor companies also manufacture portable stoves and dishes that fit inside one another for compact storage, but if you don't have a matching set, you can also store all of your cooking gear inside your biggest pot. Just make sure that your fuel canister is sealed tightly and stored underneath your food. Leaking white gas is a common occurrence, and nothing cuts a trip shorter than discovering that your cheese and pitas have become molotov cocktails. Better still, aim at keeping your fuel outside the pack, in sturdy leakproof containers. Nalgene makes a very sturdy fuel bottle that includes a spout that stores inside the bottle while the cap is on. Be advised these bottles do become brittle over time; so if you just happen to pick a few up at a local garden sale, look for white stress points in the plastic. they're a no go.

Food: Separate your foods— easy access:trail mix, string cheese, sandwiches -- and put them in a separate and more easily accessible part of your backpack, usually the detachable fanny pack or outside pockets. The rest of your food goes into a storage bag above your camping gear. You can organize beforehand by placing each meal(for a group) or day(for singles) inside a labelled ziplock or similar leakproof bag. However if you are in bear country and bear-prrof containers are required all your food will be fairly inaccessible. Wilderness travel uses more calories than you will expect. Using dry food, plan 3,000-5,000 calories a day, 20-35% protein, 20-30% fats, and the rest carbohydrates. Protein and carbohydrate give about 6 calories per gram, while fat gives 9 calories/gram. So you need about 1 kg of dry food per day per person unless you're just lazing around. Add more in winter, if you're biking, or at altitude. But remember, water is the magic elixer when it comes to eating well. Without water, your body can't easily process the food you eat. So drink plenty of water while eating. Also try and include foods that require you to chew. It's easy to just gulp every bite with minimal chewing which can leave you feeling less satisfied.

Dry Clothes: Even if you don't intend to change your clothes, bring an extra set - especially socks (wool or poly, not cotton)! Cotton Kills [1]. It can vastly improve your comfort levels in the event of a minor incident like falling into a creek, or will keep you alive after a more serious fall like into a partially frozen creek in the winter. Also (here is where the socks come in) it can be the difference between hiking back at the end of your trip and being carried back early when the blisters on your feet break and start to fester. Dry clothes can also be rolled up and used to fill empty pockets in your pack, so the packing space used will be minimal. Double bag everything you intend to wear if you're venturing where any threat wet weather exists. Those small kitchen type bags work wonders, and they can serve double duty, making great vapor barriers under socks when needed; or to carry out your waster, but buy good ones.

Bear canisters are storage: If you're going through bear country, use your bear canister as a storage compartment in your bag. Nothing is more irritating or frightening than discovering, at the end of the night, that your half-dozen granola bars just won't fit in the canister. A word to the wise: Don't store those extra bars in your sleeping bag - or tent! It's law some places to carry a bear-proof container. It's always wise to raise your food, container or no, on a rope from tree(s) to keep varmints away. Never leave your food exposed while on a water-haul. There are plenty of other critters who would just love to turn your site into a ready-made drive through.

Water for cooking food: Dried food is good if you're near water, and canned is good if you're not. Couscous, freeze-dried vegetables and rice are all popular options. Plan ahead when it comes to finding water. If you're in a place where fresh water is hard to find, learn the techniques for acquiring it in your chosen environment. Be realistic. Successful desert travel often calls for caching of water beforehand. If that's not an option and water isn't available, go somewhere else. You're not going to be able to carry enough water for more than a day or two at a time. If you must find alternate sources of "wild water", for your own sake make efforts to treat it with some process that makes it sanitary. For chemical treatments, READ THE LABEL, and follow it's instructions. If not then Google; "giardia" "Cryptosporidiosis" and "Cyclosporiasis" or any of the other water born bacteria, protozoa, or viruses. Follow the rules for cooking and washing up in bear country.

Medical: Consider the environment you're entering. Buy a first aid kit; or assemble one yourself, with some advice from those who know. Think before you buy. Do you really need that box of miniature band-aids? Bring nail clippers. One of "the" most ignored things for hikers is forgetting (or failing) to trim those toe-nails, and halfway through the first day your toes are bleeding from the nails digging into the neighboring toe. Knowledge is power. If you have pertinent medical information that could be advantageous to rescuers (and you) carry it on you. Carry ID and make sure it includes your DOB and next of kin contacts.

Keep survival gear on your person

At the very least, keep a granola bar, knife, and a packet of waterproof matches in your pocket. Even the best Boy Scout can get lost on a scouting mission to find a good campsite, and an extra energy bar or other non-perishable. Other items such as space blanket, packable warm layers, signaling device (mirror with eye hole for aiming), and a waterproof shell, could increase your chances of survival.

Balance it out

Fill in the loose spaces in your pack with your extra clothes to prevent items from rattling around. For longer trips, do not vacuum seal your clothing! You will not be able to fit everything back into your pack once you are in the back-country. There is no real way to get it back compacted like it was when you started. There is an alternative to this if you do want to seal your clothes in water proof bags. There are bags designed for this that will let the air out and let them conform very well to the inside your pack and thus making every thing in your pack nice and snug.

Once your bag is full, hoist your pack and test it. Is one side heavier than the other? An unbalanced pack can affect your stride and cause all sorts of back and shoulder pain.

Depending on who you go camping with, you may get used to packing different things -- most people share a tent, as well as other group gear like cooking equipment, trowel, water treatment, med kit, and any kind of rock or alpine gear you might be packing. Food, however, should be equitably distributed based on factors like body weight, strength, and expected consumption. Your average person will eat around two pounds of food every day, making food the single heaviest "item" you're likely to pack. If someone eats more than average, plan for that and have them carry a bit more of the weight as they're likely to be heavier, and therefore more up to carrying a bigger load.

With a little practice, your lumbering load will quickly become streamlined and sleek, making the Appalachian Trail a much more manageable proposition.

WEIGHT LOSS BACKPACKING ADVENTURE VACATIONS (DID YOU MEAN FATPACKING?)

Shape Up. Lose Weight. In Just 1 Week. Backpack Your Way to Fun & Fitness!

Fitpacking is weight loss backpacking. We guide clients on 1 and 2-week wilderness hiking vacations to stunning destinations in order to:

• Alter body composition.
• Jump start fitness level.
• Provide an unforgettable wilderness experience.

Fitness Vacations to Change Your Life!

Fitpacking provides participants a supportive environment in which slower hikers can feel comfortable and enjoy themselves. If you love the outdoors, but are a little overweight or older and prefer not to be rushed, Fit Packing could work for you.

There are no austere eating programs with Fitpacking. You can and should eat all you want while backpacking. During your intense, yet relaxing long distance walk, you will carry all your food and gear on your back and:

• Lose weight.
• Get in shape.
• Rid yourself of stress.
• Increase core strength.
• See beautiful remote places that cars can't access.
• Make close friendships.

Packing like a Pro (video tutorial) / Trip / Luggage / Backpack

Check out his travel blog: http://imflyingaroundthecountry.com/

"Me packing for my month-long trip. I've gotten a pretty solid response to this video so I have enabled comments. Thanks in advance for all the nice feedback right? :) The bag in this video is an REI Stratocruiser 22" that can be found here: http://www.rei.com/product/778779"

Tips for Easier Business Travel

Traveling for business isn't always easy. Sleeping on planes, packing constantly for trips and staying glued to your mobile device can derail your routine and make you grumpy.

Keeping a positive attitude is the first step to a stress-free travel experience. And acknowledge helpful staff. Travelers have a better chance at getting upgrades, itinerary changes and extraordinary service when they ask politely and maintain happy demeanors.

“When there are problems with the flight, most people start out annoyed or even hostile. If I tell the agents what a great job they’re doing and how I admire their patience, they'll often go to extraordinary lengths for me,” says motivational speaker Barry Maher. “I once had a gate agent spend 45 minutes to get me rebooked on another airline. Then she called the gate, grabbed one of my carry-ons and ran with me to security. When I got to the gate, the agent bumped me into first class.”

Kindness isn't the only way to minimize inconveniences and maximize your productivity while traveling. Here are a few practical ways to make traveling for business easier:

Limit Luggage to a Carry-on

Travel is stressful when you’re worried about lost luggage or being late to a meeting, says Barbara DesChamps, author of It's In The Bag: The Complete Guide to Lightweight Travel. Bring only a carry-on, check in for your flight online and go straight to security at the airport. If you don’t check baggage, you won't have to wait for it when you land.

Use Technology to Plan Ahead

Check out Seatguru.com to view your airplane’s seating plan in advance, including information about limited recline or legroom seats and in-seat power ports. Find out where galleys, lavatories and exit rows are, and request a seat change that makes working or relaxing easier. 

Instead of calling around to restaurants at your destination, make reservations at OpenTable.com, of which 20,000 restaurants worldwide are members. 

Bring a GPS with pre-loaded maps of your destination to make driving your rental car in a new place easier, says Maria K. Todd, CEO of Mercury Healthcare.

Join a Rewards Program and Stick With It

If staff notices you frequently patronize their airline, rental-car company or hotel, they are more likely to help you, says Maria Perez, marketing manager of airfare search engine Fly.com. 

Members of rewards and loyalty programs often receive early boarding on flights, priority hotel room, first-class upgrades and “all-around better treatment,” Perez says. 

Some rental-car companies deliver rental cars to rewards program members personally, while less frequent customers must shuttle to the company’s facility to retrieve their rental,

Dress Well

People get much better service when they dress well and appear wealthier, says DesChamps. Wearing an outfit that doubles as presentation attire while traveling is also wise in case your baggage is lost or you are late, says Melissa C. Gillespie, partner at Innova Communications. That way, you're not stuck in jeans for a big meeting.

Keep a Bag Packed

Save time packing by keeping a carry-on suitcase packed with the minimal amount of clothing, shoes and accessories you need, including 3-ounce toiletries in a Ziploc bag. Trade bulky laptops for thinner laptops and tablets such as a MacBook Air or an iPad. Replace hardcovers with eBooks. If you must bring a coat or bulky shoes, wear them on the plane to avoid taking up space in your luggage.

Keep Customer-Service Numbers Stored in Your Phone

Keeping customer-service numbers handy offers quicker access to the right people if a flight is cancelled or you need to change a hotel or car reservation, rather than waiting in line once you’re there.

Five stylish suitcases to take everywhere

Nothing can be more embarrassing on holiday than plucking a scruffy-looking suitcase off the airport carousel. Bag one of these stylish cabin suitcases however and you’ll be the envy of your fellow passengers.

Short haul:

Antler’s Liquis International Cabin Suitcase may be a bit of a 

mouthful to say, but it’s ideal for a short-haul holiday. Weighing in at only 2kg, this lightweight item of luggage is the perfect airplane carry-on. The Liquis International looks pretty eye-catching too; we love its sculpted, waterfall-inspired exterior. And if you wish to introduce a burst of colour to your life, the suitcase is available in several bright colours including red, silver, blue and purple.

Prices start from £169.

Overnight:

This chic, mock crock wheel tote by Jasper Conran at Tripp is extremely smart, glamorous and practical. The bag features a main compartment with a laptop sleeve and padlock, plus a handy separate section for storing files. It also has a neat front pocket for easy organisation. With its distinctly modern look and feel, this will turn heads wherever you travel.

Prices start from £119.

City break:

You’ll have no trouble spotting this bold, purple-coloured Alba suitcase from Carlton amid the ubiqitious black rollers at the airport. Not only is this one stand-out accessory, but its elegant, curved shell will undoubtedly draw admirers. Perfect for a quick getaway, the Alba’s top and side carry handles and wheels have been designed to handle all urban challenges. And once you arrive at your final destination, relish the joy of unpacking thanks to Alba’s nifty interior compartments, including an integrated waterproof pouch, to keep you organised and stress-free.

Prices start from £116.

Business trip:

Business travellers looking for a smart, durable cabin bag should consider the Samsonite X’ Blade Light suitcase. It’s made of a lightweight polyester fabric, allowing you to pack more suits and paperwork than you could possibly need.

For busy bodies who travel directly from the airport to the office, this Samsonite has a removable garment sleeve to keep your business wear free of wrinkles. Other useful features include a removable laundry bag, a zipped ticket pocket and multiple storage inside to access your belongings easily, all of which are packaged within a sleek, dark exterior.

Prices start from £139.

Beach breaks:

If you want to make a style statement, you can’t go wrong with this striking, swirly patterned wonder; the Marcel Wanders Nosé. As well as being quirkily good looking, this suitcase is incredibly practical; it has a smart interior lining, a sturdy adjustable handle and 360° rotating wheels. A tasteful choice for fashionistas everywhere.

Prices start from £89.