Much of the Coconino National Forest is off limits to camping around Sedona, however there are a few places I would suggest if you were up for a good hike and wanted some beautiful scenery and maybe some water to get away from the heat.

1. Munds Mountain - Access from Schnebly Hill Road. Schnebly Hill Trail to Munds Mountain Trail. (Solitude) (No Water) (Sunrise and Sunset)

2. West Fork Trail - Access from 89A or from top of canyon(need forest map). Need to be over six miles up from Oak Creek. Bring a dry bag and water shoes. (Busy) (Water) (Canyon)

3. West Clear Creek - Access from 'Bullpen' off of Forest Road 618 southwest of Sedona about 20 miles. Other drop in points for those with good navigation and sleuthing skills on the internet. (Solitude) (Water) (Canyon)

4. Secret Canyon Trail - Access from Vultee Arch road. Long canyon into the red rock of Sedona. (Solitude) (Canyon)

I recently purchased an Exped Downmat to replace my Thermarest Prolite 3 sleeping pad after seeing one that a friend had been using. I have yet to use the Exped Downmat 7 Pump, but my initial impressions are that it is a great upgrade. I will be putting it through a rigorous test this year and I will be sure to update this review. For reference I also own a Thermarest Z-rest and will likely spend nearly 200 days in 2010 on a sleeping pad at night.

Initial Impressions

The Exped Downmat 7 is heavier and less compact than my Thermarest Prolite 3 as is to be expected. However, given the obvious comfort and warmth improvement it is lighter and more compact than I was expecting. After inflating the pad (more on this later), the warmth and comfort improvement were as expected. I sleep on my side and never had any problem with my hip or shoulder hitting the ground. In a matter of minutes I could feel the wonderful insulation that the down provides keeping me warm. Overall my expectations for warmth and comfort were met and the tradeoff between that and weight/size is well in favor of the Exped Downmat.

Now on to the pump. Unlike other inflatable pads, you can not simply blow this pad up in a few breaths because there is much more air needed and the down can not hold up the moisture. With this pad there is a built in pump that works simply enough. It took me a couple minutes to inflate the pad, but it was not difficult to do and the valves seem to work well. This is certainly something to be aware of when thinking about this pad, but I think a couple minutes are worth it.

Durability wise it seems to be similar to any other inflatable pad.

I would recommend this pad to anyone else that camps and sleeps on the ground as often as I do and needs the increased warmth and comfort without the corresponding increase in weight and size found in other luxury sleeping pads.


Other Reviews

Exped Downmat 7 Short - blog review
Exped Downmat 9 (2006) - backpackgeartest review

When showing pictures from my many backpacking trips, one of the parts I like to point out is my campsite location and what I wake up to in the morning. Here are some of my backpacking photos featuring a tent:



Thanks to TwoHeelDrive and Backpacker.com for the ideas.

As I pack to fly out to Idaho for my job as a trail crew leader it has become obvious that I have way too much backpacking gear. While I often justify certain items for specific situations, such as a 32 degree sleeping bag for summer and a 0 degree bag for colder times, having to fit all of my gear into one checked luggage bag has forced me to realize what I actually need.

I'm only bringing one sleeping bag, one backpack, one shelter, one sleeping pad, one stove etc... Although I have four sleeping bags, my 15 degreee synthetic is best for an all purpose bag that can take a beating. It's much the same for backpacks, my Granite Gear Latitude Vapor may be lightweight, but my Arc'Teryx Bora 80 won't leave any question about having enough room.

Anyways, isn't backpacking about carrying only what is needed and maximizing the use of that gear? I think this experience may be a turning point in my gear addiction and if anything, I might be more inclined to create, modify or fix gear to get the most out of the least. My homemade alcohol backpacking stove may be just the start!

I recently purchased some shoes from Innov8. I selected the extremely lightweight ROCLITE 295. I was immediately impressed with the weight of the shoes, a little under 12 ounces for a size 11 mens on my scale for one shoe. I have never had anything so light that wasn't a sandal.

I quickly put them on and took off for a short run/hike and am happy to report the flexible, but supportive feel that I prefer in my hiking shoes. The shoes allow me to feel the trail unlike hiking boots. The sole of the Inov8 Roclite 295 is very aggressive and will do great in muddy and slippery conditions; although, I haven't tested them out on wet rock so far. One negative is that they are not non-marking soles.

The shoes have a very breathable mesh upper that should strike a good balance between breathability and keeping rocks and or dirt out. These shoes are not goretex or waterproof.

Overall, I am extremely pleased with these shoes. The Inov8 Roclite 295s will be put to the test as I try to find an ultralight hiking shoe for my thruhike of the continental divide trail in 2009.

Now that I have an Ipod, I have discovered the wealth of resources available as podcasts. I have also found several podcasts talking about the outdoors, backpacking, hiking, thruhiking and many other related topics and thought I would share these with you.

My Backpacking and Hiking Podcast List:

1. Wildebeat - The audio journal about getting into the wilderness.

2. Trailcast - Podcasting on foot.

3. Backpacking Light - Backpacking Light Podcasts introduce you to the gear, the people, and the stories that define the best of today's wilderness experience!

4. Practical Backpacking - Watch out for the ads!

5. Anthony's Audio Journal - Hiking and Backpacking podcast of Anthony's personal journals from hikes and backpack trips in and around the Southern California area and the Eastern Sierras.

6. Hike It All - Video Podcasts

7. SouthEastern Backpackers - Watch out for the ads!

8. ARHiker Trailcast - Descriptions of trails hiked.

I have owned my Arc'Teryx Bora 80 backpack for over a year and am satisfied with the pack. It has met all of my expectations and then some in terms of durability, quality, and load bearing. I purchased the pack not for a desire to be ultralight, but for my job leading trail crews. I often have a huge load, well over 50 pounds, and I need a backpack that would handle the beating. I have also been using the pack on shorter backpacking trips where I was not concerned about the extra size and weight. It is an indispensable part of my collection of backpacking gear!

What do I like about the pack? The pack itself is of the highest quality. I have no rips, tears, holes or any other signs of wear. This durability is after I have slid the pack down a scree field in Death Valley NP, used it to carry various trail tools to job sites, and regularly used it as my checked luggage on cross-country flights. The attention to detail is what separates the Arc'Teryx Bora backpack from others. The quality zippers are just one example of that.

I find the large outside pocket extremely useful for keeping anything that I may need quickly or need to keep out of the main compartment; for example, a wet rain-fly. The 'brain', top compartment, is also large enough for my 'necessities'.

The most important quality of this pack has been that it performs exceptionally when loaded with a huge load. I can easily adjust the weight how I want and can transfer it to my hips without any problems. On a trips in the southwest US and due to water weight, I have carried 70-80 lbs as if it were only 40 lbs.

What don't I like about the pack? Not much really. I never use the side zipper. The shoulder straps and hip belt are a bit stiff. It is heavy, but that is expected and needed for a pack of this size and durability. Price. All of my complaints are relatively minor in my opinion.

This pack has seen some beautiful places... Lost Lake, Chugach NF, Alaska...

I was reading a forum discussing what to bring backpacking in the desert and felt as though I had some useful knowledge to share since I am often sleeping on sand. Here is what I wrote:

I'm lucky enough to get to camp out in the desert for 10 day intervals as part of my job. The challenging part is that I must camp 3 miles from the border in the Yuha Desert in southern California. My habits may vary based upon the fact that the Yuha is lightly vegitated and extremely windy.

What I have found is that the best way to sleep in the desert in the wind is without a tent. I just lay right down on a tarp and crawl into my bag. I have never had a problem with any type of animal. Sometimes I may opt for a bivy if it is cold and windy.

For clothes, I just make sure I have pants that will not get snagged by the desert flora. Lightweight ripstop nylon works great. I am a little lazy when it comes to shirts and often end up in a cotton tshirt. I do recommend a long sleeve shirt though.

My footwear has recently been limited to my keen sandles. I have strong ankles and have worn them for almost every backpack trip this past year in the southwest; the exception being the grand canyon due to the cold(snow). I have no problem with sand and sandles; although when I went hiking in the Algodones Dunes Wilderness, I went barefoot. The only scorpion sting there was from my friend sitting on one.

Again, this may vary for you depending upon which desert.

Eight things to know before backpacking in Shenandoah National Park:

1. A free permit is required for overnight use, but you may camp almost anywhere in the park. Permits can be obtained at entrance stations, visitor centers, both ends of the Appalachian Trail in the park, and Old Rag fee station.

2. Open fires are not permitted in the park. Although you may enjoy the experience of a fire, fires are restricted for ecological reasons to protect the park.

3. The most popular backpacking areas are the Appalachian Trail and Jeremy's Run. The AT accounts for over 50% of backpacking use and Jeremy's Run consistently leads all non AT trails for destinations. If you want to avoid crowds, check out the south district of the park.

4. Several areas are off limits to backpacking including the Whiteoak Canyon Trail, Limberlost Trail, Old Rag and Hawksbill Summit, and Big Meadows. Backcountry regulations stipulate that you also camp a quarter mile from Skyline Drive and the park boundary. You also must camp one half mile from park structures such as Rapidan Camp.

5. Shenandoah National Park has undergone significant ecological change in the last few years as hemlocks continue to die and the forest recovers from the 2000 fire which burnt over 20000 acres. Many parts of the park may appear to be great campsites according to a topographical map, but the lack of a forest canopy has drastically changed many areas. Instead of open forest understories, you now find thick mountain laurel and new growth. You've been warned, now don't forget about those widow makers either.

6. Less popular but great trails can be found. Examples include White Rocks, Thorton River, and Big Run. You really can't go wrong with any trail you pick in the park.

7. Bears, snakes and poison ivy. While working in the park for the last summer, I was far more concerned about where poison ivy was than bears or snakes. Although the bear population is very high, most of the bears are well behaved. The nuisance bears are quickly relocated and are often found at the frontcountry campgrounds anyhow. For snakes, there are a few spots in the park where you are likely to come across a few copperheads or a rattler, but sightings are usually limited to snakes sunning themselves. Just go around them when you see them. Watch out for poison ivy!!

8. Although these aren't the highest mountains, most hikes usually begin from Skyline Drive and head down the mountain and then back up. Just remember that it's a lot more work going back up than it is down, especially on a hot and humid summer day.

If you have any questions about the park, I'll be happy to answer them, just leave me a comment.

Tom from Two Heel drive has some criticism of a gear question and answer from Outside Online.

I'm recovering from a ruptured disc and have an extended backpacking trip planned this summer, with doctor's approval granted! What's your opinion on the best packs for those of us with back problems; if not specific models, maybe manufacturers that build the best support systems?

Well, I don't think anybody is making a Ruptured Disc Edition Backpack, but certainly some are going to be better than others. I worry about the weight you'll need to carry for a long trip?more than 40 pounds, I would imagine. In my view you'd be well advised to take your pack in to see your doc, just so he/she is perfectly aware of what you propose...

Here is what Tom has to say about the answer:

This is a good start, but of course he recommends a bunch of really expensive -- and heavy -- packs and doesn't even broach the idea of looking into the whole light-weight movement. Kind of a blindered view of things, which, come to think of it, is probably what gets Climb_CA so worked up all the time.

To me, and I'm sure many other backpackers, 40 lbs for an extended trip of say 10 days is not that heavy. Heck, if you calculate how much the food alone will weigh, 1.5lbs x 10 days, you end up in the range of 15lbs. Since this is an extended trip, you will also bring additional first aid, fuel, clothing, and repair items that could easily add 2-5 lbs more. So now you have something like 10-20 lbs that you wouldn't be bringing on a short overnight hike.

So unless a backpacker make significant sacrifices, their total weight will reach approximately 40 lbs for an extended trip of about 10 days. Now when you consider that most lightweight backpacks stop working at around 30lbs, Outside Online provides exactly the answer needed. I would never suggest a flimsy lightweight backpack to someone with back problems unless the total weight was under 20lbs. Lightweight backpacks generally lack the support necessary to transfer weight to the hips. I own both the 5lb pack that can carry 60 pounds and the 2lb pack that can carry 30lbs.

Basically, Outside's answer is realistic and fits the balance most backpackers have chosen between comfort and weight. If the backpacker with the bad back wanted a summary of the trade offs, he would of asked that question.

I find it annoying on forums or anywhere else when someone starts pushing their lightweight gear and methods assuming that I haven't already considered them. Most of these people seem oblivious to the fact that lightweight backpacking involves significant sacrifices. Anyways, that's my counter rant to Tom's.

Just got back from the Gila Wilderness last night. We had a great time but the weather definately made it challenging. Saturday we had 30-40 mph winds all day long with temps in the 30-45 range. Sunday morning we woke up to about 4-5 inches of snow on the ground and temps in the high 20s. Sunday night I didn't sleep much and my little thermometer had a temperature of -2F! Frozen boots aren't much fun either. And on Monday, we had highs in the 70s and ended up a little sunburnt! Here is my trip report:

For spring break I decided to avoid the typical college student destinations and instead go backpacking. My roomate decided he also wanted to do something and would be trying backpacking for the first time.

Our route was basically to head up the west fork of the Gila river and eventually come back down the middle fork. We did not set a specific point for crossing over between the canyons.

The first thing we noticed about this trip was the amount of river crossings. It seemed as though I crossed the river every 200 yards. Definately not a trip for those who like to keep their feet dry. Luckily, the water was never much higher than our knees.

The first day we went something like 10-12 miles, but I think our average speed was about 1.5 miles an hour due to the river crossings. We were exhausted after the the first day, our own fault for driving the last 24 hours straight.

Late that night it started snowing and when we finally awoke, there was approximately five inches of snow on the ground. We were not really expecting this much snow for the trip based upon the dry winter and being from Wisconsin, it wasn't too much to handle; although we did decide to take our shortest route option.

The second day was characterized by blowing snow and a climb out of the west fork valley at Hell's hole. Temperatures were in the mid 20's F and wind gusts were probably in the 20-30 mph range. Eventually we made it to some more sheltered areas and found a great spot to rest near Prior Cabin. We continued another 2 miles before finding a decent spot to camp at.

The second night was by far the coldest night I have ever camped in. The temperature dropped down to -2F and I was literally frozen. I ended up starting a fire in the middle of the night and dragging my bag out next to it. Miraculously I kept ash from burning holes in it. We ended up cooking breakfast at 4:30 and started hiking at about 6. The first few miles were painful as my boots were frozen stiff even after sitting by the fire for a few hours.

The third day was definately the highlight of the trip as we made our way to the Meadows on the middle fork of the Gila River. We had an amazing view from above and quickly forgot about the temperature.(It was still in the single digits).

Anyhow, we proceeded down the canyon side and into the river valley on our hike out. It was clear blue skies and the sun was beginning to warm things up. At about 2 in the afternoon, the temperature was 70F and were both in shorts. At this point, we wished we would have taken one of the longer route options, but I guess thats how things go.

Eventually we made it near Jordan Hot Springs, but I wasn't impressed and somewhat disgusted with the impact on the canyon there. It looked like a park... So we kept on hiking until Little Bear Canyon and began a little climb back to our car at West Fork Trailhead.

Overall, I definately enjoyed this trip. I really wish the temperatures would have been a little nicer throughout, but that's how March is.

The other day I started looking for some movies/documentaries that involved backpacking or anything that just had some great wilderness video. So far, I have found the following not in any particular order:

1. Touching the Void - an amazing documentary about two climbers trying to climb an almost impossible peak in Peru. awesome video and pictures of the mountains.

2. Jeremiah Johnson - great older movie about a man who escapes to the mountains to become a mountain man.

3. The Edge - two men try to survive in Alaska after a plane crash.

4. Other Mountaineering: K2, The Eiger Sanction, Everest

5. Grizzly Man - documentary about Timothy Treadwell living with the bears in Alaska.

6. Deliverance - not really one about backpacking but should be watched.

7. Never Cry Wolf

8. Continental Divide - City guy(John Belushi) is sent to the Rockies to hide from the mob and falls in love with an eagle researcher.

9. Into the Wild - "After graduating from Emory University, top student and athlete Christopher McCandless abandons his possessions, gives his entire $24,000 savings account to charity and hitchhikes to Alaska to live in the wilderness. Along the way, Christopher encounters a series of characters that shape his life."

I haven't seen all of these yet, but I have to say, they really make me want to head out and go backpacking.

Two-Heel Drive found a few training regimens at Backpacker Magazine to get you in shape for your next bacpacking trip. I have my own theory on how to get in shape for backpacking and usually base my exercise activities around it. It's built on three main elements:

Anaerobic endurance is necessary for climbing those steep, but short hills. This usually goes together with overall leg strength and I increase my anaerobic endurance by doing sprints up a hill. I'll sprint 40 yards, walk back down and when I get to the bottom, repeat about 10 times.

Aerobic endurance is needed to keep moving for those 10 hour hiking days. For this, I usually go for a long bike ride, nothing too hilly, but just making sure I'm out biking for a few hours. I find biking is much easier on the body than running.

Core body strength is needed to handle the weight of the backpack without getting a sore back or any other problems. For this, I usually just take a backpack filled with some weights and go for a easy hike. This also gets my feet adjusted to the extra work so that I can avoid blisters on the trail. I usually combine my dayhikes with scouting for deer hunting, trying to walk down a deer trail with a backpack on can be a challenge.

So basically to get in shape for backpacking, I ride bike, do short sprints, and go on long dayhikes. It's nothing too strict and unless you plan on following a training regimen for months, you don't need anything too complicated.

I've recently started the planning stage for my 2006 spring break backpacking trip. I have decided to check out the Gila Wildernes and ere is some advice I have received from the backpacking community online regarding that area so far:

For a 5 to 6 day trip w/o a shuttle I suggest to start at the Visitor center/cliff dwellings, go up the west fork for two days until Hell's hole or if you are really fast White Creek. From here cross over to the Middle fork to the Meadows. you can stay at Prior's cabin as a way stop. From the meadows go down to Jordon's Hot Springs which are real nice though could be a little hotter. You can soak here into the night. Tis is a really nice hot springs. From here its an easy out to the corrals and your vehicle.

Lots of the trails follow the riverbeds, so any flooding will make them impassible. You'll have to watch the temperatures and stream guages to get an idea whether run off from snowmelt is beginning.

So, in Gila, understand that along any of the river trails, all you can really hope for is maybe a mile to a mile and a half per hour. You will spend a lot of time handling the stream crossings safely, since they are so darn frequent (30 crossings or more in a mile of trail..ack!!!). There were also a few washouts, and downed big trees from a previous flash flood, made for some fun Wilderness Gymnastics experiments...

Here is one of the routes that I am considering for my spring break trip to the Gila Wilderness. Click on map to enlarge.

There will be almost 100 river crossings on this route and you can go to this USGS site to check Gila River levels. Luckily there is no snow to swell the rivers. Here is a chart showing the snow pack for the region...Nothing in the Gila...

The following is a 3d map looking West Northwest up the West and Middle Forks of the Gila River. It gives a good impression of the layout of the land. The one peak there is Lilley Mountain with the rest of the Mogollon Mountains beyond that. It would be nice to do a peak ascent on Lilley, but that will depend upon the amount of time we have and snow.

I have recently been thinking about what I am going to do for spring break this year. My brother is going to Las Vegas, but I'm not really into that type of thing if you can tell.

One possible idea I have is a backpacking trip in the Gila Wilderness of New Mexico. The problem with this is March can be a difficult time to plan due to quickly changing weather and trail conditions at higher elevations.

So far I have been looking at a few 30-50 mile loops; however, I am not sure which trails will be passable in mid March due to the snow pack on the peaks or floods in the canyons. Luckily, I have electronic access to the Falcon Guide Book on the Gila Wilderness through school, but so far I haven't found much for information to solve my dilemna. I guess the only solution is to watch the snow pack data throughout the winter and have a few alternative routes depending upon conditions.

For anyone that may offer advice, I have quite a bit of tolerance for postholeing and tough river crossings, but I would prefer to not camp in the snow unless absolutely necessary.

Any other wilderness areas to check out instead?