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“Teton Sports Explorer 4000 Internal Frame Backpack” Feature

Backpack

• Rugged, internal frame backpack with 4,000 cubic inch capacity; weighs 5 pounds
• Dual aluminum stays adjust to the contour of your back
• Padded shoulder straps, padded waist belts and padded lumbar area for maximum comfort; Airflow system to reduce heat
• Full length adjustable torso and adjustable shoulder straps for a more comfortable fit
• Separate sleeping bag compartment

“Teton Sports Explorer 4000 Internal Frame Backpack” Overview

The Explorer 4000 is packed with features normally found only on more expensive backpacks. A full length adjustable torso allows this pack to be adjusted for those 5’1″ all the way up to 6’4″. The padded back and airflow system provides padding in the perfect spots while allowing substantial airflow to prevent your back from getting too hot. Its contoured shoulder, lumbar, and hip pads help ensure a comfortable trip. The Explorer4000 also features a padded water bladder pocket for your favorite water bladder up to 3 liters in size. Side zippered pockets, mesh pockets, and a top zippered pocket provide plenty of room for smaller accessories. There’s even two spots for walking sticks. A top-loading main compartment and a sleeping bag compartment complete the pack. Includes bright yellow attached rain fly and is hydration system ready.

“Teton Sports Explorer 4000 Internal Frame Backpack” Specification

The Explorer 4000 is packed with features normally found only on more expensive backpacks such as a full-length adjustable torso that allows this pack to be adjusted for those 5 feet, 1 inch tall all the way up to 6 feet, 4 inches tall. The padded back and airflow system provides padding in the perfect spots while allowing substantial airflow to prevent your back from getting too hot. Its contoured shoulder, lumbar, and hip pads help ensure a comfortable trip. The Explorer 4000 also features a padded water bladder pocket for your favorite water bladder up to 3 liters in size. Side zippered pockets, mesh pockets, and a top zippered pocket provide plenty of room for smaller accessories. There’s even two spots for walking sticks. A top-loading main compartment and a sleeping bag compartment complete the pack. Includes bright yellow attached rain fly and is hydration system ready.

Features:

• Rugged, internal frame backpack with 4,000 cubic inch capacity
• Dual aluminum stays adjust to the contour of your back
• Full-length adjustable torso and adjustable shoulder straps for a more comfortable fit
• Padded shoulder straps, padded waist belts and padded lumbar area for maximum comfort, with airflow system to reduce heat
• Separate sleeping bag compartment
• Includes a bright yellow attached rainfly and is hydration system ready
• Height-adjustment shoulder straps accommodate a wide range of torso lengths

Specifications:

• Capacity: 4,000 cubic inches
• Dimensions: 34 by 18 by 12 inches (full capacity)
• Pack Weight: 5 lbs
• Shell: 600D Diamond Ripstop

The poles and I out for a stroll on the AT this weekend

My foray into the world of trekking poles was prompted by RMI Expeditions and the gear list I received for my Mount Rainier Summit for Someone climb last summer. I’d never used them before, nor considered them an essential piece of gear. Though I had trouble with the poles I chose initially, they became incredibly useful with a little help from one of our expert guides. I was glad to have them on the descent when my leg muscles started rebelling!

I chose LEKI after hearing and reading good things about the company. Of the four poles LEKI offers for mountain trekking, three are listed above $100. I wanted something reasonably priced, durable, easy to use and without the anti-shock feature. I find the noise created by anti-shock trekking poles nearly unbearable and invasive on the trail, like nails on a chalkboard.

Just by virtue of my price limitations and anti-anti-shock preference, I’d narrowed the field to three LEKI models – the Khumbu Aergon, Corklite Aergon, and Cressida Aergon. The Corkline Aergon grips were too stiff; I preferred the softer grips on the Khumbu Aergon. The Cressida Aergon only extend up to 125 cm (48″). Even though I’m 5’9″ and the 48″ extension would have been enough, I wanted flexibility in case the poles needed to become tent poles, or hold up tarps.

All three feature LEKI’s Speedlock locking system, hailed as one of the strongest in the world. The levers are easy to use with gloves on, operating a bit like the quick release lever on bike tires. The Khumbu Aergon, though 3-4 oz. heavier than the other two pairs, were under the $100 mark, and that was the final piece that tipped the scale.

The poles and I made it on to the trail a few times before Rainier. The lower portion of the poles never seemed to stay locked, which surprised me after I’d read so much about how innovative the Speedlock system was. I’d put weight on them and feel the lower portion slide all the way up.

Locked vs unlocked, lower portion compressed.

Frustrated, I took them to Rainier anyway hoping to rent a pair if I couldn’t get mine to work. Guide Carrie Parker told me it’s a common issue with trekking poles in general. She helped me make them usable by extending the top portion as far as it would go, locking it, and leaving the bottom compressed. The top lock stayed put and I didn’t have to worry about the lower one sliding around. It worked and they felt sturdy enough, but the poles lost 6-8″ of length flexibility.

I’d never heard of, or read reviews from, anyone with that issue and of course, that makes me think it’s got something to do with the user! I’m hoping I’ll get them to stay locked with a little fiddling. I found the poles themselves a valuable addition to my collection of gear. I’ve taken them out once or twice since, and regretted leaving them at home for our Ricketts Glen adventure.They won’t have a place on day hikes for me, but I expect they’ll come with me on backpacking trips this summer.

The bottom line: The grips are comfortable, the poles are sturdy, and the Speedlock system is easy to use. For my height and purposes, they’re still functional with the lower portion compressed, but of course ideally, the entire pole would function properly. All that being said, I’m not sure I’d buy these again. If anyone has any suggestions about how to get the lower lock to stay put, I’d love to hear them!

Going camping can be wonderful no matter if you are going alone, with a loved one, your family or even a group of friends. Not only is it the opportunity to get back to nature but it also gives you a chance to clear your mind and just enjoy life for a short period of time. One of the most important things that you need to take into consideration when you are going on a trip is the camping tents that you are going to use.

At one time it seems as though a tent was just big enough for one person or maybe two if you wanted to be close together. But over time, tents have become more of a home away from home as opposed to a small cramped space to keep the rain off. One type of tent to consider is a camping trailer. This is one that you actually tow behind your car and it can accommodate up to 8. You do however need to take into consideration the size of your car and what the towing limit is. The weight of the trailer is going to make a difference in the size that you will be able to get.

Of course pop-up tents are still very popular with campers. You will find that you no longer need to store everything into one small space and still have to find room to sleep. These tents are now equipped with adjacent tents attached so that you can sleep in one area and store you belongings in the other. Depending upon how many people are going to be on your trip is going to make the difference in the size that you are going to need.

If you are going to be taking the family along or even if you are going with a crowd of friends, a family tent or cabin tent could be the best solution for you. These camping tents are spacious and roomy with enough height that you can actually stand up. They have sections that are used for sleeping so you have privacy when sleeping and an area for storage and even chairs and a small table. This is a not exactly roughing it in the wild but it gives you some small creature comforts of home if you are not used to being outdoors.

With the large variety of tents that you can choose from you will find that camping is something that can be for everyone. No longer do you need to try and store all of your camping gear and clothing into one small space along with yourself. You don’t even need to keep certain things in the car either as you can have everything under one roof. Of course you will find that there is a capacity limit and will vary with the type of tent that you have chosen so you may need more than one. But, all in all you will be able to keep everything and everyone safe, happy and dry while on your trip.