pack cover vs. garbage bag

We recently got an email from someone going on our Grand Canyon Backpacking trip asking about this. I thought I'd give my 2 cents:

A garbage bag is an inexpensive option to waterproof your backpack. If you line the inside of your pack with it, it will keep your gear dry, but will not keep the backpack itself dry, nor anything you might have in outside pockets. If you put the garbage bag on the outside of your pack, it will keep your backpack dry, but probably not entirely fit the shape of the pack. Garbage bags also have a tendency to get holes in them, but since they are inexpensive and lightweight you can bring extra along.

A pack cover is made of coated nylon (usually) that wraps around the outside of your backpack and cinches down to fit right over the pack. Most brands make their own pack cover, and there are different sizes depending on the cubic inches of your pack. A pack cover is great for when you are travelig during the day, and can often fit over a thermarest attached to the outside of the pack as well as the pack itself. The biggest con to a pack cover is that they are fairly expensive. I also would recommend lining your stuff sacks (or backpack) with garbage bags in addition to the pack cover.

In the end of the day, decide how often you are going to backpack, what climates you will mostly travel in, and what kind of monetary investment you want to make. I often covet pack covers when I see people backpacking with them. They look so streamlined and efficient. But truth be told, I still opt for the garbage bags. --Deb

Step outside...

your comfort zone. Wikipedia defines a comfort zone as: a "plateau" one that describes a set of behaviors that have become comfortable, without creating a sense of risk or anxiety.

A comfort zone is a necessary part of life. We all need space to feel safe and secure, and most of us don't want to be/can't be challenging ourselves every second of every day. However, I think it is equally important to push the boundaries of comfort and take a risk. Many of you do this every time you come on one of our trips. What I find fascinating about comfort zone "pushing," if you will, is how different that it for every single person. Meaning, the thing that pushes me out of my comfort zone is totally different than what pushes Marian out of hers, or you out of yours.

On my recent trips to Bulgaria and Greece, this really hit home as I watched everyone challenge herself in ways I may or may not have thought of as risk-taking, but were clearly stretching boundaries. It became a bit of a joke, but we started to cheer to going outside of your comfort zone. Sleeping under the stars; living with lost luggage; admitting fear about climbing a peak; climbing a peak; eating new foods; riding a chair lift; feeling really ill; learning a new language; camping without a bathroom; going without strong coffee; participating in water fights; learning to share pieces of yourself with others; and so on.

Whether small or large, fun or scary, once in an entire week, or every single day - the amount that we are challenged on an adventure travel trip (or in life) is up to us. I know for me, the amount of joy I get from a trip is also related to what ways I have challenged myself as well. The biggest thing to remember is that we are all different. Stretch yourself - you might learn just how expandable you are. And, celebrate your successes.--Deb

Getting the kids unplugged and tuned in

Last week I guided a trip for 3 grandmas, 1 mother, and 4 girls. It was a lovely three days, full of laughter, swimming, and enjoying being outdoors. I thought there were several things that made it particularly successful that are worth considering when planning a trip with kids- and getting kids to enjoy the outdoors at this age (8 to 12) is critical to growing the next generation of outdoorspeople.
First, we stayed in air conditioned cabins with beds. This was as rustic as most of them had ever been (no internet or TV!) and real camping might have been over the top. Two, we did a variety of things and tried not to do anything too long. Three, we did things I would never do- like visiting the Luray Canyons, which I have always avoided because they are so overhyped. Actually they turned out to be very cool. Four, we ate kid friendly food - healthy, but nothing too weird. And five, we ate ice cream! The four kids bonded, the grandmas enjoyed down time without needing to supevise all the time, and I regained my faith in the coming generation.--Marian

Bridge collapse

On Wednesday night, a section of I-35 collapsed into the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. It was rush hour and there were numerous cars and trucks on the bridge, though they have been doing construction on it this summer, so 2 of 4 lanes were closed. I was riding my bike near to the river when it occurred, but I was not there when the tragedy happened. I did ride over to see the aftermath, and wondered if there was anything I could do to help.

It was eery to stand there seeing an entire area of empty and smoking space where the road had been - a road that 150,000 people a day pass, and that I have been over more times than I can count. It was all too easy to picture that you could have been one of those cars on the bridge. The police were turning people away from crowding at the scene, which I understood, but made me feel even more helpless, especially given my advanced emergency medical training. They had enough help for the time being, and were more worried about the instability of the wreckage.

Fortunately, no one I knew was injured, killed, or even witness to the event. This does not make it any less tragic, but it does make it a little less personal. What I have been struck by most, though, is the amount of concern that has come, literally, from around the world. My partner's relatives from Australia emailed to make sure everyone was all right; my relatives from Peru and Canada have emailed and called; friends from around the city and state have called or emailed; our AGC guides have checked in with us and other participants they know in Minneapolis; and many of my previous participants have emailed to check on me. It might sound trite, but I find it amazing that a structural bridge collapsed at home and the news has spread around the world - creating a (figurative) bridge with a worldwide community.

I think it is so important to remember how connected we all are (whether you think of it as the 'web-of-life', the 100th monkey, etc.) and continue to care about not only what happens in our own backyard, but what happens around the world. I am grateful for the opportunities I have to travel and experience this first hand, and also to all of you for reminding me in this time of a local tragedy, that our community is larger than out our door. -- deb

Family Vacations

I just got back from a week with my two sisters and 95 year old mother at the place we have all been going since we were babies. I really like my sisters- they are quite different and in general we get along well. But in our family, bringing up anything that might cause conflict has never been common. And of course over the years, the three of us have built up patterns with each other, not all of which are healthy.

So I think we were all a bit nervous about spending this week together, as well as excited. On the first day, one of my sisters who has been on a trip with AGC said "Let's do what we always do on Marian's trips- let's talk about our hopes and expectations for the week." It was perfect. We talked about that, we talked about things that had built up, and in general it set the tone for the best week we have ever had together. --Marian

A totally delightful movie

Every once in a while someone asks if the inspiration for the name of our company came from an independent Canadian film called Strangers in Good Company. Yes! Yes, it did, and if you haven't see the film, you should put it on your list. This may be one of the most charming movies ever made. It is about a group of eight women whose bus breaks down in an isolated area. Made with non-professional actresses and ad-libbed dialogue, they share their stories and thoughts and turn what could be a time of crisis into a time of magic and connection.If you like plot-driven action-packed films, you might find this boring. But if you like movies about relationships and interesting people, you'll love this one.-- Marian

Hiking trips overseas

I am about to depart for our trip to Bulgaria and there are 2 travel tips on my mind. Many of us worry when we travel that our luggage may not make it when we do. if you are setting off immediately on a hiking trip (or any outdoor trip) this can be even more worrisome. One thing we recommend is that you wear your hiking boots on the plane. This way, if your luggage does get lost, at least you will have these. Clothing can be borrowed and bought, but your boots are broken in to your feet, and getting a new pair or borrowing another person's probably won't do.

They are not the most comfortable "plane shoes", so bring a pair of slippers as well (or a cozy pair of socks) so you can take your boots off during the long flight. You may also want to throw your fleece in your day bag for the plane - this can double as a pillow for the flight, a warm layer if that a/c gets too cold, and you will also have one extra layer should your bag not arrive.

The other thing people wonder about is hiking poles. When you travel internationally you cannot bring these on the plane, even wrapped in bubble wrap or a blanket. But nearly all trekking poles are telescoping, meaning they loosen and then slide into smaller sections. Instead of leaving them at home, collapse them as small as you can and fit them in your checked luggage, If your poles don't telescope small enough, they also might be able to be taken apart. If you don't know how to do this, take them to a reputable outdoor store and ask for help. You want to be able to get them back together when you arrive!

Clearly, if your luggage does not arrive, neither will your hiking poles. But chances are everything will get to the baggage claim when you do. If you are traveling only with carry on luggage - try to find a place that you can rent poles when you arrive, or another person to travel with them for you. Hike on! -- Deb