Arizona Backpackers

01/20/2020

AZ Backpackers goes mountain biking.

Some of our backpackers are very accomplished mountain bikers. If you have any mountain bike related questions, feel free to drop us a line.

01/20/2020

A couple years ago my brother, after several months of convincing, dragged me into the world of mountain biking. I started out on the so called 29er, the status quo for any serious mountain biker. I did not enjoy it at all. I really did try. Before abandoning it all together, I utilized the REI return policy and swapped for an identical frame, but with 27.5" wheels instead of 29" wheels. I immediately noticed the difference and haven't looked back. Now, with the right equipment, I love mountain biking. It is another way to get out and enjoy the outdoors.

Naturally, I wanted to share my new love with my family. I bought a bike for my son. I started with the standard 24" full rigid mountain bike with 2" tires. He was not loving it like I thought he would. I didn't need him to be an all-world shredder, but I did think he would take to it a little better. He just did not feel comfortable on the bike and was pretty skiddy on our loose AZ trails. I bit the bullet and sacrificed my REI dividend to switch up his ride. Two major changes that made all the difference; disk brakes and plus tires. With 2.8" tubeless tires and disk brakes he had all sorts of traction and control. The improvement in riding and increased enjoyment was immediate. He was grinding up climbs that stopped him in his tracks previously, and hitting downhills with more confidence.

So, I finally decided it was time to get my wife in the game so she could join in the fun. However, I knew from what I had learned with my bike and my son's bike, her success and enjoyment were going to come down to finding the right bike. Enter the Jamis Bikes Dragonfly. A weird bike that doesn't seem to fit in with the current mountain bike world. A 26" hardtail with plus tires, but not fat tires. Made from steel instead of aluminum or carbon. A tiny frame with short reach. All of those things that probably make it a bit of joke to serious mountain bikers makes it perfect for my wife. We hit the dirt for the first time as a family and had a great time. Special shoutout to Kyle at Jenson USA for helping find the perfect bike.

The point of this post is to highlight THREE really important lessons.

1.) Equipment matters. This doesn't mean buying the most expensive gear, or having what all the "real" mountain bikers/hikers/backpackers/whatever-ers have. It means finding comfortable gear that fits you and gets you excited to go out and get into it.

2.) Try new things. I always thought I would hate mountain biking. I am fairly risk averse when it comes to anything that would prevent me from doing the things I really love for a really long time. I've been surprised how much fun I am having mountain biking. Know your limits, stop making everything a competition or comparison and just have fun.

3.) Be patient when sharing. If you want to get someone you love into any outdoor activity, be patient. Remember that the reason for getting them into it is to spend time with them and allow them to feel the excitement and exhilaration that comes from exploring the outdoors. The level of activity that will accomplish that feeling is different for each individual. You didn't bring them along to push you or keep up with you. You brought them along to be with you and help spark their own interest in whatever the activity is.

With that, get out there and try something new; just make sure you give it the best chance of success by grabbing the right gear.

12/28/2019

One constant problem that a lot of outdoor lovers struggle with is storage space. That problem gets even bigger once you start adding car accessories to accommodate your outdoor adventures. One solution I found for our cargo box is a kayak rack. I picked up these Swagman kayak hooks for $35 on Amazon 4 years ago. Every time I put my cargo box away I appreciate these hooks. I don't even notice the giant coffin until the next time its services are required.

12/20/2019

I'm hot and cold on REI, but an extra 25% off an outlet item is not a bad way to grab some nice gear.

https://notices.rei.com/pub/sf/FormLink?_ri_=X0Gzc2X%3DYQpglLjHJlYQGtoudvK3zcfCze23IcEi4131mj3tifLhtFgsugr0Ozc0Ya9zbzbAMvUCIUjcoNndzbKFhVXMtX%3DYQpglLjHJlYQGizdRKqpwzf7kPuORBiSfi8zcizcM8guzeoHsDKjO7rze97KHgae3esC5SObzdc0mzdNoTf&_ei_=ErZ4Z_pOQ1O-2UKxqnVOq_hGyywh92--C_rxL8W353hHwVh3pxA5zjU1iiI8omQ70a8O-3gfxOKfNqyaqEBdnfHIuMCY8KnnPFEaQLDoSnCLgLlDfrSEb0yj0iFvIoQ5tXsmWcWYaJPPa51mDpjperqDkKEggXLbKjAHYVCmrMNYREIuuWk9x0fy2Jqa8rY4q4HvJp_erhv6RSRR_CPMH4WG1uwIRah9xQke43JU0fW5f44hEfx2BPp0KWYT7Dfw8TxKzRAxDT2fHc_ae7ZewfKBbXOFq0je93l7xWWXdrR2NoxajSNjIgEOMLejrtwvzkEZ1JRBO5VGgSL6gnzgg0ePgAOWhbTbxzTROTs8W0no.

11/15/2019

Since this list is always evolving, we felt it appropriate to share REIs take on the latest and greatest headlamps. Easily one of the most important backpacking purchases you will make, and you might be shocked how affordable some of these can be.

Find the perfect headlamp for your next trail run, hike, climb or adventure among our testers' six favorites.

09/18/2019

Hiking With Kids: 10 Things

Part of our mission as moms and dads here at AZ Backpackers is to create a love of the outdoors for our kids. There are so many incredible places to see, and some of the most incredible places can be tough to get to. The struggle adds to the majesty of the destination and creates a deeper appreciation for nature. Here are a few observations and tips to get these youths out on the trails and into the backcountry.

1) And this might be the most important thing. Kids CAN do hard things, despite their best efforts to convince us otherwise. Don't underestimate what your kid can do. Go for it!

2) That said, you know your kid better than anyone. You have to know the difference between pushing past the natural youthful resistance to pain and fatigue to dig deep, and pushing your kid right into a medical emergency. Be mindful of real physiological things that grit and determination just can't overcome; heat exhaustion, altitude sickness, asthma, or muscle cramps are a few examples.

3) Be positive. Busting out the "I did this when I was half your age carrying a pack twice your size" stories are not going to help. Nor will pointing out how much better some other kid is doing. Talk about how much you loved a particular hike as a kid, or how much fun other kids are having. Invite them to enjoy the process.

4) Be an example. You better not bonk or start up with the negative nancy routine. If you are tired or hurting, suck it up. Show your kid that a positive attitude can make all the difference.

5) Which leads to hike selection. Make sure both you and your little one can succeed on the trail. Choose some smaller hikes to test the waters and give them a sense of accomplishment.

6) Delicious trail snacks can be powerful motivators. You control the flow of snacks and push them a little further up the trail before dishing them out. Give them a goal, two more switchbacks for another Hi-Chew, next shady spot for some beef jerky.

7) Hydration and energy is key. Have your little guy carry his own water (small trail running hydration packs work great). But make sure you are carrying enough for yourself and extra to supplement what your kid is carrying. Make sure they drink the water! Even if they say they are not thirsty, consistent hydration is key. Have a solid snack to eat at the destination before turning back. Some kind of fruit and granola snack work great (clementine oranges or applesauce squeeze pouches pack well).

8) If you care about the gear you use, care about the gear your kid uses too. I'm not saying deck them out in the best outdoor gear available. I am saying make sure they have good shoes, decent socks, and that any packs they wear are the appropriate size and weight. Make the journey as comfortable as possible.

9) Bring some friends. It is amazing what kids can do when they are just genuinely having a good time with a good buddy. They will talk and goof off and before you know it, another mile is done.

10) Have fun and make sure to celebrate after a hard hike. Grab a treat or fun meal. This can be simple and cheap, but it leaves kids with some final positive mojo associated with the whole experience.

There are no perfect, one-size-fits-all tricks to hiking with kids. But there are a lot of good ones that will get you on your way. Feel free to share what's worked for you.

09/18/2019

Check out AZ Backpackers thoughts on a backpackers BIG 3. Follow the link to download the newsletter.

05/11/2019

It seems like fancy coolers are all the rage. If you are looking for a rotomolded super-cooler, then chances are you have watched all the videos. And there are some good ones. This post isn't about ice retention, I think all of them are fine for keeping stuff cold for a couple days. This post just outlines what my thought process was during my cooler hunt.

I looked at Yeti, Orca, Rtic, Ozark Trail, Lifetime, and Kysek. I wanted something that would allow 2-3 days without refrigeration on overland excursions and road trips. It was a real three bears situation for me.

I wasn't about to drop $200 on one of these things, so Yeti, Kysek, and Orca were out from the start. Next, I wanted a smaller cooler, but the 20 from Rtic seemed a little too small.

I liked the Ozark or Lifetime from (Oh the Horror) Walmart. I didn't like that the Ozark 26 didn't have a drain, and I wasn't a fan of the Lifetime 28 general size and shape. One thing I did really like about the Rtic was the ability to have a basket in it. The lifetime does not have the internal lip to accommodate a basket.

Then I stumbled across the Monoprice website that sells Pure Outdoor branded outdoor equipment. And sure enough they have coolers. I settled on the Emperor 25. It hits the sweet spot for size, has a drain, and allows for a basket. I picked up the Kysek 25L internal basket, which fits perfect. Under $100 for a cooler that is just right for my needs.

https://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=311&cp_id=31102&cs_id=3110202&p_id=15638&seq=1&format=2

https://kysek.com/collections/new-accessories/products/internal-basket-new

02/25/2019

Siphon Draw Trail, Snowy Superstitions

01/13/2019

Ridgeline Trail, Superstition Mountains

10/05/2018

At 14,500', Mount Whitney is the highest point in the US outside of Alaska. With its base just outside Lone Pine, CA, it is also a very manageable road trip from the Phoenix area. Several members of Arizona Backpackers have either day-hiked or backpacked Whitney during the tail end of the hiker quota season.

There are several benefits to climbing Whitney in late September to early October; a less crowded mountain, trails generally free of snow and ice, manageable temperatures, and it's well clear of monsoon season.

There are lots of great resources for planning your hike. Here are a few of Arizona Backpackers favorites.

https://www.timberlinetrails.com/WhitneyMain.html

https://modernhiker.com/hike/hiking-mount-whitney/

https://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Mount-Whitney/forecasts/4418

Gear Highlights for Sept 30 - Oct 1 Trip:

Osprey Exos 58
Osprey Atmos 65
Source 2L Hydration Bladder
Platypus Gravity Works Filter
Big Agnes Copper Spur 4 (AZ Backpackers recommends 2-man tents for Trail Camp)
Enlightened Equipment 20* Enigma Quilt
NeoAir XTherm pad
Nemo Fillo Pillow
Helinox Chair Zero
REI Flexlite
Garmin eTrex 30
Goal Zero Venture 30
Jetboil Sol
Cannon Rebel + 2 lenses
Sony A7Rii + 2 lenses
Various Puffy Jackets and Windbreakers
Balaclava, Gloves, Beanie
Five Ten Camp Four Mid
Merrell Capra Mid Sport

If you have any specific questions about gear or trip planning, post them in the comments section and we will do our best to respond.

10/05/2018

September 30 - October 1 Mount Whitney backpacking trip.