Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 18, 1994 TAG: 9412080009
SECTION: HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE PAGE: HGG-22 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SARAH COX
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
For the holidays, making camping or hiking plans and giving related equipment could mean starting a whole new hobby for your family or friends. And even though equipment can be very expensive and high-tech, professionals advise to go slowly, try out your new pastime and add as you go along.
From Bill Sgrinia, outdoor education supervisor for Roanoke County, to Bill Wilson, general manager of Blue Ridge Outdoors stores, most of those in the know say the first and most important piece of equipment is a sound pair of boots. That's something, said Wilson, that he'd advise not to buy used.
"It's not something you can borrow," said Wilson. "One of the things we've always prided ourselves on is not selling what someone doesn't need. But you'll need a pair of boots, and you'll have use for them outside of weekend backpacking situations."
Wilson said he's seeing a trend back to the boot of 20 years ago - solid, heavy, all-leather that gives longer-lasting quality. That's the boot of choice, in his opinion, for the true backpacker. For the car camper and day hiker, however, a lightweight mix of leather and synthetic fiber that will breath and be more flexible may be the better alternative. Those don't give as much support, but do you really need that much support if you're not carrying your house on your back?
According to Sgrinia, the lightweight hiking boot of cordura and leather mix is also easier to break in. He said the important thing to look for in any boot is correct sizing, a three-quarter shank, 4 inches in height up the back with a cut-out for the Achilles heel, and a good, stiff sole.
With shoes for the family, day hikes can be a great way to break into the outdoors mode. When you're ready for an overnighter, you'll want to add a few more pieces to the stash. Good sleeping bags, especially if you do any camping in the cooler months, are critical. If you're buying for children, look for bags that fit them, or are not adult sizes.
"It's important to buy one not too big for you. They'll be less efficient, and you'll be carrying more weight," said Wilson.
Children, he said, have high metabolisms and they tend to burn up energy fast. If they're swimming in a sleeping bag, their bodies are not going to work well in conjunction with lots of air space. They'll be cold.
Wilson suggested a couple of compromises if you don't want children to outgrow their bags too quickly. Buy one a bit larger and fold the bottom under, or stuff jackets in the bottom Also, if they wake up in the middle of the night and are cold, give them a high-energy snack.
Sgrinia said when buying bags you have to look at the time of year you'll be camping. For late spring to early fall, cotton bags will do fine. You can purchase closed cell foam pads or thinsulate liners that will keep out 90 percent of the cold ground temperature. There are more expensive, inflatable pads as well that give you comfort and warmth. Sgrinia said Polarguard or dacron materials are less expensive than down, lighter and fine for winter camping.
Tents are another essential, but they, too, shouldn't be purchased until you've decided what kind of camping you'll be doing. Sgrinia suggested getting a separate, small tent for the children. He said the parks and recreation department mainly uses dome, four-person tents that are really meant for three people plus extra room.
"I would look for a tent that isn't complicated to put up, that can be washed, that has rainflys which cover the tent in a storm, and that has good ventilation," he said. Ventilation, he described, means front and back screens. Another thing to consider is that nylon tents pack lighter than the old-fashioned cotton ones.
Now onto cooking, and I don't mean over wood the way you did when you were a Scout. There are stoves out there now that are so small they'll fit into a pocket. There are propane-fueled stoves and lanterns, also, that can use the same tank. According to Sgrinia, propane tanks simply screw onto the equipment, they are unspillable, present no fire risks and are disposable.
Wilson said it doesn't put out as much heat or light as white Coleman fuel, which is the old standby method. In Wilson's opinion, the Coleman fuel is still the best way to go because it's inexpensive and doesn't leave you with a battery or a tank to dispose of.
The important considerations are to purchase equipment that's durable, easily cleaned and reliable.
by CNB