Seeing the small picture. Little kids don’t need panoramic views to engage with the outdoors as this family discovered on this “Family Hike” sponsored by REI. (Tim Jones photo)

It wasn’t really the best of all possible days for an outdoor adventure. Though the sun was shining, a strong and bitter wind was blowing and you had to be careful about how you dressed—otherwise, you were in for a chilly time of it.

Of course it takes more than a wind chill to discourage hikers in New England, and our little group bravely assembled to take to the  hiking paths at Appleton Farms in Ipswich, MA.

This is one of the oldest operating farms in the U.S. (the land was granted to Thomas Appleton in 1638.) The paths on the farm itself and the 15 miles of trails on the adjacent Appleton Grass Rides make excellent walking trails, a perfect place to stroll on a cold and windy day.

My sweetheart, Marilyn and I had joined a group from the REI Outdoor School for an easy outing called, simply, “Family Hiking with Children 1 – 5 Years Old”

The on-line listing promised to “instill a love of the outdoors in the youngest members of your family and get the whole family outside.” Several young Moms had brought their tots; for at least one harried young mother with a special needs child, this was a safe, supported way to introduce her child to the great outdoors—an opportunity she simply couldn’t get from friends and family

Through the course of the morning we ambled along at a child’s pace, seeing what there was to see. Marilyn and I couldn’t stop smiling at the antics of the littlest ones—clearly we were thinking ahead to how much fun we might have with grandkids . . . someday.

I don’t think the tots really noticed the expansive views across wonderfully maintained farm fields. But they sure did focus on things like beehives buzzing in the strong sun—which they’d clearly never seen. And their attention was captured, however briefly, by things like the skim of ice formed on some of the puddles in the wheel ruts of the farm tracks we strolled, and the textures of the bark peeling off an old oak stump where we stopped for games and a snack.

“Beeing There.” None of these tots had ever seen a beehive before, but the buzzing activity sure focused their attention. This REI sponsored hike focused on finding adventures for tots, not on achieving long miles. (Tim Jones photo)

The trip leaders from the greater-Boston REI stores came well prepared for the outing with games in mind and snacks and drinks for all. Clearly, this is something they’ve thought through, planned and practiced for. They had ways in mind, for example, to teach about Leave No Trace ethics without making a big deal of it. I’m not sure how much the toddlers took away, but the parents learned something.

Most important, it seemed to me, to the success of the outing was the attitude that the kids were in charge; at least  to the degree that, if something held their interest, everyone went with it. Nobody seemed concerned about how far we walked. We went as far as we went. If a game didn’t catch everyone’s attention, it was abandoned quickly, while a chance discovery like the beehives buzzing in the sun, became a moment of real focus.

Almost everyone needs a push to get started doing fun things outdoors—especially if the whole concept is new to them. Some people are bold enough to try new things completely on their own—and lucky enough not to get into any trouble as they learn. Others are lucky enough to find someone else to teach them—my sweetheart, Marilyn, wasn’t really an outdoor girl before our paths chanced to cross. I suppose that, in an ideal world, that’s how we’d all learn.

Out for a stroll with little kids and a purpose--introducing them to outdoor fun. (Tim Jones photo)

for many it takes a deliberate act to break the bounds of civilization, to get farther outdoors than the lawn, the beach or the side of a paved road. Whether you follow more experienced friends, join a club or group, or, like these folks, go with a commercially packaged introduction, it doesn’t really matter.

The kids on this trip had a good time. Therefore, so did the adults. The kids didn’t care that the trip was planned by a store chain that hopes to eventually sell them outdoor clothing and gear. I’m not sure the adults did, either.  What’s really important is the everyone discovered that “Life isn’t a spectator sport.” Get out and enjoy!

AMERICAN ENTERPRISE

Sure, it would be wonderful if everyone in the world learned to love the outdoors as I did, organically, by growing up in a small town surrounded by hills and woods, with friends and family to go hiking, biking, blueberry picking, skating, skiing, and fishing.

Taking it to their level. Reaching kids on their level, not forcing them to behave like little adults is the way to introduce tots to the outdoors. (Tim Jones photo)

It’d be wonderful, too, if no one ever forgot how much fun they had outdoors as a child, and everyone just turned off their TVs  and went outdoors and started exploring. But reality is reality.

For companies like REI, teaching people how to do things outdoors is just plain good business sense. Instead of scrapping with their competitors for a piece of the action, they create new, loyal customers. Everyone wins (except the fanatic few who somehow believe that all the rock faces, paddling hotspots and hiking trails should belong to them just because they got there first.)

The REI outing Marilyn and I went on just happened to be their most basic of introductions. I’m always looking for the lowest common denominator, the place where most people can actually grasp the idea of getting out and doing something fun in the outdoors.

But REI also does courses for children and adults on things like wilderness navigation, rock climbing, mountain biking, commuter biking, outdoor photography. All good stuff

So do their competitors. EMS has a climbing school that’s been in place for several decades now (I took my first rock climbing lesson from them in the early 80s), a kayak school, and a host of local trekking and outdoor outreach programs.

There’s also a new outfit, White Mountain Exploration at the Tenney Mountain Ski Area in Plymouth, NH, teaching outdoor skills. Merck Forest and the Hulbert Outdoor Center, and the Green Mountain Club in Vermont, the Adirondack Mountain Club in New York and the Appalachian Mountain Club all over the northeast.

LL Bean has  “Walk On Adventures” at their larger stores to introduce you to things like kayaking, GPS navigation and fly casting plus weekend overnight adventures.

I haven’t tried all of these opportunities, but I’d like to. It bothers me not at all that these companies are profiting from your interest in the great outdoors. I’m all in favor of. Whatever it takes to get you out the door having fun safely, so you learn to love it and do more.

Whether it's a short hike to a scenic overlook or just a stroll through the woods, a good daypack lets you carry a few essentials for safety and comfort. (Tim Jones photo)

When spring arrives, so do more opportunities for quick, fun outdoor adventures. The days are longer, you don’t need quite as much gear to stay safe and comfortable, and it’s just easier (for some people) to get motivated to get yourself out in the sunshine and fresh air.

If you want to spend more time outdoors, the best way I know to accomplish that is to follow the old Boy Scout Motto and “Be Prepared.” Whenever you leave the road, even for a short hike, you immediately become personally responsible for your own safety and comfort until you return. Too many people today think that nothing will ever go wrong.  And since they always have a cell phone with them, they assume that’s all the backup they need.

Wrong.  Cell phones are wonderful, at times, and they’ve saved many stranded hikers. But batteries can die, signals vary, and you can’t count on them!

Instead, I encourage you to get in the habit of keeping a small daypack stowed in your car.  Have it filled with your hiking essentials (see below), plus sturdy comfortable, well-broken-in walking shoes or light hiking boots, a pair of good wool hiking socks, and, maybe, a pair of trekking poles . That way, you are ready if you suddenly find yourself with a few minutes to spare and an interesting place to stroll away from the road. Once you start looking, you’ll be amazed at how many wonderful adventures you can find nearby.

Keeping a daypack, boots and trekking poles in your car means you are ready for instant adventure. (Tim Jones photo)

Picking a good daypack is easy. There are, literally, hundreds on the market. Just make sure it’s sturdy, fits you and will comfortably carry what you need. Personally, I’d rather have a pack that’s too big than even a little too small. The problem with too small a pack is that you might be tempted to leave behind something essential. Functional daypacks for adults start at about 1,200 cubic inches (roughly 20 liters). For most folks something between 1,400 and 1,800 cu in (24 to 30 liters) is probably about right. My friends Edie  and Warner Shedd have started seeking out adventures near their Vermont home as a way to get more exercise and have more fun. They recently got a couple of daypacks from LL Bean, a “Day Trekker” (1800 cu. in) for him, a “Bigelow Women’s” (1,700 cu. in.)  for her. Very nice packs for the money. I’m always trying new daypacks including a new “Salish” (2,100 cu. in) from Jansport. So far, it neatly stows everything I need to carry (more on that in a moment)  and is breaking in nicely.

These hikers have set their daypacks and themselves down to enjoy a view of the White Mountains they earned step-by-step. (Tim Jones photo)

Choosing a daypack is more than just getting the right size. There’s general shape. Personally, taller, narrower packs seem to carry less obtrusively for me than shorter, fatter ones.

Any hiking pack should have, at least, contoured shoulder straps, preferably with a sternum strap to secure across your chest. Either a frame or a stiff pad against your back and a real hip belt that wraps and transfers at least some of the weight onto your hipbones rather than a simple waist strap contribute to comfort. I personally like a large main pocket, a top pouch for small stuff, and an easy-to-reach outside pocket or two. Many if not most daypacks these days come with a sleeve for a hydration bladder—a useful feature. I also like a bungee cord, or straps and lash points on the outside in case you need to carry something bulky.

The whole point of a daypack, however, is to keep it handy and filled with what you need to safely and comfortably enjoy some free time outdoors. Life isn’t a spectator sport. Get out and enjoy!

What Goes In Your Daypack?

Whenever you leave the road, someone in your group (even if you are a group of one) should carry a basic Emergency Kit, which should include, at a minimum: a sharp knife, matches in waterproof matchsafe, a butane lighter, firestarters, spare compass, LED flashlight with spare battery, whistle, 15 feet of heavy-duty waterproof (duct) tape, 30 feet of nylon parachute cord, 12 large twist ties, cable ties or both, 4 large safety pins, needle and thread, and two 55 gal. contractor trash bags  for emergency shelter. My kit fits in a bright orange (harder to lose) 4” x 4” x 8” zippered nylon case which can ride on my belt, and weighs just under a pound–not bad for something that could save your life.

In addition, everyone should carry water in a bottle or hydration bladder, map and compass (even a rough sketch of the area with North marked is better than no map at all), insect repellent, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. Food is optional—most of us carry enough extra fuel around our waistlines to last for a long time if we have water and shelter.

The real reason to carry a backpack is so you can carry raingear—no matter how warm and dry the weather forecast! Also take a shirt or lightweight fleece and long pants if you are hiking in shorts and a t-shirt. The weather can always turn bad.

Fun Extras

Having a daypack lets you carry a few fun extras you might otherwise leave at home.

Be sure to bring along a camera. Most of the photos which accompany this column are shot with a pocket-sized point-and-shoot. I get the photos because the camera is there and ready.  If you get out in the woods a lot, think about getting a water resistant camera like the Olympus Stylus series; you can use those cameras when you otherwise might not want to take a camera out of your pack.

Binoculars are always welcome, affording you close-up views of birds and animals you might only glimpse otherwise.  There are a lot of truly excellent small pairs available; if you don’t have any yet, you might want to consider something in the 8x range.  Plenty of magnification for most purposes, and relatively easy to hold steady…higher magnifications tend to be hard to hold still.

I hardly ever go anywhere without one or more guidebooks to the birds, wildflower, trees, or mushrooms I might see along the way. Without a daypack, you might be tempted to leave these in the car and miss out on a lot of fun.  Put them in a ziplock bag inside your pack, just in case you get caught in a downpour!

Snug as a bug in a rug, or cool as a cucumber? (David Shedd photo)

There’s been a lot of hype in the backpacking world about a new sleeping bag testing system called “EN13537“.  In it, a manikin with a variety of thermal sensors is put in the sleeping bag, and the bag is then tested for warmth for men and women, with different numbers for comfort and survival ratings.  The goal is to allow a buyer to compare bags based on standardized testing, rather than guesswork.  We’ve all seen “+32 degree” bags that were miserably cold at 40 degrees…but also some that are comfortable at 25 degrees.  Wouldn’t it be nice to know which is which before you’re tucked in on a cold night!  That’s the promise of EN13537.

Well…it SOUNDS good…but does it really work?  This winter, we tested a pair of identically EN rated REI women’s sleeping bags, and found that both performed admirably to the rated temperature.  However, we’ve tested several other sleeping bags this winter and found that two of them did not perform to their EN rating, or even close. One was another REI bag, the men’s Lumen +25, the other was an unusual prototype from another manufacturer which we were asked to give feedback on so they could fine-tune the design. That one received a -20 degree rating in EN13537 testing, but we found that it really shouldn’t be rated even as low as 0 degrees (Full disclosure:  We signed a non-disclosure agreement so can’t name the manufacturer, but we often provide feedback on products to manufacturers as part of our testing).  Interestingly, the one bag that we’ve tested recently that didn’t have an EN rating was the L.L. Bean Katahdin +20, and that was a superbly warm bag, possibly surpassing its stated rating.

So, what’s going on?  Why doesn’t this high-tech testing system work?  Well, the answer is that it does, to a significant extent, but it’s not foolproof.  Here’s the problem.  Humans come in different sizes, with different thermal profiles (some people sleep warmer or colder than others–we once knew a woman who was cold in anything other than a -40 rated bag on a summer night) and worse still, humans MOVE.  Manikins don’t.  And that’s one of the reasons the EN ratings aren’t consistently accurate.

Look at the REI women’s bag article.  Notice that there’s a line “our gut still tells us that the Halo is the warmer bag overall.”  And, notice that in the review, we found that there was less internal volume in the Halo…i.e., less air space to be warmed up.  Now, with a manikin, the bag would drape down around it and the air space would go away, but with a person?  Every time they move, it opens up that space, and air gets moved around. Air movement means new air to be heated.  Both of the bags that we had issues with this winter had large interior volumes, while the ones that were nice and warm were a little more snug.  Hmmm.

Making the problem much worse is the draft collar issue.  The Halo had a superb, thick draft collar; the Radiant  had a lesser but still adequate one.  However, the REI Lumen had no draft collar, and the draft collar on the prototype bag was narrow, difficult to snug down and poorly positioned in the bag.  The Bean’s Katahdin, like the REI women’s bags, had a great draft collar.  Now, think about this.  You’re in your sleeping bag, nice and warm, and you roll over.  If that bag isn’t snugged down nicely around your neck, all that warm air is forced out when you move, and ice cold air comes in…and you get to warm it up all over again.  And again.  And again.  If you’re a wiggler, you may be doing that several times an hour.  This problem may be even more important than the amount of insulation; if you have a slightly underinsulated bag, you can add a layer of clothing inside and be comfortable.  But, if you’re constantly moving cold air into the bag, virtually no amount of insulation will warm you up; you have to move and get your metabolism going to produce the constant level of heat output necessary to keep you AND the bag warm.

Appropriate internal volume, a great draft collar, and a well-shaped hood, and this bag is warm even without an EN rating! (Tim Jones photo)

Ultimately, our belief is that the EN 13537 testing norm is a good thing, and, used correctly, can help you decide what bag makes sense for you.  But, no test will make up for you checking the bag out yourself.  What should you be looking for?  Well, for any bag that’s rated to below freezing, we believe that one of the most important things is the hood/draft collar combination. Step 1:  Get in the bag, get comfortable, and see how your body feels in it.  If you can move comfortably the way YOU do when sleeping, but don’t have a huge amount of extra space,  that’s good. Step 2: tighten down the draft collar.  Does it hit you above the shoulders, but not in the middle of your face?  That’s a good thing.  If it passes that test, you’re getting close. Step 3: pull the hood as  tight as you can.  Does it fit snugly around your head, leaving a hole in the right place for your nose? If it does, you’re probably golden. If the bag passes those three tests…then it should perform to the EN specs, and you should have a very good sleeping experience.

If it fails in any of these three areas, be cautious about the temperature rating. The prototype bag we tested had a hood that was WAY too large– when we pulled it tight, the hole was ABOVE our heads.  The REI Lumen had no draft collar at all and left us chilly inside a tent on a 25-degree night

Our guess, by the way, is that  these issues will eventually be sorted out for most people; manufacturers will get feedback from testers and customers and  make changes based on that feedback. Eventually, the EN system should be a more accurate indicator of performance.  Until then, it’ll be easy for manufacturers to get caught in the trap that REI seems to have with the Lumen; they built a bag with quality materials to a very high standard, it tested well in the lab, yet it does not perform to standard in the field.  They’re a quality supplier, so they’ll figure it out. . . . But in the meantime, you know how to avoid getting caught out in the cold!