Tag Archives: backpacking

Then, I started blogging. It was the accumulation of all of my dreams come true.

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For the last two months, I’ve been posting about The Biggest, Baddest Bucket List Costa Rica White Watercontest; after all, no contest exists that is more fitting for Bucket List Publications. Following my dreams of traveling and experiencing life to the fullest has taught me that the world is full of endless possibilities and Bucket List Publications is the accumulation of all of my wildest dreams come true. The Biggest Baddest Bucket List contest, though, is like my bucket list on steroids. With only 9 days left to vote, I’m currently in 1st place for a trip around the world and $50,000! I’m going to win… with your help.  Continue reading →

Bucket List Publications Online Magazine is Accepting Submissions

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You can now submit your own articles to Bucket List Publications Online Magazine for publication! It’s easy to create your own account (two short steps), upload your article and photos, and await publication to over 1.9 million readers a month and more than 49,000 subscribers!

SUBMISSIONS

Register, become a Bucket List Publications contributor, write your own articles, and submit your own pictures. Share your knowledge and experiences with others.

How to Proceed:
Look at several articles in the magazine and become familiar with the types of articles that are published in the various sections.

Please note that a place is not an idea, and that the editor is looking for a compelling reason to publish an article: a specific angle, news that makes the subject fresh, a writer’s enthusiasm for and familiarity with the topic. Continue reading →

Many Layers – Seeing Past the Red Light District, Amsterdam

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Travel is as much a part of my life as family and friends. When I’m on a plane, a train, or a bus heading toward a new location, I’m on an adrenaline high. All I need to do is think about exploring a new country or culture and my heart speeds up. After visiting 33 countries, it’s safe to say that I can’t write about them all and I most certainly can’t write about every experience in every city. So, when I posted about Amsterdam, I wrote about what surprised me the most: The Red Light District. Everything about it was new to me. I don’t normally walk down the street and see prostitutes or strip clubs; smoking anything is not done publicly; and a “coffee” shop sells coffee.  I was in no way uncomfortable with the Dutch tolerance and public display of sexuality; in fact, I might actually think it’s a better system, but it was definitely a notable experience. I left out the twinkling canals, the cleanliness of the city, the bikes that filled the streets, and the Anne Frank Museum that I imagined touring since learning about her in grade ten. Beautiful, open-minded, and filled with something new around every corner, Amsterdam is a delight to visit, even if you skip the Red Light District.  Continue reading →

Ultimate Camping Gear

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With summer just around the corner, I have camping and hiking on the brain. Although I’ve transitioned to more local/car camping trips, I still look forward to quality gear that is easy to set up and ultra light weight. I’ve found the best of the best and I can’t wait to take Athena on her first official camping weekend.

Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3

Big Agnes’s Copper Spur UL3 is just right in almost every camping situation. At 3lb 14oz and plenty of space, it beats out the competition where it matters most.  The Big Agnes Copper Spur Ultralight 3-Person 3-Season Tent gives you enough room to move at night without adding too much weight to your pack. Thanks to gram-saving poles and a silicone-treated, ultralight nylon rainfly, it offers 44 sq. ft. of space at an ultralight weight. The lightweight hubs, featherlite pole system with press fit connectors, color-coded rainfly attachments, and curved clips make the Copper Spur quick and easy to pitch, while abundant mesh, two roof vents, and good cross-ventilation kept warm nights cool and cold nights condensation-free ($499.95; www.bigagnes.com/). Continue reading →

Waterproof Packing Made Easy – Exped Torrent 50

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Backpacking, caving, biking, mountaineering, canyoneering, paddling… the list of adventures where you need to keep your gear dry goes on and on. The Exped Torrent 50 backpack keeps water away from your precious gear so it stays dry and you stay carefree. Take on wet conditions with this waterproof pack that offers welded seams and waterproof closures. If you find yourself battling wet conditions, this should be your go-to pack. Continue reading →

Ultimate Hiking Gear

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Some gear is just too good to pass up!

Sherpa Resham 3-Layer Jacket

Built to deflect wind and rain, the Resham Jacket is one streamlined, high-performance piece of equipment. The fabric is an ultra-light, 3-layer polyurethane laminate that’s both waterproof and breathable. Every seam is sealed for durable water repellency. And when you need to ventilate your core on the ascent, unzip the front hand pockets – they’re lined in mesh. The collar is extra tall for maximum face coverage, and the hood adjusts around the face via interior front pulls; volume control is done via a device at the back of the head ($199;http://www.sherpaadventuregear.com).

*Sherpa Adventure Gear manufacturers 80% of their products in Nepal with a local workforce to support the local economy. They also employ actual Sherpas as brand ambassadors who use and test the products in the Himalayas. In short, the great Sherpas of Nepal are directly-benefited by the success of Sherpa AG.With a flagship store in Katmandu, Sherpa AG promotes the use of their products to all climbers and locals alike — offering jobs and opportunities for Sherpas and their families. Continue reading →

Go Away – All About Travel

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When it comes to flights, vacations, or any form of travel, I enjoy convenient, one-stop shopping. Spur of the moment is what I’m all about; I’d love to hop on a plane and fly somewhere new and unexpected at the drop of a hat, but with a newborn I need a little bit more structure for the time being. While planning an upcoming flight, I thought I would give a travel agent a try. I was riddled with questions about traveling with newborns, but I didn’t know who to contact. Should I call the airlines? Should I search online? Where do I search for guidelines for traveling with children? Travel agents offer the one-stop shopping that saves time and provides less stress, leaving me to focus on other, more important, things like my baby girl. Travel expertise and friendly customer service make taking advantage of a travel agent worthwhile. My agent, Dortha, at All About Travel used her knowledge and expertise to ensure that all of my travel needs were met and all of my questions were answered. If you’d like to take all of the stress out of travel, try a travel agent.  Continue reading →

“Darn Close to the Perfect Daypack for General Duty” – Gregory Z30

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Backpacker Magazine claimed that the Gregory Z30 backpack was “Darn close to the perfect daypack for general duty”, and I knew I needed to check it out for myself. The Z30 is part of Gregory’s ‘Fast and Light’ series, which probably tells you everything you need to know. The company says the intention is to “strike a balance between low weight and durability without sacrificing performance”. The positives are endless: the suspension system is lightweight and the thin shoulder straps and hip-belt are wide enough to distribute pressure; the pockets are endless; and the single main compartment of the Z30 is long and wide enough to make loading easy. This ventilated hiking pack is ideal for light and fast overnights and daily hikes. Continue reading →

Performance at its Best: Jetboil Sol Ti Premium Cooking System

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Open any camping, hiking, or trekking magazine and you’ll find the Jetboil. What makes the Jetboil system so appealing? the answer is simple: convenience plus efficiency. The Jetboil Sol Ti Premium Cooking System is a self-contained cooking system made with the solo hiker in mind. The Jetboil Sol shaved ounces off the weight by including a small, thin, light cup made of titanium, as well as trimming down the plastic housing that surrounds the burner head. Jetboil also incorporated their new Thermo-Regulate Technology into the new Sol cook system.  With a heat exchanger built right into the pot, the stove delivers astonishing fuel efficiency and ultra-short boil times.The Jetboil Sol Ti Premium Cooking System is Jetboil’s lightest and most technically advanced integrated canister fuel cooking system. Continue reading →

Ultimate, Integrated Cooking & Eating Solution – The GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Camper

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A camping trip to somewhere completely remote without computers, television, and cell
service would be right up my alley… a year ago. With the arrival of my bundle of joy came some limitations for now. A more current reality is camping where walking back to the car to get all the good for dinner is the only hiking involved. Maybe some of you are capable of hiking Everest with a baby strapped to your front and everything you need to survive for a month strapped to your back and all I have to say about that is more power to you. As for me, I’ll stick to my campsite twenty minutes away from home. One of the advantages to this is that I can bring more than I can personally carry, including cookware. There is no better way to end a day outdoors with my family than a proper meal, and the GSI Pinnacle Camper is the ultimate, integrated cooking and eating solution. Continue reading →