Backpacker mag: great or sux?

[Nalgene Ninja]

It seems to be in vogue to over at WB to say that BP mag sucks.

I disagree, the quality of the actual advise might vary, but it definatley is a great place to get ideas on where to go outside of your region (ie, The Channel Islands NP featured in the May edition, I'm visiting it next week). It is also the first place I had heard of Sipsey despite living in Huntsville for 3 years.

[Nalgene Ninja]

If you're looking to subscribe, search on eBay. I got a 3-yr one for $10. 

[Big Dumb Admin]

I have to admit the content is pretty darn slanted toward the advertisers. It's not exactly unbiased when it comes to gear. A lot of their actual trail information is fairly good and some of the writing is very entertaining. I keep the free subscriptions rolling in. I currently have 2.

[PastorLarryT]

I suspect that, as with most magazines, the profit is in the advertising.  That said, I still enjoy BP and keep a subscription.  I use it for info and ideas on places to go (and to dream about places to go); gear suggestions; and to increase my knowledge of backpacking methods/practices, etc.  The photos are usually stunning as well.

The only 3 mags I regularly receive are BP, NG Adventure, and Creation Care.

[Lostsheep]

I have a subscription and I intend on renewing it when it comes up! I really enjoy it now that they seem to have packed it with quite a bit of good info. Some of their advertisements may be questionable though.

Some may notice that it's a different publisher than before, and the new publisher (AIM) has gone leaps and bounds to modify the website, protect the reader, and provide good information. I think it's very well worth the money.

[jedbear]

The basic gripe I have with the magazine, one that I have been receiving since the early 70's, is the emphasis on
the Western mountainous states. We in the East get a token article or two as well as a "Southern Edition" and
last page for some trails. I will agree that more attention has been given of late to the East and Southeast. I wonder
what a census of hikers on both sides of the Mississippi River would reveal in terms of numbers.

                  jed

[Nalgene Ninja]

I agree on the point on being western geared, but that's where the big mountains are as well as 2/3rds of the triple crown. They also almost always have some article about Alaska, but I doubt more than 5% of the readers ever go in a given year.

[PastorLarryT]

Maybe what we need is a Southeastern-focused Hiking/Backpacking/Cycling/Canoeing Magazine???...  I know BP has a Southern Issue but not very much real focus on our area of the country.  Which might not really be all that bad when I think about it...  I tend to be protective of our natural places.

[Nalgene Ninja]

Yeah unfort in this part of the country Outdoors=hunting/fishing/ATVing to most folks. (ie The Outdoor Channel) NTTAWWT.

Its just disapointing theat the closest thing to a hiking show on TV is Survivorman. I guess its a reminder to go out more.

[Chris]

They have a picture of me in it. That is all it needs to be the number 1 magazine in North America if not Earth. 

[Lesley]

Matt and I went to the BP mag "Get Out More" workshop at Homewood's Alabama Outdoors on Saturday. It was interesting. I learned some new things, and I got some free loot. The workshop rehashed material from the magazine, so if you read the magazine you already knew most of the stuff. There were no giant revelations for me, other than some people are way more into outside than I am. Call me lazy, but I do need a house or apartment to come home to at the end of the road.

As far as the magazine itself goes, the articles on food, safety, and where to go, are good articles. I try and avoid their sections on gear b/c it's so biased towards their advertisers. Also, most things they cover aren't very helpful in the hot, humid, (comparatively) flat south east. I don't need cleated boots, nor tents that withstand blizzard conditions, and I really don't want to lug that heavy "sturdy" gear they try to sell the public.

[Mountain Dog]

Backpacker is the best backpacking magazine out there.  Of course, it is the only one.  It does stimulate dreams but I'd be careful about taking any of their advice about trails.  They have yet to post an accurate trail related to the Talledega Forest..  I followed up once when they had cut by about half the distance of a loop on Cheaha.  The writer had never hiked the trail or been on the mountain.  They had looked at maps and read some journals.  One older group planned on the short hike and they left with plenty of daylight.   They made it back with almost no light to see by.  Four or five extra miles is a lot to some hikers.  They could do a lot of things that, to me, would be interesting.  For example, what is the story about the hiker that does the AT every year.  This year he started on 1 Jan and took time off to bicycle from SanDiego to Jacksonville, Fl.  How about the man who started in 1967 and then  took 30 years of zeroes.  He plans to finish the trail in 09 when he turns 67.  What if they discussed how volunteer hours are converted to hard currency by the Feds and the Feds buy material for trail maintenance, etc.  I ramble don't I?  I just find that the trails have stories in and of themselves and the people are even more interesting.