The group assembled at the top of the ridge. The vista displayed in front of them was a showcase of mountains, rivers, trees and rocks punctuated by the dark spots of birds. The exclamation point was the ten point buck standing still across the valley. His sheer magnificence was beyond breathtaking, it was life altering. Quickly, silently, the tall man reached a hand back into his backpack to grab his digital camera and attempt to capture the moment. Those who see the image will only get a hint of the moment; maybe it will be enough. For the group on the ridge it was worth the long hike to be present; to not imagine nature, but to actually experience it.



If you love to hike, you know that the right equipment makes the right experience. The best hikes and camping trips are packed with unforgettable and often unplanned moments. You can start to be prepared by finding the right backpack. Whether your trip is for the day or for the week, the right backpack will hold all your essentials and few extras, like the camera.

Today's top hiking backpacks, like those made by The North Face, are engineered to carry heavy loads over long hauls. They won't break the bank and they won't break your back. With sturdy frame constructions and specialized compartments, they will make you feel like an explorer, not a pack mule.

Keeping your body safe has to be the utmost concern when out in the wilderness. Nobody wants to be on a week-long camping trip with a pinched nerve or sore back. Uneven weight loads increase your chance of injury and can ruin an otherwise fun experience. Choosing a backpack with load lifters, cant angles, adjustable lengths and fitting straps frees your body and lets you go farther easier.

A good hiking backpack will have compartments for everything to help you stay organized and keep balanced. Floating pockets, outside chains and loops, and accessible pockets allow you to find your water, camera, lip balm and other essentials without digging through your camping gear and clothes. Finding a secure, and often water tight, place for everything that can be packed and repacked easily helps to make your trip better.

Choosing the right backpack is easy. An online store like RockyMountainTrail.com, lets you browse all the best hiking backpacks and review the dimensions, colors and features to choose the best one for you. There are amazing things to see hidden on the trails and in the backwoods. Are you ready to go explore?