Christopher Van Tilburg: Wilderness Expert
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Physician and author Christopher Van Tilburg grew up camping, skiing, and traveling around the world with his parents. He has now taken up the extreme sport of parenting, namely taking his daughters for a ski, hike, bike, camp, surf, and rock climb. Dr. Van Tilburg, a specialist in wilderness and travel medicine, is hard to find at home as he is often with his daughters traipsing the wild backcountry and exotic foreign lands. These adventures led Dr. Van Tilburg to write Introducing Your Kids to the Outdoors (Stackpole, 2005).
Based in Hood River, Oregon, Dr. Van Tilburg is author of eight books including Mountain Rescue Doctor: Wilderness Medicine in the Extremes of Nature (St. Martins, Nov. 2007). He is editor of Wilderness Medicine and is frequent contributor to National Geographic Adventure, Backcountry, Columbia Gorge Magazine and Wilderness and Environmental Medicine.
Read more at www.docwild.net.
Based in Hood River, Oregon, Dr. Van Tilburg is author of eight books including Mountain Rescue Doctor: Wilderness Medicine in the Extremes of Nature (St. Martins, Nov. 2007). He is editor of Wilderness Medicine and is frequent contributor to National Geographic Adventure, Backcountry, Columbia Gorge Magazine and Wilderness and Environmental Medicine.
Read more at www.docwild.net.
REVIEWS
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Backpacks for boys come in all sizes, shapes, and colors. It can be difficult to sort through tons of brands and loads of accessories. Let’s keep it simple.Read More »
Choose something burly: durable material, beefy zippers, and big compartment. Consider a dark color — navy, green, brown, or black — as it will get trashed with dirt, grass stains, and whatever goo coats the school cafeteria floor.
A backpack should be large enough for gym gear or overnight clothes, plus schoolbooks and notebooks. For size, choose approximately 1500 cubic inches (25 liters), larger if he totes sports gear. Expect to plunk down around $50-100 for a quality backpack that will last a few years and multitude summer trips to the pool and beach.
Pick the accessories you think he will need:
- Front straps are key to hold a skateboard
- Side pouches are convenient for water, umbrella or wet swim trunks
- A hydration sleeve, which holds a vinyl water bladder, is popular for the trail
- A laptop sleeve is great, as he’ll never remember to put the computer in a case
- A cell phone or music player pocket means less chance the electronics will be crammed under muddy soccer cleats
- Bungee cords and front stuff pouches: love ‘em to strap on that last minute sweatshirt
- Reflective strips are key car safety at dawn and dusk -
Every girl needs a backpack for school or girlfriend sleepovers. But it’s tough to choose among hundreds of hip-colored, highly functional ones. Don’t just plunk down around $50-100 without reviewing the best here.Read More »
Durability is key; sturdy zippers and quality fabric should make the pack last a couple school years. Size is important too. A backpack should be big enough to carry schoolbooks and a change of clothes for PE. But, it shouldn’t be bulky or ill-fitting on a girl’s torso. Most packs should be around 1500 cubic inches (or 25 liters). Color is paramount. Young girls will love fuchsia and lavender; but a fashionista teen might want chocolate brown or paisley.
Girls love to accessorize:
- A laptop sleeve is great for toting a computer
- Side holders are super handy for water, flip-flops or an umbrella
- A music player or cell phone pouch keeps electronics from being buried under books
- Consider a hydration sleeve — a separate holder for a vinyl water bladder — if the pack pulls double-duty for hiking and mountain biking
- I love bungee cords or pouches on the front to stuff a last minute jacket or wet beach towel
- Reflective strips are key for safety at dawn or dusk -
There's nothing worse than getting eaten alive by bugs, especially for a child. I remember getting chomped as a kid when traveling through the Mediterranean, and lathering up with bug juice when in Southeast Asia. On our recent backpack trip to Indian Heaven Wilderness in Washington State, all four kids in our group survived with very few bites, despite the critters being out in full force. The key: kid-friendly insect repellents and clothing.Read More »
Whether you head overseas to the tropics or you take the family for a hike in your local state park, the best protection is two fold, insect-resistant clothing and chemical repellents. Long pants and long sleeve shirts are important: the tighter the weave, the better clothes to keep bites at bay. Chemical repellent is an adjunct: some apply on exposed skin especially on wrists, ankles, neck, and face; one is for clothing only. Other tips: avoid vampire hours just after sunrise and before sunset. Avoid marshes and ponds, which are breeding grounds for skeeters.
