PERSONAL GUIDE

• Book we love this week: Backcountry Bear Basics: The Definitive Guide to Avoiding Unpleasant Encounters by David Smith

• Why we love it: The book packs in its 109 pages detailed, comprehensive, practical information on how to travel and camp safely in bear country. The author separates bear facts from anecdotal fallacies, giving readers a realistic story of how bears behave. The book is accented with helpful illustrations and photos.

• Cost: $10.95

GOTTA-GET GEAR

• Vasque Ion

• Cost: $90

• Why you need it: Every pound on your foot feels like six on your back, so trade down to lightweight shoes. These leather/fabric low-tops break in immediately, supported our tester's feet even under a 35-pound pack and stuck to every surface with lugs that easily cleared wet muck. A toe guard and tough construction helped these lightweights hold up well to rough use in Yosemite and the Rockies. The shoes aren't waterproof, but the breathability is money in warm weather (also available in a Gore-Tex version). Best for narrow feet. Men's version is the Catalyst.

• Where to get it: 1-800-224-4453; www.vasque.com.

Dennis Lewon, equipment editor of Backpacker magazine. For more ultralight gear, see the May issue of Backpacker magazine.

HE SAID IT

"The roll is about fighting your fears. If you have a successful roll, you've overcome your fears. If you don't succeed, then there's something going on in your mind. It's a Zen kind of thing."

Max, a kayak instructor on the Zen of the Eskimo roll

CAN IT FIT IN MY BACKPACK?

Kirchner's Bakery in Colorado Springs is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for having created the largest energy bar.

The bakery, on behalf of Way Cool Inc., made a 403-pound Circular Peak Bar on June 20, 1998.

Way Cool, obviously impressed, purchased Kirchner's in 2000.