WThe Big Frog Wilderness was designated in 1984 and currently consists of 8,082 acres (32.71 km2). Approximately 89 acres (360,000 m2) are located in Georgia in the Chattahoochee National Forest and approximately 7,993 acres (32 km2) are located in Tennessee in the Cherokee National Forest. The Wilderness is managed by the United States Forest Service in Tennessee and is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
WThe Complete Walker is an in-depth guide to backpacking, written by Colin Fletcher with illustrations by political aide/women's rights advocate Nick Bauer. It was very influential and "could be credited with starting the backpacking industry." Since its first publishing in 1968, there have been three revised editions. The most recent edition, The Complete Walker IV, was co-authored by Chip Rawlins, with illustrations by Vanna Prince and Hannah Hinchman.
WA fire ring is a construction or device used to contain campfires and prevent them from spreading and turning into wildfires.
WA firelighter is a small, solid fuel tablet for fire making. Firelighters marketed as consumer products may be used to start a wood or coal fire in a fireplace, wood-burning stove, or solid-fuel portable stove.
WA fly refers to the outer layer of a tent or to a piece of material which is strung up using rope as a minimalist, stand-alone shelter. In basic terms, a fly is a tent without walls. Purpose-made stand-alone flies are also sometimes referred to as bivouacs, bivvies, tarpaulins, or hootchies. Flies are generally used for keeping moisture or sun off people while they eat, rest or sleep. They can also be used as groundsheets, but this is not recommended since it creates wear and tear which can lead to holes.
WThe Georgia Appalachian Trail Club, Inc. (GATC) is a non-profit organization that was organized in 1930 in Dahlonega, GA. Its membership consists of individual volunteers who share a love for the Appalachian Trail (AT).
WHaglöfs was founded in 1914 in Sweden by Wiktor Haglöf and is today one of the world's largest suppliers of outdoor equipment. Haglöfs currently markets more than 500 products in three product areas: hardware, clothing, and footwear. Haglöfs has more than 200 employees and is active in 25 markets through a network of its own companies and distributors. Sales for 2015 amounted to SEK 776 million.
WHilleberg is a Swedish tent-making company founded in 1973 by a husband and wife team, Bo and Renate Hilleberg. Control of the company has since passed to their children Rolf and Petra Hilleberg. Their son Rolf Hilleberg manages the European division from Sweden while their daughter Petra Hilleberg heads up the American division from Seattle, Washington. The company employed approximately 60 people in 3 countries as of 2018. Its products are well known for their use on expeditions to harsh locations such as Antarctica.
WThe Long Distance Walkers Association (LDWA) is a British association whose aim is "to further the common interests of those who enjoy Long Distance Walking". It was established in 1972 by Chris Steer, Alan and Barbara Blatchford and has over 9,750 members. It defines a "long distance walk" as "any walk over 20 miles".
WThe Man Who Walked Through Time (1968) is Colin Fletcher's chronicle of the first person to walk a continuous route through Grand Canyon National Park. The book is credited with "introducing an increasingly nature-hungry public to the spiritual and physical rewards of backpacking".
WMarmot is an outdoor clothing and sporting goods company founded in 1974 as Marmot Mountain Works. The company was founded in Grand Junction, Colorado by local resident Tom Boyce and two University of California, Santa Cruz students, David Huntley and Eric Reynolds, who shared the common goal of making their own mountaineering equipment. Two years prior to the founding of Marmot, Boyce secured an order for the climbing apparel used in the film The Eiger Sanction starring Clint Eastwood, and Huntley made the original prototype gear that Boyce was using on the Wolper Productions/ National Geographic documentary Journey to the Outer Limits, about the Colorado Outward Bound School. It was during this documentary production that cameraman Mike Hoover, who later worked on Eiger Sanction, saw the equipment that Boyce was using during the portion filmed in Peru. Just prior to Christmas 1973, Mike Hoover called Boyce and placed the order that led to the formation of the company in Grand Junction.
WLukas Meindl GmbH & Co.KG, most commonly known as Meindl, is a German footwear manufacturer located in Kirchanschöring, Bavaria, known for its hiking boots for hiking and hillwalking. The company was founded in 1683 by Petrus Meindl.
WQuechua is the trademarked brand for the hiking and camping apparel and equipment marketed by the French company, Decathlon, the largest sporting goods retailer in the world with over 1647 stores in nearly 1000 cities in 57 countries and regions.
WRays, originally called Ray's Tent City and then, Ray's Outdoors, was an Australian chain of retail stores in 40 locations across Australia, selling camping, hiking and kayaking equipment, as well as outdoor clothing and footwear.
WA tarp tent is a tarpaulin, a plastic or nylon sheet, used in place of a tent. It is usually rigged with poles, tent pegs, and guy lines. Ultralight backpackers use tarp tents because they are lightweight compared to other backpacking shelters.
WThe Thousand Mile Summer by Colin Fletcher is the author's chronicle of his 1958 hike along the entire eastern edge of California. Fletcher writes of traveling on foot along the Colorado River, though Death Valley and the High Sierra. The book was first published in 1964.
WThe Verlot Public Service Center used to be a ranger station, but is now just a visitor center after combining with the Darrington Ranger District. It is located on the Mountain Loop Highway eleven miles east of Granite Falls and is part of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The center was constructed by the CCC during the Great Depression and the building reflects the architectural style of that time. The building houses a museum, and maps, weather and hiking information, books, and park passes are available. Nearby popular trails include the Big Four Ice Caves and Mount Pilchuck.