Dedicated to Mara's travel and hiking adventure journals as well as her words of wisdom and suggested resources for hikers and travelers.

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Workshops Mara has been creating and presenting workshops on hiking related topics for about 10 years. The following are synopses of some of the talks she has given. If you would like her to present a talk on these or other hiking or travel related topics, please get in touch with her at m_factor@hotmail.com. Lightweight Backpacking Workshop Gearing up for the first time? Transitioning from a heavyweight backpack? This workshop shows how lightening your load saves energy and gives you more backpacking options without sacrificing comfort or safety. Mara will also show you where to find relevant on-line resources. Gear testing For every user of every piece of gear, there is an opinion about that piece of gear. If you have a few of your own opinions and wish you could ensure that manufacturers would listen to what you have to say, come find out how to write gear reviews and participate in gear tests. The gear testers at BackpackGearTest.org work with hundreds of manufacturers who are interested in what hikers have to say about how their gear performs in “real world” situations. While we will focus on the BackpackGearTest.org model, information presented will be relevant for independent testers as well. This workshop is not only appropriate for those interested in testing gear, but also for manufacturers interested in finding testers and consumers looking for meaningful gear reviews. Footwear Properly “dressing” your feet is an extremely important part of any hike, whether for a two hour day hike, or a six month thruhike. Come learn how to choose the correct footwear for your thruhike or any other hikes you may be planning. We’ll talk about everything from the fit, weight, and appropriateness of various types of footwear to accessories such as insoles, socks, gaiters and more. Hiking Poles This workshop discusses how hiking poles can make your hiking more efficient and reduce wear and tear on your knees, ankles, feet, and legs. We will show the effective use of straps and techniques for moving along ascending, descending, and flat trails. Time permitting, we will also discuss various manufacturers, hiking pole accessories, and alternative uses of hiking poles. Women and Backpacking Topics of particular concern to women will be presented in a frank discussion. Coping mechanisms for each of these topics serves to make women more comfortable and confident both in the backcountry and in frontcountry (trailheads, etc.) while thruhiking. This workshop can be offered to female only audiences or for mixed audiences in order to include men who would like to learn techniques to share with their wives and female friends. For mixed workshops, a period of time can be reserved for female only conversation for those women who may be uncomfortable dicsussing certain topics with men present. Last updated, October 20, 2006.

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