Photo from NY Times

If you’re a purist who hates any kind of gadgetry on the trail, you’ve probably become increasingly frustrated over the leaps in technology that have produced smaller, lighter versions of mp3 players, gps units and cell phones, leading to their meteoric rise in use in the wilderness over the last few years.  Well, it’s about to get worse–or if you’re a gadget-lover like me, it’s about to get more AWESOME.  North Carolina-based Semprius has developed an ultra-tiny, ultrathin, ultra-bitchin’ version of a solar cell which could be interwoven into your clothes, pack, hat, or pretty much anywhere else, giving you all the power you need without having to carry around batteries or stop in town to recharge.  The possibilities are endless.  NYTimes via Treehugger

flickr photo by alykat

A total of roughly $650,000 has been allocated for various projects along the Appalachian Trail as part of the National Park Service Recovery Act.  NJ, NY, VA and VT will all see projects ranging from trail relocation to repair/rehab to shelter renovations.  State-specific details below:

If recent advances in moisture wiking fabrics have not made your hike more comfortable, probably nothing will. Unless, of course, you take off all your clothes (bow chicka bow wowwww). If you want to give it a try, head to Switzerland where it’s apparently okay to hike nude. Not only will you be super comfortable, for some it may also act as the most effective mammal-deterrent ever.