Clever Backpacker: Backpacking Gear List and Weight Calculator

 Backpacker.com is giving away free gear each week and you can enter every day to win.  Backpacker is giving away the gear that their editors have tested and reviewed.  So it's slightly used - it's still cutting edge gear.  Each week they are going to give away a different item.  Read more, and enter the contest, at backpacker.com.

 Here's an interesting new game show from Austrailia.  I’m A Backpacker… Get Me In Here! is just like I'm a Celebrity... Get me out of Here, but with 6 backpackers facing off on the Gold Coast of Australia.  The selected six backpackers will compete in  bush tucker trials just like the celebrities.  I'm hoping the trials more be a bit more challenging, and the camp site a lot less dramatic.  Kind of funny though, backpackers will be competing just to get a chance to camp out in Australia.  And, if you'd like to give it a try, you can submit a one minute video and maybe win a free trip to Australia to be on the show.  Looks like you have to be in the UK to win though.  Read more about it at gapyear.com/competition/.

 Massey's Outfitters just sent me the coupon code  ALOSA5 good for 5% off on every purchase of any non-sale item. Handy to know in case you need any new toys.

 Backpacker.com has updated their GPS Trails Android app. The new version has higher resolution photos, more trails, and a streamlined interface.  You can download GPS Trails Pro from the Android market.  It's free if you downloaded the previous version, otherwise $4.99.

 I was lucky enough to upgrade to a new Android phone for Christmas this year.   And it didn't take me long to learn that cold weather and touch screen phones don't play nice.  Trying to use a touch screen phone outside when its below freezing isn't very pleasant.  Enter the Outdoor Research Sensor Gloves.  The lightweight fleece gloves have TouchTec leather finger tips that work better with a touch screen that most touch capable gloves.  These gloves are also editor's choice winners from Backpacker Magazine; now I just have to wait for mine to arrive.