Hiking Essentials

BY HEATHER BAVER

Celebrate the coming spring by hitting the trails. Berks County is full of scenic places, whether you’re hiking a portion of the Appalachian Trail, visiting Hawk Mountain, or exploring Blue Marsh or Antietam Lake. Before you head out, check out these five hiking staples, and be prepared for your adventure.

LIGHT AND LEAK-PROOF.

Travel light and stay hydrated during your outdoor excursion. Fill this ultralight, shatter resistant bottle with cold water and attach the leak-proof cap to a backpack strap or carabiner. Open the two-part cap for easy sipping, and spin off the second part to refill or wash this BPA-free, dishwasher-safe bottle.

YETI Yonder Water Bottles

25 and 34 oz., $25- $28, TCO Fly Shop, 2229 Penn Avenue, West Lawn | 610.678.1899 tcoflyfishing.com

PACKED AND READY.

These internal frame packs offer plenty of space to transport your gear with ease. Multiple pockets, including a dedicated hydration sleeve, and sleeping bag compartment keep everything organized. A vented back panel keeps you cool on warm days, and adjustable straps provide a custom fit.

Osprey Rook 65 Internal Frame Pack and Osprey Renn 65 Women's Internal Frame Pack, $180 each, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Broadcasting Square Shopping Center, Wyomissing | 610.373.7366 dickssportinggoods.com

MAKE THE GRADE.

Tackle steep, rough trails with confidence. Topped with cork and EVA foam, these lightweight trekking poles have a soft, comfortable grip and extend to your preferred height. Try these carbon fiber poles to boost your balance, to increase speed and endurance, to protect your knees, and to provide a muscle-building upper body workout.

Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles, $199.99, Cabela’s, 100 Cabela Drive, Hamburg 610.929.7000 | cabelas.com

ENERGY IN HAND.

Treat yourself to a delicious snack. Glutenfree and vegan, each bite-sized piece includes a tasty blend of organic dates, sunflower seeds, raisins, apricots, cacao powder and goji powder. Packed with superfoods and wholesome ingredients, these Chunks of Energy will keep your whole group invigorated, no matter how long the journey.

Organic Cacao Goji Chunks of Energy, $9.99/lb. in the bulk section, Kimberton Whole Foods, 1139 Ben Franklin Highway West, Douglassville, 610.484.4843, 810 Knitting Mills Way, Wyomissing | 610.484.4421 kimbertonwholefoods.com

ALL-WEATHER ANORAK.

Stay dry and comfortable while you explore the trails and watch for raptors. This waterresistant anorak comes in a variety of colors and features the Hawk Mountain logo. When it warms up, fold the anorak into itself and stow it away in the zippered pocket.

Hawk Mountain Logo Anorak, sizes XS-3X, (sizes and colors may vary), $45, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, 1700 Hawk Mountain Rd., Kempton | 610.756.6961 hawkmountain.org for your chance to win an all-weather anorak from Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. Good luck!

Stories Of Strength

By Jon Fassnacht

Photos by Carrie Kizuka Photography

Overcoming pain, whether mental or physical, is exhausting and can cause sufferers to lose hope. But it also can bring out the best in people. These stories highlight the triumph of the human spirit, showcasing the power of perseverance and the unselfish act of sacrifice for the greater good.