Backpacking Essays - Scoutcraft, Hiking, Camping Equipment

Backpacking Have you ever been fed up with the stress and noise of city life? Do you like spending time outdoors? You are not alone. Every year thousands of people head to the nearby Appalachian trail to get away and spend some quality time outdoors. Backpacking is, at least, an interesting way to spend time outdoors. By keeping all their gear in a backpack, campers can travel distances with ease. The following will identify and explain the techniques and equipment used for backpacking on the Appalachian Trail. The Appalachian Trail, or A.T. as it is known to backpackers, is a foot trail that runs from Springer Mt., Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. (Curran, 7) Running through the Appalachian Mountains, the trail allows packers to encounter wooded landscape with a variety of terrain, temperatures, and weather conditions. "In practice, the Trail is usually a simple footpath, purposeful in direction and concept, favoring the heights of land and loaded for minimum reliance on construction for protecting the resource. The body of the trail is provided by the lands it traverses, and it's soul is the living stewardship of the volunteers and workers of the Appalachian Trail community." (definition of the Appalachian Trail, from Appalachian Trail Management Principals.)(Curran, 7)Because the trail is over 2,100 miles long, it becomes very difficult for a packer to hike the entire trail. Each year about 5,000 people attempt to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. Of these 5,000 it is estimated that less than 300 accomplish their goal. (Curran, 8) Many other packers enjoy weekend or short trips and hike the trail in pieces. Either way, backpacking is extremely challenging and enjoyable. Hiking on the Appalachian Trail requires it's own kind of equipment, unique to backpacking. Campers must have a sturdy reliable backpack to carry their equipment. (Drury 37) Backpacks are generally supported by a combination of straps around the shoulders and hips. Packs usually come in two styles: external frame and internal frame. (Gorman,1) An external frame pack is an excellent choice in a backpack for many reasons. An external pack is easy to load and organize because of the large panel that opens for easy access. (Gorman, 1) External packs often have large pockets or compartments so that the backpacker can quickly find a specific piece of equipment. (Howe 94-95) Another quality of the external frame packs is that air circulates between the camper's back and the packbag, keeping them cool in the hot summer months. (Golman,2) Perhaps best of all, they don't drag hikers down when carrying a heavy load. Because external frame packs have a higher center of gravity, they allow hiking in a more upright stance. (Gorman, 2) For a pack that typically costs less than half an equivalent internal, these features are noteworthy. Internal frames are built with lighter loads in mind. They are supported by stiff aluminum poles inside the packbag. (Gorman 2) All of the camper's gear is stored inside the pack as well because there are no outer poles to strap equipment to. Internal frame packs carry the weight lower than externals, and closer to the back. The result is a pack that has much better balance, ideal for off-trail hikers, but not too important for a well groomed trail like the A.T. (Drury 41) " Select an internal or external frame pack based upon the outdoor activities you normally do and consider that external frame packs are generally less expensive." (Drury 43) Another essential piece of equipment for the backpacker is shelter. (Drury, 56) Although some lightweight enthusiasts prefer a simple rain-fly or tarp, bugs can often be a problem. A tent is usually a good solution. There are many types of tents to choose from. One reliable type of tent is the seventies style "A-Frame". (Drury, 57) The A-Frame is a triangle shaped tent that works well at keeping the weather out. (Wallace 41) The dome tent is becoming more popular because it has more space with less weight. Dome tents use fiberglass poles for support so they are strong, reliable and light. Dome tents keep rain out well but do not always hold up in very high winds. (Wallace 42) Whichever tent is chosen, some common features are necessary. "Most tents today are designed with a bathtub floor, breathable walls, and a waterproof rainfly." (Drury 56) First campers must find a tent with a "bathtub" bottom. This is sturdy waterproof nylon that covers the bottom and 6 to 16 inches of the tent wall. (Drury 56) This design eliminates the need for a ground cloth, thus cutting

Research of Chinas economy

Research of Chinas economy What would be the impact of China’s economy on the world’s trading system? Among the recent economies that the world has witnessed, growing through the ranks of the middle income earners, defying the odds to compete among the world’s largest income earners is China. This state boasts the world’s populous nation, accounting for 20% of the same.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Research of China’s economy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More To this, the gross GDP has been increasing steadily from the year 2004 ($ 1,690), and if a 7% growth is maintained per year and for ten consecutive years, it is projected that this would increase by several folds by the year 2025. This is the scenario that the world’s economies are yet to encounter, and perhaps its consequences are the ones that form the subject for debate the world over. One major anticipated impact is that with China’s limiting natural resources e.g. energy, prices from suppliers is likely to hike. Moreover, it is unlikely that China will replicate its previous successes in the export market (doubling it every half a decade) in the recent years thanks to protectionist defenses. This would prompt them to broaden their local demand albeit with imminent challenges. Finally, with the projected growth, China will no doubt hike its military expenditures consequently propelling it to rank among the world’s superpowers (Kenen, 2011). What would be the impact of China’s economy on the world’s monetary system? The 2007/8 economic recess has evoked, once again, an incessant debate that is a reform in the international monetary policy. In fact, a majority of the emerging economies are cautious of pegging their currencies against the US dollar, with the Euro acting as their regional currency. To this, they reflect on a natural change of the monetary policy to a multipolar international sys tem thanks to the emergency of the China’s dominance hypothesis in the equation.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More De jure, a majority of the budding Asian economies peg their currencies to the US’s; however, de facto, these economies are already dependent on China’s economy. In essence, the effect of emerging China is already being felt. Evidence shows that the world’s monetary system is in the threshold of becoming a tripolar economy, and the renminbi, is slowly domineering the Asian foreign-exchange. Both regionalily and globally, analyses imply that the trends of the Asian currencies replicate the renminbi (Eichengreen, 2010). The impact of the China’s economy with respect to western-based global corporations China’s impact on the western-based global corporations is one of a debatable context especially to the US’ s firms, its major trade partner. To many pundits cum politicians in the US, the argument is that the Chinese economy has gained ranks in the world’s economy at their expense. This is in contrary to other experts who believe that there is no correlation. To this they point out the country’s cheap labor and loathing of its currency as the reason for its success. Still on the US, Americans derive the benefits of cheap commodities from Chinese companies; nonetheless, this does not augur well with the local-based corporations since they risk shrinking their market share, consequently eating into their profit margin. Furthermore, with the availability of cheap labor in China, many local-based firms became victims of insufficient labor force. This is owed to the fact that many manufacturing industries shifted their bases to China after it entered WTO.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Research of China’s economy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Chinese influence were replicated in many more states around the globe, and with its potential, further damage on the other global corporations would be aggravated. How might the concepts of guanxi and guanxiwang come into play? Are there any ethical considerations for a western business? By definition, guanxi simply means engendering a good mutual relationship to foster long-term benefits. On the other hand, guanxiwang furthers this relationship to include a network of benefits between two parties and beyond. Fundamentally, guangxiwang could be along social or economic fronts. With respect to this question, the economic front, which is basically a business network, is what matters. Here, firms agglomerate with an aim of creating a market that optimizes on profits while at the same time decimates the costs at the backdrop of a healthy relationship. As opposed to previous markets, the recent ones put more emphases on relationship market orie ntations. This amounts to a paradigm shift from transaction-based typified by competition as its main driver to aforementioned. This is manifested in the west, for instance, the US.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More To this end, America’s business networks are characterized by partners’ acknowledgement of the need to save on wastages of all sorts: â€Å"time, materials, equipment, and workers† (Curcuru, Dvorak Warnock, 2008). This goes a long way to nurturing a good relationship among the stakeholders. Discuss three cultural tips for US business people doing business in China In order to be a successful US-based merchandiser in China, there are several cultural tips that one has to adhere to. One such tip is that the perspective one ought to nature of a Chinese culture is one of a mosaic type. In a nutshell, the outlook here is that there are several consumer profiles that exist, consequently providing for flexibility of companies to suit in precise markets. Second, one should be keen to understanding the cultural background and the social etiquettes. China is rich in culture, spanning several centuries back. In effect, understanding this together with aforementioned facto r would function to avert relationships that would jeopardize a business. Finally, the merchant should understand that the recipe to tapping into this market would be enhanced by exploring a market-based approach. Simply put, one ought to acquaint him/herself with the locals’ preferences in order to acclimatize with the market precisely (Dooley, Folkerts-Landau Garber, 2004). References Curcuru, S. T., Dvorak, H., Warnock, F. (2008). â€Å"Cross-Border Returns Differentials,† Quarterly Journal of Economics, 123 (4), 1495–1530. Dooley, M. P., Folkerts-Landau, D., Garber, P. (2004). â€Å"The Revised Bretton Woods System,† International Journal of Finance and Economics, 9 (4), 307-313. Eichengreen, B. (2010). Exorbitant Privilege – The Rise and Fall of the Dollar and the  Future of the International Monetary System. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Kenen, P. (2011). â€Å"Beyond the Dollar†, paper presented at the AEA Allied Social Science Association Meetings. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Defeat at Shiloh Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Defeat at Shiloh - Essay Example In discussing the mentioned battle, this essay shall focus on Purdy's engagement, the arrival of the Confederates and the movement from Corinth. Preparations for what was later to be known as the Battle of Shiloh began in February 1862. In the wake of the Confederate loss of both Fort Henry and Forte Donelson, the Confederate General Alber Sydney Johnston withdrew to Tennessee for reorganization purposes. Recognizing that the Confederates were planning for action, Major General Ulysses Grant moved his army to West Tennessee, occupying Pittsburg Landing by March 1862. Directly following, orders were issued to Major General Don Carlos Buell to join Grant and, with their joint armies, undertake a seizure of the Memphis and Charleston Railways (Veit). The plan, as explained by Suhr was to cut off Confederate supplies and, to all intents and purposes, encircle and suffocate the Confederate forces. Even as the Union army was proactively planning to offset what they had determined to be Confederate preparations for offensive, and take the offensive themselves, the Confederate General, Johnston, was preparing for an offensive on Grant's forces, scheduled for April 4th, 1862 (Bagby).