eXpLoring the
nationaL
8
parks
Aaron Franz, Operations Manager, Austin, TX
II, 2009
One thing I love about working at Backwoods is
knowing that our staff has been all around the world.
Photographer: Carolyn Langer
olume We love to share what we’ve seen, and we genuinely
V
get excited when we can help prepare our customers
PRANA THE NORTH FACE
for their own adventures.
Lola Sport Top—$44 Pinnacle Lynx Short—$60
My favorite place to visit is Big Bend National Park,
Stay cool when the desert sun starts to pound The North Face Pinnacle Lynx is a versatile
right here in Texas. It is the second largest national
in the active Lola Sport Top that’s made from cargo made from a comfortable cotton
park in the country, and second least visited, so I feel
performance-minded recycled polyester twill that’s just right for happy hour pints
like I own the place when I am there. At night the
that manages moisture when you’re on the on the porch or an afternoon jaunt on the
go. You’ll also dig the Coolmax shelf bra for neighborhood trail system.
open skies provide amazing views of the stars. On my additional warm weather support.
last trip the Milky Way was aglow and hypnotic as I
drifted to sleep.
Because of the park’s vastness I always prepare by
reading Falcon Guide’s Hiking Big Bend National Park.
Knowledge is power, so it is important to read up on
your destination. I have made the mistake of not doing
this in the past, and it comes back to haunt you.
Also, out in the national parks you need to stay cool
in the heat, and protect yourself from the elements,
so I always wear ExOfficio’s Air-Strip Lite Long
Sleeve shirt. Coupled with UPF protection and venti-
lation on the back and sides, it takes care of you.
When I am getting ready for trips, I also spend a
lot of time at local spots near home in Austin like the
Greenbelt. From there I can go hiking and swimming
with my dog, Jasper. I am hoping my next big trip
abroad will be an adventure in Africa. I left my heart
there and I need to go find it.