Are We There Yet?

In the old days, the ideal of camping was “roughing it” in the wild. Not anymore, says Scott Monte, publisher of Backpacker magazine. This year’s Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, which showcases new products for campers, was stuffed with displays of gourmet foods, ergonomic backpacks, satellite-tracking mapping systems, and silk sheets for sleeping bags. “Comfort is king,” Monte says. Surveys found the average Backpacker magazine reader made $89,500 and spent more than $4,500 on backpacking equipment and excursions last year. (AP) ...The New America: where roughing it’ means no satellite dish for the TV in the Winnebago.