The Outdoor Enthusiast Next Door: David Howard

Filed in archive Interviews on May 22, 2007

There are many reasons to envy this week's Outdoor Enthusiast Next Door David Howard. He is the senior editor of Backpacker, one of the best outdoor magazines dedicated to hiking, camping, and backpacking in the United States. His job to research, investigate, and sample some of the country's outdoor adventures. And he's a Red Sox fan.

But, you should admire him because he's a perfect example of an outdoor enthusiast. He's driven on the remote coast Labrador, interviewed veteran climber Greg Child and Andrew Skura, the first person to complete the 7,778-mile Sea-to-Sea Route, and is one of the best writers on the planet. Don't believe me? Read some of his work here and here.

Also, be sure to check out the September issue of Backpacker featuring a hike by yours truly and an article about Dave's road trip to the Sierra.

Why do you love the outdoors?

I work a lot of hours and get pretty fried sometimes, and it's the only way to really hit the reset button. It's essential to the soul. It's also where I do my best thinking when I'm alone and where I've had some of the best conversations of my life when I've traveled with other people.

Favorite outdoor activity/sport and why?

Hiking and backpacking. It's just the purity of being totally self-powered, and carrying everything you need on your back. You move at a steady pace and become totally immersed in what's around you in a way that's difficult to do otherwise. But I also love long-distance bike travel.

Tell me about your last outdoor/adventure trip.

I was on a road trip in a biodiesel car (that is, one that runs on vegetable oil) through the southern Sierra and death valley. We hiked some of the PCT, then camped really high up in Death Valley, and the stars were spectacular.

What influenced you to take this trip?

We hatched this idea for a story in Backpacker's upcoming issue devoted entirely to global warming. Check it out; it'll be our September issue.

What's your next outdoor adventure? Where and why?

I'm not 100 percent sure yet, but I'll be hitting some high spots in the Adirondacks this summer.

Name three items/gadgets essential to the outdoor lover and why.

1. GPS--it's not only a great navigational tool, but you can also download a ton of hikes from backpacker.com for use on your device

2. Survival kit that includes everything from some warm clothes to a headlamp to a little extra food--because you've got to be ready for anything. See our special survival issue from last year on the 10 essentials.

3. My iPod. I love ending my days out there with books or music.

Thanks Dave! Don't subscribe to Backpacker? See what you're missing here.