Bikepacking is the trend in the UL scene of 2012 (and it will carry over into 2013 as more and more will start to explore the forests and hills with their bike) and hence it is my pleasure to interview one of the most exciting bikepacking cottage manufacturers, Scott Felter of Porcelain Rocket. Scott makes superb bikepacking frame & seat packs and in this interview he tells us how Porcelain Rocket came to be, where that name comes from, and what the future holds. Enjoy!

I’m back from the Ultralight Summit, and what an event it was. Great people, awesome country and scenery, lots of different UL gear, high camps, gear talk, and lots of laughter. Now planning for the Ultralight Summit 2013 starts!

Dear Readers,

it is my pleasure to announce the first Hiking in Finland Reader Photo Contest! The theme of the contest is Forest. It is chosen on purpose so broad to allow for your own interpretation of what you understand under forest, and that we get to see many creative and different photos. And why forest? Well, I really like trees and the forest. They’re magic places, home to many animals and plants, besides the different trees, of course. They give you shelter from wind and rain, and transform with each season - from a green jungle to a red & yellow paradise to a bold arrangment of twigs to a blossoming jungle again, it is ever changing.