Series premieres March 31 with "How to Poop in the Woods"

SEATTLE, WA – Therm-a-Rest and MSR, the Seattle-based leaders in outdoor gear, and Heliconia, innovators in outdoors TV and WebTV productions are proud to announce the launch of Backpacking TV, a 19-part educational backpacking series geared towards outdoor enthusiasts. The series officially launches today with the ever informative discussion on "How to Poop in the Woods." [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4aoOcd52vo]



Backpacking adventurer and gear tester Eric Hanson will star in the new entertaining WebTV series dedicated to keeping hikers safe and comfortable in the backcountry. Video topics include how to poop in the woods, treating water, animal-proofing camp, choosing a sleeping bag and pad, and how to pack a backpack.

"The outdoor industry is rapidly growing. In 2013 alone, more than 50 million hikers and backpackers explored U.S. trails," said Martin Maisonpierre, communications manager for Therm-a-Rest and MSR. "We're excited to bring more educational content to these dedicated outdoor enthusiasts and help them make the most of their adventures."

Heliconia is one of the outdoor industry's leading production companies. Heliconia produces 5 outdoors related television series that air on such networks as NBC Sports, Universal Sports and Outside Television, and in early 2015, its Outdoor WebTV network surpassed 30 million views and 100,000 subscribers on YouTube.

"As with many outdoor activities, one of the biggest barriers for new people interested in getting into backpacking, is the intimidation factor," explains Ken Whiting, Production Director for Heliconia. "The Backpacking TV channel addresses this by providing a resource devoted to making people's trips as comfortable, safe and enjoyable as possible." [http://www.youtube.com/backpackingtv]


About Therm-a-Rest®
Seattle-based Therm-a-Rest has been the market leader in premium outdoor comfort since its invention of the world's first self-inflating mattress in 1972. A commitment to providing inventive, long-lasting and reliable mattresses, sleeping bags, blankets, and camp furniture solutions that reinvent the way people live outdoors.

All Therm-a-Rest mattresses are made in the Seattle, U.S.A. and Cork, Ireland manufacturing facilities. For more information, visit www.thermarest.com

About MSR® (Mountain Safety Research®)
Seattle-based MSR has been engineering standard-setting high-performance outdoor equipment since 1969. A commitment to quality manufacturing and innovation ensures customers are outfitted with the finest, most reliable gear available for outdoor adventures. MSR product lines include: stoves, fuel, cookware, water treatment and hydration systems, shelters, snowshoes, snow tools, and backcountry poles. The majority of MSR products are made in the company's Seattle, U.S.A. and Cork, Ireland manufacturing facilities. For more information, visit www.msrgear.com.

About Heliconia
Since World Champion kayaker Ken Whiting founded the company in 1998, Heliconia has been a leader in outdoors media production. Heliconia produces 5 outdoor television series that air on NBC Sports, Universal Sports, Outside Television, and The World Fishing Network. See all of Heliconia's work at www.helipress.com, or follow along on Facebook at www.facebook.com/helipress.


Contact:

Martin Maisonpierre
Communications Manager, Cascade Designs
martinm@cascadedesigns.com

Sierra Stinson
Marketing Manager, Heliconia
sierra@helipress.com