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How to Backpack in Chicago on the Cheap Is New Website's Mission

 Noble Square resident Jake Bartlett recently launched the website BackPackChicago.com.
Noble Square resident Jake Bartlett recently launched the website BackPackChicago.com.
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Jake Bartlett

CHICAGO — Since moving to Chicago on Jan. 1, 2012, Jake Bartlett has bolted to go backpacking across the world in places like Japan, Puerto Rico, Alaska, New York City, California, Oregon and all over Europe.

The Noble Square resident and Michigan native visited those spots on a tight budget — staying at hostels and with folks he met through the Internet — and wanted to help visitors coming to Chicago solve the same dilemma of traveling without a big pocketbook.

His solution: Bartlett created the website BackPackChicago.com about three weeks ago. The site features articles about biking, hiking, backpacking and couchsurfing, plus a list of local hostels. He also has a section devoted to "keeping things cheap in Chicago."

"I want the content to cover a good deal of Chicago," said Bartlett, noting Downtown, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Logan Square, Wicker Park and Pilsen. "It's content that I would want to find and read when I'm traveling.

"I've done quite a bit of adventure traveling and solo traveling, and I find traveling to be the most inspiring, eye-opening activity one can do. In my travels, I always like to get the local perspective on things and learn as much as possible and find off-the-beaten-path types of things."

Bartlett has no ads on the site, and he's BackPackChicago.com's lone writer. He works full time at a software company Downtown, and said the site is "a creative outlet for me."

"I love to write, and I love to travel and help others," Bartlett, 28, said. "Some day I think it would be cool to run a guest house. For now, this is my digital guest house."

BackPackChicago is on Twitter and Instagram, and Bartlett added a Facebook page on Saturday as well.

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