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Grab your Gear, we're going Hiking!

14 Feb 2013
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Why Do You Like Camping?

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Who do you like camping? I have been asked this question many times and can give many reasons to explain my love of camping.  Here are some examples:

1.COST – It is definitely less expensive to camp than to stay at a hotel or to rent a condo or vacation home. This way my family and I have been able to visit places we would not otherwise have been able to see.

2.THE LOVE OF NATURE – To be able to wake up to the song of birds and wildlife is a special experience.  Walking out of the tent and being directly surrounded by beautiful trees is not an experience that can be bought.

3.CAMPFIRES – What can be more fun than sitting around a campfire talking late into the night while roasting marshmallows?  Don’t forget the chocolate that goes with making s’mores!

4.HIKING TRAILS – Most campsites offer hiking trails and this is where you can find gorgeous wild flowers or see animals that you would normally never come across.

5.NATURE SCENES – Hiking trails usually lead you to breathtaking scenes.  It can be a waterfall, a great lookout over a valley or an area where you can enjoy seeing beautiful trees for miles.

6.THE EXPERIENCE WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS – During a camping trip everyone has a more relaxed mindset and there is time to reconnect and share ideas and stories.

7.CAMP COOKING – Over time every family develops their special camp recipes, which they only cook when camping.  Late afternoon is when the mouthwatering aromas start to fill the air and you just know that the meal will be a success!

8.SLEEPING IN A TENT – There is a nothing like sleeping in a tent, a portable hammock or a bivy sack.  It just has a different feel and being so close to nature is a privilege and reminds me of the One who created it all.

Why do you like to camp?  Let me know what inspires you to pack the car and head to the wilderness, or even to your backyard to set up camp!

Posted in Backpacking, Camping, Hiking and tagged ,
22 Jan 2013
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Not Getting out to Hike as much as you Like?

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Most of us want to hike and camp more, but so many things keep us back. Here are some of the obstacles and a few ideas of how to overcome them:

1. DON’T KNOW WHERE TO GO The Internet is a great place to look for information, but it can be overwhelming if you just type in something like “hiking trails.”  Try to narrow it down by deciding ahead of time what state or area you want to visit. It also helps if you know whether you are looking for shorter trails that have loops and are ideal for day hikes, or if you are looking for longer trails where you can do overnight hiking.  If you are not familiar with camping or hiking, visiting state parks is a great way to start.

2. LACK OF HIKING PARTNER Check out hiking forums where you may be able to find partners. If you would feel better hiking in a group, look up hiking clubs in your area. Ask around among your friends and co-workers to see if they know someone who enjoys the outdoors as much as you do. You can also offer to introduce a friend to backpacking and may find that they enjoy it more than either of you could have anticipated. Just don’t take a friend who has never even done a day hike, on a week long trip. This may be the end of the friendship.

3. TOO MANY FAMILY COMMITMENTS Having young kids can really change your lifestyle, but it does not mean you have to give up on all outdoor activities. You may have to change from overnight hiking trips to day hikes and from using a bivy sack or portable hammock to a bigger family tent. You may find that you enjoy teaching your kids about nature and you may learn from them to see things from a new perspective. If your spouse does not enjoy hiking as much as you do, compromise by joining them in an activity they enjoy for every time they go hiking or camping with you.

4. WORK To be able to pay for hiking gear and camping fees, you need to earn money. In between trips you also need to pay the mortgage, car, insurance, and you have to eat, etc. By the time you start feeling really restless and realize you desperately need to get out on the trail, you also get that sinking sensation that you did not plan and now your boss needs you to work round the clock. Make sure that you schedule your trips way in advance and put it on your work calendar. This will also help you to apply for permits early enough for areas where you will need them.

Hope you will soon be doing some Happy Hiking!

Posted in Backpacking, Camping, Hiking and tagged , ,
07 Jan 2013

Hammock Camping

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Why do some people prefer using a hammock as a shelter instead of a bivy sack or lightweight tent when hiking?

Hammocks are being used more and more by backpacking and hiking enthusiasts.  One of the main reasons is that a hammock is lightweight.  It is also good for the environment because it leaves little or no evidence of use unlike a tent.

You may think that it would damage trees, but with proper “tree huggers” it does no damage at all.  Tree huggers are the straps that go around the tree on each end of the hammock to hold it in place.  The wider these straps are, the less damage is done to the tree.  It may leave a mark, but this is mostly cosmetic and does no real damage to the bark. For more ideas on how to customize your tree huggers, see http://www.tothewoods.net/HomemadeGearHammockSupports.html

There are many accessories available for hammocks, like tarps to protect you from rain, mosquito nets to keep away the bugs and under quilts to provide insulation that will keep you warm.

In cold weather you can use a top quilt to keep you warm on top, but the problem is that cold air will cool you down from the bottom.  Even if you use a warm sleeping bag, it gets compressed by your body weight and you lose the warming effect from the insulation of air trapped in the layers of your sleeping bag.  This is where a bottom quilt comes in handy.  You can buy various under pads that go beneath your hammock to keep you warm.

Depending on the season, your weight and weather conditions, your needs will differ. The Grand Trunk Air Bivy Extreme Shelter provides an ultralight hammock and tarp as well as a hanging kit, and has a weight capacity of 400 lbs, see http://www.backpackhaven.com/catalog/item/8621442/9526543.htm.  The Grand Trunk Ultralight Skeeter Hammock includes a very fine mosquito net which keeps out all kinds of bugs, and has a weight capacity of 250 lbs, see http://www.backpackhaven.com/catalog/item/8621442/9526543.htm.

We hope that you will find a hammock to fit your needs and that you will soon be sharing your own hammock camping experiences.

Posted in Backpacking, Camping, Hiking and tagged , , , | Leave a Comment
18 Dec 2012

Broken Tent Zipper?

A broken zipper on a tent can cause a big headache. Especially because it would probably happen at night when it is dark and the mosquitoes are out to get you.

Many times the zipper of your tent will wear out while your tent is still in perfectly good condition.  There is no need to throw out your tent, because there are several options for repairing a zipper.  There are zipper repair kits available online and you can find them on Ebay for under $20.

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It is a good idea to take a pair of pliers or a vice-grip with you when you go camping.  Sometimes you just need to adjust the slider of the zipper.  If you can pinch it closed a little, it might work.  Just be careful not to over do it, because then it would definitely not work.  A little beeswax rubbed on the teeth of the zipper will help to let the glider slide over the teeth more easily.  You can even use candle wax.

If you have a tent with a broken zipper that is just lying around, remember that many shoe or clothing repair stores can replace the zipper for you.  You can replace the zipper yourself if you have a sewing machine and know how to use it.  It would be best to use a thicker, stronger needle like you would use for a thicker fabric like denim. In case you just need a new slider, look at the numbers on the slider to determine the size of slider that you would need.

I have also heard people suggest using Velcro as a substitute for a broken tent zipper, but they do warn that you will wake up your neighbors when you open your tent. If your tent has more than one door and you do not have another way to repair it, you can do like I have done  – borrow a sewing needle from a friend and use dental floss to sew up the door opening where a zipper broke.  This was not much fun, but it worked and kept the bugs out!

In the following video you can see how a zipper is repaired by one simple tool and a little bit of patience: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ta-khV4nudc

When you find that there is no way to repair the zipper and you want to replace your tent, take the time to consider carefully if you will need a one man tent, 2 person tent or an even bigger tent.

Happy Camping and do not let a stubborn zipper spoil your outdoor adventure!

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10 Dec 2012

Camping Activities

What to do after you crawl out of your tent and finish a cup or two of coffee? That is the question of the day for many campers.

If you plan a busy day of physical activities, it is a good idea to start with a healthy breakfast. If you have someone in your group who likes to get up early, let him or her be the designated breakfast maker.

Many campsites have hiking trails. This can be a great exploring opportunity for children. When you check in at the gate of your campsite, remember to ask for maps, brochures and information of the area. Children can learn about animals, plants, rocks and differences in landscapes while getting great exercise on your hike. When deciding on which trail you will take, consider how far the children in the group will be able to hike.

Kids will not only learn about nature, but also how to prepare for a day hike. They need to know that everybody will need water and a snack or more, depending on how far you will walk. Also teach them about poisonous plants and never to feed animals.

You will find that many campsites are near a river and some have canoes or kayaks available for rent.  Usually these boats are rented per hour or if you want to do more exploring, you can rent them per day or half day.  Remember to tip the person who works there and helps you to put your canoe or kayak into the water.

Even before you really start relaxing, you have a great opportunity to teach kids one of the basic skills of camping by allowing them to help with pitching the family tent. Show them how to be careful with the poles so they do not hurt others.  If there are older kids in your group they may want to have their own shelter like a bivy sack or portable hammock.

One of the most fun camp activities is to make desert. You can use an ice cream ball to make ice cream.  These balls are designed so that you put ice and rock salt into one end of the ball and ice cream ingredients like cream, sugar and vanilla into the other end.  You play with it for about 20 minutes and you have delicious homemade ice cream.  It does not get much better than this for kids, young or old.  Then there is also the trusted s’more that should not be forgotten.  Make sure that you do not leave kids unattended at the campfire.  Smaller kids will need help making their s’mores, but will always have good memories of sharing in the joy of making their own desert.

Happy camping!

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26 Nov 2012

Two Person Tents

When two people go camping they need a two person tent, right?  Not necessarily.

Two person tents are made to fit two people inside, but leave very little space for anything else like gear or even reading materials.  If you do car camping and weight is not a problem, it will be more comfortable to take a bigger tent like a four man tent, even if only two people are going to use it.  During day hikes, you can leave your tent behind and will only have to carry enough food and water for one day.

Where weight is a bigger concern like during backpacking trips where you do a lot of climbing or hiking over rough terrain, you may be willing to endure the tighter space of a 2 person backpacking tent.  Some people may consider using a three man tent for two people, even when they have to carry the extra weight.  It just gives that extra few inches that can be important for comfort when you have to wait out a storm in your tent.

If you regularly camp with your family and your kids get to an age where they like to have their own tent, a 2 person tent may be a good idea.  It will usually have enough space for two kids still in elementary school and also provide a little space for a favorite stuffed toy or electronic game.  They may also want to take some books or playing cards to keep them busy inside the tent if the weather turns bad.

When you are shopping for a 2 person tent, remember that different tents have different floor space.  As an example we can compare the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 2 Person tent with a floor area of 29 sq. ft. to the Alps Mountaineering Chaos tent with a floor area of 33 sq. ft.

Prices can also vary considerably and you will have to decide what feature of your 2 person tent is the most important to you.  Do you want the best quality, the lightest weight, or the biggest floor space?  Also consider during which seasons you will use it and anything else that is important to you.

Happy Camping!

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19 Nov 2012

Camp Cooking Made Easy

Can you have dessert while camping?  Absolutely!   Just because you are camping for the weekend, does not mean that you have to only eat canned food or stale bread.

A Dutch oven can be used to cook healthy stews with lots of vegetables and lean meats. Food can simmer slowly in your Dutch oven over hot coals while you relax and enjoy nature.  While waiting for your meal, nibble on fresh veggies which you can cut in bite size pieces ahead of time.  Bring some hummus or salsa to dip your veggies in.

Every family usually has favorite spices that they use regularly.  An easy way to bring your spices is to make a blend at home instead of bringing five of six different bottles with you.  This can be used over eggs, in stews or on grilled meat and vegetables.

If you are going to use a portable gas stove, make sure that you bring enough fuel for the amount of days you are going to need it.  You will also need to bring any connecting hoses if your particular camp stove needs this.  We had forgotten those once and were very disappointed that we had to skip some of our favorite camp meals.

Spending time outdoors can make you really hungry and cooking a good breakfast will be a great way to start the day.  An easy way to make omelets is to pour eggs or egg substitute into a plastic bag and add some bacon crumbles, cheese or cooked sausage to it and place the bag in a pot of boiling water until the egg is cooked.  These omelet bags can be prepared at home and everybody can have their favorite mix. To avoid a bland omelet, add flavorful herbs and spices to each bag.

Now for the most important camp meal – s’mores!!  For this dessert, remember to take enough marshmallows, graham crackers and some really good chocolate.  If you have never made a s’more and need a recipe, feel free to visit http://allrecipes.com/recipe/smores.  Do not feel that you have to stick to the traditional recipe.  You can add banana slices, peanut butter, nuts, sprinkles or anything you like, to your s’more.

Remember to teach your kids not to take any food into their tents because this can attract unwelcome rodents, raccoons or bears.  Whether you are a hiker using a lightweight backpacking tent or a family using a four man tent, make sure that you keep your tent free from any food and store your food away safely.

Happy Camping!

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10 Nov 2012

Girls on the Trail

Backpacking is not only for guys.  Many girls love getting out in nature.  Every backpacker  tries to carry the least amount of weight, but this is especially important for women.

There are several things you can do to lighten your load.  Start by finding a lightweight backpack.  Get a friend to help you take your measurements so you can find the perfect size for your body.  Many stores that sell outdoor equipment will  help you with measurements and finding the perfect backpack.  Ask about backpacks that are made specifically for women.

The weight of you shoes and clothes can also make a difference.  A low cut shoe will weigh less than a boot.  Not every hike requires a heavy boot.  Your choice depends on the season, how far you will be hiking and if you do a day hike or multiple day hiking.  Many lightweight clothing options are available.  Make sure your jacket does not add more in weight than in warmth.

One of the important ways you can save on weight is to choose a light shelter for protection during the night or during storms.  There are several choices depending on you preferences.  A lightweight backpacking tent will be the shelter of choice for many.  You can also use a bivy sack or portable hammock.

Sharing with a friend can help lighten your load.  Maybe one of you can carry a stove and the other the cooking utensils.  Or one can carry an altimeter and the other a GPS.

Talk to other backpackers and see if they can share any ideas.  You will find great advice at http://hikinglady.com.  Just do not listen to the friend who insists that you cannot survive your trip without make up and jewelry!

Happy Hiking!

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04 Nov 2012

How big is a Four Man Tent anyway?

You would think that it is big enough for four people and in a way you are right.  But if you think about four adults sleeping in a four man tent, that is a very tight fit.  It may work if some people in the tent are kids, but you will still have limited space.  A four man tent would be more comfortable for two adults if you want extra space for clothing, shoes or gear.

It is wise to think about the height of the tent.  If you would like to stand while getting dressed inside your tent, remember to check the height.  Also remember that the sides of a dome tent are sloped, so the standing room is only a small area.

If the weight of the tent is an issue, you may be willing to endure the discomfort of a small space.  When you do car camping, where you do not have to carry the tent far, the extra space of a bigger tent comes in handy.  An air mattress can add comfort, especially if you stay several nights.

Tents also have different shapes and heights that will have an influence on how you arrange your sleeping gear.  Some tents have vestibules for storage like the Alps Mountaineering Lynx 4.  This tent has a base size of 7’6 x 8’6 and a center height of 4’4 and is a rectangular dome style tent.  Another four man tent with completely different measurements, is the Chinook Twin Peaks Guide 4 Person Plus.  It has a floor space of 12’10 x 7’10 and a center height of 6’.  This tent also includes a vestibule. Comparing these two four man tents, give you an idea of how much difference there can be between tents that both fall into the same category.

So, take the preferences of ever member in you group into consideration and choose wisely!

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30 Oct 2012

Bivy Tents

Have you ever wondered if a bivy tent will be a good option for you when you go hiking?  Well, here a few facts that you may consider:

People who enjoy feeling close to nature, many times lean towards this option.  Another reason long distance hikers prefer a bivy sack or bivy shelter, is that they are light to carry.  Some even weigh less than a pound.  The more features and protection you have, the heavier they usually are.  Most bivy shelters are just larger than a sleeping bag and act as a personal shelter to protect you against rain and bugs.

Some have hoops that keep the mesh up and away from your face.  They can also have a stretch cord along the bottom to provide a snug fit around your sleeping bag.  Make sure that the one you buy is long enough to accommodate your height. Many have matching stuff sacks.

If you like more head room, look for a bivy sack that has a canopy around the facial area.  Also be sure to look out for seams that are factory taped which will make your bivy completely waterproof.

Hammocks are popular with many hikers and you may enjoy a bivy/hammock combination.  Grand Trunk makes this kind of combination shelter and has the “Air Bivy Extreme Shelter” hammock complete with hanging kit.  This would provide you with a comfortable place to rest during the night while protecting you from the elements.  It has a weight capacity of 400 lbs.

Happy Hiking!

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