Neither me nor my best friend Jenny are the outdoorsy types so people who knew us were surprised when we decided to go on a camping trip. We borrowed my mothers ancient set of camping gear and threw it into the car the morning we had decided to go.

We didn’t think to check the equipment before we left as we were concerned about how we were going to fit it all into the car. When we arrived at the campsite we got out the tent and started to set up the tent. Over the next hour and twenty minutes we fought with that tent. The poles were easy to assemble but hard to put into the slots on the tent.

In our anxiety we even managed to break one of the poles. Luckily Jenny’s dad had thrown some duct tape in the car. Unluckily we didn’t have anything to cut it with. Although for future reference you can chew duct tape off the role. Finally to our amazing relief a family walked past us and stopped saying they had just been to the lake for an hour and had seen us struggling on our way. There ten and twelve year old kids helped up put our tent up.

Of all the great places to go kayaking it may seem hard to pick one. It all depends on what you are looking for. If you are looking for beautiful sites than Lake Superior would be a perfect idea. If you are up to it paddling to Isle Royale makes a great memory. The wildlife is beautiful on the island and won’t be forgotten soon. There is no necessary fee for this either. I would recommend this to the nature lover and inexperienced and new kayakers due to the lack of challenging waters.
If a challenging river is more what you had in mind then the Whitewater of the Canadian Rockies is an excellent choice for you. Not only does it have world class waters for more experienced kayakers but it also has Class 1 runs for the less experienced kayakers. It is also very beautiful. It is a perfect showcase for natural wildlife beauty. The pricing is quite cheap for this as well for all you will get. I would definitely recommend this location over any other for a fun family kayaking trip. It is well worth the money.

If you’re into hunting, regardless of the outdoor weather, then you aren’t going to let anything stop you from enjoying that thrill.  Something that’s going to help you out is knowing what type of hunting equipment is best.  If that’s the case, then you’ll want to check out our latest article:

A Trip With Durable Hunting Equipment

Though it was years and years ago, I still remember my very first Catamaran experience. I couldn’t have been more than 14 years old. It was a crisp sunny day at Virginia beach. The seagulls were hawking, the waves were crashing, the sun was shining, and the water was inviting. I remember distinctly seeing a peculiar looking, dual-hulled boat and thinking, how could such a funny thing float?

Once I got on, I remember the sails billowing outward as the vessel took off with a remarkable speed. I remember how extremely smooth it rode the waves, and how even though we were going at a fast pace, the ship was incredibly, incredibly sturdy. In fact, I had seen several other Catamarans alongside the one I was on back at the dock equipped to live on. Imagine that! Living on a Catamaran! Anyways, the experience was fast, furious, and most of all, and most importantly, fun. The wind whipped at my face and raw adrenaline pumped in my veins. To this day I still remember the very first time I rode the peculiar Catamaran. And to this day I’m glad that I did.

The best place to know where to camp is the internet. If you type the keyword “camping site” on search engines, thousands of listings will appear. From there, you will be able to read and know different offers. Some advertisements can blow your mind off, some will lure you to the max, but some of course will be of no value to you. But if you do an extensive research, surely you will find what you are looking for.

From the thousand listings, you can filter your query to the area you want to see. Some will even allow you to have a virtual tour complete with multimedia presentations like videos and customer reviews, some will have photos, and to tap it all, they will have low prices that can meet anyone’s budget. Be careful though because the internet does not only give you good stuff, you can also be coned by thieves who are waiting for your credit card or bank details as well as identity details for them to steal and rob you off unknowingly.

That statement may sound a little obvious, but you’d be surprised how many hunters and campers don’t know exactly how to go about doing this.  Read our latest article to find out how:

Packing The Perfect Hunting Gear On Your Wilderness Trip

Whether out hiking or camping in the great outdoors, climbing a steep, wooded hill, or back to school, having a backpack that you can depend is a must, a decision you shouldn’t take lightly.  We’ve posted up a new article that will tell you the “whys” and “hows” of proper back pack selection:

The Importance Of Having Dependable Backpacks

It is one of the most practical knives to use. Just one little
question. On what basis you choose your knives? Consider, when you
purchase not only your needs, but also the locking mechanism. A
multitude of systems exist, offering varying degrees lock. Here are
the most common.

The most common mechanism is the slip-joint. A spring placed between
decks, housed in the upper part of the handle, just press the heel of
the blade.
Pressure on the back of the blade enough to fold the knife, which is
never actually locked. The second mechanism is the lockback. The upper
part of the heel is made by a metal rod inserted between the plates at
the top and the blade is completely locked.

Just two other systems quite popular Linerlock and Framelock. On a
liner-lock, a tabletop is cut and served as spring. It folds into the
interior of plates when the knife is open, and put pressure on the
lower part of the heel.On the frame-lock, the principle is the same,
except that since the entire race is metal, so a portion of the
handle, which acts liner. The blocking is supposed to offer more
robust than on a liner-lock. Note to left-handers: liner and frame are
not ambidextrous systems. The choice of a system rather than another
depends on your taste and your use of the knife.

When going camping it’s important to be as prepared as possible.  A pocket knife can be used for
several purposes that will make camping easier and safer.  It can be used to open cans in a pinch and for roasting marshmallows around the campfire.  Often times there are lots of creepy crawly bugs around a campsite that can be easily terminated and disposed of if a pocket knife is handy.  Lots of times we’ll take old jars of food camping with us that are difficult to open. Rapping on the lid a few times with a pocket knife is a great way to get it loose.

In the event that someone is injured during a camping trip, a pocket knife is a great tool for cutting bandages to cover a small wound or abrasion.  Should a child become ill, it’s great for cutting Aspirin or other medications into smaller doses to ensure they are safe for the little ones to ingest.  If your camping trip involves hunting, you’ll need your pocket knife to skin and clean the animals before cooking.  It can really make your camping trip much easier and take the place of larger, chunkier tools.

Many people would assume that a flash light is good for only one thing.  They think that it is only good to use for things such as, lighting your way down a path, or lighting up a dark room.  .That is not necessarily true.  There are many more uses for flashlights.  Although, the flashlights main objective is to provide light, and it can be a very useful source when telling stories around a camp fire.

You would use a flashlight when telling a story around campfire to help create a spooky atmosphere.  You take the flashlight and you aim toward your face when telling a story to your fellow campers.  The light from the flashlight creates shadows on your face that can make you look spooky.  It will emphasize facial expressions and allows you to be seen well in a dark area.  It also can be used for making the shadow puppets up a tree or a tent.  If you hold the light behind your hand you can cast a shadow on one of these objects.  You can then make shadows that can be used as characters for your story.  If you want to include your guests, you can have them make shadow puppets and act out the story as you tell it.

There must be a Murphy’s Law of tent camping. There is nothing as much fun as getting the family together in the wilderness.  The kids love to crawl inside the tent when it is flopping on the ground. The laughter and giggles that come from under a tent are some of the great sounds of summer.

Mistakes made when tent camping can be hilarious.  One that comes to mind is when the family drove eighteen hours to get to a reserved camping spot.  Each family member had a job to do.  Mom was responsible for the cooking area.  The kids were to gather wood. Dad was to put up the tent.

Everything started out well. Suddenly words of frustration erupted from Dad’s mouth,
“We have a tent, but no tent poles!”  There on the ground the tent lay in a heap surrounded by ropes and stakes.  It was late return home for the poles, especially after driving from all day and night.

It looked strange, but it worked.  We strung ropes between large trees on the lot and hung the tent between them.  We used a long tree trunk we found nearby on the ground to prop up the center point in the tent.  We threw our things inside and climbed into what looked like a huge hanging bag for the night.

I knew a young college couple that wanted to see what there was
outside of Ohio where they grew up. They had very little money and
could not afford a stay in motels. Did they let that stop them? No.
They bought a two-man tent that would fit in their tiny compact car.

The local surplus store had all they needed to go with their tent. A
single burner stove that used “white gas”, sleeping bags, and coffee
pot cost less than $30.  A skillet, two plastic cups, two plates, two
forks, and a pancake turner from home all fit in a cardboard box along
with boxed noodles, canned tuna, matches and a pound of coffee.
Clothes for two weeks and some essential toiletries filled up the back
seat of the car.

The next ten days they traveled from one end of the continent to the
other and back to Ohio where they started.  The memories from tent
camping across country in a day when you could still feel safe in the
company of strangers is all that remains from that trip today. The
rest of the camping gear was worn out by years of camping.

If you’re a hunter who has a particular affinity for hunting with a bow, you know that there are a host of different materials available for your hunting pleasures and needs on the market. Most hunters nowadays want the lightest, stiffest, and most compact bow they can get that will be effective for whatever their target animal may be on the market. Because of the mass array of equipment available, consumers and hunters looking to get into the act of bow hunting may find it difficult to choose a bow. Thankfully, the large amounts of equipment can make it easy to find one that fits your exact needs.

First and foremost, ensure you can wield the bow that you want to buy effectively. Many users will buy a heavier bow than they can handle or too light of a bow, which both can result in less than accurate launches of your arrows. Buying a bow with a built in sight can also help, although these bows can tend to be a bit amateurish in their construct. Some bow targeting additions can be purchased, but use them only as an aid when starting out. Buying a bow which has an easily strung line should also be considered, as spending too much time on maintenance can mean the difference between a kill and a miss.

Many hunters who have a nice cache of equipment often find themselves
either misplacing their hunting gear or without a place to stow it on
those trip to the wilderness. For many hunters, the alternative that
has become more popular than most others is the locking chest for your
equipment that can be stowed in the trunk of your car or van, or in
the bed of your truck. While the cost may be higher depending on the
quality of the box you buy for your belongings, the benefits that you
can realize from the ownership of such a container are immeasurable if
you’re an avid hunter.

For many hunters, the biggest reason for owning a locking chest in
their vehicle for their hunting equipment is safety. The types of
implements involved in hunting are fairly unsafe if left in the open,
so an area of containment certainly acts as a barrier from those who
shouldn’t touch your gear. Many hunters also find a locking chest a
great way to compact the amount of space used transporting these goods
down to a manageable area in their vehicles. In addition to these
benefits, a locking chest can be a great piece of equipment for
transporting other things in your vehicle when you’re not heading to
the hunt, making it more than a one dimensional tool.

For many hunters who only go out in certain seasons or in certain conditions, weatherproofing your equipment may not be the first thing on your mind when it comes to the state of your hunting gear. Unfortunately, much of the gear on the market today is either not made with the proper materials to help it hold up to all of the conditions you might face on the hunt or are poorly weatherproofed from things like heat exposure, dampness and rain, and the extreme cold.

Thankfully, most hunters have the ability to do their own basic weatherproofing with equipment found at their local hardware store, or even around the house. Of the easiest weatherproofing projects you can undertake, protecting your firearms is the one most hunters should take notice of. Many hunters find their firearms to be slow to react when fired at the start of a hunt or may find that their firearms slowly become gunked up. In this case, the best weatherproofing for your equipment is a can of lubricant that can work to keep your fine parts of the instrument operational (like the trigger mechanism or the barrel) from becoming poorly conditioned.

A knife maker by the name of Bob Womom recently wrote up a couple of tips that any avid hiker or camper could use when the time has come that they must buy a utlity, folding, or fixed-blade knife.  Some of his tips are very good, such as “a fixed blade is considered to be the strongest knife design, and the full tang fixed blade is the most robust.  It’s a solid piece of sharpened steel with a grip.  Your blade should be at least 1/8 inch thick for strength”.  Did you know that?  Is that something you were aware of when buying or looking at knives?

Another good tip that Bob gives: “Consider textured handles of hard rubber, micarta, kraton or other weatherproof composites rather than wood.  The handle should be shaped to give good purchase when used aggressively.  It should feel naturally secure and under control in all conditions”.

Thanks Mr. Womom for these excellent tips and trick when buying knives!

Our latest article will give you some real good tips and tricks to help you buy outdoor gear for your camping trip. With so many types of equipment to choose from, it can be overwhelming at times. Have no fear. Take a few minutes to read our guidelines to help you plan your next outdoor trip:

Tips On Buying Outdoor Gear For Your Campsite

Before you prepare for a hiking excursion, it is imperative that you have a good, durable and comfortable pair of boots. Often time’s people overlook the importance of their boots or footwear. Truth is what your wearing on your feet can be the deciding factor on how your overall will trip turn out. Think of it this way, if you’re going to the city for the whole day you are most likely going to choose a pair of shoes that are appropriate for the occasion. Now, imagine going to a busy, bustling city wearing high heels. Chances are your feet are going to be in pain from all the walking and your city adventure will become a city nightmare.

Make sure if you are not an avid hiker that your boots are up for the occasion and are appropriate for hiking because having to stop and take a break every fifteen minutes due to foot pain can become a real pain. The first key to having an enjoyable hike is to ensure that your feet are comfortable and your footwear is able to withstand the environment.

Every year we hear about the consequences of not drinking enough water in the summer months, when people tend to go camping. Heat stroke is something to take seriously because it can be fatal—and it often begins when a person is dehydrated. When you go camping, be sure to plan to take along a sufficient amount of water for hot days and for all campers, including the four-legged kind.

It’s too bad there is no such thing as “dehydrated water”—it would make backpacking a lot easier. Probably the heaviest thing you carry while backpacking is the water you need to keep going. It is important to know water conditions near where you are going. Water purification supplies will do you no good if there is no water to be had.

Car campers and RV campers have more choices, of course.  But be sure to know what your campground offers.  Some places have a water hookup or at least a place where you can get water from a tap.  You may have to bring your own water for primitive campsites at a state park.

The activities you pick to do at your picnic can make it a success or failure.  Choosing which activities will be popular and which will not be is not particularly hard, however.  Generally considering the location of the picnic and the weather will help you determine what toys or games you might want to bring to keep everyone happy.

If it is over a hundred degrees out and the sun is high in the sky without a cloud in sight, games that require a lot of running around will probably not be particularly popular.  However, if your picnic area includes a pond or pool, the suggestions for a game of water volleyball would probably go over extremely well.  If there is no water, a game of cards or poker in the shade might be popular.

On the other hand, if it is a cool sixty degrees out, the suggestion that people go for a swim will probably be quickly vetoed.  This is the time to suggest a game of flag football or basketball or something of that sort.  While people will still get warm, it will not be completely unbearable.  A picnic stands a better chance of being successful if the activities are planned with the weather and park facilities in mind.

When you or your family are planning for a camping trip then there are things that you have to take them with you for the adventure. You have to decide what kind of food are you going to take with you ar the clothes or maybe something for shelter. Now when it comes to the food the primary thing is a “camp stove” to prepare hot meals. If you are planning to camp in colder conditions then you should take a “gasoline stove” with you.

Now the most popular shelter that you can use for camping is a tent. You have to make sure that the tent is light weight and well ventilated. You should also be careful about the material of the tent. Also take a waterproof floor that extends upto 7 inches from the sides. Also you should take long sleeve clothing with you to protect you from the insect bites. A sleeping bag is an essential equipment that you should take with you for camping. If you keep these few things in mind then your cmaping is going to be a real fun.

At some point in every hiker’s career, he is bound to encounter water.  Be it a stream crossing gone wrong or a sudden downpour, it is important to be prepared.  Part of this is having the correct clothing and supplies on hand that allow them to handle situation without spoiling the hike.

When crossing a stream, the ideal situation is to keep clothing and gear from getting wet in the first place.  Wading across might be fun on a hot day, but rolling pants up to keep them from getting wet and making sure feet are completely dry before putting socks and boots back ensures that the hike can continue in comfort.  In the event that a hiker ends up in the water unintentionally, it is important to dry off before moving on.  An experienced hiker will be wearing quick-drying or water repellant gear and carrying an extra pair of socks, a good example to follow.

Handling a downpour is slightly easier than dealing with an unintentional dunking.  Always carry a poncho or rain shell, even if there are no storms expected.  Some new jackets are made of material that is impervious to water droplets but still allows the skin to ‘breathe.’  If it does happen, however, it is again best to be wearing fast-drying clothing.

There are a lot of camping sites available and they all have their pros and cons.   There are magazines, the yellow pages and books that lists all the campgrounds.Another great source of information comes from your friends and relatives that have visited particular campsites. There are two different types of campsites- one is the one where you park your vehicle and you can pitch your tent right beside it.  There is usually a picnic table and a built in grill. The other campsite is known as the rustic camp area.  With this camping site, you can choose where to set up your tent or tents. This is great if there are several family members going. The downside to this is that usually the bathrooms are further away.

Be sure to stay away from campsites that have electrical hookups.This is good for people that have trailers and want to camp.Other great places to camp are National Forests and state parks.  Some campgrounds require a reservation  and some do not.Where ever you decide to camp, it will be an experience that will be a memorable one.

Many people who have been camping in the wilderness and have seen their tent be destroyed by the elements lament about the lack of protection that many tents have against heavy rains. Indeed, a lot of rain in a short time or a flooding rain that can puddle on the roof of your tent can cause the structure to snap or break down, which can render your tent useless.

For those who own tents that may become victim to a heavy rain breaking the structure down, adding a supplemental covering as a rain shield can help protect your outdoor shelter. Many newer tents come with a covering like this, but the integration of these covers into the tent design can do more harm than good.

Instead, what you can do is simply buy a tarp and some large PVC piping and create your own rain shield with a frame. Using a tarp that can cover the entire area of your tent as well as a few feet around the perimeter can allow the rain to strike this cover and not your tent, allowing you an extra protection against downpours and other inclement weather. A structure like this can extend the life of your camping equipment for a minimal investment.