November 7th, 2008
By Glenn H. Kipps
If you are planning a camping trip to the wilderness, you are likely to encounter a meeting with the local wildlife. Some animals, such as bears, are potentially dangerous. To reduce the likelihood of having one of these animals visit your campsite, the type of food, the way you store it and even the way you cook it is very important. You also must know that you are a guest in their domain. Therefore, your respect for the wildlife is a must if you should encounter a bear or other potentially dangerous animal. Just try to avoid them and let them pass. In this article, I will give some helpful tips on picking the right food for your camping trip that wiil help you avoid wildlife dangers.
The first thing we will cover is the right kind of food to bring on a [tag-tec]camping trip in the wilderness[/tag-tec]. Foods that have a strong smell are the worst types of food to bring because strong smelling food, such as tuna fish, obviously is going to attract animals. The best food to bring is anything canned or factory sealed. However, some people like to have their eggs for breakfast, etc. In these cases, storing your food properly is very important.
You should store your food as far away from your tent as possible. To avoid food smells from coming to your site, try to store your food downwind from your site. This is not always possible due to wind changes. You can purchase a [tag-ice]bearproof container[/tag-ice]. They come in several sizes. However, if you hike a long way before setting up camp, these are really not that practical. Some people like to store their food in an airtight bag tied from a branch. However, if you tie the bag too close to the trunk, a bear can get it easily since they have the ability to climb trees. Also, if the branch is too small, the bear can break it and get your food. If the branch is big enough the bear can walk right on it to get your food. Some people like to store their food in the trunks of their cars. However, food smells can escape cars. A bear will try to rip apart your car to get your food. Anything else that emits a strong odor must be stored with your food. If you think your clothes might have a food smell on them, store with your food. As you can see, there are only deterrants to keep animals away from your food. There are no full proof ways to keep them from getting your food. However, if it is stored properly, the probability of animals bothering you at your campsites is minimal.
The way you cook food is also very important. You should cook near where you are storing your food. Do not cook in the middle of your campsite because the residue of the food still lingers in the air. Thus, you will be attracting wildlife to you campsite. Only cook what you are going to eat. Leave no leftovers. If you are a fisherman, clean fish where you caught them and throw the remains in the water. This will kill the odor since animals can’t smell through water. Make sure you clean up after you are done cooking. Wash all dishes thoroughly. Burn any burnable garbage. Store the rest of the garbage near your food.
In conclusion, use common sense when dealing with food on a wilderness camping trip. I hope these tips helped you in picking the the right food for your camping trip that will help you avoid wildlife dangers.
Tags: bearproof-container, camping-trip-in-the-wilderness, Food-Storage, planning-a-camping-trip, Wilderness Camping
Posted in Wilderness Camping | No Comments »
August 18th, 2008
By Glenn H. Kipps
Winter Camping, like any [tag-tec]camping[/tag-tec], can be a great experience with careful preparation. Like anything else you do in life, if you are not prepared, there could be some bad repercussions. In this article, I am going to give some pointers on how to prepare for your winter camping trip.
First, you must get a forecast of the [tag-ice]weather conditions[/tag-ice] of the area where you will be going camping. This will give you an idea of what to bring based on how cold it is going to be during the time you are going camping. There are several websites that will give you this type of information. Just enter “weather conditions in…” into the search box of your favorite search engine.
Now, we’ll talk about clothing. Some folks like to wear several layers of clothing. However, from my own experience, you can actually get overheated if you wear too much. Sure, you can take layers off as needed. However, if you are on a winter hike, where are you going to put those layers of clothing you take off your body? You are a few miles away from the campsite. All you really need is a good supply of quality thermal underwear or Long Johns and a good supply of quality insulated socks. After that, it really does not matter what you put over them. You should also have a good pair of insulated boots or winter hiking shoes for your feet. As a matter of fact, if I don’t leave camp, I often just wear my Long Johns, insulated socks and insulated shoes. Nine times out of ten, that is all I need. However, I will add a layer or two if neccessary.
Ok, let’s talk about the rest of your equipment. Your tent should be an all-season tent. A 3-season tent is close, but will not cut it in the winter. Your sleeping bag must be at least a 15 degree bag. This bag will keep you warm down to 15 degrees. However, I like a zero degree bag. Very rarely do I go to a spot that get’s below zero. There are also thermal sleeping pads available to help keep the cold from coming through the floor of the tent.
Last, but most important, let’s talk about what you should do if you get, or think you might have, frostbite. First, heat some water over the fire so that it is luke warm. Hot, warm or cold water could cause grave damage to the affected extremity. Then, get inside your car or somewhere else that is semi warm and soak that foot or other extremity that is affected until it feels normal. Then, to make sure it doesn’t happen again too soon, either lie in your tent or stay in the heated car for a while. When you feel it is safe, come back out and enjoy yourself around the fire. I have done this procedure a few times. I know it works.
In conclusion, being prepared in anything you do reduces the risk of having bad consequences and increases the likelihood that you will enjoy yourself. To ensure your trip is safe and fun, follow the simple guidelines above when you prepare for your winter camping trip.
Tags: Adventure Travel, Camping, Camping can be fun, Camping in National Parks, Choosing the Right Sleeping Bag, Choosing the Right Tent, Finding you ideal campsite, Planning Your Camping Vacation, Tent Camping, Weather-Conditions, Wilderness Camping, Winter Camping
Posted in Adventure Travel, Camping, Camping can be fun, Camping in National Parks, Choosing the Right Sleeping Bag, Choosing the Right Tent, Finding you ideal campsite, Planning Your Camping Vacation, Tent Camping, Wilderness Camping, Winter Camping | 5 Comments »
June 4th, 2008
By Glenn H. Kipps
Tent Camping can be a great experience. However, the reason a lot of people don’t go tent camping is the initial high cost of [tag-tec]camping equipment[/tag-tec]. These people do not realize that careful planning and bargain shopping can greatly reduce that cost. In this article, my intention is to give insight to the [tag-ice]new camper[/tag-ice] on reducing the cost of camping equipment.
The first thing you must do is decide what you like. You can ask your friends what they use. This will give you a guideline for making your decision when shopping for your equipment. The first time around, you may want to borrow equipment from them. This way, you get to use the equipment and decide whether or not you like the brand of equipment they use.
Another way is to take the info you got from your friends and go to stores that sell camping equipment and try their recommendations out. This way, you are not limited to your friends’ recommendations. There may be another brand in the store that catches your eye. Try it out and see if you think this equipment is superior to that used by your friends. If so, go with your instinct. If not, stick with your friends’ recommendations. You can also get recommendations on the internet through discussion forums on camping.
Now that you know what you want, it is time to shop and make your purchases. One place to start is to visit discount camping stores. However, some of the best deals can be found online. There are discount camping stores, online coupons, online classifieds (craig’s list is one of the most popular ones), etc. This will give you a price range to measure. Then, go to ebay. You can often find the best deals on ebay.
Another option is to take advantage of clearance sales. These sale are usually around Labor Day and the end of the winter. If you are in no hurry, you can wait for these sales.
You can also buy used equipment. This can be done by going to yard sales and/or army surplus stores or looking at classifieds in your local newspaper or online (craig’s list). After that, go to ebay to see if you can beat the average price. New or used, you can often get the best deals on ebay.
If you follow these guidelines, you should be able to get quality camping equipment relatively cheap. After the initial cost, with proper care and storage of your equipment, the upkeep costs are extremely small. You are now well armed and ready to start reducing the cost of camping equipment.
Tags: Camping, Camping-Equipment, New to Camping, New-Camper, Planning Your Camping Vacation, Reducing the cost of camping equipment, Tent Camping
Posted in Camping, New to Camping, Planning Your Camping Vacation, Reducing the cost of camping equipment, Tent Camping | 6 Comments »
March 17th, 2008
By Glenn H. Kipps
Hiking is a great way to enjoy nature and break the monotony that life brings us all. However, if you are a beginner, here are a few things you should know. You should pack everything you need, but pack light. Remember, everything you take must be carried on your back. Only pack what you need, not what you want. The purpose of this article is to give advice on choosing the right backpack for your journey.
First of all, if you are on a budget, the best time to start looking for a Backpack and other [tag-tec]camping gear[/tag-tec] you may need is late Fall to early Spring. You will find the best deals around that time of year. The backpack you choose must be of great quality and have sufficient space to carry all you will need on the trip. Also, lighter is better.
If you are planning a day hike where you are going to camp at the end and hike back the next day, a good [tag-ice]day pack[/tag-ice] is all you need. If you are going to hike on a longer trip, you will need a multi day pack. When you are choosing your backpack, do not go strictly on the looks and specs. Every person is different and a pack that is extremely comfortable for one person might not be comfortable for another. Try the pack on in the store. Put something in it that is equivalent to the weight of what you will be packing. This will tell you if the backpack will be comfortable to you when fully packed.
Zippers are the most overlooked items on a backpack. However, they are very important. Zippers should be waterproof. Those that have big teeth have more durability and strength than regular zippers with smaller teeth.
A good backpack should also have a waist strap. This allows the backpack to move with your body when you walk. This is very important for comfort. It should also be made of a lightweight, water resistant material such as ripstop nylon.
In conclusion, the backpack you choose must not only be lightweight, it must be comfortable for you. Buying a backpack is like buying a pair of shoes. You must try it on before you buy it. A backpack could have the best comfort specs, but what might be comfortable for someone else may not be comfortable for you. Choosing the right backpack is a worthwhile process. Your life may also depend on it.
Tags: Backpack, CAMPING-GEAR, Choosing the Right Backpack, day-pack
Posted in Choosing the Right Backpack | 1 Comment »
February 19th, 2008
By Glenn H. Kipps
Many people use a camping guide to find campgrounds and national parks in the area they are going to visit. They also use a camping guide to get directions and find out other information about the campgrounds or parks in the area. However, by doing this, they are missing some very important aspects on camping that may even save their lives. In this article, we are going to go over what makes a good camping guide.
A good camping guide should not only give you choices of where to go camping and how to get there, but it should also give you tips on how to survive for a few days if you stray away from the campground and get lost. Waiting for someone to rescue you could take days (sometimes longer). This information could save your life, so it is important that you read the guide in its entirety before going on your trip so you know what to bring.
First, you need to have a well equipped [tag-tec]first aid kit.[/tag-tec] A good guide will tell you what you need for and how to tend to certain injuries that you may get on your hike. This is temporary treatment until you get real medical attention.
A good camping guide should have information on how to build an [tag-ice]emergency shelter[/tag-ice] in case there is not a natural shelter around. A lean-to is the most common shelter used in survival. You can build one out of tree branches.
There should also be information on the local small game including the tracks they make, how to catch them, how to store the meat so it doesn’t spoil and how to cook it. Information on local plant life is also important. A good camping guide will tell you which plants are good to eat and which are poisonous.
Last, but not least, there should be a section on how to purify water to keep you hydrated until you are rescued.
In conclusion, information on basic survival skills in addition to the where to go and how to get there is what makes a good camping guide.
Tags: camping-guide, emergency-shelter, First-Aid-Kit, What makes a good camping guide?
Posted in What makes a good camping guide? | No Comments »
January 31st, 2008
by Glenn H. Kipps
Here are a few things you should know if you are new to camping. These tips, while broad in nature, will give you some idea on what you should bring to make your trip a great experience. The rest is just plain common sense.
First, expect to have a good time, but be prepared for the worst. For instance, it may not rain at all on your Camping Trip, but you should be prepared in case it does. Do not put your tent directly at the bottom of a hill. It is certain that it will flood in a torrential downpour. Make sure you have a sturdy tarp to keep you and your group dry. It should also be able to withstand the strong winds that often accompany a rain storm. Other things to be prepared for are cold weather, pesty insects, sickness, etc.
If you are hiking or canoeing, you should pack MRE’s (meals ready to eat) and other types of food that do not require cooking. In other words, you should pack light (the lighter the better). Save the cooking for when you get back to the [tag-tec]campsite[/tag-tec]. Some [tag-ice]campgrounds[/tag-ice] do not allow fires. Therefore, you should pack a camp stove just in case.
If you like comfort, be sure to invest in a quality air mattress with a quick pump. You should also bring mosquito netting so you do not get eaten alive while you are trying to sleep. Of course a comfy sleeping bag and a tent that doesn’t bleed (rain water seeping through the walls of the tent) are also big essentials.
Do not put a lot of leaves in your campfire. Leaves tend to make a fire smoke (getting more smoke than flame). You do not want to smoke out your neighbors. If there are quiet hours in the area you are camping, please observe them. It all boils down to respect for your camping neighbors.
On packing day, make sure you take all of your garbage with you (or if a facility is provided, use it) and leave the campsite the way you found it. When packing your gear, make sure it is dry. Wet camping gear can develop a musty smell and rot over time.
In conclusion, if you are new to camping, these broad tips should provide a nice foundation from which you can build. The rest is up to you.
Tags: campgrounds, Camping, Camping-Trip, Campsite, Family Camping, New to Camping, Tent Camping
Posted in Camping, Family Camping, New to Camping, Tent Camping | 2 Comments »
January 29th, 2008
By Glenn H. Kipps
In the world of camping, there are a few choices. You have wilderness camping, where one either hikes a few miles into the woods or paddles down the river for a while and sets up camp. With this type of camping, one should only bring what is needed to ensure their survival. Then there is back country camping, where one does not have to travel as far (maybe 1/4 to 1/2 mile from the beaten path). With this type of camping, one can bring a little more than the bare essentials because they do not need to travel as far. A couple of trips from the car is all it takes. Last, but not least, you have what is known as car camping. By car camping, I do not mean pulling over somewhere and falling asleep in the car. Car camping means that one can pull the car right up to the campsite. Campgrounds are the most common conduits for car camping. Car camping is the easiest way to camp because one can bring virtually anything. This is what I will be talking about in this article.
[tag-tec]Car camping[/tag-tec] is a great way to gather with friends and/or family because most people will not like to take a 10 mile hike in the woods with you. Of course, just like any [tag-ice]camping trip[/tag-ice], you need to take the essential camping tools for fire building, survival (i.e., first aid kit), shelter (tent), sleeping (sleeping bag), cooking, etc. However, you can bring as many extras as you like.
Some people prefer not to build a fire (although I can’t imagine why) and prefer to bring a grill. Then, there is the music factor. Some people bring radios. However, I just bring my car. The stereo in my Durango provides enough music for the whole camp. When my friends and I go camping, we take turns playing music from our cars. If you are with a group of partiers, you may want one from your group who has a truck to bring a couple of kegs of beer. It is always good to get everyone in your party to contribute for this one. If your car is equipped with video, feel free to bring a couple of DVDs. However, that would sort of take away from the experience. Bringing some games (or in our case, my friends and I invent them i.e., Flip Cup) can help with interaction. The point I am trying to make is that the possibilities are endless.
In conclusion, car camping is the easiest way to camp. Most people like the convenience of stepping out of the car and setting up camp. They also like the idea that they can bring whatever they want and not worry about carrying it. More often than not, if they have to carry things a great distance, people will leave their extras in the car.
Tags: Camping-Trip, Car Camping, world-of-camping
Posted in Car Camping | 3 Comments »
January 28th, 2008
by Glenn H. Kipps
One of the most overlooked, yet most important, items when planning a camping trip is the outdoor first aid kit. Most people think that their regular first aid kit they have at home is good enough. On the contrary, there are many missing items in a home first aid kit that could mean the difference between life and death. Additionally, there are certain accessories that are not part of a prestocked outdoor first aid kit that one should consider adding to their arsenal. In this article, I intend to go over those essential items that make up the anatomy of an outdoor first aid kit.
In addition to the usual band aids and ointments, there should also be splints for the occasional broken bone or sprain, ace bandages, adhesive tape, scissors, tweezers for extracting debris out of wounds such as splinters, sterile gloves, a snake bite kit (very important) and a [tag-tec]first aid guide[/tag-tec]. The guide is extremely important especially in life or death situations. If you do not know what you’re doing, you can kill someone. It is a good idea to go over the guide before going on a camping trip. This way, you can become familiar with it, so when it becomes time to use it, you can quick-reference it without taking the time to look at the table of contents. That extra minute wasted could be detrimental to the person needing your help. Also, if the guide provided in your first aid kit is not that good, buy a better one to replace it.
There are items that are not part of a [tag-ice]prestocked first aid kit[/tag-ice] that are also essential and should be added to your life saving arsenal. An extra cell phone should be with the first aid kit. If the injuries are serious enough, 911 can be reached and the patient can be med-evacced to a hospital. Sometimes, boiling water to purify it is not enough. Therefore, water purification tablets should also be in there. There should also be some kind of handheld GPS device for finding your way if you are lost. However, if you are good with a compass, that will suffice. Aspirin and other medications you may need, matches in a waterproof container and thermal blankets are other items that will have to purchased separately and added to your kit.
Last, but not least, it is important to take proper care of your outdoor first aid kit. It should be inspected regularly. Any items that are used are no longer sterile and should be discarded and replaced. Attending to a wound with unsterile instruments can be worse than not attending to the wound at all. Any medications that have reached or passed their expiration date should also be discarded and replaced. While they will not hurt you, expired medications have diminished or lost their potency and will not help you. It is important that you replace everything that you discard.
In conclusion, the anatomy of an outdoor first aid kit (what you put inside it), is very important to survival in the wilderness. The first aid kit is the most important item in anyone’s camping arsenal.
Tags: Camping, outdoor-first-aid-kit, The anatomy of an Outdoor First Aid Kit, Wilderness Camping
Posted in Camping, The anatomy of an Outdoor First Aid Kit, Wilderness Camping | 16 Comments »
November 30th, 2007
By Glenn H. Kipps
So, you want to go camping, but can’t decide on whether you want to go to a privately owned campground or a campground in one of our many beautiful National or State parks. In this article, “Private Campgrounds Vs Goverment-run Campgrounds“, I am going to show the differences between the two types of campgrounds.
To start with, a [tag-tec]privately owned campground[/tag-tec] is a business whereas a campground in a state or national park in run by the government. As with any business, each campground owner tries to make their campground look better than all the others through both online and offline advertising. A government-run campground relies on the attractions the park offers as a whole. For instance, people who camp at Yellowstone National Park are there to see attractions such as Old Faithful, not because the campground itself was advertised. Most privately owned campgrounds cater to RV campers with full hookups. There are not many tent sites and primative camping is almost non-existent. There are private owned campgrounds that do offer primative camping. However, they are few and far between. A [tag-ice]government-run campground[/tag-ice] caters more to those that want to experience the outdoors. While they do have RV campsites available, campers also have a choice of camping in designated tent sites, back-country camping or all out wilderness camping.
A privately owned campground usually costs much more than a government-run campground. The reason is that privately owned campgrounds have extras (pools, spas, clubhouses, etc) that many government-run campgrounds do not have.
In conclusion, it is really up to you. Some people like the idea of being in a resort-like environment complete with all the amenities such as a swimming pool and spa. Others like the idea of being totally away from everything. If you choose the former, it is important that you look at each advertisement carefully and get all the information you can get on each campground you are considering. All of them are trying to make you think that they are the end-all, be-all of campgrounds. Like any business, some are absolutely great and some are less than desirable. In choosing a privately owned campground, it is really best to talk to people that have been there. In either case, it is a good idea to call the campground in advance to assure yourself a spot during the time you want to visit. I hope this article, “Private Campgrounds Vs Government-run Campgrounds,” has helped you in finding the ideal campground.
Tags: Camping, government-run-campground, Planning Your Camping Vacation, privately-owned-campground
Posted in Camping, Planning Your Camping Vacation | No Comments »
November 21st, 2007
Sorry, I have not posted in a while, but my whole system crashed on 10/10/07. It has taken me this long to get my business back on track. I will be posting regularly again after Thanksgiving. In the meantime, I want to wish all of my readers a happy Thanksgiving.
Glenn H. Kipps
camping
Tags: Camping
Posted in Camping | 2 Comments »