Planning a Camping Trip with Kids

January 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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ContentThere are few things as rewarding as sharing a new experience with your children. Camping is an activity that becomes even more fun when you do it with your kids. However, it requires a bit of extra planning to take your child with you on your camping trip. Learn how to prepare yourself and your child for an exciting camping adventure.

First, ensure that your child is interested in camping with you. Some kids hate the outdoors, to the point that they aren’t even open to trying something like camping. If this is the case, you may want to work your way up to a camping trip. Start with a hike, a campfire, or spending the night in a tent in the backyard.

Be sure to choose a family-friendly campground for your camping trip with your children. Don’t choose a campground that allows open alcohol bottles, markets to party people, or serves alcohol at night. That’s the recipe for a disastrous trip with your child. Instead, choose a campground that has kids’ games, a shallow pool for kids, and different arts and crafts activities for children.

Plan a short camping trip as your first trip with your kids. A camping trip that lasts a full week can be too much for kids, especially if they decide early on that it’s not fun for them. Go for one night or for a weekend. Even better, plan your trip at a campground close to home. If they get homesick or uncomfortable, you can return home if it’s what will make them feel better.

You can create a fun family tradition of camping. It all starts with your first camping trip with your children. Plan a trip that’s short, close to home, and full of kid-friendly activities. They’re sure to look forward to the next trip!

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Camping for Couples

December 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment

ContentWho wants to spend the night in an expensive hotel when you can go camping instead? As far as romantic weekends go, camping is one of the less traditional options, but it is a fun way for a couple to spend time together.

To ensure that you and your partner have fun on your camping trip together, be willing to compromise. This is particularly important if one partner has been camping for years and the other partner is new to camping. Start with a short trip together to ensure that both people have fun. Another factor to compromise on is where you sleep. If it is the first camping trip for one of you, sleeping in a sleeping bag in a tent might be too much of a shock. Instead, consider sleeping in a camper or a yurt. A yurt is a Mongolian-style hut that is a bit less rugged than a tent.

Find a campground that has couples-friendly activities. A campground located on the waterfront is perfect, since there’s plenty of space for romantic canoe trips and sunbathing. Additionally, a campground with camp sites that aren’t too close together is a preferable choice. If the camp sites are practically on top of each other, it’s hard to sit with your honey and have romantic fireside talks. Look at a campground’s marketing to determine if it’s a good place for couples. If there are lots of activities for children, keep looking. Rowdy kids aren’t conducive to a romantic camping trip, especially if you’re looking for a weekend away from the kids!

Most importantly, have fun with your partner. Eat s’mores, sleep in, and unplug yourselves from technology. A break from answering emails, texting, and taking phone calls is fun too. This can make for the perfect camping trip for you and your partner.

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Great Foods for Camping

December 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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ContentGrocery shopping for camp food should be exciting. After all, when else do you have an excuse to eat sugary, fun foods every day? Everyone has their own camp food favorites, but there are some essentials everyone should have.

First, you have to have graham crackers, chocolate candy bars, and big marshmallows. S’mores are such a big part of camping that leaving them out almost feels sacrilegious. Be sure to bring extra marshmallows; you never know how many you’ll accidentally burn!

Grilling is a standard camp activity, so take advantage of it by bringing good grilling foods. Hamburgers and hot dogs are musts, as well as the buns and condiments that go with them. However, you should also consider bringing corn on the cob. Cooking corn on a grill gives it a nice, smoky flavor that you just can’t get at home.

Corn can also be cooked in foil. Camp potatoes are also a perfect choice for foil cooking. Bring a potato for each person, cube the potatoes and add salt and pepper. Wrap tightly in foil and place foil packet over coals. You’ll soon be enjoying delicious, salty camp potatoes that go with breakfast or dinner.

Staying hydrated is important for campers. With how busy the days and nights get, dehydration is a way to end a camping trip early. Bring lots of bottled water. If your group doesn’t care for the taste of water, bring some individual stir-in packets of juice, lemonade, and Kool-Aid. If you have the space in your cooler, bring some soda as well. You may need the caffeine to get through your camping trip!

The food is one of the best parts of camping, so don’t short change it. Bring lots of food that’s easy and quick to prepare, as well as a large variety of snacks.

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Preparing for a Camping Trip

December 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment

ContentEveryone looks forward to a camping trip; whether you are going with friends, family, or a romantic partner, it’s the best way to unwind and take a break from real life. To get the most out of your camping trip, plan ahead and prepare appropriately for your trip.

As early as possible, plan the days that you’ll be taking your camping trip. During busy season, campgrounds fill up very early and very quickly. The earlier you pick your dates, the better selection of campsites you can select from. Waiting too long can get you a bad campsite, or worse, no campsite at all.

Make packing lists early, especially if you are camping with children. Nothing ruins a camping trip faster than having to go home because you forgot a toothbrush, glasses, or tent poles. Even better, give each person their own individual packing list. As they pack each item on the list, cross it off.

Stock up on delicious camp food. Camping is a vacation, so feel free to splurge on foods that you usually can’t afford or don’t allow yourself to eat. Sugary sodas, candy, and s’mores are all camping staples. Ensure that you have enough food storage for whatever you bring; not having a cooler can leave you with warm sodas.

Shortly before leaving for your trip, check all of your camping gear. It is far too easy to leave out an essential tent part and have no place to sleep when you’re camping. Check your cell phone and ensure it has a full battery; if there’s an emergency, you don’t want to be more than a phone call away. Write down the address of the campground as well as your camp site number. Have everyone in your group carry it on them at all times; if there’s an emergency, they’ll need that information to get help quickly

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Finding the Best Boots for Hiking

December 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

ContentWhen you are hiking, you are spending hours, if not days, on your feet. Your hiking boots are the only thing between you and the ground, so be sure to spend some time making sure that your boots are just right for your needs.
Buying new hiking boots is an important investment and one that takes a bit of preparation. First, as tempting as online sales may be, they are not the way to find the perfect boot. Fit is extremely important in hiking boots so it is imperative that you try on the boots in the store.
When you go shopping for hiking boots, it is a good idea to do a bit of walking first. The size and shape of feet changes as you walk on them, so go for a walk around the neighborhood or at least around the mall before you get fitted for your boots. Also, be sure to wear the same socks that you would wear while hiking. The idea is to replicate the conditions of hiking when you are fit for the boots.
Determine what your needs are before you start trying on boots. Do you need them to be waterproof? Do you need added grip on the bottom? The salesperson at a good outdoor supply should be able to help you narrow down the best style and brand based on your needs.
Finally, try on as many boots as you can. Spend some time walking around the store in the boots to check for pressure spots. Be sure that there is enough space in front of and above your toes. You also do not want to have too much room so that your foot slides around. If your heel is slipping out as you step, try a smaller size or a different brand of boot.
Consider these tips and you should be able to find the perfect boots for your hike!

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What to Bring on a Hiking Outing

December 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

ContentHiking is one of the most rewarding and physically exerting outdoor activities available. You spend hours or even days removed from civilization, so it’s important to be prepared for a long hike. To start, be sure you have all the hiking equipment you need to be safe and ready for any occasion.

One of the most important things to bring is water. You never know how far you’ll be from a safe source of drinking water, so bring as much water as you can comfortably carry. Inflatable water bottles are perfect for this; although they hold their shape like a regular bottle when full, they lie flat when empty. This saves space in your bags.

A hiking backpack is the perfect tool to sort all your hiking gear and carry extras of everything. Keep your gear as well as clothing within your bag. Pack enough clothing to be prepared for sudden weather changes; this is particularly important if the area you are in is susceptible to sudden heat waves or cold snaps. You should also have a pair of high-quality hiking boots to go with your hiking clothes.

Energizing foods are a hiking staple. Granola, granola bars, dried fruit, and trail mix are all healthy foods that are packed with nutrition. Don’t bring junk food or sugary, salty snacks; they’ll just drag you down and keep you from feeling your best. Bring enough to cover you if your hike happens to go longer than intended; it’s better to have food left over than to run out.

Being prepared for a hiking trip is incredibly important. It helps you stay safe, be prepared for any emergencies that come up, and have enough supplies for your fellow hikers. By bringing the right gear and supplies to your hike, you are doing everything you can to stay safe.

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Mount Rainier: A Hiking Intorduction to One of the US’s Most Dangerous Mountains

November 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Mount Rainier is one of the largest mountains in the North American region. It stands at close to 14,400 ft above sea level and is located southeast of the Seattle area. Any mountain climber that has ever had a desire to climb one of the fiercest and most dangerous mountains should consider hiking somewhere on Mount Rainier.

Mount Rainier has over 300 miles of set trails all along the mountain that hikers can enjoy. Since the mountain is located in the northwest of the United States the majority of the hiking trails are open from late May to early September.

You’ll never know what to expect when hiking in this area. There is a wide range of weather and outdoor scenery that can be experienced when hiking along Mount Rainier trails. For example, if you are hiking along the trails in late May you are likely to get beautiful views of the glaciers and snow. If you head to the trails in September, you’re likely to encounter low areas of fog, rain and the beautiful leaves changing colors.

A special trail known as the Wonderland trail, allows hikers the unique opportunity to hike all around Mount Rainier. This hike takes anywhere from 10 to 14 days but allows hikers the unique opportunity to experience every part of Mount Rainier, as each side of this mountain has a different landscape, views and scenery.

Hiking along the designated trails on Mount Rainier does not require any special types of permits. However, if you are a hiker that enjoys going off the beaten path, then a permit is required from the National Parks Service. This is to prevent too many people from hiking in what is known as the back country of Mount Rainier and it allows the environmental impact of these hikers to be reduced.

If you’re looking for a challenge, consider taking a hike along one of the United State’s most dangerous mountains, Mount Rainier.

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Little Heard of Climbing Mountains Experience: Ruth Mountain

November 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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When it comes to hiking and climbing mountains most people have heard of the more traditional mountains. There’s Mt. Rainier, Mt. Fuji and even Mt. Everest. Those are some of the tallest and most well known mountains in the world. However, if you are just starting out and exploring this new outdoor sport you might not be up to trying out these well known mountains. That’s where these little known hiking mountain trips come into effect.

Some of the mountain ranges that are within the United States have varying difficulties when it comes to the type of hiking that is required. If you are just starting out with climbing mountains it is a good idea to start off with a relatively easy mountain range. In the northwest that mountain range would be the Cascade Mountains and the little known easy mountain climbing experience would be trekking to the top of the summit of Ruth Mountain.

Ruth Mountain is a pyramid shaped mountain peak located in the Cascade Mountains in the area of the Snoqualmie-Mt. Baker area. This peak of a mountain is located to the east of Mount Baker and is considered by those in the hiking world as an easy hike. It is best known for having the most beautiful view of Mt. Shuksan, the highly pictured mountain of the Snoqualmie-Mount Baker ski area. If you’re lucky you might catch a glimpse of a bald eagle!

Ruth Mountain is an easy hike because it requires very little equipment. It is recommended that those who are hiking to the summit take an axe and crampons but they might not be needed to make it to the top.

Reaching the top of Ruth Mountain can be achieved in one day. From the trail head that leads to Ruth Mountain all the way to the summit of it is a round trip of 12 miles. Climbers will ascend to 4000′ above sea water with this hike.

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A Brief History of Mountaineering

October 9, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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The term ‘mountaineering’ refers to any sport that involves climbing mountains, and encompasses cross-country skiing, rock climbing, hiking and more. Because humans were climbing mountains long before any of them were interesting in recording history about that climbing, the origin of mountaineering really can’t be determined. With the human tendency to do something just to find out if you can, it is safe to assume that mountaineering originated simultaneously anywhere there were mountains to climb and people to attempt climbing them.

Reasons for climbing mountains have varied over the centuries, but the human spirit’s rise to a challenge is relatively unchanged; even today, many mountaineers climb a mountain simply to reach the summit, not because there is anything there (although there is often a spectacular view), but simply to prove to themselves that they could climb the mountain if they really tried to. Others don’t care about the destination, and only want to enjoy the climb. This second more leisurely group of mountaineers tend toward more easygoing forms of the sport–hiking and walking. The ones interested in proving to the world that they can scale a mountain singlehandedly, those tend to take a more difficult method such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or rock climbing to reach the absolute highest spot there is to be reached.

For those mountaineers who strive to prove how high they can climb, often their dream climb is one of the eight-thousanders. The eight-thousanders are all independently-standing mountains on earth that are over 8,000 meters tall at sea level. There are fourteen such mountains, and only a handful of people have successfully ascended them. The first person to successfully summit all fourteen only accomplished the impressive task recently; it was Italian mountaineer Reinhold Messner, and he reached the last of the eight-thousanders’ summits in 1986.

Mountaineering is also known as Alpinism in many countries; this usage is rare in the United States; possibly due to the word’s similarity in sound and appearance to albinism. Alpinism was included in the Olympic Games during the 1920s, complete with prizes for the winners, but soon petered out after World War II.

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Campground Manners

October 2, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Most people go camping to get away from society and most of the people that form it, but unless you travel to somewhere extremely remote, you’re bound to run into somebody else out in the wilderness regardless. Campgrounds and wilderness areas are visited by around 13 million people per year in the United States alone, and even if every one of them wanted seclusion and to be in a place with no other people for once, they would still have to share their camping grounds with others who have just as much of a right to camp there as they do.

Treat others as you want to be treated. You probably learned this advice from your parents; it’s true, particularly where camping is involved. Would you want some stranger walking into your camp and talking to you out of nowhere? Neither do the other campers, so generally even if you sight somebody else, you should leave them be unless they’re in some kind of trouble. Would you want strangers to cross through your campsite? Probably not! Make an effort to walk around other campers’ campsites instead of crossing through them.

The same rule applies for blaring loud music or laughing/shouting/singing loudly (particularly at night), using anything that flashes bright lights or burning a large bonfire at night that others might see from far away, playing games or using electronics that are noisy enough to hear from afar, leaving trash or even food scraps behind that others who come after you will know is not part of the wilderness, and dozens of other situations.

Use common sense and be considerate of how your wilderness neighbors will think of the situation rather than your side of things. The music is nice to you, but your neighbor is a captive audience to music they might not even like, and they’re in the middle of the wilderness so it’s probably the only sound for miles!

Finally, extend your courtesy to the wildlife as well, and do your best to avoid them so that they do the same for you. Remember, you’re a guest in their homes.

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