Everything For The Outdoors!

I recently went on a hiking excursion and as a novice hiker I foolishly wore a pair of all terrain tennis shoes. I didn’t really think about anything other than comfort and at the time it seemed like a good idea. I later found out that it was in fact a terrible idea.

About fifteen minutes into the hike my friends and I came across a small stream that obstructed our path. We all then decided to cross the steam by walking on top of the conveniently placed rocks to get to the other side. In doing so my feet came into contact with water and the tennis shoes I was wearing seemed to absorb it like a sponge.
Everyone seemed to be having a marvelous time except me. My feet were so uncomfortable that I actually pondered the idea of taking my shoes off and walking barefoot. Not only was it difficult and uncomfortable to walk in wet soggy shoes it was actually pretty dangerous. Hiking boots are made for a reason, if you go for a hike make sure you wear boots, I learned my lesson the hard way.

While choosing the right Hiking Backpack, you have to loof for a number of things such as comfort, balance and versatility. There are mainly two types named as “Internal Frames” and “External Frames”. Internal Frame backpacks have allows you to move your load with you with the help of a snug fit. This helps you balance on uneven surfaces. The external backpack causes the weight to be squarely on your upper thighs and pelvic region to bear the weight of a heavy pack.

While there are many advantages, there are also some disadvantages of both. If you need to find a particular item from your internal backpack then it can be uncomfortable for you. Also there are chances that you will have a sweaty back as it sits completely on your back. And they are more expensive than the external ones. Whereas the external frame makes you walk more stifly because the hiking off trail can be cumbersome. Also the external frame backpack does not allow you to squeeze it into thigh spots so it difficult to transport your external hiking pack into your trunk.

Not every camping or hiking trip is to the mid west or upper parts of most countries.  A lot of it goes on in some of the most beautiful and stunning tropical settings and locations.  Read our latest article to properly plan for such an outdoor event:

Hiking and Camping In The Tropics

One of the fun things about having a picnic is playing games.  Depending on the ages of the participants, there are a wide variety of things you can do.  Some of these require bringing equipment and some set-up, for example croquet or volleyball, while others require very little.  Bringing a baseball or disk to throw is simple and can be played on a variety of terrain.  For games that do require setup, being familiar with the picnic area is useful because there may already be places where a volleyball net or even basketball court is already available.  Also, if you know where a large flat space is, you can claim it before anyone else can.

With younger children, bringing something as simple as a beach ball or kite is an easy way to keep them amused.  Depending on the number of children, multiples of various toys may be necessary of course.  As children get older, they can be incorporated more into the games the adults are playing.  While it might be necessary to make some allowances, perhaps giving them an extra swing with the mallet, when playing croquet, inclusion in as many activities as possible is a good way to keep everyone happy.

When individuals plan a camping trip they pack wheat they think they need. A tent, sleeping bags and food will be at the top of the list. A first aid kit should also be a first thought when planning this type of outing. A first aid kit will prove to be a vital if campers encounter the usually bumps and bruises associated with outdoor activities. It will also establish it’s necessity when more serious injuries present themselves.

Having a well stocked first aid kit should include necessary items to attend to scrapes and cuts, burns, and insect bits. Some items that may be overlooked but are very important to have are hydrogen peroxide, tweezers, and road flares. There are other items that can serve multiple uses. By packing these items you can cut down of the amount of items being packed while not sacrificing necessity. Some of them may include latex gloves, ace bandages, and razor blades. The key is to pack smart as this kit is accompany you and you want the kit to be functional and not overbearing.

Where you set out the picnic can have an effect on how much you enjoy the day.  You want a place where you can spread out and everyone can enjoy themselves, but the first open spot might not be the optimal location.  Two important factors to consider are the time of day and the surroundings.

If you are picnicking at lunchtime, spreading the blanket out in the direct sun is probably not the way to go.  Even on a day when blistering heat is not an issue, there is always the danger of sunburn which is a fast way to spoil an afternoon.  Regardless of where you picnic, putting on sunscreen is a good idea, but setting out the blanket under the shade of a tree is a good idea.

Watching what kind of tree you are sitting under is also important, though.  If picnicking in the fall, it might be amusing the first few times a leaf or acorn falls on you, but after a while it gets old.  Also, knowing the location of the nearby streams and ponds can help you select a location where mosquitoes and other biting insects do not disrupt your entire day.  Taking some care with the spot you pick can help make a picnic much more enjoyable.

It is great to go camping and it is even more fun to eat while camping.   This does not have to be hard or stressful. The best thing to do is to bring things to cook that do not call for many ingredients.  Some great camping foods are hot dogs, pancakes, spaghetti, cereal, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, eggs, bacon and macaroni and cheese.

To cook the food, it is best to have the most suitable cookware. The best ones are the portable stoves, because they are cheap and light.  A frying pan is also good to bring. It is also better to have lids for the pots, because food will cook quicker as it will keep in more heat. Having a lid will prevent things from falling into the food as well. Bringing paper plates and plastic cups is a great idea, because there is no cleaning involved.  Plastic knives, forks and spoons are also a helpful item to bring. Finally, be sure to bring a picnic blanket to place on the ground. This will be a comfort to have besides the food.

While many people love the great outdoors, the weather and nature may not always cooperate in allowing you to do all of the activities outside that you would normally do during a typical camping trip. Not all of these different things can be done inside of a camping tent, however, so precaution should be taken in case you are forced to take shelter while out in the wilderness.

The biggest precaution to take is to avoid cooking inside of your tent. While many camping stoves with internal gel fuels are stated to be safe for use inside of an enclosed space, the reality is that an open flame is still involved, and can resultantly be a problem should an accident occur. Avoid cooking in your tent if possible.

Additionally, you should avoid bringing too many people into one tent space even if inclement weather is nearby. Although a tent may be rated for a few occupants, it may seem like there is enough space to accommodate a larger number of people. Too many occupants can result in the integrity of the tent’s fabric or frame being affected, which could damage or destroy your outdoor shelter.

Some food is better suited to bring along on a camping trip than others. Trail mix, typically filled with peanuts, raisins and a host of other nuts and dried fruits. Either store bought or homemade, trail mix really is one of the best choices for a quick meal while hiking or just sitting around your campsite. Granola makes a great choice as well and comes in convenient personal bars.

Summer sausage works well, and various types of cheese will last for a while as long as you have a cooler. Spray cheese (the type in a can) doesn’t even require refrigeration and, when paired with a cracker makes an excellent campsite snack. Beef jerky is another good option for life in the wild.

If you have access to a grill, whether it is propane, electric or charcoal, nothing beats some hot dogs or hamburgers, baked beans and potato chips. Quick and easy to make and very filling, everybody loves a good hot dog or hamburger hot off the grill with some chips or fresh potato salad on the side.