The Great Outdoors » hiking

Best Outdoor Adventure Hints: Getting the Most Out Of Your Hiking and Camping Gear

admin — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 12:24:48 +0000

Enjoying quality time with nature is a priceless gift for the outdoor enthusiast. One way to make sure you enjoy a memorable outdoor vacation is to get the best possible value from the hiking and camping gear you acquire and use. Here are some ways to get the most out of your hiking and camping gear – and your outdoor wilderness experience.

- Purchase the best survival and adventure gear you can possibly afford. If you are willing to spend months carefully planning your next vacation adventure, spending hours getting into great hiking shape, take three weeks off from work for you camping experience, purchase an airline ticket, and so forth – then why are you using the least expensive backpack and hiking boots you can find? A good pair of hiking boots and socks will make all the difference in the world. This applies to all of your camping gear. Whether it’s your GPS unit, rafting gear, sleeping bag, rain gear or dual-fuel portable stove, set your budget to carry the best outdoor equipment you can afford – in order to get the most value for your money.

- Get comfortable using all of your safety and survival equipment and practice using it the correct way. It is not the time to start learning how to navigate with a compass and map after you are already lost. It’s not the time to learn how to start a fire with a 6 year old flare you’ve been carrying forever in your pack. It’s not time to learn about safe rafting and best survival practices after you’re in danger. Put aside some time to learn about all the features of your camping gear before you head out to your favorite campground. You might be surprised to learn how incredible your GPS really is, once you understand how to use the backtrack feature. You will also be mighty thankful when you learn the proper weight distribution for your backpack. Take time to learn about your camping gear – practice around your home before you venture into the great outdoors.

- Your camping gear isn’t just for outdoor adventure – keep your gear with you and use it as much as possible. It has unlimited uses in your daily life. Never go on a road trip without your outdoor pack. In all likelihood, you’ll find an opportunity to use your camping – hiking – survival equipment close to home. It never fails – if you don’t have your camping gear with you, you will need it.

- Take pride and take care of your outdoor gear. Hopefully you’ve learned this from your parents and not necessarily from experience. Take good care of your camping gear, and the camping gear will take good care of you! If you’re careless with your gear, it will let you down when you need it the most. That’s one adventure you can do without. Carefully inspect each piece of your outdoor equipment – hiking, rafting, camping, safety and survival gear before you embark on your wilderness adventure. Upon your return, clean and properly store all of your camping gear. Make a habit of periodically checking your gear’s safety straps, fuel, waterproofing, batteries and overall condition. Taking good care of your outdoor equipment is an important part of enjoying your hiking, rafting and/or camping trip.

- When you’re done with your camping gear, donate it – and some of your time – to a local scout troop. Your local youth scouting groups are always on the lookout for a helping hand from outdoor enthusiasts. You will feel great satisfaction knowing that your trusty old gear will help benefit others!

Optimize your time in the back country wilderness. The easiest way to ensure maximum outdoor enjoyment is to get the best possible value from your gear. Let these hints guide you in getting the most out of your outdoor recreational equipment – and your outdoor wilderness experience.

In conclusion, selecting an online recreational equipment store can be fun, but it’s important to do your research prior to selecting where you will ultimately make your purchase.

Outdoor enthusiasts Paul and Stacey own http://www.dogcreektradingpost.com based in Portland, Oregon. With a preoccupation for wilderness safety education and outdoor survival training, this husband and wife team is personable, engaging and enjoyably informal. They are quick, in the camp-born tradition, to welcome visitors with a hot cup of coffee, while their enthusiasm for everything “outdoors” radiates from them at the mere mention of the word. Dog Creek Trading Post carries quality outdoor recreational products – hiking and camping gear, outdoor safety and survival gear! Top quality, field-tested equipment to make sure your adventure into the wilderness – forest, mountains, desert and everywhere in between – are safe and enjoyable!

Technorati Tags: Adventure, best, camping, gear, Getting, hiking, Hints, most, outdoor

I want to go hiking and camping in NC this weekend, where should I go near Raleigh?

admin — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 18:34:32 +0000

I am interested in spending some time outdoors this weekend with my girlfriend but dont want to spend a lot of money driving to the mountains. Does anyone know of any good places to hike and camp near Raleigh?

Technorati Tags: camping, hiking, near, raleigh, should, This, want, weekend

Hiking Shoe Testing

admin — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:13:21 +0000

Here’s a glimpse at some of the testing methods Gore uses on hiking shoes. Looks like a fun job!

Technorati Tags: hiking, Shoe, Testing

I am going on a hiking trip with my school. And Im really pumped. But I need some help on what to bring.?

admin — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 18:32:52 +0000

I am going on a hiking trip with my highschool next week and i need some help on what to bring for my trip. My family never goes camping/ hiking. My dad doesnt like it, neither does my mom, and my brother couldnt care for it. But I like to be outdoors, and take risks. The only problem is that I dont have any hiking gear or experience. I was told that I need to pack light and practicle, but I also want to be comfortable too. I am going for two nights and three days. I know Im not going to be the most comfortable while im hiking, but I just need some tips from people that have experience in this area on what to bring thats practicle and light for me to carry on an 8 hour hike, but also comfortable for me to sleep at night too. My school is supplying us with hiking backpacks and small portable propaine stoves. We are in groups for this trip so some people are bringing tents and we all have to prepare a meal for the group during the trip. I also need to bring a self inflating sleeping pad, and some pots and pans too. What else do I need to bring to stay most comfortable? (including personal items, but excluding ipods and technology devices- were not allowed bringing those)

Technorati Tags: bring, going, help, hiking, need, pumped., really, school, some, trip

How to Choose Hiking Gear

admin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:13:51 +0000

Picking hiking gear is easy with these tips. Get advice on backpacking, hiking, and the great outdoors in this video.

Technorati Tags: Choose, gear, hiking

looking for a credit card with reward points for outdoor gear, camping, hiking, etc…?

admin — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:32:15 +0000

I would like to find a credit card with Reward Points for a store like REI, or Dick’s Sporting Goods, or Sierra Trading Post.

Plan on doing more camping and have added hiking and kayaking to my list of outdoor activities, but all the “specialty” gear is expensive.

Technorati Tags: camping, card, credit, etc..., gear, hiking, looking, outdoor, points, reward

Camping Gear : Hiking Trail Sanitation

admin — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:35:12 +0000

Washing hands and other basic sanitation will keep you healthy on a hiking trail. Learn more about hiking trail sanitation with tips from an outdoor activity expert in this free camping video.

Expert: Brant Bowers
Bio: Brant Bowers has worked in the Camping Department at Bill Jackson’s sporting goods store since 2004.
Filmmaker: Christopher Rokosz

Duration : 0:1:34

Technorati Tags: activities, camping, equipment, Expert, free, gear, hikes, hiking, how, outdoor, outdoors, to, Village

Backpacking Equipment Tips : Picking a Hiking Backpack

admin — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 09:05:21 +0000

Try on a hiking backpack with weights when buying a backpack that fits. Discover how to pick the perfect backpack for hiking with expert tips in this free backpacking video.

Expert: Megan Rouch
Bio: Megan Rouch enjoys off-road unicycling. She has been riding unicycles for eight years.
Filmmaker: MAKE | MEDIA

Duration : 0:1:29

Technorati Tags: Back, backpacking, camping, Expert, free, hiking, how, pack, planning, prep, preparation, tent, to, Village

Maxpedition Versipack Review Part 1

admin — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 09:05:02 +0000

http://www.survivalboards.com/survival-gear-store/
http://www.survivalistboards.com/ While looking for a more compact fanny pack then the one I am using right now, I came across the maxpedition versipack.

Its not very often that I am impressed by a product. But the versipack seems to be an outstanding and durable piece of equipment.

http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=26

There are several things that I liked about this pack:
Heavy duty zippers
Attachment points for extra gear
1000-Denier
YKK zippers
Paracord for the zipper cords

And, a 2 quart canteen fits on the backside of the pack.

Everything that I needed for day hike, was able to fit into the pack.

Duration : 0:6:21

Technorati Tags: camping, carry, concealed, fannypack, gear, hard-use, hiking, manpurse, Maxpedition, military, milspec, nylon, outdoor, packs, reviews, survival, survivalist, Tactical, versipack

How to Choose Hiking & Backpacking Equipment : How to Choose Hiking Boots & Hiking Shoes

admin — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:16:14 +0000

Learn how to choose hiking footwear, such as hiking boots, hiking shoes, gaiters, and socks, in this free hiking safety video series.

Expert: Kate Carcio
Contact: www.zoaroutdoor.com
Bio: Kate Carcio, a white water rafting guide, and climbing instructor at Zoar Outdoor, has enjoyed hiking and backpacking all of her life.
Filmmaker: Christian Munoz-Donoso

Duration : 0:1:45

Technorati Tags: backpacking, boots, camping, equipment, gear, hiking, shoes, trail, trekking, walking