Best Places to Go Backpacking on a Budget in California

California is world-famous for its spectacular landscapes, stunning beaches, enchanting forests, and mesmerizing mountain views. Spread across 900 miles of sweeping sights from its tip to its tail; this Golden State is warm and inviting along the shore, scorching hot in the desert routes and moderate in the national parks – a real treat for roadies who want to do it on a budget!

So, if you’ve set your heart and mind on taking a backpacking trek, then add these 6 places to your itinerary.

Four Lakes Loop for Year Round Wilderness

With 600 miles of sheer wilderness, this heavily forested trip will take you through an alpine wonderland filled with colorful meadows, wildflowers, white trinities, and red and white stone spires. It starts with a steady uphill hike, moves to the Deer Creek Pass and from this high point begins the circumnavigation of Sligo Peak which gradually descends towards the infinite pool of four lakes – where every aspect will compete for your attention!

Big Sur Backcountry – If Your Trip is During the Offseason

One of California’s most beautiful landscapes for backpacking, Big Sur is where you can hang, have drinks, and also go hiking without having to spend a fortune! At only $15 a night you can enjoy the enchanting views of the Ventana Wilderness and relieve your stress with a chilled beer at the River Inn. And when you get tired contending with the rocks, you can indulge your senses with a late-night soak in the Esalen hot springs.

Santa Cruz Trail – Best Done in the Spring

Spring is when the natural splendor of Santa Cruz is in its full bloom so make the most of this season. With bountiful campgrounds, it is also a surfer’s paradise where you can get cans of bud for only two bucks and also go boardwalking!

Mount Etna Summit – for a Steady Uphill Climb during Hot Summer Days

An ideal hiking spot with stunning views of sunrises and sunsets, the Mount Etna offers a steady uphill climb and gradually descends to the Upper Ruffey Lake, for a refreshing cool off from the heat. Bushes will cover a considerable chunk of your climb so make sure your hiking boots are tough enough for the challenging terrain. But once you get to the top, it’s all about relaxing and enjoying the beauty of the sunset beside a bonfire.

Plumas National Forest – Perfect for Adventure Enthusiasts who Love their Pets!

Finally a dog-friendly backpacking trip with beautiful scenes and a wide range of topography for those who want to escape the city life! This hike will take you through the fascinating ranges of Cascade and Sierra Nevada. Here you will also get to witness the beauty of Bucks Lake Wilderness before you reach to the spectacular glacial lake.

San Luis Obispo County Hike has it all – Mountains, Ocean, Wine & Beer!

Yes! This all-in-one Californian coast has everything; from the oceans and the mountains to irresistible beer deals and baseball games. Whether you prefer a country-inn or a luxury hotel, SLO has something to suit every taste and fit every budget. The best time to be here is during the baseball season because if the home team scores, then you get your beers for just a dollar!

And with this, we sum up the top 6 picks for backpacking in California. Now depending on your budget, travel preferences, and skill level, you can finalize the most appropriate site and plan your supplies.

A backpacking trip that is filled with total enjoyment also requires proper financial planning, especially if you are on a budget. So, make sure you have saved enough before you embark on your trip and also have a financial backup such as a personal line of credit for travel purpose. A personal line of credit is a great vacation financing option that comes with a no-usage; no interest feature. It works just like a travel loan except that you don’t pay any interest until you actually use the money that is lying in your account.

This convenient travel loan can be used as cash or card to pay for your food and accommodation and can be repaid in pocket-friendly EMIs over a convenient duration. So, while you may not use the cash, you will still remain covered, just in case!

Author Bio:

Shiv Nanda is a financial analyst who currently lives in Bangalore (refusing to acknowledge the name change) and works with MoneyTap, India’s first app-based credit-line. Shiv is a true finance geek, and his friends love that. They always rely on him for advice on their investment choices, budgeting skills, personal financial matters and when they want to get a loan. He has made it his life’s mission to help and educate people on various financial topics, so email him your questions at shiv@moneytap.com.

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How to Write A Unique and Successful Camping Blog

Starting a camping blog should not be such a complicated project. Different people may start their camping blogs for various reasons. If you would like to do it just as a hobby, you can always start a simple blog on WordPress.com. Starting your blog here is free. However, if you are aiming for the stars and want to make a living out of your blogging, you will need a little more than WordPress. Read through the tips below to learn how to write a unique and successful camping blog.

Choose a Unique Name for Your Blog

A nice and catchy name may well do the trick for you among the camping community. It goes a long way in helping to brand you and also attracting the camp lovers to interact with you via your blog. From experience, these are the features of a good blog name:

Descriptive

A good name for your blog should bring out your adventurous nature as well as the style of your blog. A descriptive blog name makes it easy for camping enthusiasts to identify you and read your blog.

Easy to Remember

As you try to make it all juicy and full of sauce, don’t forget to keep it simple. With names, simplicity may be the most reliable weapon. This means that your blog name can easily be used as your URL name. This further makes it web browser friendly and easy to type on the search tab.

Overused Names and Phrases

Avoid those names that have been trademarked by travel companies. Think outside the box and come up with words that are less used but still describe your camping blog.

Host Your Blogging Site

If you are an avid internet user, the term “hosting” should not be a vocabulary to you. This is the process by which you “rent” space for your website on the internet. After your blog is hosted, then you can easily upload your blog data and photos. This makes it possible for people to access them whenever they search your blog via the domain name.

There are thousands of hosting companies you from which you can choose. It is, however, vital that you balance the cost and reliability of hosting. Hosting may be as cheap as $3 a month. Just do your research and choose wisely.

Use WordPress

The one thing that WordPress will help you to do is pick the perfect theme for your blogging site. That aside, you will need a WordPress account that’s self-hosted. This implies that the WordPress software is installed on your hosting company’s servers. This is different from having a free WordPress account. This brings about several differences:

• Your camping blog becomes “campingblog.com” instead of “campingblog.WordPress.com.”
• Your data is in your control
• You can advertise products on your camping blog
• Customizing your theme and installing plugins becomes easy.
• Use of Google Analytics tracking is made possible.

Get Familiar with WordPress

Using WordPress should not get intimidating at all. In the world of blogging, WordPress is the industry standard since it has been around for years. Learning how to use WordPress may involve watching video tutorials online or reading free guides available (there are so many of them on the internet).

Create Quality Content

After making the necessary preparations for your blog, it is now important that you come up with the content, be it great camping ideas or camping gear, which you need to post up on your camping blog. You have to do a lot of research to come up with correct, captivating and reliable information.

Blog content has to be unique, whether you want it as just a family camping blog or a professional camping blog. To come up with unique content, you have to do some research as well as actively indulge and enjoy your blogging topic.

In your blog, it is important that you be informed. Talk about the most famous camping destinations in your region or state. Come up with unique topics of discussion, such as the funny campsite names guys have ever come across.

It is important that you talk about the useful camping gear one needs whenever they are planning to camp. Getting the right guide from GearExpertGuides will help the readers of your blog come up with the essential camping accessories list whenever they are planning on camping.

Apart from the essential, inform the readers of your blog of some cool camping equipment such as inventive lighting equipment. From your research and knowledge, you can always tell your audience where to get camping gear of top quality at reasonable prices. This will help them land long term camping gear rather than one-time equipment.

Get to Learn from the Experts

Enrolling in travel blogging courses may not be a requirement for building your camping blog. However, getting to learn from a person who has developed and managed an outdoor adventure blog may be useful for giving you insights on how to go about your business and even give you some inspiration for some great camping ideas.

Camping Often Gives You Great Camping Ideas

Camping and traveling often will help you tell the story better. What’s more, you get the whole experience of camping. This is how you come up with great camp ideas, and you get to master the essential aspects of it such that you can narrate, advice and guide others appropriately. Frequent camping helps you get familiar with companies that cater to camper travels. Most importantly, you have to network with other travel and camping bloggers for inspiration and new ideas.

Conclusion

Writing a unique camping blog that will be successful requires utter patience and focus. Most of the notable camping blogs started as just family travel blogs. Being unique requires that you carry out proper research and most importantly focus on aspects of camping that are often left out by other bloggers. Most importantly, publish articles on your blog frequently, probably once or twice a week.

Do you have a different criterion of writing a unique camping blog or fell we have left out something important? Feel free to share your ideas with us!

Author’s Bio: Richard Snow is a hiker, and camping is his style of life. He studied biology at California University. Apart from camping he likes modern technology and sport.

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Amazing story of Bethany Hamilton of Surfing and Survival

“Strength never comes from the physical activity but from the strong will power” and this quote fits the best for Bethany Hamilton.

A promising surfer-Bethany Hamilton with loads of talent was living out her dream in Hawaii. But then one fateful day changed everything in her life. She is courageous, passionate, brave and determined towards her goals.

It was in the year 2003 when a terrifying accident took place in her life. For her, this accident was a major turn which came out of the blue. She was relaxing on her board as usual with her left arm hanging in the water.

Her wait for the picking up of the surf turned out to be the worst nightmare in her life. She was enjoying the small and inconsistent waves. She suddenly started feeling a lot of pressure around her.

Within a split of the second, she felt a lot of lightning-fast tugs. It was an early morning surfing session when the tiger shark took her left arm almost her life.

Bethany went into the shock for a moment, but then somehow she got the courage of looking into the water. All she could see was bright red water around her, and still, she calmed down herself.

She couldn’t feel her left arm and when she realized that it’s not there even then she decided to face the fear and became an inspirational story to the athletes, adults, kids, and people across the world.

In that situation, most of the people would think of leaving their dream. But, for Bethany Hamilton, it was a big no. She never let her disability get in the way of accomplishing her passion and dreams to pursue a career in surfing.

Bethany Hamilton is one amazing inspiration in the world who is not only one of the best female surfers in the world but a motivational speaker, businesswoman, a community leader, a wife and a mother.

Her strength and resilience are incredible. She not only continued following her passion but also won a lot of competitions. This was an incident that taught her what life is. Her faith in Christ is everything for her now.

How Bethany Hamilton is an inspiration

Bethany Hamilton’s survival Kit story is of great inspiration. She has taught the world that life doesn’t end with one incident until and unless you are dead. It’s all in your mind. Your love for passion and dream is something that motivates you, inspires you to achieve your dream.

Here is how she inspires the world with her fantastic story of survival:

Courageous and determined

At the age of 13, Bethany had to face the attack by a tiger shark that too 14 foot long. It resulted in losing her one arm. She not only survived the attack but went back into the water after one month of recovery with full courage.

If there was other individual in her place, then dreams and passion would have become just another word. Bethany Hamilton always focused on pursuing her career even after knowing the fact that she has lost her one arm.

A soul surfer

Bethany Hamilton’s love and passion for her dream is exceptional and true asset of an athlete. Her love for the ocean always inspires her to come up as an inspirational surfer. She is still on her board because this is where she belongs to.

A surfer mother

After facing this kind of accident, people quickly give up, Bethany didn’t. She is not only a loving mother, but she even surfed in her pregnancy period as well. It is something insane but inspiring as well. If this is not encouraging, then there can be nothing.

A promoter of health, fitness, and faith

Bethany Hamilton sees her life as a blessing, and this accident only boosted her faith in God. While giving interviews, she said, my parents taught me a lot about God, but becoming a believer was my own choice. You can never impose faith for God on anyone.

She is a wife, mother and a professional surfer which encourages her to keep herself healthy and live a balanced life. She only believes in preaching what she practices.

A true winner

In the year 2016, she took part in the WSL FIJI PRO 2016. She did not let herself feel down. She won both the second and third rounds. It is not only inspiring but a massive motivation for the people who feel disheartened at some point in life.

Conclusion

Fear of failure is something that can hold a person back from achieving dreams and passion in life. It is imperative to know what your fears are and how you can conquer them. Bethany Hamilton’s fantastic story is the best example.

Her courage didn’t let fear stop her so you can also achieve your dreams but always remember courage doesn’t mean that you are not afraid. But it is all about overcoming the fears in your heart.

So, always believe in your dreams and never give up on them so easily.

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Hidden Underground Shelters that Will Survive SHTF

Are you someone who’s a serious survivalist that ever dream of having their own underground shelter? For quite a time, you have wanted to build your own survival bunker especially when SHTF strikes. You may now have a safe haven where you can escape and find refuge in the event of an emergency.

When this time comes, there are many, many ways to go about building and creating a hidden underground shelter. You will surely get a lot of ideas from this post for your own survival shelter. But before getting ideas into some modern underground shelters, let’s take a brief lesson from what happened in history.

The Derinkuyu Underground City

In Turkey, you can found one of the most amazing sites called the Derinkuyu. It is an underground city that was built around 15th to 12th century BCE to protect the locals from invading armies. Derinkuyu is quite impressive due to its strong whole structure.

This underground city can hold about 20, 000 people plus food stores and other livestock. It also has wells, winery, school, and even chapels. People in this underground city are protected through its air shafts to keep them from suffocating.

As a prepper and survivalist, you can get a lot of ideas from the construction and structure of Derinkuyu. One of the most fascinating features of this underground city is its massive stone doors. Its doors are made from rocks that can be rolled into passages inside but it couldn’t be moved from the outside.

People in Derinkuyu didn’t actually live underground all throughout the year, they also had homes above ground. If invaders would attack them, they would retreat to their underground city. So invaders would find an abandoned city above ground and left no traces of them.

Hope that you are inspired by the story of Derinkuyu City in building a hidden underground shelter when SHTF. Below are the things to help you get started.

Getting Started On Your Hidden Underground Survival Shelter

• Finding the Perfect Underground Spot. The starting point in creating your hidden underground shelter is to find the spot; it has got to be some land. If you don’t have any spot to place your survival shelter, then it is impossible to have one.

But before looking for a land to build your underground shelter, take a moment to think about someone you know who owns some land somewhere which can be used for building the survival shelter. In this case, you might get it at an affordable cost.

Remember that selecting the right spot is the key for building your hidden underground shelter.

You need to make sure the right soil composition and you can access quickly.

• Excavation and Structure Planning. If you want the excavation process to be done timely, you are going to need some heavy machinery. But of course, this would cost you. If you want to cut cost or your budget is your concern, you can opt for the old-fashioned way, use a shovel.

Otherwise, if you think that you can’t have all the time in the world in building your bunker, then you can rent excavation equipment, or hire contractors to do it for you. This option would cost you though.

Either way, excavation costs will be a significant amount of your building budget, so plan for it. In your plan, you may include the structure of your preference. You just have to make sure that it blends with your budget.

• Air Filtration. Filtered fresh air is very necessary for an underground shelter. Fresh air is critical if you intend to stay down there for a long period of time. Especially, if the disaster event is a nuclear attack and you’re dealing with the fallout.

When you are excavating, make sure to leave room for the air vents. During hot weather, filtered air will not only provide you necessary fresh air but so as on hot weather. It will keep your underground shelter cool with air flow.

You should also consider investing in a high-quality gas mask and a bunch of filters in case the Air remains unsafe to breathe.

• Water and Electricity. Your underground shelter will not be complete if it doesn’t have all the survival features you require.

If possible, the best thing to do is to put in a well. Unless you are in a very dry area or one with a lot of clay in the soil, you can put in a driven well, which is literally pounded into the ground, like a long spike.

Building your underground shelter come in all shapes and sizes. They can range from small storage bunkers to entire living facilities, equipped with sleeping and food preparation areas. Whatever your need or use, an underground bunker is sure to exceed your expectations. Find out here some hidden underground shelters that will help you survive when SHTF.

1. Shipping Container Underground Shelter

Make your own hidden underground survival shelter through a DIY Shipping container. This is the cheapest way of getting your own survival bunker. But using this, it’s almost a terrible idea because of things a little bit more complicated for some. Some of the issues are soil corrosion, walls are not loaded bear. It also needs air shafts to prevent suffocation. Theses shafts could prevent air flow.

The price of a shipping container depends on how used or rusted it is. When it comes to excavation costs, most companies hire out a machine and operator on an hourly basis for a varied range of work. Companies typically bid on the residential excavation for the entire project based on the number of yards of dirt to be moved

2. Galvanized Steel Underground Shelters

Galvanized steels can surely be used as a bunker and one of the most popular names in pre-fabricated underground survival shelters is Atlas.

Atlas galvanized steel offers a lot of features like generator pods which can attach to the shelter underground for a concealed power source. They also offer models with the main entrance hatch plus escape hatch, tested air filtration systems, underfloor storage, and a 200-year lifespan.

3. Vivos Survival Shelters

Vivos survival shelters are luxury shelters that are known for its massive underground survival shelters which can house hundreds of communities. It uses multiple rod-like designs and multiple rods can be put together to expand the size of the bunker.

For individuals who wish to own or build an underground shelter on their land, the Vivos Quantum is the right choice for you. It measures a long and wide size and dimension and can accommodate about 6-8 people.

Another remarkable feature of the Vivos Quantum shelters is it can be hooked up to an underground well. Using a hand pump, you will be able to provide your own water for the tank. Clearly, this kind of underground shelter is reliable when doomsday hits.

4. Radius Engineering Survival Shelters

Radius Engineering is made from fiberglass shells which are an advantage in creating an underground survival shelter. It can keep from becoming rust and also less likely to crack compared to other concrete shells.

This kind of bunker has a fantastic air purification system which uses 3 different purifiers. Radius Engineering builds its bunker with nuclear warfare and its air purifier has an UV-radiation sterilization system as well. Simply, this kind of underground shelter is most suitable for military and government use.

5. Natural Nuclear Bunker

In the U.S, there are actually a lot of natural nuclear underground shelters that are absolutely free. You just need to identify the closest one to your home.

Remember that these natural nuclear shelters will only protect you from initial radiation burst and nuclear blast. During times of emergencies or any catastrophes, you still need to get out and find something to eat and drink so you’ll still be uncovered.

6. Building a Concrete Block Nuclear Shelter

Building a concrete block shelter is much convenient compared to a narrow rectangle shape shipping container, especially on how you want or need it. With regards to the cost, concrete blocks have less cost per square foot if you will build a larger one.

The whole underground building can be reinforced if you want more structural security. The floor and walls can be tied together with bent 5/8 rebar and incorporated with grout into every core. In the ceiling, you can incorporate H beams.

7. Abandoned Missile Silo

Abandoned Missile Silo is a missile launch facility built to be protected by a large blast from nuclear attacks. It is a vertical cylindrical structure constructed underground used as storage and launching intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

The structures of this bunker have the missile some distance below ground. All of these bunkers come in with a fairly decent property ranging from 10 acres up to 50 acres, and most of them have a medium-sized house just above the bunkers.

In the U.S., there is some abandoned missile silo that can be used as your hidden underground shelter. Its price varies a lot from site to site, ranging from $500,000 up to $5,000,000 and you can purchase an additional 20 acres at a reasonable price.

It may sound luxurious, but don’t get the wrong idea it’s just that you will need to put up a huge amount of work and money to make it livable.

THE MISSION: Concealing Your Underground Survival Shelter

Now that you have set the foundation, then built the structure and constructed its interior, but then you notice that it still sticks out. Plus, your backyards still all messy and torn up. Of course, you don’t want it that way. Concealing your shelter is very important.

You have to consider that your neighbors must not know or have any idea that you own an underground shelter or safe-house buried in your backyards. If strangers find out that you’re storing food, ammo, and survival gears in your bunker, they will likely steal it.

DISGUISE YOUR BUNKER

Remember, that being incognito is way better than sticking out like a sore thumb. So, how can one effectively disguise a large, newly constructed underground survival shelter?

First, the easiest and efficient way is landscaping. Cover the bunker with local dirt and plant local fauna. Try to make it blend in as much as possible. Try to make it blend as much as possible.

Second, you can make use of rocks and bushes you dug up during excavation to play disguise of your air ventilation. For your door, you can have an underground hallway which connects your bunker to your house.

If you built your bunker underneath your home, you might be able to hide it on a trap-door under a carpet or couch. Some people put the entrance to their bunker inside of an old shed, or in the back of a safe-looking survival outhouse.

Find another creative idea when you get to this step, hiding your underground shelter. The more it’s disguised, the better it will be for protecting you, your family and your survival cache. Remember, no one can rob or attack what can’t be seen.

Jennifer Moran

Jennifer Moran is the author and the social media manager at theberkey.com. She has been working and passionate with writing for over four years. When she isn’t glued to a laptop screen, she spends time playing tennis, practicing yoga, and trying very hard not to sleep in the meditation. You can reach her at jennifer (at) the berkey (dot) com.

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10 Essential Survival Items to Pack When Hunting

Are you planning your next hunting in a new ground and very anxious about the experience?

Whether you are an amateur hunter or an expert having the right survival item during the hunting is the real game. You may be familiar with your hunting surrounding but might end getting frustrated during the chase if you do not have the right hunting items.

A successful hunting expedition requires proper prior plans including assembling the essential hunting items such as the Elk hunting backpack among others. It’s time to relax as this article is going to help you sample out 10 essential items you need for successful hunting whether you are familiar with the hunting spot or not.

1.    Knife

Having a survival knife during hunting is very important to help out during cutting of ropes, sharpening of sticks and protection among other uses. You will need to invest in a quality knife to be able to carry out the cutting. The knife should be sharp enough to skin the prey and easily cut through resistant objects out of the way as you hunt.

Having a knife as sharp as a razor and strong to pierce through tough tissues gives you an upper hand while hunting. Take a moment before setting out to hunt to find a reliable knife will make things easier for you.

2.    Firestarter

Being in a position to start a fire is crucial to aid you in many things while you are out hunting. You will need fire for preparing a meal, fighting the cold and keeping away the dangerous predators. It is important that you carry with you a fire starter to be able to accomplish the above tasks while in the wilderness.

You also need to have skills of preparing a fire apart from just having the fire starter. Do not rely on one type of fire starter. Have several options just in case one fails you. Keep your fire starter tools in a place safe from water to avoid any inconveniences.

Example fire starters you may opt to carry along include the Bic lighter, and a striker among others. Ensure that you keep your fire starters in a place that you can easily access and protected from getting lost.

3.    A kit for first aid

Having a first aid kit that has relevant items during your hunting is very crucial. You may be facing a lot of unplanned occurrences due to the nature of the place you choose to hunt. You may accidentally bleed due to injuries while you pursue your prey.

Having a first aid kit will help you take care of the bleeding before searching for further help.  It’s also possible that you may get sick. Having some painkillers and antibiotics with you helps to take care of such situations.

4.    Compass and map

Having a GPS is great, but you will need to boost your accuracy by having a local map with you in case the GPS fails. The map will easily help you to seek help by directing you to the right places.

If possible, carry with you both the topography and road map. Carrying out a comparison in case of confusion using those two maps makes your navigation easier. A compass will help you to interpret the maps easily. Those particular items are light and thus easily portable that you shouldn’t miss having. If you do not have the skill to interpret the maps and how to use the compass, it’s important that you learn first to make them relevant for your hunting.

5.    Clothes for hunting

Always plan to dress for the worst every time you go out hunting because the situations can be quite unpredictable. It doesn’t matter how hot or cold the weather may seem to appear, being prepared all the time regarding how you dress works in your favor.

You won’t be disturbed by a sudden shift in the weather as you will be all set. It’s important that you get to put on warm clothes to bit the cold night because fire alone won’t be enough. It’s advisable to dress in clothes made from wool or synthetic rather than cotton. That is because cotton absorbs moisture, takes long to dry and creates extra weight to the body.

A cold night in the wilderness requires attires that dry very first and for easy movements.

6.    A signal

Carrying signal with you is important to help in emergency cases and rescue. The signal is important to alert the rescue teams in cases where you may be lost and in danger. Keep the signal safe from damage and in areas where you can easily reach out to it. Example of such items to use for a signal include the heliograph and the signal mirror.

7.    Life Straw

Accessing clean and safe water to drink while in the wilderness hunting can be quite a challenge. As a normal human, you cannot survive beyond 72 hours without water which shows why drinking water during hunting is important. Carrying the water is cumbersome for you, and it may not be enough.

It’s advisable that you carry a water filter which you can use to drink water from any source without harming your health.

8.    Whistle

A whistle is crucial, especially in emergency cases.  If you get lost, for instance, blowing the whistle is a simpler way to alert people of your location. It is recommendable to opt for plastic whistles as they are light to carry and rust free.

9.    A flashlight

It may be difficult for you to pass through dark tunnels especially during nightfall. The flashlight will help to support your visibility in unfamiliar and dark areas during hunting. Currently, most flashlights are made lightweight thus easy to carry and use anywhere needed.

10.    A bow saw

Having a bow saw while hunting helps to cut logs of trees for making fire easily. You will also need to cut tree branches and leaves for shelter, and a bow saw while you help to do the cutting. The bow saw helps ensure that you set up a huge fire required to roast your catch in case you need to prepare a meal.

Having relevant survival items such as listed above ensure that your hunting is safe and successful. Take your time to prepare each equipment in the list above before setting out to hunt, and you will have an easy time while out there in the wilderness.

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How To Prepare For a Perfect Camping Trip

Camping trips are perfect to spend your time in nature. Trekking and camping trips are the best to enjoy the simplicity of nature. However, camping trips need proper preparation so that you can have everything you need on the trip.

For the first-time campers, there are chances of forgetting many things while preparing for your trip. It is essential to plan everything before you go on your camping trip. Here are some simple steps that you can follow to prepare for your camping trip.

Decide your activities

Eurocampings

The first step is deciding what you will be doing to enjoy your camping trip. What activities you and other members will perform on the tour. It will help you determine where you will go and what you will do on the camping site.

Activities – you can plan some activities like hiking, biking, rafting. Search the camping sites that are appropriate for your favorite activities. If you are going with your family, look for kid-friendly places with playgrounds.

Solo or group camping – Usually people go camping in groups; however, some people love solo camping. If you are going with friends, see how you will spend time and where you will stay in the night. Whether you go alone or with your friends or family, you need to consider the activities and place for staying.

Book your campsite

Once you decide the activities and place for staying, the next step is to book your hotel room or space at a camping site. You can take suggestions from friends or some experienced campers who visited there before. Search the phone numbers of the camping sites and call them to inquire some details regarding facilities and prices.

Check the availability of the summer vacation and Christmas holidays are busier times and you may need to make bookings a few months in advance. You must check the availability on their website and make the reservations online.

Pack the right camping gear

Camping trips require you to carry a lot of gear and accessories. Campers need these accessories for cooking, shelter, finding the routes and various other activities.

Free Image

Tent – You may enjoy staying at your camping site, but when you plan to go ahead of the place, you need shelter to stay in the wild locations like mountains. Buy a good quality waterproof tent that can accommodate all your camping members and gear.

Cooking essentials – The food facilities are not available on the camping sites, so it is essential to carry your cooking essentials for preparing food. Take a portable cooking stove and some utensils like camping gas cooker for cooking the food. Also pack sufficient amount of raw material like rice, flour, spices, and vegetables. Take some packets of snacks to munch on the ways, when you don’t have cooked food.

Safety gear

Don’t forget to carry the safety gear and accessories as campers face many difficulties in the camping locations. You must pack the following safety gear in your bag before going for a camp.

Camping Knife – You will need this many times while walking on difficult terrains like slopes and mountains. You need the knife to cut the things like tree branches, shrubs, wood, and rope. A camping knife is difficult from a vegetable knife.

First aid kit – Carry a first aid kit for camping as any member can get injured during an activity. It is essential to carry a camping first aid kit as it contains better medications and accessories to handle the injuries that campers face on their trips.

Weatherproof clothing – Check the weather of the camping sites and locations where you are going. Take appropriate clothing with you to protect you from the weather conditions. No matter if the weather is clear when you see it in a forecast app, but the weather is unpredictable on mountains and can change suddenly. Take warm layer clothing for mountains and summer clothes, if you are going to places like beaches.

Torch and Lantern – A flashlight is essential for finding the ways and things in the dark and a lantern is required for visibility in the night while resting in and around your tent. Also, carry a set of extra batteries for if you are planning a trip for more than two days.

Firestarter kit – Don’t forget to carry a firestarter kit as you will need it for lighting a fire. A matchbox may not work in the wet conditions. Carry a good quality firestarter, so that you can light a fire to keep warm and wild animals away.

Water filter – The water in your bottles may not be sufficient to last for the complete trip. You may need to fill the bottles and drink water from a stream, river or lake. The water in these water-bodies is not fit for drinking as it contains bacteria and many other microorganisms.

Sleeping bag – Don’t forget to carry individual sleeping bags, especially if you are going to a place with low temperatures. A sleeping bag is warm and comfy and helps you to sleep in your tent without the need for an additional blanket.

Be prepared for nature and weather

Campers usually face difficulties due to nature and weather conditions. You may meet wild animals in the mountains and jungles. You should be trained to escape from the wild animals. The nature is sometimes cruel, and the weather can be harsh in the wild terrains. So it is essential to carry the weatherproof clothes according to the location of camping.

Get advice from campers

It is essential to consult some experienced campers and take advice on the planning and safety of your trip. They can guide you with the right process you need to follow and right gear you should carry for your trip.

Final words

These are some essential tips to plan your camping trip. Planning the things and taking help from experienced campers can help the first time campers to get the best out of their camping trip. Moreover, proper planning enables you to carry all the accessories that are required for your trip.

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Post-Running Recovery Tips for Beginners

10 Things You Need Survive In the Wilderness (Survival Gear Checklist)

Taming the Mother Nature if situation finds you in the wilderness requires that you arm yourself to the tooth. But, trying to conquer the wilderness requires much more than just the typical stuff you use in your home.

You need unique items that would be able to keep you safe, comfortable and alive. However, packing everything in a small and lightweight pack can prove impossible. Therefore, you might be forced to shortlist a few lifesaving items capable of allowing you to survive for weeks in the wilderness.

Here is a survival gear checklist of 10 things you need survive in the wilderness:

1. Water

More than 70 percent of the human weight is water. Anything that tips this balance can cause severe dehydration. The weather conditions in the wilderness can cause fatal dehydration very quickly. Thus you need a way to compensate for any water loss from your body.

Find a way to ensure you are adequately hydrated at all times throughout the period you will be in the wilderness.  A hydration system or water bottle will allow you to carry an only limited amount of water. Conversely, a water purification system can turn murky or unsafe water to clean and safe drinking water.

2. Food

Food provides the human body with the energy to perform optimally both physically and mentally. There are guidelines on the number of calories you need per day for optimal performance. You may need even more food in the wilderness, but here, quality is better than quantity.

Pack energy-rich foods and snacks. Best examples are wheatgrass, maca powder, and spirulina. Also, ensure the foods are either ready-to-eat or easy to prepare. The food must be enough in quantity to feed you for the entire period you will be outdoors. Besides the food you pack, you need skills on how to obtain food from the jungle. Prepare a descriptive list of all wild edible foods ahead of time.

3. Knife

Any knife can be a life-saver in the woods. However, a survival knife is a specialized structurally for excellent performance in survival situations. The knife helps you to clear paths, build shelter, prepare food and hunt for food. Besides, it is a formidable self-defense weapon if you know how to wield it. Use it also as an improvised First Aid component.

Aim for a fixed blade survival knife. Its lack of movable mechanical parts gives it the durability and resilience to allow it to cut larger tree branches and twigs. The knife should be sharp to make your work easier.

4. Shelter/ Shelter Building Equipment

A shelter is crucial to any survival situation. It offers protection from the extremes of the weather conditions. It also shields from predators and other harmful wild animals. Ideally, a tent could be the best shelter in the wilderness. But, it is often bulky and heavy.

A good alternative would be to carry shelter making materials so that you can use materials nature provides. Even better is to pack a tarp or a large garbage bag that you can use to easily and quickly make a shelter. Just use cordage or a rope to tie your tarp to some tree branches.

5. First Aid Kit

Sustaining an injury in a survival situation is something to be well prepared for adequately. You may not be able to access the emergency medical crew in time because of the remoteness of the wilderness. A First Aid Kit is vital in this case. It can help stop the worsening of bleeding from minor injuries, mobilize injured limbs and even dress wounds to prevent infections.

It is not necessary for you to go for the huge, fully equipped First Aid Kits. Survivalists can benefit from smaller versions. You can even cut off more weight from the kit by packing only the essential items such as latex gloves, gauze, cotton wool, bandages, OTC pain medications, and antibiotics and alcohol-based cleaning wipes.

6. Rain Jacket or Raincoat

It isn’t easy to tell when a disaster will show its ugly head. You cannot even be sure what the weather conditions will be at that time. Things would be much easier if you planed for the survival trip because you can rely on information from the metrological department.

Otherwise, ensure you pack a raincoat or a rain jacket to provide you with a cushion when it rains. Even if you can obtain weather focus for the future from the metrological department, pack raincoat or rain jacket because you cannot be sure of the accuracy of the weather focus.

7. Signaling Device

Mobile phones are often useless in emergencies. Therefore, you must have a reliable way to communicate with the civilized world if you need help. A signaling device is crucial in the wilderness. A flash from a signaling mirror or the sound of a whistle can easily be recognized by the emergency crew, passersby or even an aircraft passing overhead. Ensure you know how to send a signal out for faster response.

8. Lighter or Matches

Sometimes your clothing and other body wear are just not enough to keep you warm in the wilderness. You may need to start a fire to keep you warm in icy situations. A fire can also help you cook and scare wild animals away.

While you can start fire via the rudimentary methods of a hand drill or plow drill, it’s a daunting task, and the chances of success are limited.  A lighter or a matchbox offers you the most assured way to start a fire with a single strike. Waterproof matches now exist to enable you to start a fire even in wet conditions.

9. An Insect Repellent

Insects have a way of limiting our comfort, especially in the wilderness. Even more dangerous is their chances to spread disease and infection. Therefore, insect repellent is one of the most crucial things you need for survival in the wilderness.

The insect repellent should be eco-friendly. That means you need to find a natural product that can repel most insects. Luckily, a natural repellent like lemon juice can repel the deadly insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, and even tsetse flies. Conduct some research for more information.

10. Cordage or Rope

You cannot underestimate the importance of cordage or rope in a survival situation. It is a multipurpose item that can significantly enhance your chances of making it in the wilderness. Aim for 550 parachute cord known commonly as parachute cord. It is a sturdy, resilient, lightweight and portable.

Cordage will let you build an emergency shelter using a tarp or large garbage bag. Furthermore, it will help you to hang or hoist your food out of reach of wild animals. The ability to lengthen when wet is one of the most incredible features that make paracord special for emergencies.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this list of 10 things you need to survive in the wilderness is all-encompassing. It does not mean you will not need other items. These are the basics you need to make sure are your bag as part of your preparedness for the great outdoors. But, the list is not complete without mentioning your mental faculties and a dependable friend. Only a trustworthy friend can come through for you if the situation gets dire. You also need to be imaginative, thoughtful and creative to invent new ways of survival in different emergencies. 

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The Health Benefits Related To Kayaking

Kayaking is a kind of water sport that requires paddling and a dry bag and is done using a double-bladed oar and a kayak which is a small boat. This boat or the kayak comes in lots of sizes. The types of these kayaks vary as well depending on the use that is intended for them, however, most kayaks come with covered decks that are made to keep the feet of the kayaker enclosed. The traditional kayak is made for a single paddler, but there are other types of kayaks as well, like the tandem kayak made for two and even three people.

Kayaking is a versatile form of sport and can be easily done in any water body. It is also common to find kayaking being paired with other forms of activities like fishing or camping. Kayaking, when paired with fishing, is known as fish kayaking and is a great way to approach fish in a stealthy manner. Fish like cobia and flounder are preferred to be caught in this manner, owing to their tendency to get spooked easily when applying other methods.

There are a variety of applications that a kayak has and each application has a special build for the kayak. White one type of kayak is used for racing another type is used for whitewater courses. There are a lot of other applications as well and choosing the correct kayak accessories which include kayak gear or kayak paddles is necessary to guarantee ideal results as well as safety. Rivers, lakes, oceans as well as zones that are meant for surfing are ideal for kayaking. Since there is a vast variety of applications and types of kayaking, everybody starting from a novice to an expert can enjoy the great sport of kayaking.

Some people take up kayaking for the ease with which a person can learn the sport while some people take it up in order to complete epic challenges and get an adrenaline surge. However, the most significant factor that makes kayaking so attractive is the health benefits that it has. It is a very low impact sport that can give you a lot of exercises and also improve your health.

Health benefits associated with kayaking

Kayak paddling is an excellent way to keep your body fit and healthy. Apart from the physical benefits that kayaking has, a number of factors also make it ideal for the promotion of good mental health. Kayaking is a relaxing and peaceful pastime, which can prove to be highly beneficial to your body and your mind, allowing your body to gain the strength it needs to gain and your mind to take the break that is so healthy for it.

Mental benefits of kayaking

The benefits that kayaking has on the mind of a person are numerous. Some of the most important ones have been enumerated here. They are as follows:

• Ideal for strengthening your mental health- Kayaking is a great way to promote positivity and clarity in the mind of a person. It is an ideal exercise for a person with depression. Kayaking is a sport which involves the activity of utilizing your entire body for propelling yourself in a forward direction. For people with depression, who usually have a very low evaluation of their self, kayaking serves as a great way to make them realize that even they are worth great things. The physical activity associated with kayaking is responsible for releasing endorphins in the brain which also helps a person feel cheerful. The sense of tranquillity that is attached with paddling across a serene lake is also unparalleled.
• Stress reliever- Stress is a very harmful thing for the human body and can be the cause of a number of ailments, both of the mind and the body. Kayaking is possibly the best way to distress yourself. Nothing seems better as compared to the tranquility that is associated with the feeling of getting to float in the heart of calm waters. The physical activity associated with the water sport is also responsible for making you sleep better at night.
• Your social circle gets increased- Socializing is a very important part of having a healthy mental state and is probably one of the most overlooked aspects. Humans are inherently social animals and enjoy the company of other people. If you are one of those people who hardly have any friends or are stuck in a job that takes away all your social life try going kayaking. You would be able to meet a lot of new people and you can even join kayaking clubs to learn the sport and also increase your social circle.
• It helps in giving a boost to your confidence- A large number of people are suffering from the harrows of depression and it can take a huge chunk out of their self-confidence. Kayaking is a sport which is quite easy to learn and has a great potential of filling you with confidence about the things that you can achieve. This confidence is important to take on other challenges in life.
• Great for mental focus- It is a proven fact that any kind of physical activity helps boost mental focus. Kayaking is no different from this reality and is a great way to help you focus on your work if you find yourself drifting.

Physical benefits of kayaking

Kayaking is a form of sport and thereby a form of exercise. Any exercise is good for health. Some of the health benefits of kayaking have been described below. They are as follows:

• Kayaking is great for cardiovascular health- Any form of exercise is great for building up a healthy cardiovascular system. Cardiovascular health is very important for keeping a healthy heart. However, most of the other forms of exercise can tend to be boring owing to them a repetitive task. Kayaking, on the other hand, is a form of exercise which is done amidst nature and therefore aids in being a great distraction, while providing you pleasure. As a result of many times while kayaking you might not even feel the burn of exercising.
• Helps in building up core strength- Core strength is very important when you take into account the different aspects that are associated with the bodily strength of a person. Core strength is usually built through the exercise of the upper and lower abdomens and building up the muscles that are situated there. The balance and control that is associated with the sport of kayaking are ideal for building up such strength in those particular muscles. The turning of a kayak is dependent on the turning of your core portion of the body. Every time you turn a kayak you are actually putting these muscles to use. Over time they get well developed.
• It helps tone the legs- The turning and balancing of the kayak are also dependent on the pressure that is being applied by your legs. The consistent application of this pressure over time serves as an isometric exercise that helps develop the muscles in your legs.
• It is a great exercise for the backs and arms- Kayaking is a sport that involves the lats in an excessive manner. The paddling that is an intrinsic part of kayaking involves the use of your lats at every stroke. The sport of kayaking can be compared to doing a seated cable row or a single arm dumbbell exercise in the gym. The action of paddling involves the stretching and contracting of the arms for paddling focused over a long period of time, thereby helping your arms and especially your back to gain considerable strength.
• Increases stamina- Just like any other physical activity, doing kayak paddling over a long period of time helps in building your stamina. Over time you will see that you can continue paddling your kayak without getting tired as soon as you used to do earlier.

There are physical benefits which are associated with every form of exercise, but kayaking is one unique sport that also serves as an exercise to improve physical as well as mental strength. Choose the right kayak accessories, kayak gear, and kayak paddles and start your kayaking journey today in order to reap the many benefits that this sport has to offer.

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Useful Tent Buying Guide to Make Your Camping Expeditions Easier

Purchasing a tent for sale can certainly become a bewildering procedure especially if you are purchasing one for the first time. In this tent purchasing process, we are going to help you in deciding the right tent that you can buy as per the camping that you have planned. It is not always a feasible option to buy tents, so now, you can choose to rent tents online for easy accessibility and easy methods of camping when necessary.

Here is an expert guide which will certainly help you in making the best tent choice based on the following:

• Sleeping capacity of the tent – Every tent for sale is advertised mentioning the number of people that it can accommodate. This is because most of the tent manufacturing companies calculate the sleeping capacity considering the person’s body space. So, the advertised sleeping capacity is seldom true. So, if you have three people in your team who wants to stay in the same tent, you should ideally look for a tent for sale which offers four people’s sleeping capacity.
• Tent seasonality – The tent manufacturers have special methodologies of designing the tents as per the season when it is to be used. The best quality tents are being designed in such a manner that it can favorably withstand the harsh, windy and wet weather.
• The two-season tents are not very effective in providing weather protection. So, they can suitably be used only for summer or spring camping.
• The three-season tents are much in demand as they offer the perfect balance of protection against the weather as well as low weight. The three-season tents are well-suited for camping in Australian summer, autumn and spring months.
• The four-season tents are being well-designed to be used throughout the year with maximum protection from the weather. This is not recommended to use a four-season tent in the hot summers and it may become too hot and stuffy inside the tent.
• Tent style and shape – The tents for sale are available in various styles and shapes. The cost and weight of the tents vary depending on the shape as well as the style of the tent.
• Dome tents are the most popular tents for sale as they are very lightweight and easy to be set up. These tents are also very suitable to withstand the vagaries of the bad weather.
• Another popular form of tents for sale is the cabin tents. These tents for sale are high is demand due to their reliability and durability. Also, you can go for special ice-tents and jungle tents that work well for all kinds of expeditions during all seasons.
• Instant up tents are also becoming a very practical option for several Australian campers as they are enough sturdy for handling three seasons. However, they should be kept safe from intense snowfall and moisture as this might damage the quality of the tent.
• Hiking tents are compact but light-weight can easily accommodate three people.
• Tent construction & material – Tent materials are different for different types of tents. The tents which have a higher seasonality rating usually are costlier and also possess a comparatively higher denier. There are also UV protection materials which are being used for the tent construction.

You may ideally choose a tent which is suitable for your camping purpose and at the same time within your budget. The above checklist would certainly guide you in making an informed decision. You can now purchase leather and polyester tents from reliable online portals. They can be cleaned and washed from time to time, and you can also hire them from hiring sites after going through their features and knowing about their rates.

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Best Fall Trails Around Lake Tahoe

Many know the mountains around Lake Tahoe for their epic ski terrain. Others love heading up during the heat of the summer to enjoy one of the lake’s beautiful beaches. For those that can get away at that time, however, fall offers some of the best hiking and spectacular scenery the Tahoe region has to offer.

Fall in Lake Tahoe means cooler mornings and evenings. It reminds all of the locals that it’s time to get our skis tuned and make sure we’ve got enough firewood to last through the winter. If you’re heading up to visit Lake Tahoe before the snow starts to fall, be sure to check out some of the best fall trails around Lake Tahoe.

Spooner Lake Loop Trail

This easy, 2.1-mile loop trail takes you around the small Spooner Lake, which is named for the industrious “boom and bust” entrepreneur of the gold and silver mining era, Michele Spooner. From the parking area at Spooner State Park, visitors can follow the trail in either direction (clockwise or counter-clockwise) around the lake. The easy, flat terrain includes an absolutely gorgeous section of Quaking Aspens on the lake’s southeastern edge.

Fall is the perfect time to witness the leaves of the aspens turning their brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red. It’s also a great time to witness a variety of migratory birds stopping over at the lake on their journeys south. The loop offers incredible informative signage about local flora and fauna, as well as human history. On the northern shore of the lake, hikers can also inspect grinding stones that were historically used by the Washoe Native Americans during their annual migration to and from the shores of Lake Tahoe. 

Bayview Trail to Maggies Peaks

If you’re looking for a short but challenging hike with epic views of Lake Tahoe as a reward for making it to the top, look no further than the roughly 4.5-mile round trip hike from the Bayview Trailhead to Maggies Peaks. While the trail doesn’t cover a ton of cumulative mileage, it does ascend more than 2,000 vertical feet to the tops of the peaks, so visitors should be ready for a solid climb.

You’ll pass by Granite Lake on the way up, which is also a great spot to stop for a cool down swim on the way home. When you reach the saddle between the two peaks, most hikers turn south and head up to the southern peak because it offers a little easier access, but confident hikers may consider hitting both the southern and northern peaks in a day. From the tops of both peaks, you’ll find incredible views of the entire basin, including nearby Mount Tallac and Freel Peak in the distance.

Page Meadows Loop From Ward Creek Blvd.  

The series of five interconnected meadows that make up Page Meadows might be one of Tahoe’s best-kept secrets. The “loop trail” isn’t super easy to find, because there is actually a network of trails that crisscross the meadows and allow visitors to “choose their own adventure.” This is one of the allures of Page Meadows. You can meander the trails and eventually explore the whole loop, or you can create a smaller adventure that fits your time frame. It’s up to you!

One of the easiest spots to access the meadows is via Ward Creek Boulevard, which is about 2.5 miles south of Tahoe City (use Pineland to Twin Peaks to Ward Creek). Once you’ve found the trailhead on the right side of Ward Creek, the loop trail is about 5.1 miles and it offers outstanding wildlife and nature viewing throughout the fall season. 

Marlette Lake via Spooner State Park

If you really liked the aspen grove at Spooner Lake, and you’re willing to go a little further, Marlette Lake is an excellent hike for viewing the changing of the aspens in the fall. Starting again at Spooner Lake State Park, visitors can head up the roughly 5-mile trail to Marlette Lake. You’ll pass through various gorgeous aspen groves on the way up to the lake, as well as some splendid sections of Tahoe’s incredible coniferous forest.

The lake itself is a great place to enjoy lunch as you contemplate the history of the area. Marlette Lake was originally dammed back in the 1800s to supply water and timber to the booming silver mines down in Virginia City. From the lake, the historic Flume Trail (named for the log flumes that once transported that water and timber during Tahoe’s mining heydays) winds down north towards Incline Village (which is an option for expert hikers looking to organize a point-to-point day hike, albeit it quite a burly one).

Mount Rose Highway Summit 

For the intrepid hikers out there, the trail to the top of Mount Rose typically remains open through October (weather permitting). The trail is accessible from Mount Rose Highway, which is the highest year-round pass in the Sierra. The 10-mile hike to the top of Mount Rose requires planning, preparation, and usually a full day of your time, but from the top you’ll find excellent views of all of Lake Tahoe, Reno, and Carson City.

Although the leaves at the top of the pass tend to change a bit earlier than most, there are still plenty of options for enjoying Tahoe’s fall foliage from here. If you’re not quite up for the push all the way to the top of Mount Rose, you can also park in the Mount Rose Meadows and enjoy an easier hike up Chickadee Ridge. From here, you’ll still be able to enjoy incredible views of the entire Tahoe basin and the meadows of gold that dot its shoreline in the fall.

Visit Lake Tahoe!

TripAdvisor recently ranked Lake Tahoe as one of the best U.S. destinations for fall hiking, and those of us that live and work there couldn’t agree more! Fall is arguably the locals’ favorite season to get out and enjoy the beauty and the changes that bring about the winter season. For a complete guide on backpacks check out https://bestsurvival.org/best-tactical-backpacks/.  If you’re visiting Lake Tahoe in the fall, be sure to get out for at least one of these awesome fall hikes.

We’ve included something for everyone, so whether you’re traveling with young ones or getting in a few more fall training trips before backcountry ski season starts up, we hope you’ve found a hike here that suits your needs!

Bio: bestsurvival.org was developed to find and review the best gear available to help you enjoy your next adventure. We are advocates for the outdoors and hope all can enjoy it!

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Top Five Cool Camping Gadgets

Many of us take a camping trip to disconnect from normal life and appreciate the simplicity of the great outdoors, however, having one or two gadgets at your disposal can make your outdoor adventure a much smoother experience.

Shying away from the use of technology when out and about can cause greater stress than is necessary. Keep things simple with the help of an outdoor tool and add greater relaxation to your trip. Here is Yeoman Outdoors’ pick of some cool camping gadgets to take on your next excursion, giving you more time to enjoy nature.

1. Folding Toaster

Keeping yourself fueled is never an easy prospect with a lack of conveniences available. The perfect companion to all camping cookers, a portable toaster is a must at breakfast time- helping you create a hearty breakfast to set you up for the day ahead. Allowing you to evenly cook your bread quickly and easily, the toaster can easily be folded away solving any limited storage issues.

2. Nemo Helio Pressure Shower

Weekends spent in the woods are never going to lead to pristine conditions- it inevitable that layers of mud and grime are going to build up. Where other camp showers have been known to lack pressure, this product is famous for it. Pressure can be changed depending on personal preference via the attached foot pump to create a steady five-to-seven minute stream from the handheld nozzle. The shower is also self heating from the sun, so say goodbye to cold camp showers!

3. Lifesaver Bottle

Staying hydrated is vital, but knowing where your next fresh water source will be when on an outdoor excursion can often get stressful. Solving this issue is the clever Lifesaver bottle, quickly removing all of the microbiological waterborne pathogens from any water source in less than a minute. The bottle is fitted with a replaceable cartridge, each with the ability to filter 6000 litres of water, eliminating the need for unpleasant chemicals, power or UV light. Compliant with all British, US and European Drinking Water Regulations for Microbiological Reduction as tested and certified by the London school of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, this bottle is well worth investing in for peace of mind.

4. Gelert 1W LED Function Led Head

This head light is ideal when you need a lightweight and hands free light for hiking, getting around the campsite or inside the tent. A flashing option can be set in place in case of emergencies and there is a choice of medium and high beams allowing a flexibility of beams and power saving. The light might even come in useful when back home, an extra pair of hands is always welcome when walking the dog!

5. Bio Lite Camping Stove

No list would be complete without this revolutionary camping tool. Perfect for camping, charging and campfire sing-alongs, the innovative camp stove uses twigs, pine cones or any other biomass you may come across on your trail, eliminating the need for fuel. Not only does this make your trips much more agreeable not having to lug around heavy fuel canisters, but this method is also kinder to the environment. If that wasn’t enough, this useful stove will cook your food, then cleverly convert the heat generated from cooking into electricity for charging your gadgets or lights.

Whether you are camping from a backpack or your car, the next time you set off on a camping trip make sure you consider setting up a site with an outdoor gadget. You never know, it might make your prime spot on the river so appealing you’ll never want to leave!

Author Bio

Stephen Leo is a professional paddler with over years of kayaking experience. He is a military veteran and has served the United State’s military for years. After taking retirement from active military service, he has started working as a kayaking instructor. He is closely associated with Kayak Manual.

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5 Ways to Help Any Non-Camper Love Camping

When I first got married my wife would go camping with me but it wasn’t her favorite thing to do. We are tent campers and while camping she enjoyed being out in the woods but she didn’t like going very often. Once we began having kids, she wanted to go even less. I knew that if I wanted to continue camping I would need to figure out what I could do to change her opinion about camping.

I began paying more attention to the things that she didn’t like. I quickly realized that there were a handful of experiences she didn’t enjoy while camping. Additionally, there were a few other areas that she didn’t complain about but I figured would make her camping experience more enjoyable.

Over the years I’ve created a 9 step plan for planning camping a family trip and I’ve worked on ways to make the experience better and more comfortable for my wife. I can now happily say that she really enjoys camping and looks forward to all our camping trips. I do bring more gear now then I use to but in addition to tent campers, we are also car campers. So it’s not too much of a hassle to bring some extra gear.

The following 5 changes/additions to our camping setup and gear is what has helped my wife truly love and look forward to camping.

1. A decent bathroom setup

The first change I made to our camping setup was to provide a decent toilet arrangement. We wouldn’t often camp in campgrounds with toilets but would go dispersed camping with no amenities provided. She would often complain about how she disliked having to go to the bathroom in the woods.

I decided to work on making better toilet arrangements for her. My first attempts were as simple as a few tarps wrapped around some trees and a bucket with a seat lid. We actually used this setup for a few years and it did improve the experience for her. We have since upgraded to a dedicated pop-up shelter and an actual seat.

My wife is very happy with this current setup and no longer complains about her bathroom experience while camping. She says this is the number one change that improved her camping experience.

2. More comfortable sleeping arrangements

Another part of our camping experience I improved was our sleeping arrangements. We use to sleep on a simple blow up mattress with regular sleeping bags. While this setup isn’t the worst but it also isn’t the best.

I have to be honest here, the changes I made with our sleeping arrangements weren’t solely for my wife. I was wanting a better sleeping experience as well but she has said that sleeping while camping has gotten much better.

I upgraded us to our own cots and better sleeping bags or a sleeping camping blanket. Additionally, I did not get standard sized cots and sleeping bags. I got Teton Sports XXL sleeping bags and cots. These extra-large sleeping bags and cots give you lots of room to move around and get comfortable (neither my wife nor I like feeling constrained while sleeping).

On top of the improved sleeping bags and cots, I added a 3” gel memory foam pad to put on the cot. Some people might feel like that’s too much but I can tell you, we now sleep amazingly while camping.

3. Better places to sit and relax

I also improved the places to relax during the day. When we were first married, I wouldn’t worry about bringing chairs or anywhere to relax. I would simply find some logs and use those as chairs for sitting around the fire.

My wife had specifically mentioned she would like somewhere more comfortable to sit. Basic camping chairs are super affordable and way more comfortable than a log. I bought a few of these for my wife and myself, which has made a big difference. Since we’ve had kids, I’ve also found some smaller versions that are great for them.

Additionally, I added a couple nylon camping hammocks to our gear. These hammocks are super portable and are great for relaxing. They give you another good option of somewhere to kick back and enjoy the great outdoors. You can find lots of option on Amazon by simply searching for camping hammocks.

4. Carpet inside the tent

This improvement wasn’t actually planned, it just kind of happened. On one or our camping trips, I decided to bring along some extra carpet I had in the garage. I wasn’t exactly sure if or where I’d use it but I thought I might see if I could find a place for it.

It was actually my wife’s idea to put it inside the tent. She ended up loving having the carpet in the tent. It made the tent warmer, more comfortable to walk around barefoot, and gave us a nice place to play some games with the kids before bed.

We now bring the carpet with us on every camping trip.

5. A warm shower made a world of a difference

An actual heated shower is the most recent improvement to our camping setup. We have previously simply not showered or done our best to quickly take cold showers. While cold showers will get you clean, I can’t say they are the most enjoyable.

We then once, a few years ago, went camping with a buddy of mine, who is an avid camper as well. He’s been working on his camping setup for longer and had some additional gear that I did not have. One thing he has, which my wife loved, was a heated shower. She loved being able to take a warm shower while out in the woods. So I decided to invest in a portable heated shower and shower tent. I went with an all-in-one system, the Zodi Zip Shower.

The shower is smaller so it takes some time to heat the water but my wife now loves the fact that she can shower and wash the kids while we are camping. She has said that this one addition to our camping gear has made her much more willing to go camping for longer periods of time.

She now loves camping

Some of you might say that all this gear is a bit excessive. You are right but I love to camp and I knew I wouldn’t to be able to do it like I wanted to if I couldn’t change my wife’s feeling about camping. She now loves to go camping and doesn’t drag her feet when I suggest another camping trip.

If you are in a similar situation to mine at the beginning of my marriage, don’t worry. Look for the ways you can make camping more enjoyable for your spouse or significant other. It will probably take some time but don’t give up. If I can change my wife’s opinion, you can change anyone’s opinion!

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A Survivor’s Guide to Festival Camping

Ever been to a festival and seen a camping disaster unfold before your eyes? I’ve witnessed over the years and I thought even though it’s going to be quite a few months before the festival season comes round again, it might be helpful to prepare a handy guide to help festival-goers navigate some common camping challenges, prevent the preventable and generally help folk maximize their enjoyment of tent camping.

Planning, Planning, Planning

Dwight D. Eisenhower once said, “I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable”. So it is with camping! Because if you don’t prepare properly camping can be a much bigger effort than it needs to be, sapping your enjoyment.

To keep things as simple as possible, my planning falls into 3 main areas:

• Packing
• Food & Drink
• Orientation

How to pack for festival camping

As a general rule, I never take anything that I’m not okay with losing or leaving behind. Although most music festivals are relatively safe and secure, there is a high likelihood of losing or damage something while attending.

I also have a special “burner” phone for these events. OK, it’s not a true burner so much as an old smartphone. But I usually leave my most current phone behind. A true burner relies on less battery than a standard iPhone and is much cheaper in case you happen to lose them. But I do like to have emergency access to the internet so I keep the device in airplane mode and make sure I have a fully charged power bank with me.

Aside from that, here’s a complete (but lean) list of gear I never leave behind (if you want a bigger list, check out this excellent advice from Rei.com)

Pack the Right Tent!

The first festival I went to I took my ultralight two man backpacking tent. I thought I was being smart. Big mistake! It was OK for sleeping in but I had nowhere to kick back during the day. I highly recommend taking a big tent (for the budget conscious I’ve published a list of tents under $100 which includes several large tents).

Mallet for tent stakes

You want to pitch quickly and easily. Hunting around for rocks to bash your tent stakes into the hard ground isn’t fun at the best of times. A mallet is generally too heavy for thru-hiking, but it’s perfect for festival camping.

A Sun Shade & A Folding Chair

If you ignore my advice about tent size, make sure you pack a decent sunshade. You will want to relax away from it all. A bug-proof porch is ideal but an awning is a bare minimum. Folding camp chairs will mean you can take the weight off, allowing you to fully recharge.

Sleeping Bag, Camping Cot (or Air Mattress) & Pillow

I know nobody goes to festivals to sleep. But trust me, while you want to keep sleeping hours to a minimum, the better quality sleep you get, the more fun you will have to party. That first festival where I took my backpacking gear? I slept on the bare ground. The boy was I crochet every morning! Never again! For extra comfort, try out a puffy camping blanket.

Headlamps (or Flashlights) With Extra Batteries

There’s no sense in bumping around aimlessly in the dark. A flashlight is fine, but the benefit to a headlamp is that it’s hands-free. Anyone ever dropped their flashlight or phone in a toilet while drunk in the dark? Anyone?

Clothes

Bring plenty of comfortable clothes. You can always leave extra clothing in your vehicle in case of rain or unplanned catastrophes. Even if the weather is forecast to be hot, make sure you have extra layers for nighttime or in case the forecast is unreliable. A fold-away rain jacket is a great purchase for those days where the weather is unpredictable. You don’t, however, need to get overexcited with packing toiletries. In most cases, travel sized, airport-variety toiletries will work just fine. Stash everything in a good drybag!

Plan your meals and hydration

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the festival. However, partying all day and night takes up a lot of energy—especially if there’s alcohol involved. Make sure you plan for at least one large meal a day, but preferably three. Make a clear decision before you depart about whether you want to bring food or buy it on site.

Snacks

Regardless of how you plan to handle meals I definitely recommend packing some snacks. Energy bars are perfect. Bananas are another wise choice as they’re easy to carry and provide a lot of energy. Obviously, there are plenty of excellent food vendors on site but packing some of your own food can really help keep your blood sugar up and your costs down.

Water

Again, especially if you plan on imbibing, water is a must-pack item. The summer heat and the constant dancing, singing, yelling, and all of the other shenanigans of the festival will certainly take their toll on you. Make sure you stow several bottles in your tent as you’ll want to have them to hand rather than hunt for them when you need ‘em, especially at night.

Timing and location are everything

Make sure you also do your research about the festival; even if you are an experienced festival camper, each individual event is different. It’s important to know the details of parking and camping ahead of time so you can focus on what’s important.

Arrive Early & Leave Early

The earlier you are to the festival, the better spot you can secure. If you can’t get there until the last minute, don’t worry—just be prepared to have to walk farther.

When you’re ready to leave, try to do so as early as possible. This will save you time trying to escape the crowds and traffic. Generally, if you leave before 7 am, you’ll escape the rush hour. This is actually a bit easier for tent campers than it is for glampers and RVers because, generally speaking, early morning temperatures (be they too cold or too hot) are conducive to early rising.

Where To Pitch

Try to avoid camping at the bottom of a hill (remember, everything moves downhill if it starts to rain). And have a good strategy for proximity to toilets; too close and you’ll have to put up with smells and queues…too far and it’s inconvenient.

The same goes for your stage strategy; you don’t want to be totally removed from all of the action, but remember that at some point you’ll want to get some shut-eye. Earplugs and an eye mask can help here.

And don’t forget to mark where your tent is. You can use a distinctive banner (try to make it unique; the Stars & Stripes ain’t gonna stand out) or you can try a GPS app to mark your spot. Want to know if you’re friends are at the tent or the big stage, check out the popular Find My Friends app.

Conclusion

So there we have it. If you do your prep, pack properly and consider your pitch chances are you’ll have an ace time! If you want more in-depth information I highly recommend this article from OutsideOnline.com and this one from TicketMaster.com. Otherwise, enjoy the next season of touring and camping!

What have I missed? What crazy disasters have you seen or experienced when camping at a festival? I’d love to hear all about them in the comments below!

Author Bio

Bertie Cowen is a writer and avid outdoorsman. He’s on a mission to make it easier for folk to spend more time outside. You can check out his blog (EffortlessOutdoors.com) or find him on Twitter @BertieOutdoors.

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Del Mark Race Track and Activities

Del Mar is one of the major thoroughbred racetracks in the United States, which is counted amongst the top 10 horse racing venues in the country. The Del Mar Fairgrounds is located in California at the seaside city of Del Mar. The seating capacity of the venue is 44,000. Considering those in the western states of the United States, Del Mar is the second largest racetrack after Santa Anita Park.

The State of California owns Del Mar race course and given in lease to Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, which operates the racetrack. You can read their slogan of the club as “Where the Turf Meets the Surf.” Del More racetrack was built in a partnership with Bing Crosby as well as the famous actors Gary Cooper, Pat O’Brien, Charles S. Howard, Joe E. Brown, and Oliver Hardy. Trevor Denman is known as the ‘voice of Del Mar’ being the track announcer here.

Racing season

Fans flock to the San Diego racing which is held at the Del Mar Racetrack. Del Mar Thoroughbred racing season attracts a large number of racing enthusiasts, which usually start from the mid of July to the first part of September. The history of Del Mar dates back from 1937 during which time Bing Crosby greeted the maiden Del Mar guests and Seabiscuit was the one won the race.

Every season at Del Mar features the top horses of the nation with celebrity jockeys and trainers with plenty of fun and adrenalin rush. Races at De Mar runs five days a week during seasons and the off days Monday and Tuesday. You can enjoy the excitement at best from Wednesday through Sunday. The first race is usually scheduled for 2 PM; however, on Fridays, the first post may be at 4 PM.

The racetrack of Del Mar

The details of Del Mar Track info for the avid horse race fans as below. The track is one mile in length in oval, consist of chutes for the 7/8 and 1-1/4 mile races. There is also diagonal straightaway chute for the 1-1/8 mile and 1-1/16 races at the turf course. The turf of Del Mar is a fine mix of Common Bermuda as well as Hybrid Bermuda. The track is run twice every year at Del Mar Fairgrounds and has the capacity to stable about 2000 horses at a time. One major attraction at Del Mar is the tan-stucco grandstand, which is located right on the Pacific Ocean.

Back in 2007, the track became the second one to install advanced synthetic turf in Southern California. It also later became the first of its kind to install Polytrack surface at an estimated cost of 9 million USD. However, again in, in February 2014, the club announced a return to the old dirt surface during the 2015 season.

The horse racing fans can explore the new Seaside Stage, which is located at the far end of Grandstand with the Pacific Ocean at the backdrop. You may also enjoy easy access to the amenities and concert goer services. There are catch shows also held all Fridays and also on some Saturdays or Sundays. You can enter into these concerts for free on hold the racetrack admission tickets but should enter the gates before last race.

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