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Get The Most From It!
Fun Time!
We can all take lessons on how to get the “Most” from your Outdoor Recreation Equipment. There is not a lot of science involved, just a whole lot of common sense. As your parents used to say “never put yourself in a corner” or “close that door”, but stay on your feet and remain in control of your mental well-being.
- Bye Quality Gear – Don’t confuse(quality) with purchase price. Ask friends/experts and research the product through appropriate consumer advocates. Look for the best quality considering what’s available and the price you can pay.
- Get What You Need – There’s a fine line between need and want. However, it is better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it! Put some thought into it; in most places, you’ll always want your rain gear with you but might not need it.
- Take Care of It – One of the most important considerations. If you don’t religiously take care of it , it might fail when most needed. Depending on the circumstances, this could be the difference between a good/bad experience or worse yet – life/death. Folks, it’s not a game, so don’t play around with it.
- Storage – Organize and if possible get it up off the floor. Pre-storage should include a serviceability check. Get rid of those things that can’t be fixed and/or don’t work properly.
Being able to go on a camping trip/outdoor activity knowing that you have the recreation gear needed, and that it’s in good working order will set the tone for the entire trip. It will not only give participants peace of mind, but a care-free confidence that everything is going to be fine and fun filled.
Shopping On-line!
Convenient!
We have a tendency to shy-away from things that are unknown or we don’t understand. I for one went into the electronic age dragging my feet and screaming/hollering all the way. But, the more I got into it, the more I realized its true merits. This includes researching and shopping for things on the Internet. If your intent is to purchase a quality item at the lowest price, you should do your research on the Internet.
There are many Internet search engines (Google, Bing, etc.) that will help to simplify the buying process. They will assist in developing the data needed to determine product quality, as-well-as the information required for cost analysis. It has been my experience that prices on-line are normally a little cheaper than like items bought at the corner retail store. If it is a high dollar item you‘re purchasing, the tax savings alone could save you a bundle.
One of the nice things about shopping on-line is that the items are normally sent to your front door. Shopping for things like camping gear can be both fun and educational. If you are a show-me person, many times there will be video tapes/subject experts showing and further explaining the product.
Camping Gear Replacement Items!
Perfect!
I’m in the process of doing my end-of-season camping gear inventory. Inventory reflects that there are several items that need to be replaced. This includes a tent (4-5 person), a couple battery operated lanterns, and possibly a new 4-burner stove (propane). Total cost of these items will be several hundred dollars. However, being a prudent shopper, I want both quality and savings.
As Granddad used to say, there has got to be “method too this madness. You don’t go food shopping when you’re hungry”. The same principle applies when buying camping gear. You need to first determine exactly what you want as compared with the maximum price you can afford. This preliminary research can be done by going to a local sporting-goods store or referring to the respective Manufacturer’s website.
Experience has shown that bargains in camping gear can be obtained but you need to do some leg work. Once you have determined the item wanted (can afford) by Nomenclature (name), Manufacturer, and Model Number – you can go-out with confidence and buy the item needed. Whether it be a seasonal sale at the local sporting goods store or a reputable on-line shopping site, you are prepared to make item price comparisons. Make sure the prices compared include taxes/shipping and handling.
Drinkable Water!
Clean, Fresh Water!
Every back-packer and hiker understands that one of their biggest issues is maintaining a reserve of good, clean and potable water. Most carry that water in containers; but, at a gram per millimeter of water, it does increase the packs weight 2.22 pounds per liter carried. This factor could be significant and should be placed in the proper perspective.
For someone that is going on an extended cross-country trek, starting out with enough water to last the entire trip is not very realistic or practical. Conserving on water because of the weight consideration is not the solution either. This type of strenuous exercise requires an increase in water consumption – not a decrease!
If your trek can be routed close to external water sources such as streams, rivers, or lakes – only carry a couple liter/quart containers and a portable Katadyn Water Filter system . This purification capability weighs a mere 250 grams and will insure, not only a quick resupply capability, but a guarantee that the water you’re drinking has minimum pollutants with no extra additives – just clean, fresh drinking water!
Fanny Packs for Hunting?
Compact and Efficient!
The word fanny pack probably makes you think of garish, neon colored ugly pouches from the 1980s. The fanny packs used for hunting are much more streamlined, efficient, and better looking than their 1980′s civilian counterpart.
True outdoorsmen know that having a successful hunt hinges on having all your supplies with you, and often the best way to carry supplies is with a fanny pack.When searching hunting fanny packs you’ll want to consider a few things:
- First, you need to make sure that the material the fanny pack is made out of is durable and resistant to the elements;
- Second, you need a fanny pack that is lightweight when empty so it can be stored with other gear if necessary;
- Third, you want to make sure that the fanny pack has multiple compartments for storing all sorts of necessities of different sizes.
You’ll be amazed how useful this former fashion no-no can be!
Bird Watching Essentials!
Be Prepared!
Like everything, the key to success is in the preparation. To ensue that you have an exciting and eventful Bird Watching event, it is important that you have access to the required equipment.
Some questionably feel that the most important item to have is a pair of binoculars; a pair that is lightweight and allows you to tackle long distances. But, there are also other influencing considerations that must be made to add credence and enhancement to the overall experience:
- A birding vest with various size pockets (10-15). This will give you easy access to bird identification guides, lens caps, lip balm, snacks, insect repellant, and other personal needed items.
- A lightweight rain jacket might be needed to protect you from the elements. Don’t forget a hat, it will not only protect you from sun rays but also keep hair out of your eyes.
- A written journal should be maintained explaining the – Who, What, When, and Where. If desired and time permits, the journal could be supplemented by photographs.
Some avid bird watchers like to pair their trips with extending hiking. If so, additional consideration should be made for a daypack. Depending on the trip, this might also include meals, bottled water, extra binoculars, socks, map/compass, and a charged cell phone. However, Don’t over Pack!
Backpack Comfort!
Comfortable!
Most important in choosing a backpack is comfort. The size of the pack is determined based on planned activities. The key is to be able to carry the most weight with the least amount of effort. To do this, the backpack must be constructed to distribute varying weights efficiently.
If not an experience camper/trekker, before purchasing, try it out. Most stores have weights that you can add/subtract to determine the optimal weight distribution. Other considerations are the support straps. The shoulder straps should carry approximately 30% of the weight with the remaining 70% supported by the hip strap. These straps should be comfortable and unrestrictive.
A properly fitted backpack should not constrict breathing nor reduce mobility. Only you can decide what weight is comfortable to carry.
Common Sense Prevails!
Make it Drinkable!
Even though it has been 4o years ago, I can remember my Military Survival Training as if it was yesterday. The instructors insisted that the key to outdoor survival was to keep a level head and would be contingent on finding three specific things: a water source, food, and shelter.
- Water: A normal person can go three days without water. However, physical activity will have a big impact on this. The more exercise your body does, the more water it will need.
- Food: Food is less crucial than water, because you can live approximately three weeks without it. But, like with water, physical activity will impact that drastically. On hand rations should be utilized only after all natural sources have been exhausted.
- Shelter: If the elements are not too severe, you might be able to survive without it. However, if it is November and in the mountains of Montana, shelter will quickly become the #1 priority.
If an Emergency Supplies/Survival Kit is available you should have water (including a water purification capability), contingency food, and protection from the elements; if that’s not available – don’t worry, it’s still not terminal. Your ability to stay calm, think rationally, and develop/execute a plan based on common sense (as influence by existing conditions), will go along way towards getting you/your party home in the best possible health.
Backpacking Gear!
Meals Ready to Eat!
Whether it’s an overnighter or a trekking trip of several days, most backpacker’s acknowledge that, as-a-minimum, you’re going to need something to sleep in, sleep under, and something to carry it all in. It is further understood that the gear/equipment you’ll need must be based on the scheduled tour activities.
However, two basic categories of gear and equipment, frequently over-looked are those things needed for safety and survival considerations:
- contingency food;
- water purification capability;
- fire, sharp knife, flare/flare gun, flashlight, extra batteries, first aid kit, tarpaulin;
- map and compass or GPS;
- something to communicate with, i.e.: whistle, cell phone, radio (2-way), etc.
It is best to carry your own emergency gear/equipment - better safe than sorry!
Pack Accordingly!
Be Prepared!
Not all daypacks are created equal, so be sure to find the pack that best suits your purposes. Climbers will want enough space to fit their gear as well as an extra layer of clothing for higher elevations. Day hikers look for lots of water capacity and bonus pockets to accommodate miscellaneous items they find along the way.
Students might want to consider multi-use bags; hiking daypacks won’t be large enough to tote books from class to class during the academic term. Back-padding is crucial when carrying heavy objects with pointed corners, so be on the look out for packs that provide some cushioning. Beyond that, daypack selection can vary based on personal taste – for many, style is just as important as function.
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