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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.
Stay Cool!
Very Strenuous!
During the summer time everyone wants to “look” cool. But, sometimes looking “cool” is contradictory to what is needed and that is to do those things necessary to keep the body temperature cool at all times. Common sense would tell you to wear light clothing, preferably clothing of a light color. Strenuous outdoor activities should not be done during the heat of the day but rather early in morning, latter in the afternoon, or in the early evening.
Most important is to keep your body hydrated. You would think that this is a fairly simple task – when your thirsty, drink fluid! True, but, waiting until you’re thirsty is waiting too long; you are already dehydrated. When the temperature is very high, your body loses water at a very high rate, and dehydration can set in without you knowing it. To preclude this, carry a bottle of water around and fill it every couple hours. I would further suggest avoiding those beverages that promote dehydration. These include drinks with a high caffeine or alcohol content.
I call dehydration a “Gateway” issue; if precautions are not taken , it can/will lead to other complications causing sun/heat stroke. Keep the body’s air conditioner serviced and working, obtain a water bottle and DRINK, DRINK, DRINK!
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!
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.
Treating Water Right!
Only one tablet per quart!
There’s nothing like that cold glass of purified water first thing in the morning. It’s a proven fact that drinking a glass of water in the morning is the best way to get your metabolism going for the day. Doctors also recommend that you drink 8 glasses of water per day to keep your body hydrated. But what about when you’re camping and you don’t have the convenience of home water treatment system? Here are a few ways you can purify water while camping:
~ Boil water vigorously for 5 to 10 minutes.
~ Using an eye dropper, add 8 drops of liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water, 16 drops if the water is cloudy and let stand for 30 minutes.
~ Use water purification tablets available at drug stores and sporting good stores. Follow the directions on the label.
Don’t Walk Forever Just To Get A Drink Of Water!
Be Safe!
For most people, getting a drink of water is just a matter of walking a few feet, turning on the faucet and drinking up. But in a hiking or camping scenario, getting yourself clean drinking water can be quite a challenge and not to mention, unsafe.
One of the safest options when you are out in the wilderness is to simply bring your own treated water. On the other hand, if you are going for an overnight hike or camp-out, this is not a good solution to take because you simply can’t bring with you the amount of water to cover for the rest of your stay.
This is why bringing along a water purification filter is the next best option. It’s portable and easy to carry; any camper or hiker wouldn’t have a hard time carrying it with them. Likewise, it will ensure that the water for consumption is free from harmful pathogens, chemicals and toxins so that they don’t get ill on their trip
Don’t Trust a Rusty Tap!
There's No Replacement For Fresh/Clean Water!
For the past few years, my family has been making a yearly sojourn to the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, where we stay in a cluster of cabins. Now that our family is relatively spread out – with relatives living in Florida, Michigan, California and Maine – it’s especially important that we all get together for a week each year to catch-up. During the first couple of trips we barely thought about our source of drinking water, but then it hit me – can we really trust what’s coming out of this rusty old tap?
I bought bottled water in bulk, but it didn’t last long in the hot July sun. The bottles that weren’t consumed within a few days became stagnant. I knew it was time to invest in a Katadyn water filter. Ever since, the family has come to rely on me to bring the portable filter down to the cabins. We can sit out in the wilderness enjoying fresh, clean water together. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Clean Water Is More Important Than You Know
Could be a Life Saver!
Never underestimate the importance of clean drinking water. In the United States we usually have the luxury of knowing that the water we drink and bathe in is going to be pure. At least this is the case in most situations, unless you are in the wilderness or backcountry. For situations like these it’s important to understand the basics of water purification.
The first and easiest way to purify water is to boil it. Bringing water to a boil and leaving it for several minutes will ensure that viruses and bacteria are eliminated. Another option is to buy some water purification tablets. These work well when there’s no other option, although they tend to leave a bad taste in the water.
Clean Water Anywhere!
Water Filter
After a long hard hiking trip, it can be so tempting to take a sip from the bubbling brook you find nearby. But you might regret that little sip if you don’t use a good water filter. If you drink straight from the source, you are opening up your digestive system to myriad of harmful bacteria.
So it is a good idea to think twice before drinking from an unsafe source. When packing your hiking things, make sure to bring along a reliable purifier, such as portable Katadyn water filters. These are lightweight, but are definitely effective at eliminating water-borne bacteria.
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