Posts Tagged ‘Camping’
4 Season Tents – Your Top Tips Buying Guide
Basically, the difference between 4 season tents and regular tents is that a 4 season tent is tighter, with heavier and tougher outer walls. When it is all zipped up, there is no space anywhere for the ruthless natural elements to get in and disturb your peaceful sleep. In addition, 4 season tents are often more durable so that they can shield you safely from extremely heavy storms if need be. This does not mean, however, that you cannot use 4 season tents in more pleasant weather. Many styles of 4 season tents come with the option to unzip the outer fly so that you can catch cool breezes on summer days, while still being able to endure Ice – Age -type of temperatures in the winter.
Basically, the difference between 4 season tents and regular tents is that a 4 season tent is tighter, with heavier outer walls. When it is all zipped up, there is no space anywhere for the elements to get in. In addition, 4 season tents are often stabler so that they can resist extremely heavy storms if need be. This does not mean, however, that you cannot use 4 season tents in nicer weather. Many styles of 4 season tents come with the ability to unzip the outer fly so that you can keep cool on summer days, while still braving near-arctic temperatures in the winter.
You will find, however, that the more extreme the conditions for which it was designed, the more specialized a 4 season tent will be. For example, some true mountaineering 4 season tents are not things I would advise you to bring for camping on a warm summer night. The ventilation panels are narrow and the end result is that it will be stuffy and hot at night if you are camping during the summer with them. Additionally, they are made of heavier, stronger stuff, and as a result are an added weight for your normal camping trip in which lightness is a virtue.
And of course, good 4 season tents can come at exorbitant prices, running up to $500 dollars and more sometimes. Compare this to an ordinary 1-2 person summer tent that you might grab at your neighborhood camping store. I got mine for a tiny sum of $30 dollars and, although it provides little warmth, it gives me all the comfort I need during the summer when combined with a decent sleeping bag.
The truth of the matter is, it is important to think about what you will be doing before you go out and buy expensive mountaineering equipment and 4 season tents that you will not need. You must make sure that your equipment fits its purpose.
5 Tips for Successful Bird Watching
Can you name the number one spectator sport in North America? It’s not baseball, figure skating or racing. It’s bird watching. That’s right, more people are watching birds than football and hockey combined. With so many people hoping to see a bird they’ve never seen before, it’s not surprising to see a clamoring for the latest tips and tools to get the job done. Here are my top five tips for getting the most out of your birding experience.
#1. Get to Where the Birds Are! This sounds obvious, but many birders spend the majority of their bird watching time and energy on poor locations. Some folk have the advantage of looking out of their windows into the back yard to observe nature’s best. The rest of us need to get moving. I would highly recommend visiting a National Wildlife Refuge. There are over 500 of them across the United States. To find one near you, visit http://refuges.fws.gov/
#2. Know What Species to Expect. There are approximately 900 species of birds in the United States and recognizing each of them is nearly impossible. So when you visit an area, do a little research first. You may find that perhaps only a few species actually inhabit that particular area. With a little preparation, you will be able to more readily identify bird species from each other. Keep a list of successfully viewed species – we’ll call this tip number two and a half.
#3. Get a Great Pair of Binoculars. Spending time and money to get to the right place can be totally wasted when your binoculars are inadequate. If you have an inexpensive pair of binoculars you are not getting the most out of your viewing. Today’s technologies come at a price and they provide crucial benefits in wildlife viewing. For instance, image stabilization will keep your view from shaking-very important when watching from a long distance. Other cool features include anti-fogging, low-light viewing and wide-view characteristics. Additionally, binoculars with built-in digital cameras enable you to identify birds once you get home. These benefits will definitely enhance your bird watching. A great pair of binoculars will turn a mediocre experience into a great one. You can count on it!
#4. Practice Before You Go. A key to viewing wildlife, and especially birds, is to have the ability to very quickly put your binoculars on target. Many people have difficulty finding a full moon in a pair of binoculars-but alas-learning to focus on a bird in a bush or track a bird in flight is easy for someone who has practiced prior to their outing. Try this before you go; lower your binoculars to your side and very quickly raise them to find and follow a jet airliner across the sky. After only a few attempts, you’ll get good at quickly acquiring your target. Quite often, birds are visible for only a few seconds, practice to become proficient.
#5. Take Someone with You. Life is always better when shared. Not only do you get to spend time out of doors with someone you like, but they might alert you to the “Number One Sight of the Day.” Share your birding experiences with your friends and family. Pass the birding excitement to a child.
The best part about wildlife viewing is that you the viewer, control almost every aspect of the experience. The more you are prepared, the more rewarding your time in our backcountry will be.
Use this information and you’ll Get It Right The First Time. Get Outdoors!
30 Top Camping Tips For Beginners
Seasoned novices and beginners alike all over the world every weekend enjoy the simplicity of camping.
The idea of camping to some of you conjures up images that may make you cringe, especially those of you who have never camped as a child or have heard horror stories from friends and relatives, and have unfairly decided never to give it a fair go.
How much effort you put into adequately planning your camping trip will determine how successful (and enjoyable) your trip will be. Though some of these tasks may seem tedious and tiresome, the more often you put these tasks into practice the more fun you will have doing them.
Here are 30 Things You Must Know Before You Go On Your First Camping Trip:
1. Gather all your camping equipment in a corner of a room and keep adding to it as you think of it.
2. Use basket shelves in your car for easy storage.
3. Store your clothes in sports bags.
4. Make sure all heavy items are secure and are packed at the bottom of your car boot with lighter items on top.
5. Take one prepared meal in a freezer meal that can be easily reheated on arrival at your destination.
6. Make sure you have everything you need for a drink stop like tea bags, instant coffee, sugar, condensed milk, cordial, powder, biscuits, a two litre bottle of water, matches, kettle, wet wipes and tea cloth
7. If you are going away for a short trip prepare your hot dishes so that you have more time to relax at your camp site and enjoy yourself.
8. Stock up on fresh fruit and vegetables at every chance.
9. List everything you will eat on the number of days you are away.
10. Keep extras always on hand which includes flowers for cakes and breads, noodles, rice, beans and lentils.
11. Remember long life milk (two to three cartons of long life milk per day should be sufficient for a family of two children and two adults as a guide).
12. Try camping in your backyard to see how you feel about your tent and sleeping bags etc.
13. Your first camping gear does not have to be expensive. It is more important that it is durable and keeps you protected from all weather conditions. Bring a piece of ground cloth with you, a piece of plastic that goes under your tent. Tuck the edges neatly underneath the tent. The first thing you must consider when choosing the tent is the size ie the number of people your tent is going to house.
14. Take cutlery with you that is old and definitely won’t be missed if it doesn’t come home with you.
15. Keep cutlery separate from crockery by placing them in plastic containers with lids or in a tea towel in a plastic bag.
16. Here is a list of items of cutlery and crockery that may be useful for your next camping trip. A fork, knife, teaspoon and dessert spoon should be enough for each person. 17. Have a serrated edge knife that can also be used as a bread knife.
18. Vegetable peeler and knife.
19. Metal egg lifter.
20. A large aluminium coffee pot, the larger the better.
21. Barbeque tongs.
22. Egg rings.
23. A small meat mallet.
24. A sharp knife and sharpener.
25. Can opener.
26. Large serving spoon and wooden spoon.
27. Make sure you have an enamel cup, bowl and plate for every person.
28. Use an enamel plate next to the fire to warm food.
29. Use an enamel plate as a base for food in your camp oven.
30. Bring paper plates in case you are in an area where water is scarce, and be sure to take your rubbish with you.