outdoors travel

If you spend any amount of time in the backcountry at all
it will rain on you. Remember this - rain is a good thing; without it there wouldn’t be much backcountry to enjoy. How you prepare for rain and how you handle yourself and gear in the rain
makes the difference between a great experience and a horrible one. Here are some great ideas for ensuring your backcountry enjoyment when mother nature rains down on you.

Our best tips for enjoying the backcountry in the rain can be separated into two categories. The first pertains to getting ready to hike
camp or whatever else you love to do outdoors. Here are the Best Outdoor Preparation Tips:

 Always check the weather forecast. Understanding the type of rain to expect may even determine whether you go or not. If the forecast calls for severe thunderstorms with tornados
you will probably plan differently than you might for scattered showers. Check before you go
and check when you’re there. A good weather radio is an essential piece of gear for backcountry recreation.
 Store everything you take in re-sealable plastic bags
especially socks
matches
flares
food
maps and your first aid kit.
 Pack your sleeping bag in a large plastic trash bag or a specially designed waterproof bag.
 Pack a brimmed waterproof hat and jacket. Always have rain gear with you
even if it is only a large trash bag.
 Treat your tent
hat
jacket and pack with waterproofing spray – even if they’re called “waterproof” to begin with.
 For two weeks prior to your trip
be sure to take your multi-vitamins. You should be doing this regardless. A good immune system is an outdoor enthusiast’s best friend.

So now you’re packed and out the door. Once you’re there
common sense and a few tricks of the trade will help you get through unscathed. Here are the Best Outdoor Rain Tips:

 Never camp in a low lying area. Look for a durable surface which will allow water to run off more effectively.
 Look for a campsite this is somewhat protected from wind
flooding and heavy rain fall. Under a group of small trees is ideal. Keep away from the tallest tree in the forest – that’s where lightning likes to visit.
 Place a mat outside the tent door to collect debris. If you are base camping
the weight of the mat is not worth the benefit – so use rocks instead.
 Do not touch the walls of your tent when it is wet. This will adversely affect the water resistant capability of the tent. That is – you can create a leak.
 Use a tarp under your tent. You should do this regardless of the weather
but when it’s raining it becomes important.
 Sleep. There’s nothing better than sleeping in a tent when the rain falls.
 Check the forecast every hour. If the storm is worsening
you need to know about it. Do you have extra batteries for your weather radio?
 Never hold a fishing pole during a lightning storm.
 Emergency flares are excellent for igniting wet firewood.
 Body heat is a precious element. Conserve and protect your body by keeping it dry on the outside and wet on the inside. Drinking water becomes very important when body heat is being lost. Change into dry socks
get into your dry sleeping bag.
 Keep an eye on your tent
the tent’s rain fly and the ropes/stakes holding your tent in place. Standing water and high winds are the enemy of your tent.

Remember this – when it rains
you’ll see fewer people and fewer insects. Some of the most remarkable times you’ll experience will be in the backcountry during a rain storm – it can be exhilarating! Doesn’t sound so bad after all – does it?

Use this information and you’ll Get It Right The First Time. Get Outdoors!

Time out of doors is a precious commodity to the outdoor enthusiast - but are we getting the most out of this time. One way to ensure maximum backcountry enjoyment is to get the most possible value from the gear you acquire and use. Here are 5 ways to get the most out of your backcountry gear – and your backcountry experience.

- Purchase the best gear you can possibly afford. If you are going to spend a year planning your next excursion on the continental divide
spend three months getting into great shape
take three weeks vacation when it’s time for the hike
purchase an airline ticket
and so on – then why are you using the cheapest backpack you can find? A good backpack will make all the difference in the world. This applies to all of your backcountry gear. Whether its your GPS unit
sleeping bag
rain gear or dual-fuel portable stove
be sure to carry good equipment in order to get the most value for your money. Don’t buy cheap!

- Learn how to use all of your gear correctly and practice using it. When you are completely lost
it’s not the time to learn how to navigate with a compass and map. When you and your firewood are wet
it’s not the time to learn how to start a fire with the flare you’ve been carrying for 5 years in your pack. Take time to learn all of the features of your gear. You might be surprised to learn just how useful your GPS really is when you understand how to use the backtrack feature. You’ll be mighty thankful when you learn the proper weight distribution for your backpack. Take time to learn – practice around your home before you venture into the backcountry.

- Keep your gear with you and use it as much as possible. Your backcountry gear isn’t just for the backcountry. It has unlimited uses in everyday life. Never go on a road trip without your pack. You’ll almost always find an opportunity to use your binoculars or GPS unit. If you don’t have your gear with you
you’ll need it – never fails.

- Take great care of your gear. Hopefully you’ve learned this from your parents and not necessarily from experience. Your gear will only take good care of you if you take good care of it. Conversely
your gear will let you down if you don’t take good care of it. That’s a bad situation to be in. Inspect everything before you embark on your adventure. Clean and properly store all of your gear upon your return. Have you check your gear’s straps
fuel
waterproofing
batteries and overall condition lately? Taking good care of your gear is an important part of enjoying your backcountry trip.

- When you’re done with it
donate it – and some of your time - to a local scout troop. They are always looking for assistance from outdoor enthusiasts. You’ll feel great getting this last piece of benefit out of your old trusty gear!

Optimize your time in the backcountry. The easiest way ensure maximum outdoor enjoyment is to get the most possible value from your gear. Let these 5 ways guide you in getting the most out of your backcountry gear – and your backcountry experience.

Use this information and you’ll Get It Right The First Time. Get Outdoors!

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!