How to choose a camping tent
There are many things that you have to consider when you are choosing a camping tent. Just the fact that you are buying one and not renting one, should make you think it a bit more through. Tents come in different shapes and qualities, and you would like to find the one that best fits your needs. In this article we will try to give you some advice on how to choose a camping tent.
The first thing you need to figure out is how much you are going to use the tent. Remember that you are buying a camping tent, and the usefulness of it depends on how much you actually use it. Another thing to consider along the same lines is if you want an upgrade to your tent.
If we forget about these factors, there are still a lot of things we need to ask our self when we want to buy a tent. Some basic factors you need to consider: Will the tent be in use all year? Do you want a tent for just yourself or for several people? What will you use the tent for? Do you plan to use the tent under extreme conditions? And in the same fashion we can continue with the list. We will take up some of these issues below.
Some people are only camping in the summer. If you are one of these people, you will do just fine with a lightweight summer tent. These tents are created to handle warm days well. You should try to find a tent that has a rain fly, two poles and of course a lot of mesh. If you are thinking of buying a three season tent, you should know that these tents do a better job at keeping hard weather out. They are great for both wind and rain, but they don’t deal that well under snowy conditions. If you plan on going on a camping trip in the winter, you need to buy either a four season tent or a pure winter tent.
Choosing a camping tent also depends on what activity you are involved with during the use of the tent. Say, you have a car camping. Then you can get a tent of any size and weight. But if it is kayaking then I guess light tents are useful. Even when you are backpacking, light tents should be your choice due to the added weight.
It is not as difficult as it seems to choose a tent. One more very important factor has to be considered though. Are you going alone, or are you bringing people on your camping trip? For alone campers, a single person tent will be just what you need. For several people, you will need to find a tent that is big enough for everyone. If you are two people, try to find a three person tent. It greatly improves your comfort.
Get all the points of the tent noted. Get its price, weight, size, ventilation etc before you actually choose a camping tent for buying. Also check if it is waterproof, condensation prevented and easy to set up. Storing of the tent and the material it is made up of are other check points that you should look for.
Reasons for Backpacking
When was the last time you took a long break? How about a long holiday? But travelling do cost money and I want to have a nice travel on a nice budget. Well, if you are like me, look no further. In this article I want to share with your more about backpacking and why you should go backpacking.
Firstly, we have to understand what backpacking is. Backpacking is a form of low-cost travel. In other words, backpacking is a way where you can travel around without bringing too much money. But, you have to give up on luxuries like five star hotels and shopping.
If you are thinking of going backpacking but cannot find a friend at home who’ll come with you, why don’t you go on your own? Let me tell you why you should.
One thing for sure; you won’t be alone for long. When you travel alone it does not mean it has to be a lonely trip. Here is the first tip on making friends while traveling.
Here’s a tip; the easiest way to meet people when traveling is to get involved in activities. This way you will meet new people and be in a shared situation where conversation comes easily. Here’s another tip if you’re traveling alone; simply strike up conversation with someone with a smile.
Some people go backpacking because they want to get away from their daily life and people around them. These people will leave behind work, family and friends but this is not necessarily a bad thing.
Well if you are living behind your boy/girlfriend, here’s a tip that I can offer you. You should take a timeout before you leave. Well, if you are in a serious relationship the I suggest that you both should come out with ground rules when you are away.
Deciding to go backpacking alone is a great move, but make sure you know the purpose of your travel so that you can maximize your experience.
How? Well you should do a research on the country or countries that you are going. The next thing that you should note is money. Traveling alone with not so much cash needs can be quite difficult. Next, learn how to manage your cash.
Dealing with different environments can be difficult but I assure you that while backpacking it may be hard for the first week but you will get the hang of it. Taking care of yourself and also learn from the new environment can be surprisingly easy.
If you are thinking that you need more confidence while traveling, carry a guide book with you. It helps if the guide books contain phrases that are commonly used in a country in their language.
The last reason why you should go backpacking is because you will be able to bring a new perspective with you when you get home.
What more can you ask for? Gain as much knowledge by experiencing what locals do and how they spend their day.
In short, backpacking is fun. You can enrich your life just by trying out backpacking, so start preparing now!
California Hiking – you will want to go every weekend!
Hiking in California during certain times of the year is so fabulous that you will want to go all the time. You may want to take a weekend or maybe a whole week to see the different places to go. There is hiking available around rivers, glaciers, deserts, the coastline and in the grasslands. Take your pick.
Mount Tallac offers you a 9.4 mile round trip hike at an elevation reaching 9.735 ft. The gain on this hike is 3.255 ft so make sure you have lots of water, good shoes and are in good condition for this hike. As probably on of the best trails in the Lake Tahoe region you will enjoy the stunning views from the summit. Even with the best camera you probably won’t be able to capture the beauty that your eyes will see and memories will retain. With both wooded areas and mountainous areas the hike gives you the diversity you are probably looking for. You will pass two lakes on this hike. The switchbacks are a steep climb taking you up to the summit which will be very hot, so be ready.
The hike to Upper Yosemite Falls is 7.2 miles round trip. The elevation at the summit is 6,526 ft and an elevation gain of 2,700 ft. You will want to do this hike from May to jUly when the waterfall is at its full force and most beautiful. You will hike through switchbacks in the forested area before coming to the flat area with your first view of the falls. Enjoy the mist from the falls as you get closer to it. You will face another set of switchbacks before reaching the summit. These are the most difficult and very steep so if you aren’t in good physical condition you will want to pass on this part.
Let’s switch areas and go to Mosaic Canyon and look at the hike that is available there. The trail is just 2.5 miles round trip. It is best to take this one from December to March to avoid the extreme heat of the desert. Be sure to bring plenty of water, you’ll need it. While hiking on the mountains is fabulous so is canyon hiking. The canyon formations are beautiful. You may even see some desert life on your hike. This is the hottest place in the US so be sure to pack in lots of water..regardless of the time of year.
Mt. Shasta is the most challenging hike in the whole state of California. The trial is 12 miles round trip of body assaulting climbs. The elevation at the summit is 14,179 ft with a gain of 7,259 during your climb. You will need to plan this hike from between May to mid July due to the weather in the spring that can come viciously crashing in on you without much warning and in the summer the lava rocks and rolling boulders offer a hazard since they can come crashing down the mountain at any time being washed loose by the melting snow. Due to the chance of altitude sickness do not do this hike alone, take a partner for safety and practical reasons. If you aren’t in superior shape, pass on this trail. Read all you can about it before beginning so you are prepared for the challenges you will face.
For the hike at Mt. Shasta you will want to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and ice axe, shelter (remember, you are going way up and the weather may change in a minute where you need protection.) Bring your crampons, helmet, summit pass, winter boots, and extra layers of clothing and plenty of water. Don’t plan on “ice melt” for water; bring it with you since most of the snow around Helen’s Lake is contaminated by urine…yes, human and animal. Sweet.
The 16 mile round trip hike of Half Dome has an elevation gain of 4,800 ft. It reaches the summit of 8,842 ft. This hike is best between late May and early October. It is a difficult hike which brings people from all around the world to Yosemite National Park. If you aren’t in excellent physical shape with lots of hiking and climbing experience behind you don’t attempt this climb. The switchbacks are rocky and many ankles are injured here so be super careful. When you reach Nevada Falls you are at the halfway point of the climb. Here you should take the time to assess your strengths and skills to see if you are prepared to continue on. The climb gets tougher so be ready. Not only is the climb tough but the altitude change will require some adjustment of your body so give it a little while. Rest, and then go on. The continuation is very steep, excruciatingly long to reach the back of Half Dome rock. Your body is continually assaulted on the switchbacks during this phase. The Half Dome cables will fill you with shock and fear, they should! Now, assess your ability to continue on and if you are sure you are willing, the success of the climb will give you stunning views of Yosemite Valley below. This hike is only for those that are in good, if not superior, physical condition. If you aren’t then don’t do this one. There are many other trails that will better fit your ability.
The Essential Needs for a Backpacking or Hiking Trip
When choosing an outdoor sport to spend some time in the great escapes of the world, backpacking and hiking are the best of all possible choices. Getting in touch with nature and viewing the world from a spot that is secluded and wonderful are great choices for individuals and families. When preparing for backpacking or hiking, it is important to being along some true essentials in order to make for the safest possible trip one can prepare for.
Sun Protection. Sun protection is very important when backpacking or hiking. Sun protection comes in several forms and all need to be covered. The skin is the first line of protection against the sun while backpacking or hiking, sunscreen should be waterproof and offer an SPF of at least 30. The second area to protect while backpacking or hiking are the eyes. The sun can be bright and cause sudden spots of blindness, which is something that is never needed when backpacking or hiking. Sunglasses and an extra pair or two, should always be packed.
Safety is a priority. Being safe is essential for any backpacking or hiking trip. Safety can be covered in many ways, but one that is often forgotten is the aspect of getting separated from the group. When a backpacking or hiking team member gets lost, a whistle can help. If backpacking and hiking in the winter, make sure to include a whistle that is made of plastic and that does not contain a “pea” that may freeze inside the whistle.
Bring lots of water. Water is one of the heaviest things you will pack into your bundle when backpacking or hiking, yet it is essential to life. When backpacking or hiking, it is always better to have more than you need and a filtration device is the best way to ensure a constant supply of water. In case of emergency, a filtration device designed for the outdoors can filter any water supply making it drinkable.
Bring the heat. A firestarter or waterproof matches are essential when backpacking or hiking. A fire will be needed for those backpacking or hiking trips that last overnight. But, even for the day trips, matches and / or a firestarter are needed if only as a safety precaution. Safety is the number one concern and it is always better to be safe than sorry when backpacking or hiking.
First aid first. A first aid kit should be prepared for every backpack used during the backpacking and hiking trip. If only one packer has access to a first aid kit, the other hikers will be unable to provide first aid in the case that the group loses touch with each other. A first aid kit should include a pocket knife and a set of pocket tools for everyone.
Know Your Way. A map and a compass are two things that no backpacking or hiking can do without. These will keep you going in the right direction when things get turned around. Each pack should have their own set for guidance. On a more advanced tip, many backpacking or hiking trips are being centered on the new GPS technologies making getting lost even more difficult.
Hiking and backpacking are great ways to get a little physical activity and become better acquainted with nature and life outside. Together as a team, the backpacking and hiking group needs to make sure that every pack includes these essentials as a base and build the pack from there.
Solar Power For RV’s For Beginners
As ever more campers wander away from the city in their own recreational vehicle, they discover that all of their modern conveniences take a lot of electricity. This is no problem if you are plugged in at a campground, or if you move frequently and the batteries charge while you drive. For other times when you park in an out of the way locale for days, the castle lights can really grow dim as the batteries slowly wear down. Two solutions suggest themselves. The first is to bring a gas powered generator, and run it for a few hours at a time to replace the energy used up. This will cost a lot of money for fuel and will create noise pollution.
When you go out into the wilderness to get away from it all, the last thing you want to hear is a noisy engine running in the background. A much quieter solution to the problem is rv solar panels, which can silently charge up your batteries using the free and clean energy of the sun.
RV solar panels can be hooked together in a series, which allows you produce as much power as you will need. Each rigid panel consists of many photo-voltaic cells, all fastened together in an array. The panels themselves are around 2 feet by 4 feet, and have ratings such as 120 watts or 80 watts. The cheapest are not always the best choice, as in most products.
Quite often, the panels are mounted on the roof and attached so that they can be raised to catch the light of the sun when in use. The disadvantage to these is that the reailer needs to be properly positioned so they face the correct way, and this is not always possible. A second method is to place the solar rv panels on stands on the ground, and run the wire over to the trailer. This way, as the sun moves the panels can be repositioned.
Deep cycle batteries can be overcharged and ruined, which is why every rv solar power system needs a charge controller to keep an ‘eye’ on things. As electricity flows into the batteries, the charge controller detects when they are full and stops the current before damage is caused.
Deep cycle RV batteries are recommended to be used on all holiday trailers and RV’s. Standard car batteries aren’t meant to be recharged repeatedly and won’t last in a recreational vehicle system. If you need to add more batteries or replace your existing ones, make sure they are the correct kind.
The final part of the system is the inverter. Inverters can convert Direct Current electrical current to Alternating Current 110V. This will allow you to use household appliances in your holiday trailer. Inverters come in different sizes, and some are more efficient than others, so it pays to shop around.
If you are a do it yourself kind of guy, you can purchase all of the parts and read a how to guide online and install the whole thing yourself. The whole procedure is relatively simple. Otherwise, your local RV dealership will probably be able to supply the parts and install them for you.