Tag: Hiking

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Picture shows a pitched tent and picnic table by the lake.

Camping & Survival

30 Days of Preparing for Spring Storms and the Stinging Heat of Summer Day 10: Gearing up for Spring Camping

If you are like me, at some point it just gets too dang hot to tent camp in the summer. Spring weather in North Texas is optimal for camping—nice, warm and sunny during the day, with temperatures dropping in the night for a cool and comfortable sleeping environment. Plan your trips now before the heat turns sweltering. To get you ready, I have complied Cheaper Than Dirt’s! top six camping posts.

Picture shows a close-up of an American black bear's face in the water.

Camping & Survival

30 Days of Preparing for Spring Storms and the Stinging Heat of Summer Day 8: Coming Out! Hungry Bears Stop Hibernating

As we start going outside more, so do North America’s black bears. When the weather warms up, black bears wake up from their deep sleep very hungry! After all, it has been a few months since they have eaten. When bears first come out of the den in early spring, there is not as much natural food for them as late spring, summer and fall, so they scrounge for it anywhere. Bears can smell food from up to five miles away! Bears are also very curious, but also naturally wary of humans. Attacks on humans are rare. However, experts report that bear and human encounters are on the rise. Do you know what to do if you encounter a bear?

Camping & Survival

30 Days of Preparing for Severe Winter Weather Day 29: Is it Safe to Walk on Ice?

There are very few chances us regular folks get to walk on water, so when ponds, lakes or rivers freeze over many take the opportunity to participate in fun activities such as ice skating, a friendly game of ice hockey, snowshoeing or ice fishing. But how do you know the ice is safe to walk over? There are a few general things to keep in mind when judging if frozen water is safe to walk over. Please remember, however, that ice is never 100 percent safe to walk on, so tread slowly, take every precaution you can and follow the following five rules of judging how safe ice is.

Camping & Survival

30 Days of Preparing for Severe Winter Weather Day 27: Is Snow Safe to Eat?

Is snow safe to eat may sound like a ridiculous question, but it is a little more complicated than a simple answer yes or no.

Who hasn’t stuck their tongue out on a snowy day to catch a few fluffy snowflakes or broke an icicle off a tree and sucked on it? Appealing as snow looks—pristine, fluffy and like it would taste like whipped cream—it isn’t necessarily safe. Pollution and bacteria can mix with snow, even in remote mountainous regions. Though you should be more concerned with hypothermia rather than getting sick from eating contaminated snow, you can still use snow to hydrate yourself if caught ill prepared in a blizzard. However, you should melt snow first before eating it!

Picture shows a fire ring made of large rocks, a tee pee-style fire in the woods covered in snow.

Camping & Survival

30 Days of Preparing for Severe Winter Weather Day 16: 10 Tips for Building a Fire in the Snow

Making a fire on the fly is tough already without snow and ice on the ground. I hope you never have to fend for yourself over night in a winter storm, but in case you must—knowing how to start a fire in wet and adverse conditions can save your life. First, get the basic fire building skills down. Since building a fire in wet weather is a bit more challenging, here are 10 tips to get a fire going in the snow.

Camping & Survival

Training for Shooting and Survival—Building Your Buns

Your arsenal wasn’t built in a day, and your body won’t be either. Start with basic exercises. Think about your stance for shooting. It doesn’t matter if it’s an Isosceles or Weaver stance, kneeling or prone, what’s the most important component? Read this article to learn more.

Picture shows two tents pitched on the beach by a large body of water.

Camping & Survival

Leave it Like You Found It: Camping Responsibly

Camping, hiking and backpacking can have a detrimental impact on wildlife and vegetation. Studies throughout the United States have proven that trampling through the wilderness and camping have depleted trees, polluted fresh water systems, caused loss of vegetation and increased run off and erosion. According to Wilderness.net only 5% of the United States is protected wilderness. Which means the other 95% is open for development. As outdoorsmen and women, we can minimize our environmental impact by following best practices while enjoying the wide and wonderful outdoors. By practicing Leave No Trace’s Seven Principles, you will leave a minimal environmental impact while camping, hiking, backpacking, and hunting. When camping, I like to follow the rule of thumb: leave it the way you found it.