When backpacking you can really only make an educated guess at what the weather will do during the course of your trip. One of weather's greatest threats to backpackers and campers is lightning. Weather will do what it will do, but as a backpacker it is possible to prepare for what Mother Nature dishes out, even when it is raining bullets and the sky is crac… read more
From the beautiful beech and maple forests of the Northeast to the ponderosa pine savannas of Columbia Plateau ranges, and from the pine rocklands of southern Florida to the vast conifer tracts of the boreal forest, woodlands offer some of the most diverse and beautiful settings for hiking in the United States. read more
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an average of 90 people are killed from lightning strikes in the United States each year. While hiking those awesome skylines in the Rocky Mountains, or climbing cliffs in Utah, remember these simple tips. Even though the chance of being struck by lightning is, statistically speaking, small,… read more
If you're close enough to a thunderstorm to hear the thunder, you're close enough to be struck by lightning. Are you the tallest object around? Are you on a ridge or other elevated land form? Are you near any solitary tall objects like rock outcroppings or tall trees? If the answer to any of these questions is "yes," you need to take immediate steps to give… read more
Swimming offers enjoyment and great exercise, but it is also a potentially dangerous activity. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reveal that in 2005 alone there were 3,582 accidental drownings leading to death. One in four of these deaths ended the life of a child under the age of 14. When you observe a number of swimming safety tips, you may ensure your… read more
Interpreting a topographic map for the purposes of planning a hike is essential for longer-distance or cross-country expeditions. In this article, learn some general approaches to orienting your upcoming trek. read more
You've already tried car and RV camping. You've camped at commercial campsites that had a convenient restroom and water supply. Now, you want to explore the road less traveled. Backcountry camping, also known as primitive camping, is a wonderful way to explore the remote...
Pismo State Beach, California, has many attractions and activities including camping, swimming, hiking and wildlife viewing. Birdwatching is one of the primary activities in the area. The park also has the largest over-wintering colony of monarch butterflies in the natio...
The first and most fundamental thing is never hike alone. There are too many situations, especially as an unexperienced hiker, where you may find yourself without anyone to help you. So the buddy system works and applies very much in hiking.
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