Solar Backpacking - A Guide to Portable Power Solutions

As the Green Movement advances, many people are looking for ways in which to help out. This includes camping, as there have been systems developed in this area too. But are they really portable enough to use in this activity? And there is also some question regarding how durable they are. It is important for consumers that these two questions are answered in the affirmative. If so, they can be a great alternative when in the great outdoors. That only leads to the issues of cost and whether they will provide the right amount of power.

Since many people take their RV when camping, this is one area that has really been developed. Manufacturers have tried to make these systems efficient. This is important because there is a great deal of power required. Typically, a full hook up is required at any of the campgrounds visited. Solar power might not be a good solution in this case. However, this is not to say it can’t be used altogether. It can be a great back-up unit in case of a complete power outage. So for those people who want full power for their RV, it probably won’t be able to supply this.

Lightweight Backpacking – Pillows

Any space and weight you can save while on a backpacking trip is usually welcome. There are many areas in which backpackers try to economize on weight. They may bring ultra light weight cooking stove and mess kits, as few clothes as possible, bring extremely light tents and sleeping bags, and so on. One other area that deserves mentions is pillows.
Pillows are sometimes not mentioned in the context of backpacking weight economy because they may be considered a “non-essential” item. That is, many hikers don’t feel they are necessary because it’s possible to rest your head on the upper part of a sleeping bag or improvise a makeshift pillow from wadded up or folded clothing. For anyone who’s experienced a night on the hard ground with no pillow, however, these can seem like less than optimal solutions. A pillow greatly increases comfort and can really be the factor that makes or breaks a night’s sleep.
Fortunately, there are a variety of lightweight backpacking pillows on the market which economize on weight and space admirably and still allow hikers and climbers to have a pillow when they sleep. There are two main options when it comes to lightweight backpacking pillows – compressible pillows and inflatable pillows. When well made, these two types both do a great job of saving weight and space while providing enhanced comfort. Let’s take a look at each type in a little bit more detail:

Compressible Backpacking Pillows

Learn Survival Skills for Trekking

Trekking or nature trekking generally tends to refer to long trips that hikers take through remote wilderness areas. It is to be distinguished from a weekend hiking trip or family camp out due to its intensity and duration. Trekkers are often far from civilization for extended periods. It is on just this sort of trip that survival skills, rather than merely the quality of camping gear or a few hastily learned outdoor tips, come to the fore. By virtue of the fact that a trekker is distant from all the comforts and solutions that civilization offers – everything from motels to supermarkets to hospitals – any mishap can take on amplified significance.
Let’s take a few examples - hypothetic hiking or trekking misadventures -to illustrate the point:

Let’s say a group of hikers is on a 1 week hike across a prominent and high mountain range. While ascending some steep rocks one of the trekkers falls and breaks his leg. The nearest town is a good two or three day hike away, and it doesn’t even have a hospital. Worse yet, the man with the broken leg is the hike leader and has the most familiarity with the region. What should the group do? If they have no knowledge of how to proceed the leg could become infected or the bone could begin to set wrong if left to itself.
Part of having survival skills is knowing just what to do in such a situation. If the members of the group (or even just one of them) have good survival skills, they will be able to take the appropriate steps to treat the broken leg. For instance they may either be able to make a splint using a first aid kit or from found objects such as sticks. They may be able to fashion bandages from other natural items if they do not carry any. They will know the best steps to take to stabilize the leg’s condition long enough to get the individual back to safety.

How to tell when your dog is ready for a long hike?

If you love to hike, then chances are you have considered taking your dog along for companionship and to enjoy the great outdoors with you. However, before you pack their backpack, it’s important to evaluate whether or not your dog is ready for a long hike.

Start by considering whether your dog is a suitable breed for hiking. A small lap dog would not be a suitable hiking dog because of their size and they could easily be attacked by predators. It’s important that your dog have an appropriate body size and body type that will permit them to hike over rugged terrain. You should also consider their coat length and thickness because it’s important that your dog be able to regulate their body temperature.

Introduction to the Rock Climbing Gear and the Climbing Rope

In the United States, rock climbing has increased in popularity over the last several years. This is not a sport for everybody though, since there are special talents and physical skills necessary to perform it. There is also equipment that has to be purchased including a helmet, rope, shoes, a harness and other assorted items.

Probably the most important safety equipment for climbers is the helmet. This will protect the head against fallen rocks, and will keep a climbers face from smacking into a rock face altogether.