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In-House Camping – Sometimes You’ve Just Gotta Go For It!

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 18:35:45 +0100

Okay, Mother Nature. We admit defeat. Torrential rains and gale force winds have put a damper on our much anticipated two-week camping trip. Oh well, we’ll just have to improvise! This is the first time we’ve given in to the weather but – all is not lost. Sometimes you’ve just gotta go for it!

After a great deal of discussion, my husband and I decided to set up camp in our dining room. We moved the dining room furniture into the living room (in front of the TV so we wouldn’t be tempted to watch anything during our “holiday”) and pitched the tent. We had to use one of our smaller tents because of the tight fit but it was perfect nonetheless. While listening to a “waves-crashing-on-the-shore-and-birds-twittering” CD on the portable radio, we set our camp chairs up in front of the fireplace and started our “camp fire” with store-bought wood. I know, I know, it’s against true camping rules to buy wood but this was an emergency situation! We did our breakfast toast over the fire but decided to cook our meals on the barbecue out back. (We live in a townhouse and I think that the strata council frowns on cooking meat in the fireplace.)


My husband and I both found this whole experience a little challenging at first. Unplugging the TV and the computers, ignoring the phone and not picking up the mail felt weird. After a couple of days, though, it felt just fine. And I have to admit, a big plus to camping in-house is that, if you have to get up in the night, the bathroom is just down the hall! Actually, we really enjoyed being unplugged for a few days. It was good to catch up with our reading and reconnect with each other. For us, it was almost as good as if we were really outdoors camping. For our dog, because we don’t have a lake for her to swim in or chipmunks for her to case in our house – not so much! Anyway, when all was said and done, I figure that this in-house camping was the next best thing to the real deal.

However, I have to confess that we have now put a camper on the top of our wish list! One day…

Need New Binoculars? Look No Further!

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 13:35:48 +0100

We decided at the last minute to go camping, despite the warnings from the authorities about fire hazards. What made our trip a little safer was that we had just retired our old large bulky pair of 1960’s Bushnell binoculars in favour of a new pair, the “Nikon Action 7x35”. The reason for the purchase was for us to be able to monitor the hills, ridges and valleys for smoke activity. This mainly for our own camping safety and not having to turn around in a hurry or having a rude smoky awakening surrounded by fire in the middle of the night.

What made the Nikon Action 7x35 binoculars our choice was the high-resolution blur-free image that allowed for the signs of smoke that can easily be mistaken as mist and morning fog. The Nikon has an easy “Diopter Control” left eye/right eye balancing function. It also has lens coatings that deliver optimum brightness and flare free viewing of the true wide-field 400 feet at 1000 yards. We found them light (25 oz) and tough with the polycarbonate chassis with a rubber grip. You can even mount them on a tripod and use them as a telescope.

On the last day, we thought that the peaks in the distance were unusually blue and distant. Sure enough, when we focused in on them, we found that the normally stagnant mist was actually smoke wafting in and out between outcroppings of cliffs. Later that night we heard of a new fire in that area that had been started by campers! The price is right; it’s lightweight and magnifies 7x! In short, with this choice of binoculars, you simply can’t go wrong, believe me. And you’ll discover a new safer brighter world! Check them out.

It’s A Tent – No, It’s A Bed – No, It’s A Playpen – What?

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 13:36:15 +0100

I’m thinking that this is another case of “necessity is the mother of invention”. Whoever thought of this obviously had a small child and spent family time at the beach, in the park or camping! The LittleLife Arc 3 Travel Cot is a perfect solution for traveling and spending time outdoors with your young child. It’s very sturdy and is a breeze to set up. Because of all the mesh panels it doesn’t get hot and stuffy and the soft foam mattress, with it’s removable and washable cover, is extremely comfortable. It offers a measure of shade so it’s terrific for when your child needs to nap while you’re spending a relaxing afternoon at the beach. If you throw a towel on top your little one will be totally shaded and, because of the airiness the mesh provides, it will stay cool inside. And, as it gets later in the afternoon and the mosquitoes come out, this travel cot can be used as a bug free playpen. You may even decide to set it up as a bed inside your large family tent when you go camping because, I believe you’ll find that the LittleLife Arc 3 Travel Cot will quickly become a favorite safe and cozy haven for you’re toddler to enjoy. You know, the more I think about this handy little cot, the more uses I can imagine for it. For instance, say you’re at your older kids soccer/football/baseball game, just put some favorite toys in with your young one and – voila – everybody’s happy, safe and secure. Or, maybe you’re holidaying in Mexico or Hawaii or Greece (lucky you). This travel cot is so light and easy to carry it would be perfect to bring along for those lazy days on those sun drenched beaches. You may even find that you’re setting it up in the playroom at home so the kids can use it as a fort! All in all, I bet this versatile little cot will become one of your favorite accessories (if you have a small kid that is). Come have a look.

The Best Big, Tall Tent Ever!

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 13:36:28 +0100

Imagine this – 5 friends, a Durango and 9500 miles! A 37-day road trip! These five college kids are challenging themselves with this adventure in order to encourage people to “Live Out Loud”. Find out more about their journey at www.thedurangodrifters.yolasite.com.

Reading about this project made me wonder what kind of tent I would get if it were up to me. I do believe I discovered the ideal one. It’s the absolutely incredible 1 Axis & 3 Zulu 13 person combo family camping tent. This cool modular tent system is made up of a center section and 3 attachable pod tents. The middle tent is a free standing screen house that provides a huge living area. It is an amazing 24 feet long, 10 feet wide and – get ready for it – 9 feet tall. I love tall tents! This space is so big that you could even play Twister in it. Each of the three pods is a separate free standing 3 person tent that can be attached to the main tent or not depending on your needs. I think that, even though these kids are best friends, the importance of the sense of privacy that the pods offer will be paramount as the trip progresses. Picture this – it’s been a long day on the road, you’ve just pull into the perfect spot at the Park, you assemble the tent(s), fire up the camp stove, have a great dinner and, as dusk approaches and the mosquitoes emerge, you can all pile in to the bug free zone of the screen house and relax, laughing, telling stories and sharing hopes and dreams of the future. Then imagine snuggling into your sleeping bag and drifting off to sleep while nature sings you a soft lullaby. Heaven … it sure doesn’t get any better than this! Oh, I think I just talked myself into getting a 1 Axis & 3 Zulu 13 person combo family camping tent for myself! Can you picture yourself in one? Come and see the details here.

Your Laptop’s Best Friend!

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:28:31 +0100

Hey, what’s going on here? I thought this was a site showing and recommending quality recreational and camping equipment!

Yes - but a lot of today’s campers and recreationalists have become avid bloggers and photographers, so stuff sacks have become very hi-tech! There is so much you can do with your laptop computer during those seemingly endless rainy days huddled under the tarp or those hot summer afternoons lazing by the lake. You can write and archive long email dairies to your friends and family, describing the hike you’ve just been on, downloading the pictures from your camera to free up space on your memory card, or write an eyewitness account of the Sasquatch sighting you just experienced! Maybe even use the Wi Fi service at that fishing lodge you are finally able to visit. Introducing – ta da – your laptop’s best friend! This is probably the world’s best and toughest laptop case - a case that can both bounce around in the back of a dusty pickup or fit snugly in your SUV’s pristine roof box. This Pelican 1490 Laptop Computer Case is ideal for camping, since it’s padded, dustproof and watertight. Furthermore, it’s got ergonomically curved padded shoulder straps, allowing you to just sling it over your shoulder. The fact that this case is crush proof makes your precious laptop perfectly protected from a potentially fatal blow from your heavy cooler or heavy packs in the belly of a West Coast floatplane on the way back from that fishing trip.

The Pelican 1490 Laptop Computer Case is lightweight, with easy open Double Throw latches and has stainless steel hardware and padlock protectors, which will defy the attacks of salt water. The handle is comfortably over-padded and the case also has an automatic pressure equalization valve. It can accommodate a 15” screen laptop. It can also handle temperatures between 210 F and -10F (which is more than I can say for me). All in all, in this day and age, when people feel lost without their laptop, I think the Pelican 1490 Laptop Case may just become a favorite piece of camping equipment. Check it out.

Need A New Camping Stove To Include In Your Outdoor Equipment Gear?

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:25:57 +0100

I remember, back in November, talking about all the “soft deep fluffy snow blanketing our mountain trails”. Well, here it is, the 26th of January, and the local mountains are almost bare. I just got back from walking the dog and realized that the grass is very green, there are fat buds on the bushes and tulips are shooting up all over the place… AND… there is next to no snow on the mountains! This isn’t actually very good since we’re hosting the Winter Olympics in a couple of weeks; however, it is affording us an excellent opportunity to get in some early spring camping. So, here we go on our first outdoor camping trip of the year (and decade!). We’ve decided to take two weeks and do a little exploring on some of the local hills (away from the Olympic venues). We’re going to set up a base camp and do a few two-day outdoor hiking forays. Because we’re still recuperating from the indulgences of the Christmas holidays and are a little bit (ha, ha) out of shape, we are going to go as light as we can on the hiking camping gear. There are a few things I can skimp on but a good camping stove is not one of them. For a change we are going to try the EtaPower EF Trail Stove. This stove is the lightweight version of the original Eta Power EF stove. A net stuff sack and a lid have replaced the storage bag and frying pan. It weighs only 27 ounces and it’s about the same size as the Jetboil GCS but it is reported to boil water faster and be more fuel-efficient. They say that a 220-gram gas container (sold separately) will heat enough food for two people for at least 6 days, which will be just perfect for us. As well as the net stuff sack and lid, this EtaPower EF Trail Stove comes with a Piezo electric ignition, windscreen, burner stand, a 1.7-liter pot and handle. I am really looking forward to using this stove for the first time to make the first cup of hot chocolate on our first outdoor camping hiking adventure in the first year of this new decade. Let the games begin!

Looking For A Spacious Tall Tent? Here It Is!

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:12:56 +0100

Before we know it, spring will be here again. I am already feeling the urge to go camping welling up in me. It’s time to start bringing out my old hiking camping gear. But...yikes…my tent has a rip in it! It also stinks after a winter in a damp storage locker. I guess it’s time to look for a new tent! This time, however I’ve made a wish list. It has to be easy to erect and be a tall tent with tons of space. Tall and spacious enough to comfortably stand and walk around in. Happily, I’ve found the ultimate answer to all my wishes! It’s the Eureka Copper Canyon 1312 Tent. This large family tent is the perfect solution to cramped spaces. You know how horrible it is when your outdoor equipment gear is piled up in the entrances and all that sand and dirt gets hauled in all over your nice clean sleeping bags as you’re scrambling over the gear because there’s no floor space and there’s no room to stand up in? Thank heavens those days will soon be over! This cabin style tent has a floor area of 156 square feet (bigger than some of the rooms in my house!) and the center height is 7’ 3”. It’s an 8 man, 9-pole cabin style tent that comes with a detachable awning that shades the tent front area for a space that is 8.5’ x 5’. It also has a removable divider curtain that creates two rooms if you want some privacy. There are 2 big D-style side doors that offer a seperate entrance into each room. And, not only that, this tent has 6 windows, 8 storage pockets and a camping gear loft. Wow, I can hardly wait! Move along Old Man Winter – Lady Spring is fast approaching. The Eureka Copper Canyon 1312 Tent is here and all is right with the world! Come and see for yourself this fabulous, spacious tall tent.

Add This To Your Outdoor Equipment Gear – Your Life Could Depend On It!

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:50:12 +0100

In light of all the disasters that occur in the back country every year, one has to wonder why people don’t take precautions by adding a beacon to their outdoor equipment gear. Don’t let your outdoors fun end in tragedy! This simple device, for instance, is a great help in locating those unfortunate trekkers who have been buried by large avalanches or who are incapacitated in other ways, like finding themselves in personal danger in whiteouts or other horrendous weather conditions. It is called the ACR Microfix 406 GPS Personal Locator Beacon and it is instrumental in quickly alerting search and rescue teams to your location via GPS if you are seriously injured. The Microfix GPS transmits your coordinates within 100 meters radius, via the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system, with your registered, unique, digitally coded distress signal, which allows the authorities to identify you by name. It sends two types of signals, a digital (new standard) and an analog signal that is recognized by satellites and aircraft with the SAR Homing Frequency signal. It floats and its battery capacity is for 24 hours continuous use in -20c and 8 hours in -40c. The life span of the battery is 5 years and the whole unit can be stored with no adverse effects for 11 years. It transmits under water and is operational for 10 minutes submersed in 10 meters of water and 1 hour submersed in 5 meters of water. It only weighs 283 g (10 ounces) so it’s no hardship to slip it into your hiking gear backpack. It comes complete with a holster and lanyard, which can be removed for mounting it on a backpack, a belt or a life vest. This little item could save your life. Don’t you think you’re worth it?

Introducing The MSR Denali Evo Ascent Snowshoe – Bring On The Snow!

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:40:48 +0100

Maybe now when we are already having soft deep fluffy snow blanketing our mountain trails, we should look into buying a new set of snowshoes. Let me tell you about the MSR Denali Evo Ascent, a fantastic lightweight yet rugged snowshoe that offers extraordinary performance on icy and steep surfaces! They have strong Unideck injection-molded decks, which are tapered for a more natural walking position. They can accommodate a large boot, which makes this shoe perfect for bringing in your pack on your snowboard/skiing trip as a safety item. With the EVO Flotation Tails (sold separately), you eliminate the need for several pairs for different uses, if you are using heavy packs for instance. Recommended load without tails is 90-125 lbs and with the 6 in tails the recommended load is 125 - 175 lbs. Its crampons on either side work very well and you will enjoy superior traction through steel traction blades with their saber teeth, crampons and moulded braking bars. The bindings are easy to use, hold up very well and they can be worked on with your gloves or mitts on. Its Televator heel lifter reduces calf fatigue and therefore makes climbing more easy and efficient. These MSR Denali Evo Ascent are one of the most used snowshoes among “die hard” snowshoers in Alaska. They say once they’re on your feet, you don’t think you have anything more than your boots on! Come see.

Check Out These Karhu XCD Guide Backcountry Mountaineering Skis

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:41:58 +0100

With summer leaving us in such haste, all we can do now is plan ahead for a long season of snow and winter fun. Have you ever thought of upgrading your skills from cross-country skiing to the little more challenging sport of mountaineering skiing? It’s so much easier now than it used to be. The typical mountaineering ski was, up until quite recently, a big fat ski that weighed substantially more than your regular cross country ski. Not only that, you used to have to carry special skins that made it possible for you to climb those slopes that become icy during spring nights. The Karhu XCD Guide Backcountry Ski is a ski that, because of its efficient Omnitrack NoWax positive base pattern system for climbing, allows you to leave your skins at home. This ski is also very light thanks to Karhu’s light slim Greenlight core. The Karhu XCD is a modern wide touring ski with steel edges, which allows for a controlled downhill descent as well as being comfortable during touring over open mountainous areas. It is also a classic blend of Nordic and downhill design, which makes this ski a very versatile product. Recommended bindings for this ski is the “Rottefella BC”-system but if you want a little better action in those advanced downhill turns, a Rottefella Chili is more appropriate. Come and have a look.