How to Easily Find the Equipment You Need for Camping

There is nothing more exhilarating than not being surrounded by sounds of chatter and buses of the busy city but instead by the peaceful nature. Just imagine that the only thing heard is the clamping tonnage of different singing birds and the wind whistling through the leaves. The sunshine on your face and your lungs filled up with perfectly fresh air are just one benefit of a camping trip. 

It is necessary to brace yourself adequately before you begin your journey through the wilderness. After all, you want your adventure to be nothing else but enjoyable, relaxing and fun. Fortunately, here are some tips on how to easily find the equipment you need before going on a camping trip. This might be especially useful if you are a beginner.

Start By Creating a Checklist

Camping is a perfect opportunity for family and friends to get outside with you. In several states and national parks, in private campsites, in the backcountry, or even in your own backyard, you can go camping. A picnic table, a space to park your car, and a space to pitch your tent are part of most campsites. 

Many have shared toilets and running water as well. Part of the fun of camping needs very little facilities to be outside. But having a comfortable, easy and homey campsite is also good. That being said, you would need a plan to start with which nature enthusiasts from nativecompass.com would agree. You could borrow or rent any of the things from your list if it is your first time camping. You will find that the planning part is just a part of the fun. The search will also fulfill your needs when you become a more seasoned camper. 

Use this helpful camping checklist when planning, in order to make sure you do not miss something important.

Fire and Shelter

In poor weather conditions, the life-saving outdoor skill is to know how to make flames. There are also videos available that will help train you for that. Although, you will need to purchase and carry at least two small lighters to build a fire. It is important to hold them inside a dry spot in your backpack. 

You can also have a couple of stormproof matches and firestarter cubes as well as a spare. Only when you really need them, it would be recommended to use firestarters. The reason being, they can make the fire much faster and easier when weather conditions are rainy. Also, it would be smart to get your shelter packed while you are on a camping trip which is more than obvious. The shelter will keep you safe and warm during the cold nights. That is particularly the case if you face unexpected weather conditions. There is no reason for the shelter to be large and outlandish though. The scale can be compact and lightweight.

Sunscreen and First Aid Kit

Even if the risk of a life-threatening accident is more likely not to occur while camping, it will also be important to cover the likelihood as well. Getting a first aid kit can be useful even though you just have blisters. As an example, cuts and minor scrapes can turn out to be a big issue. They can be compromised if not taken care of. 

So, antiseptics and bandages are helpful in an emergency. Daily events can also be full of mosquito bites or sunburns. And just because of these examples, it would be wise to have a bottle of insect repellent and sunscreen and a first aid kit. 

Orientation

It would be recommended to bring a map, compass, or GPS device with you if your camping trip is most possibly in a remote region with no civilization in sight. Frequent shifts of the angle of the sun, and the overall natural environment, no matter whether the location is a mountainside or woodland, can be quite disorienting. 

Camping enthusiasts who go unprepared will too easily get lost in the woods for days. It is mildly said that getting lost in nature is not the best experience to find yourself in. Especially in a situation where your food and water resources are poor and limited. Not to mention, the scenario can be very risky.

Before you begin your camping adventure, it is important to think about how far you plan to go in the forest and how remote the area is. The atmospheric conditions should be taken into account as well. 

Farther you go, there will be more planning required, which means more stuff to pack. The splendors of nature and the great outdoors are yours to discover after making an informed and knowledgeable decision about what to buy.

The Ultimate Guide to Kayaking

What is kayaking? Most people don’t understand what Kayaking is. Some do confuse it with canoeing, which is different, although related in some ways. They are both performed on water, involve paddling but have different designs and operations. It is essential to understand the two to enable you to choose the best. This article will concentrate on giving details about kayaking. It will give a brief history of the sport, its difference from canoeing, and any other information you may need to know. Before we go further into details, let’s define it in detail.

What is Kayaking?

Kayaking is a physical activity which you can take as a sport or a profession. You only need to have the kayaking boat, the double-bladed boar, and the venue where you want to perform the exercise. You will paddle the boat using the boar as you make movements from one end to another. Kayaking is a low impact sport, but its benefits are many. First, it improves strength in your body. It does this to the core, hips, chest, hands, legs, and other body parts. The sport also improves your mental health, makes you lose weight, among other benefits.

You can go kayaking on the sea, lakes, rivers, oceans, and even dams. You have to be careful as a beginner, especially in risky rivers with high tides and waves. You also have to protect yourself from water, animals, and other dangers. It is a sport performed by everyone, regardless of their age and gender, and can supplement other activities, including fishing. One more thing, you can do kayaking as a professional game. It has a slot in the Olympic Games.

What’s the History of Kayaking?

Although facts may differ, it’s assumed that Kayaking was first started in North America by the Inuit and Aleut tribes. The first real kayaks were made from animal skins and driftwood, and it was their mode of transport when they went fishing in the deep waters. The name “Kayak” translates to a hunter boat. The kayaking then got accepted to other areas around the world. The first kayaking sport was done on icy waters in the 1800s by the Germans and the French nationals. It then grew to be part of the Berlin games in 1936, before evolving to the Olympics. 

What’s the difference between Kayaking and Canoeing?

There is a slight difference between a canoe and a kayak. Most people find it challenging to make a difference. It is essential to know the differences to avoid getting into the wrong sport or buying the wrong equipment.

A kayak comprises a closed vessel with a middle space where you sit and stretch the legs. On the other hand, a canoe is an open vessel in which you can kneel, sit or stand. It’s not covered and has a somehow pointed bow. Kayak paddles have blades at both ends and are usually long. You can use both blades to maneuver from point A to B. the Canoe paddles are shorter with a single blade at the end. Other differences include its use since they differ in design.

What do you need for Kayaking?

As a beginner, you may want to have a full pack before beginning your kayaking activities. Like other sports, you need the necessary tools that will make the sport successful and exciting. You will require a kayak and its paddle. You will also need a life jacket for your safety and a helmet to protect your head. Other necessary items include safety goggles, water-resistant clothing, protective footwear, and a waterproof bag to keep your valuables. 

How to Start Kayaking

Before embarking on the kayaking adventure, you first need to know how to get safely into the water. Here are some steps to launch your boat:

• Put your kayak boat on the water, just at the edge to avoid it drifting away. Control it as you step in.
• Balance your weight in the boat when getting in and use the paddle to position yourself. Ensure you sit comfortably before taking the next step.
• Launch the boat by pushing yourself against the shore. Do not go deep into the water until it is safe to do so.
• Use the paddling techniques to master the sport more. You can practice the forward sweep stroke, enabling you to move forward, and the Reverse sweep stroke pushes you back. You can also teach yourself how to turn and perform other stunts in the water. 

Types of Kayaking

There are at least five types of kayaking in practice worldwide. These include:

• Recreational Kayaking: this kayaking is done on protected water bodies where you rent the kayak and the equipment to enjoy yourself. The boat is usually more extensive and more stable, and it is mostly done for fun.
• Sports Kayaking: This is a bit extreme form of kayaking done on wavy or rapid water. Here, you compete with other kayakers. There are different sports types, including the recreational sport kayaking, freestyle, river racing, slalom, and Olympic kayaking. Some of these competitions have hefty prizes for the winners.
• Surf Kayaking: This sport is only for the pro and involves kayaking on wild waters. You need special training to compete with the experts.
• White-Water Kayaking: This kayaking is also dangerous since it’s done on rapid water, including rivers, creeks, and streams. You can choose river running, creeking, playboating, squirt boating, and much more. 
• Sea Kayaking: This kayaking type is done on large water bodies, including oceans. Its kayaks are slightly different and consist of two sealed bulkheads. One is placed behind the seating area, with the other for the feet to increase comfortability. It’s best for long rides and when going camping.
• Fishing kayaking: This type of kayaking is built differently to enable the operator to stand. It is mostly used in large water bodies by the fishermen.

There are two types of Kayak boats you can choose from. These include the sit-on-tops and the Sit-in Kayaks. To choose the best kayak for your sport, you must consider its hull, weight, category, length, width, and other factors. You also have to wear the correct clothing to protect your body against harmful animals and objects in the water. It only takes a little time, and you become the pro in the game. 

Ski Museum Adds Nordic Race to complement Alpine Legends Race

A giant slalom ski race and 5K Nordic sprint to benefit the Ski Museum of Maine are scheduled for March 12 and 14. The races are open to men and women ages 50+. Divisions are men and women age 50-59, 60-69, 70+. Winners in each division will receive medals at the post race awards celebrations. A skimeister trophy for a man and woman will be presented to the best overall skier in alpine and Nordic combined.

The Third Annual Legends GS race begins at 1pm, Thursday March 12 on the Boris Badenov trail at Mt. Abram. Registration is from 9am to noon at the Mt. Abram main lodge or in advance online at www.skimuseumofmaine.org.

The First Annual Tom Kendall Nordic Legends 5K begins at 1pm, Saturday march 14 at Black Mountain in Rumford. Registration is from 9am to noon at the XC Stadium Headquarters building or in advance online at www.skimuseumofmaine.org.

The registration fee is $35 for each race if pre-registered or $40 the day of the race. Discounted lift and trail passes are available at Mt. Abram and Black Mtn. the day of the event. Information on the races is available by phoning the Ski Museum at 207-265-2023, or online at skimuseumofmaine.org.

IFW Hunting Report for October 12, 2013

Southern Lakes Region

Hunters are enjoying the pheasant season in southern Maine.

“We have had two pheasant releases so far, and we have one final release for the season on Sunday, October 20,” said IFW Wildlife Biologist Scott Lindsay. “We have received some very positive comments about our two dozen release sites.” You can find a list of the pheasant release sites on the department website at www.mefishwildlife.com.