Camping Gear and Supplies

Polar Pure Water Disinfectant From Polar Pure

noreply@blogger.com (kpvida) — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 12:26:00 +0000

RITE-PRICE CAMPING STORE

Product Details

Polar Pure Water Disinfectant
From Polar Pure

Price:

$12.80 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Ships from and sold by DAB Nutrition (Direct Super Center)

7 new or used available from $10.66

Average customer review:

Product Description

Polar Pure Water Disinfectant uses pure crystallized iodine in a unique delivery system to destroy water-borne pathogens including giardia cysts and micro-organisms (viruses) that pass through filters. Simply add water to your Polar Pure bottle. Is safe and fully effective to use as long as you can see iodine crystals at the bottom of the bottle. Dosage chart is printed on the bottle. Small size and light weight makes it convenient for backpacking and travel. Essential for emergency preparedness.

Product Details

Amazon Sales Rank: #59 in Sports & Outdoors
Size: 3oz
Brand: Polar Pure

Features

Polar Pure Water Disinfectant
Portable water disinfectant ideal for camping, backpacking, or traveling
Unique bottle design deploys pure crystallized iodine into water
Destroys waterborne pathogens, including Giardia and microorganisms
Treats up to 2,000 quarts of water per bottle; indefinite shelf life
Bottle cap measures and decants solution--no other tools required

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Product Description
Whether you're traveling in unfamiliar countries, camping in the great outdoors, or just want to be prepared in case of emergency, the Polar Pure water disinfectant is a space-efficient, reliable choice. Polar Pure uses a unique bottle design to deploy pure crystallized iodine into contaminated water. This iodine destroys waterborne pathogens, including the Giardia cysts and microorganisms (viruses) that normally pass through filters. All you have to do is simply add water to your Polar Pure bottle--which features a particle trap to prevent the loss of iodine crystals--and you will create a saturated solution to disinfect your water. The water cap then acts as the measuring cup, dispersing the required amount of Polar Pure to disinfect each quart/liter bottle of water.

Polar Pure offers several advantages over other water-disinfectant methods. It's far more portable than carrying household chlorine bleach, which is often available only in a dilute solution when traveling in many parts of the world. It's more convenient than bringing along enough fuel to boil water every time you want a drink, especially at altitude. And unlike most water filters, Polar Pure doesn't get clogged over time. In fact, a single bottle of Polar Pure treats up to 2,000 quarts of water. Other advantages: Polar Pure doesn't deteriorate in extreme temperatures, it has an indefinite shelf life, and it's small and light enough for backpacking or traveling.

Customer Reviews

Great taste, great protection, compact & convenient
Our group used Polar Pure in the Boundary Waters and Quetico on a week-long canoe trip. At first, everyone was squeamish about using iodine and so we spent a lot of time pumping water with a conventional filter. But the filter leaked and so some of us decided maybe we'd try to survive the awful taste of iodine in the water. Color me surprised - the water tasted fine. It was convenient - just dip your water bottle over the side of the canoe to fill, add a capful of Polar Pure solution, shake, and wait 20 minutes. It tasted great. Could I taste the difference between Polar Pure and filtered water? Sure, on a side-by-side taste test I could tell a slight difference. But it was so much more compact and convenient than the water filter that I switched to Polar Pure for the rest of the week. Now I'm going to get bottles for the rest of the family so that we can take it on our hikes and trips in the Cascades and Olympics. A small bottle in a backpack and we'll never run out of water on those hot grinding switchback trails.

Serious water treatment
I have used Polar Pure for a number of years, sometimes under difficult conditions. It's much better than any other chemical treatment I have found. I don't recommend drinking stagnant water from a swamp, but if you treat it following the manufacturer's instructions, you can do it and won't get a disease or parasite.

One bottle of this product will treat a LOT of water...at least in the thousand liter range. Most products are sold as little tablets and only treat about 50 liters. This is hands-down a better product.

Like all chemical treatments, it only kills living organisms. If the water is toxic, you are still out of luck.

Great product. I swear by it.

Good but with cautions
Shri says, "Just dip your water bottle over the side of the canoe to fill, add a capful of Polar Pure solution, shake, and wait 20 minutes" - but this may be dangerous advice. The problem is any water left on the outside of Shri's water bottle was, of course, not cleaned by putting iodine inside the bottle. Since Shri didn't get sick, the water was probably never contaminated (often the case). Shri should have, perhaps did, "burp" the treated water bottle in order to clean the outside as well. Just as important, though, is to regularly clean hands and cooking utensils (since these are more often the sources of bacteria and viruses). You can reduce the minor iodine aftertaste by halving the dose and doubling the wait time - including doubling either dose or time if water is cloudy (easier with this product than tablets like Potable Aqua Water Treatment Tablets). Instead, I add an acidic sport mix to both counter (turns the iodine to iodide) and cover aftertaste (only after 30 minutes to next day wait to let iodine first do its work). I dilute powder with twice recommended water to aid faster digestion.

Issues being addressed are large 2-15 micron Protozoa and medium 0.2-0.6 micron Bacteria most likely to affect dehydration by causing diarrhea as well as rare small 0.02-0.03 micron Viruses from other humans (so, animal waste not really a problem) most feel are actually not likely in U.S. Issues not being addressed include very large 25 micron tapeworm eggs, etc from raw sewage contamination (dealt with by any filtration including with coffee filter or boiling). Tennimon's natural sand filter suggestion could take a week to work optimally (so, water should be treated anyway) and his claim of nasty taste (while never trying) is wholly unfounded. Just fill the Polar Pure bottle with water and shake. The solution will be ready for use in about an hour. The particle trap should prevent crystals from getting into the water - this is important as iodine in a crystal is poisonous and can burn tissue or eyes. Always refill the bottle so the solution will be ready for next use. Enough to treat about 2,000 quarts (compared to 50 quarts for tablets).

When camping, take water from the surface since it will be cleaned by the sun's ultraviolet rays while giving floc a chance to settle. Important to remember iodine is less effective (requiring more) if water is below "room" temperature, so warming water first can be useful (say, by leaving in sun). Best if water is filtered in any way (even if just with a coffee filter) as floc can shield pathogens from iodine (and no one likes to chew their water). Even the very best filters, though, can possibly leave some types of viruses (which are tiny dead protein fragments) but which iodine will destroy. I prefer this to other forms of iodine as well as chlorine (if just for the indefinite shelf life) - only other treatment product I would consider is Aqua Mira Water Treatment (1 kit) (good for 120 quarts). No treatment, of course, will affect toxins like industrial waste or heavy metals from mining tailings. Don't use if allergic to shellfish (since you may also be allergic to iodine). Good for foreign travel as well as backpacking. Homeland Security also recommends having at home in case of emergency, they prefer boiling or filtering AND treating water to be 100% safe.

CamelBak Classic 70 oz Hydration Pack From Camelbak

noreply@blogger.com (kpvida) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:51:00 +0000

RITE-PRICE CAMPING STORE

CamelBak Classic 70 oz Hydration Pack
From Camelbak

Product Description

A sleek multi-use hydration system.

Product Details

Amazon Sales Rank: #579 in Sports & Outdoors
Brand: Camelbak
Model: CB22
Dimensions: 7.50" h x 2.00" w x 17.00" l, .90 pounds

Features

Soft mesh harness and slit mesh back panel for comfort and breathability
External zip pocket for keys and essentials
Secure bungee cinch system holds extra layers
Front and back reflectivity improves low light visibility.
External fill Omega HydroTanium reservoir with Lifetime Warranty

Customer Reviews

How Did I Run Long Without This?
This hydration pack is more comfortable than my single-bottle belt. It's hard to believe I am carrying several bottles worth of water. No more careful rationing of liquids or stopping to buy bottled water during a 20-mile run. The mouthpiece is right next to your chin, but out of the way and easy to remove and replace at full stride. The pack slides a little at faster paces (7:00/mi.and under), but I got used to it and there's no chafing. Don't expect to carry much beyond a cell phone or 3 gel packs in the pocket, and unless you're an advanced yoga practitioner, don't expect to reach them while you're running. The main thing is getting enough water while you're running, and the CamelBak does that perfectly.

CamelBak
Great hydropack. Pocket good enough for keys, granola bar, spare AAA batteries, cell phone all at once. Only downfalls are (1)there is no way to tell how much water is left unless you remove the bladder and (2) bladder removal and replacement are a bit of a struggle. Otherwise, there is no sweating, even with ice inside, pretty well insulated to keep water cold on hot days, straps are mesh and very light and it sits high on your back with or without included chest strap.

Given as a gift.
This CamelBak was given as a gift. It arrived promptly & recipient loves it since he is an avid outdoorsman. He will be using it for skiing, running, biking, etc. Love the Hydralock (which isn't on older models) - it is just before the mouthpiece and prevents water from running out of the tube after you remove it from your mouth.

Rock climbing

noreply@blogger.com (kpvida) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:36:00 +0000

Rock climbing

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article uses climbing terms to describe the sport of rock climbing.

**Rock climbing**
Main article History Styles Technique Equipment & Protection Grades (Difficulty) Climbing terms Belaying Abseiling

Climbers on "Valkyrie" at the Roaches, UK

Rock climbing is a sport in which participants climb up or across natural rock formations or man-made rock walls. The goal is to reach the summit of a formation or the endpoint of a pre-defined route. Rock climbing is similar to scrambling (another activity involving the scaling of hills and similar formations), but climbing is generally differentiated because of the use of hands to support the climber's weight as well as to provide balance.

Rock climbing is a physically and mentally demanding sport, one that often tests a climber's strength, endurance, agility, and balance along with his or her mental control. It can be a dangerous sport and knowledge of proper climbing techniques and usage of specialized climbing equipment is crucial for the safe completion of routes. Because of the wide range and variety of rock formations around the world rock climbing has been separated into several different styles and sub-disciplines that are described below.^[1]

[hide]

History

Main article: History of rock climbing

Although rock climbing was an important component of Victorian mountaineering in the Alps, it is generally thought that the sport of rock climbing began in the last quarter of the nineteenth century in various parts of Europe. Rock climbing evolved gradually from an alpine necessity to a distinct athletic activity.

Aid climbing (climbing using equipment that act as artificial hand- or footholds) became popular during the period 1920 - 1960, leading to ascents in the Alps and in Yosemite Valley that were considered impossible without such means. However, climbing techniques, equipment, and ethical considerations have evolved steadily, and today, free climbing (climbing on holds made entirely of natural rock, using gear solely for protection and not for upward movement) is the most popular form of the sport. Free climbing has since been divided into several sub-styles of climbing dependent on belay configuration (described below).

Over time, grading systems have also been created in order to more accurately compare the relative difficulties of climbs.

Rock climbing basics

Top-roping

In top-roping, an anchor is set up at the summit of a route prior to the start of a climb. Rope is run through the anchor; one end attaches to the climber and the other to the belayer, who keeps

Lead climbing

In lead climbing, one person, called the "leader", will climb from the ground up with rope directly attached (and not through a top anchor) while the other, called the "second", belays the leader. Because the climbing rope is of a fixed length, the leader can only climb a certain distance. Thus longer routes are broken up into several "pitches". At the top of a pitch, the leader sets up an anchor, and then belays the "second" up to the anchor. Once both are at the anchor, the leader begins climbing the next pitch and so on until they reach the top.

In either case, upon completion of a route, climbers can walk back down (if an alternate descent path exists) or rappel (abseil) down with the rope.

Grading systems

Nagarjun, Kathmandu, Nepal

Climbing communities in many countries and regions have developed their own rating systems for routes. Ratings (or "grades") record and communicate consensus appraisals of difficulty. (Hence, there may be occasional disagreements arising from physiological or stylistic differences among climbers.) The ratings take into account multiple factors affecting a route, such as the slope of the ascent, the quantity and quality of available handholds, the distance between holds, and whether advanced technical maneuvers are required. Though acrophobia (the fear of heights) may affect certain climbers, the height of a route is generally not considered a factor in its difficulty rating.

Climbing environments

Climbs can occur either outdoors on varying types of rock or indoors on specialized climbing walls. Outdoors, climbs usually take place on sunny days when the holds are dry and provide the best grip, but climbers can also attempt to climb at night or in adverse weather conditions if they have the proper training and equipment. However, night climbing or climbing in adverse weather conditions will increase the difficulty and danger on any climbing route.

Styles of rock climbing

Top roping Balthazar (12), in the Morialta Conservation Park near Adelaide, South Australia. Top roping is the most accessible style of climbing for beginners.

Muro dell Assino, Italy, 5c

Main article: Climbing styles

Most of the climbing done in modern times is considered free climbing---climbing using one's own physical strength with equipment used solely as protection and not as support -- as opposed to aid climbing, the gear-dependent form of climbing that was dominant in the sport's earlier days. Free climbing is typically divided into several styles that differ from one another depending on the equipment used and the configurations of their belay, rope, and anchor systems (or the lack thereof).

Aid Climbing - Still the most popular method of climbing big walls. Progress is accomplished by repeatedly placing and weighting gear which is used directly to aid ascent and enhance safety.

Traditional climbing - Traditional or Trad Climbing involves rock climbing routes that do not have permanent anchors placed to protect climbers from falls while ascending. Gear is used to protect against falls but not to aid the ascent directly.

Sport Climbing - Unlike Traditional Rock Climbing, Sport Climbing involves the use of protection or permanent anchors which are attached to the rock walls.

Bouldering - Climbing on short, low routes without the use of the safety rope that is typical of most other styles. Protection, if used at all, typically consists of a cushioned bouldering pad below the route and/or a spotter, a person that watches from below and directs the fall of the climber away from hazardous areas. Bouldering may be an arena for intense and relatively safe competition, resulting in exceptionally high difficulty standards.

Free climbing - The most commonly used method to ascend climbs refers to climbs where the climber's own physical strength and skill are relied on to accomplish the climb. Free climbing may rely on top rope belay systems, or on lead climbing to establish protection and the belay stations. Anchors, ropes, and protection are used to back up the climber and are passive as opposed to active ascending aids. Subtypes of free climbing are trad climbing and sport climbing. Free climbing is generally done as "clean lead" meaning no pitons or pins are used as protection.^[2]

Free soloing (not to be confused with free climbing) is single-person climbing without the use of any rope or protection system whatsoever. If a fall occurs and the climber is not over water (as in the case of deep water soloing), the climber is likely to be killed or seriously injured. Though technically similar to bouldering, free solo climbing typically refers to routes that are far taller and/or far more lethal than bouldering. The term "highball" is used to refer to climbing on the boundary between soloing and bouldering, where what is usually climbed as a boulder problem may be high enough for a fall to cause serious injury and hence could also be considered to be a free solo.

Solo aid - Free soloing in which the climber wears a harness and a carries limited protection but doesn't use a rope. The climber may free solo or scramble much of the route but use protection only where safety demands it. Doing so involves placing gear overhead which is then attached to the climber via a short length of cord to his or her harness. The climber then climbs above the protection and reaches down to remove the gear before proceeding- possibly after placing another protection point and attaching to it via a second loop of cord. This "leap frogging" or "boot strapping" technique is akin to gear conservation techniques that may be used in traditional climbing. Solo aid may or may not use gear to directly assist ascent.

Indoor Climbing - With indoor rock climbing you can train year round and improve your climbing skills and techniques. Indoor climbing is great for beginners because it gives you an idea of what it's like to climb actual rocks outdoors.

Scrambling - Scrambling basically uses hands and feet when going up ridges, rock faces, or buttresses. Scrambling differs from "technical" climbing in terms of the the terrain grade in the Yosemite decimal system scrambling is possible on anything less than fifth class. Most scrambling is done in a "free solo" style. However, it is not uncommon for climbers to use ropes and protection on an exposed climb that is technically considered a scramble.

Deep Water Soloing - Having to climb a rock and fall on deep water sets it apart from the other styles.

Mixed climbing - A combination of ice and rock climbing, often involving specialized ice climbing slippers and specialized ice tools.

Rope soloing - Solo climbing with a rope secured at the beginning of the climb allowing a climber to self-belay as they advance. Once the pitch is completed the soloist must descend their rope to clean their gear and reclimb the pitch. This form of climbing can be conducted free or as a form of aid climbing.

Simul climbing - When two climbers move at the same time. The pseudo-lead climber places gear that the pseudo-follower collects. When the leader runs low on gear they construct a belay station where the follower can join them to exchange gear. The stronger climber is often the pseudo-follower since a fall by the follower would pull the leader from below towards the last piece of gear. A potential devastating fall for the leader. In contrast the a fall from the leader would pull the follower from above, resulting in a less serious fall. Most speed ascents involve some form of simul climbing but may also include sections of standard free climbing and the use of placed gear for advancement (i.e. partial aid or pulling on gear).

Top roping - Climbing with the protection of a rope that's already suspended through an anchor (or also known as a "Top Rope System") at the top of a route. A belayer controls the rope, keeping it taut, and prevents long falls. Most Indoor climbing or "gym climbing" is top roping on indoor purpose-made climbing walls although it's also common to boulder and sport climb indoors. Gym climbing is used as training for outside climbing, but some climb indoors exclusively. Due to its simplicity and reduced risk, most beginners are introduced to climbing through top-roping.

Criticism of rock climbing

Cultural

Some areas that are popular for climbing are also sacred places for indigenous peoples. Many such indigenous people would prefer that climbers not climb these sacred places and have made this information well known to climbers. A well known example is the rock formation that Americans have named Devils Tower National Monument^[3]. Native American cultural concerns also led to complete climbing closures at Cave Rock at Lake Tahoe^[4], Monument Valley, Shiprock & Canyon de Chelly^[5].

In Australia, the well known monolith Uluru is sacred to local indigenous communities and climbing is banned on anything but the established ascent route (and even then climbing is discouraged).

Climbing activities can sometimes encroach on rock art sites created by various Native American cultures and early European explorers and settlers. The potential threat to these resources has led to climbing restrictions and closures in places like Hueco Tanks, Texas^[6] and portions of City of Rocks, Idaho^[7].

Environmental

Although many climbers adhere to "minimal impact" and "leave no trace" practices, rock climbing is sometimes damaging to the environment. Common environmental damages include: soil erosion, chalk accumulation, litter, abandoned bolts and ropes, human excrement, introduction of foreign plants through seeds on shoes and clothing, and damage to native plant species, especially those growing in cracks and on ledges as these are often intentionally removed during new route development through a process commonly referred to as cleaning.

Clean climbing is a style of rock climbing which seeks to minimize some of the aesthetically damaging side effects of some techniques used in trad climbing and more often, aid climbing by avoiding using equipment such as pitons, which damage rock.

Climbing can also interfere with raptor nesting, since the two activities often take place on the same precipitous cliffs. Many climbing area land managers institute nesting season closures of cliffs known to be used by protected birds of prey like eagles, falcons and osprey^[8].

Many non-climbers also object to the appearance of climbing chalk marks, anchors, bolts and slings on visible cliffs. Since these features are small, visual impacts can be mitigated through the selection of neutral, rock-matching colors for bolt hangers, webbing and chalk.

Vandalism

Vandalism created by non-climbers is often mistakenly attributed to the climbing population, driving the implementation of new climbing restrictions^[9].

The most significant form of vandalism directly attributable to rock climbers is alteration of the climbing surface to render it more climber-friendly and/or safe.

With the advent of hard, bolted sport climbing in the 1980s, many routes were "chipped" and "glued" to provide additional features, allowing them to be climbed at the standard of the day. This attitude quickly changed as the safer sport climbing technique allowed climbers to push hard without much risk, causing the formerly more-or-less fixed grades to steadily rise. Altering routes began to be seen as limiting and pointless.

Unlike trad climbing which generally uses protection only as a back up in case of falls, some forms of climbing--like sport climbing, canyoneering or, especially, aid climbing--rely heavily on artificial protection to advance, either by frequent falls or by directly pulling on the gear. Often these types of climbing involve multiple drilled holes in which to place bolts, but in recent years an emphasis on clean techniques has grown.

Today, the charge of vandalism in climbing is more often a disagreement about the appropriateness of drilling and placing permanent bolts and other anchors. Typically in America, the first ascensionists decide where to place protection on a new route, and later climbers are supposed to live with these choices. This can cause friction and retro-bolting when the route is perceived to be dangerous to climbers who actually lead at the grade of the climb, since the first ascensionists often lead at a higher grade and therefore don't require as much protection. Failing to properly design a new route at its grade is considered arrogant and very poor form. Even in strongholds of rock-climbing tradition like Yosemite National Park, many routes are being gradually upgraded to safer standards of protection.

Another form of vandalism in rock climbing is pulling existing bolts and anchors. This often happens after retro-bolting occurs. Many climbers feel that if the route has been done without the benefit of protection, it should stay that way. However this argument only holds water when the first ascensionists were climbing at the limit of their skill--as in Yosemite's infamous test-piece, the Bachar-Yerian. In the case of first ascensionists failing to install adequate protection because the new route is below their leading standard and they didn't require it themselves, this attitude is harder to justify.

Trespassing

Many significant rock outcrops exist on private land. The rock climbing community has been guilty of trespassing in many cases, often after land ownership transfers and previous access permission is withdrawn. In response to access closures, the climbing community organized and a group formed to correct problems and represent climber interests.

The Access Fund is an "advocacy organization that keeps U.S. climbing areas open and conserves the climbing environment. Five core programs support the mission on national and local levels: public policy, stewardship and conservation (including grants), grassroots activism, climber education, and land acquisition."^[10]

BASE jumping|BASE Jumping

A few climbers are experimenting with taking small parachutes on hard climbs. This allows the climber to abandon the route without de-climbing it - essentially turning the rock climb into a BASE jump. This has led to debate in the climbing community about whether or not it allows for greater risk and if it "cheapens" the experience. BASE jumping on any level is generally also banned in areas known for their rock climbing, most notably Yosemite National Park.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Rock climbing

[hide] v • d • e Extreme Sports

Board sports	Snowboarding · Sandboarding · Windsurf · Kitesurfing · Riverboarding · River surfing · Surfing · Flowboarding · Skysurfing · Skateboard · Mountainboarding · Snowskate · Wakeboarding

Motor sports	Motocross · Snocross · Rallying · Drifting · Motorcycle rally

Mountaineering	Ice climbing · Rock Climbing · Bouldering · Canyoning · Free solo climbing

Free-fall	Paragliding · Parachuting · Bungee jumping · Wingsuit flying · Hang gliding

Others	Mountain biking · BMX · Inline skating · Free diving · Cliff diving

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_climbing"

Categories: Climbing | Locomotion | Rock climbing

VICTORINOX Swiss Army Knife

noreply@blogger.com (kpvida) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:05:00 +0000

RITE-PRICE CAMPING STORE

Product Description

From city slickers to masters of the agrarian sciences, everyone who carries the celebrated VICTORINOX Swiss Army Knife finds a multitude of uses for it! The Classic is the perfect pocket-size model, with seven functions, including tweezers and toothpick. 2-1/4 Inches in Length Built to last. Don't leave home without yours!

Product Details

Amazon Sales Rank: #42 in Sports & Outdoors
Brand: Victorinox
Model: 53024

Features

Compact Swiss Army pocketknife for campers, hikers, and all-around users
Includes small blade for cutting, pair of mini scissors, and plastic toothpick
Nail file with screwdriver tip; compact metal tweezers; key ring for transport
Enclosed in stylish 1-color housing made to exacting Victorinox standards
Measures 2-1/4 inches long; lifetime warranty

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Product Description
From the renowned company that created the Swiss Army Knife a century ago comes the Swiss Army Classic pocketknife, a compact set of tools for campers, hikers, and boy scouts. Measuring 2-1/4 inches long, the Classic is stylishly cased in a timeless solid-colored housing with the familiar Victorinox logo on the side. More importantly, the unit contains all the classic Swiss Army tools, including a small blade for cutting, a pair of mini scissors, a nail file with a screwdriver tip, a toothpick, tweezers, and a key ring. As with all Victorinox items, the Classic is made to exacting standards, with dozens of steps going into its construction. Victorinox attends to every detail, from selecting the finest materials to performing the final inspection. In addition, each individual tool has been hardened in a different way to stand up to its designated use. As with all Victorinox multi-tools, the Classic carries a lifetime warranty.

About Swiss Army Knives
In 1884, Swiss cutler Karl Elsener set up shop in Ibach-Schwyz, installing a waterwheel in Tobelbach Brook to run his grinding and polishing machines. Thus began what would become the international brand name Victorinox, a combination of Victoria, for Elsener's mother, and "inox," or stainless steel. Today, Victorinox produces watches, luggage, clothing, and, famously, Swiss Army Knives. The original product dates to 1897, when Elsener patented the Swiss Officer's and Sports Knife he supplied to the Swiss Army. Following World War II, American servicemen and women shopping in PX stores shortened the name to Swiss Army Knife, which lives on in English-speaking countries around the world and has become a metaphor for versatility.

Customer Reviews

Classic Indeed
After 14 years of service my Victorinox mini-Swiss Army Knife (SAK) has finally begun to show its age: the toothpick went missing, the enamel casing cracked, the insignia fell off. So I've bought another (the original sits in a drawer, its knife blade as sharp as ever, the screwdriver still perfectly utile, the scissors are gummed up but could probably be cleaned out with some rubbing alcohol).

For versatility and simplicity it's hard to beat this item. Sure there are SAKs with more blades and tools, but the simple knife/screwdriver/scissors combination is going to meet the vast majority of your needs (ok, it doesn't have a bottle opener: use a door strike plate, MacGyver). The toothpick is so-so, but I can't count the number of times I've needed to tweeze something and used the SAK tweezers when I couldn't find the bathroom set. The key fob, while not the most exciting of features, does provide a convenient way to carry the SAK around with you.

This item is sure to please. I love mine. You'll love yours. Buy one for someone else - they'll love theirs.

The classic still a sentimental and useful favorite
I have been a collector of pocket knives since I was a kid and I'm always doing something around the house, needing to file a nail, tweeze a splinter, cut off some twine or open a letter. I bought one of these years and years ago in the train station at Zurich with my leftover change and I have it to this day...

The knife takes a bit of sharpening--the type of steel used is resistant to rust and holds its shine, but it also makes it a bit more difficult to hold an edge. Nonetheless, with a good sharpening stone and some care, you can make a fine edge useful for opening letters, cutting twine or cutting open a box.

This version contains six tools, including the knife blade, scissors, nail file with screwdriver on the end, plastic toothpick, tweezers and lanyard/key ring attachment. If you attach a string to the ring, you can use the pocketknife as a makeshift plumb bob.

This is a small knife, just 2-1/4 inches long, so it fits flat in a pocket or purse. I personally like to have a corkscrew and Philips screwdriver as well, but that is on a larger model that doesn't fit so well in the back pocket of your trousers. Since this is so small, don't forget to remove it from your pants pocket before you head to the airport, as passengers are no longer permitted to board with such items.

I Would Feel Unprepared For My Day Without It!
For many years now, I have carried one of these small Swiss Army knives on each of my two key rings - one for work and one for home. Barely a day goes by when I do not take one of them out of my pocket to use once or twice - to quickly file down a broken nail, to tweeze out a small splinter, to cut open a small item with the scissor of something larger by cutting the wrapping tape with the knife blade - the toothpick is used daily! I cannot imagine being without one. Of course, I own larger and more multi-purpose knives, but when it comes to carrying something this handy on a key chain or ring, you just can't beat them!

There are two major (authorized) manufacturers of Swiss Army knives: Victorinox, the maker of this particular favorite of mine and Wenger, a reliable alternative brand that makes many similar and some even nearly identical models. I have used both over the years and have found there to be absolutely no appreciable differences in the quality, durability or pricing of the knives. With so many models to choose from, it probably makes sense to decide which features you need and then shop both brands for the best price you can find. But back to the knife at hand, the SA Classic SD Pocket Knife.

This is the one of the smallest knives in the Victorinox line. Measuring only about 2 1/4" long and about 1/4" wide, it adds little by way of heft to a key ring. It is a compact knife containing a total of 6 equally compact tools. This is not for the big things. This is a small knife with small tools to deal with small things. With expectations appropriately set, it is unsurpassed in it's usefulness as a basic daily tool.

The Tools
There are compartments on the outer casing of knife - each containing a small appliance. One is home to a small white toothpick that I have found to be entirely satisfactory - except that after a year or two of use, I seem to lose them. I think the molded shape wears a bit over time and repeated use and no longer holds itself snugly in the allotted compartment. They can be easily and inexpensively replaced though at any fully stocked retailer of the knives. On the opposite side of the knife is a compartment housing a micro-tweezer. Because it is so very small and light, it cannot be used as a regular tweezer, but only for light-duty needs. These include, I am pleased to report, removing small splinters and picking up objects too small for my increasingly clumsy fingers!

There are three tools that fold into the knife itself, one of which has two uses - actually providing a total of four useful mini-tools. These include 1) a flat spring loaded scissor, a regular blade and a nail file (which, as a guitar picker, I use almost daily) topped with the fourth tool, a screw driver head, small enough to be used for either flat screws or Phillips head screws - providing that they are small enough. Don't misunderstand - the smallness of the tools does not render them either token or useless, but their size is a factor in their usability in real day-to-day life.

Maintenance
This is nearly a non sequitor, but in the interests of completeness, I will briefly address it.
Years have gone by before anything beyond simple removal of dust and cleaning the instruments is required. One time, a blade seemed to be sticking just a tad and a quick and very short burst of WD40 took care of it - permanently. The knife is build to last until you decide you no longer want or need it.

Value
There are few things in life built for frequent use without planned obsolescence being figured into their design. This little pocket tool set is, happily, among them. For somewhere around $9., you can have something actually skillfully made that will serve you well and for a good long time. How many things can any of us really say that about?

I love mine and would feel not only unprepared, but somehow naked - or at least disabled - were I to leave home without one.

Rio Sports Sand Anchor

noreply@blogger.com (kpvida) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:26:00 +0000

Rio Sports Sand Anchor
From Rio Brands

List Price:	$25.00
Price:	$10.51 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com

10 new or used available from $8.87

Average customer review:

Product Description

Umbrella Sand Anchor. Screws umbrella firmly into the sand

Product Details

Amazon Sales Rank: #42 in Sports & Outdoors
Color: White
Brand: Rio Brands
Model: XCB202CB-01

Features

Sand anchor stops umbrellas from blowing away
Withstands winds up to 30-miles per hour
Decreases your risk of over-exposure to the elements
Rust-proof, lightweight anchor sets up in seconds
Nylon and fiberglass construction

Customer Reviews

fine sand anchor
Bought two of these anchors, one for us and one for my folks. We had excellent luck with them. Easy to use and did the trick in the afternoon winds of the Maine beach.

Umbrella stays put!
We recently spent a week at Lake Michigan and used this beach sand anchor often. It's lightweight (important when you have to carry it up a dune!) and easy to turn into the sand....even with a little arthritis. The anchor made it a whole lot easier to get the umbrella positioned in the sand and always kept it from tipping or blowing over. One day the wind was so strong our umbrella threatened to collapse BUT it stayed anchored!

A *must* for your beach umbrella
We went to the beach with two beach umbrellas and only one sand anchor. The sand anchor did a great job of digging down deep into the sand and keeping the one umbrella firmly attached -- even in the breeze. We couldn't get the other umbrella (the one without a sand anchor) into the sand deep enough and it blew on to the people next to us, so we had to put that umbrella away.

VERY easy to use and does a great job. After I got home from the beach I ordered a second anchor for my other beach umbrella. Personally, I think it's a "must" for your beach umbrella.

A Note about my order: Although I ordered the one pictured (with a metal piece on top), they sent me the all-plastic version (twice), which I kept and works great. I would imagine they'd both work equally as well, but in all fairness this review truly pertains to the all plastic version which Amazon calls the "RIO Beach Sand Anchor for Beach Umbrellas". Even though my sand anchors are all plastic, they seem very sturdy and rigid. No problems.

Camping, Hiking and Backpacking - Must Have Essentials

noreply@blogger.com (kpvida) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 18:21:00 +0000

Camping, Hiking and Backpacking - Must Have Essentials
By H Jeffrey Davis

Many of us take to the great outdoors to escape the tediousness of our daily lives. It's a great place to get away from the stresses of our daily routines and can be quite therapeutic under the right circumstances. Under the wrong circumstances, however, the camping and hiking adventure can quickly become a nightmare. Here are a few pointers and suggestions that will keep your outdoor adventure enjoyable and worry-free.

Before setting out on a camping or hiking trip do your homework. Know the area you intend to travel to, become familiar with area maps and if possible learn to use a compass.

Plan your trip, thoroughly, let others know where you are going and when you plan to return. Never travel alone, there is safety in numbers, travel with companions.

Next the list of necessary supplies needed to safely proceed with our trip into the wilderness. Every trip into the outdoors requires us to carry a basic group of items that must be included in every backpack on the trail. These include water, extra food, a compass and maps, first aid kit, flashlight, pocket knife or multitool, waterproof matches and lighter, space blanket, twine or fishing line, and extra clothing and rain gear. These items are for surviving the outing and should be carried every time you go into the wilderness. What I'm trying to say is even though you may not use these items, having them and not needing them is much better than needing them and not having them.

The smart move when hiking and camping is to be safe in all things. Additional comfort items you might consider are insect repellent, whistle for summoning help, cell phone or some other communication device is a great addition for safety's sake and last but not least a big bag of common sense.

With these basics you will be prepared for the unexpected while on your camping trip and they could potentially save your life.

Now that you don't have to worry about being prepared for the unexpected you can pause and enjoy the beauty that Mother Nature has for you.

Enjoy

H. Jeffrey Davis authored this article. I have always has been an outdoor enthusiast. Given the stressfull demands of our modern lifestyle hiking and camping in the great outdoors is a great way to relax. This fact hasn't gone unnoticed by myself and I take great pleasure in sharing pointers and suggestions with my readers. If you're looking for top quality camping and hiking gear I recommend http://www.campoutcity.com

How To Decide On The Right Foods And Cooking Accessories For Camping

noreply@blogger.com (kpvida) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 18:27:00 +0000

How To Decide On The Right Foods And Cooking Accessories For Camping
By Gregg Hall

Camping is a great way to get away from stress and get back to nature. Planning what camping food to bring on the trip may seem difficult because aside from the regular gear that you will need, you also have to consider what type of food to bring and what tools you will need to prepare it. There are ways to make planning your camping menus a lot easier.

What Cooking Tools Do I Need?

There are a few basic tools that every camper should bring with them. One of them is a camp stove, so you will be able to prepare hot meals. There are various kinds to choose from.

The best kind to get is one that allows you to adjust the heat, so that you will be able to boil, simmer and fry. The next thing that you will need is a good set of cookware. Depending on what you will be cooking, you should be sure to include a pot to boil water in and a fry pan. You will also need to bring a lot of water with you, not only to cook with but also to drink.

What Types of Food Should I Bring?

Since camping may also include a lot of physical activity, such as hiking, boat rowing or swimming, it's important to keep your strength up by eating 3 meals a day.

Breakfast: Include milk, so that you can have cold cereal in the morning. If you prefer a hot breakfast, brings eggs, since they are a good source of protein and easy to cook. You can either fry them or boil them.

Lunch: For lunch, you might want to make sandwiches. Instead of bringing a loaf of regular bread that can be easily crushed, consider tortillas or pita bread. Another bonus to bringing this type of bread is that they are flat, so they are easy to pack. If you don't want to bring cold cuts, consider peanut butter as an alternative. It's easy to pack and provides a good source of protein.

Dinner: Dinner will probably be your biggest meal. Some people like to fish when they go camping and plan to eat their catch, while others have to rely on what they bring. Good dinner foods to bring with you are dried beans, cheese, rice or couscous and bouillon cubes. Beans are an excellent source of protein and rice and couscous provide energy giving carbs. You can simmer beans and rice or add extra water and bouillon cubes to make a hearty soup. Bring a small collection of spices with you, like salt, pepper, garlic powder or other spices that you enjoy to season your food with.

By planning easy meals to prepare on your camping trip, you will be able to eat well while enjoying getting back to nature.

CamelBak BPA-Free Better Bottle with Bite Valve

noreply@blogger.com (kpvida) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:03:00 +0000

CamelBak BPA-Free Better Bottle with Bite Valve
From Camelbak

List Price:	$10.00 - $15.00
Price:	$5.50 - $19.00

Average customer review:

Select Color and Size

Color: (choose one)

Berry Black Blue Chocolate Fire Green Grey Ice Midnight Pink Purple Red Pine Lime Ocean Berry Choose To Re-Use Blue - Choose to Re-Use Pine - Choose to Re-Use Berry - Choose to Re-Use

Size: (choose one)

0.5-Liter 0.75-Liter 1-Liter .75-Liter .75L

Availability: Select Color and Size to view.

Product Description

The spill proof bottle that makes it easy to stay hydrated on the go. Available in 3 sizes and BPA FREE

Product Details

Amazon Sales Rank: #2 in Sports & Outdoors
Color: N/A
Brand: Camelbak
Model: CB03
Fabric type: plastic
Dimensions: 1.90" h x 3.00" w x 9.00" l, .40 pounds

Features

Easy sipping, no spilling and BPA FREE
Quick flip close - folds flush and stays clean when not in use.
One hand usage - just flip up the Big Bite Valve and sip. No tipping required.
Adapts to other bottles - -standard cap size allows our lid to fit other bottles

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Product Description
The CamelBak Better Bottle represents a new standard of performance and convenience in re-usable water bottles. Available in multiple colors and in three sizes--1 liter, 0.75 liter, and 0.5 liter--this innovative bottle is also BPA- and Phthalate-free. The bottle's integrated handle makes it easy to carry with the crook of a finger or clip to a backpack with a carabiner. CamelBak's Big Bite Valve offers a proven design that contains no moving parts--just bite and sip for easy hydration. The cap fits most other bottles and the Better Bottle attaches to most water filters and fits in most cup holders. It's dishwasher safe.

The Better Bottle with Big Bite Valve makes it easy to hydrate on the go.

What is BPA?
Bisphenol-A is an ingredient used to make polycarbonate. In recent months, there has been increasing consumer demand for a bottle that is not made with Bisphenol-A (BPA), and CamelBak is proud to introduce BPA-free bottles with the same great properties customers have come to expect from polycarbonate: vibrant color, clarity, durability, dishwasher-safe, and with no residual taste. As of the end of April 2008, the entire CamelBak bottle line will be available in BPA-Free materials in North America.

What are phthalates?
Phthalates (pronounced thal-ates) are a component added to some plastics to make them soft and pliable. None of CamelBak's bottles have ever contained phthalates.

What is the BPA-free Better Bottle made from?
The CamelBak Better Bottle line is made from a new copolyester polymer called Tritan, made by Eastman. It offers the same great qualities that we have come to expect from polycarbonate bottles and is 100 percent BPA-Free. The Big Bite Valve is made of medical-grade silicone for long life and taste-free performance.

About CamelBak
CamelBak is the originator and world leader in hands-free hydration systems. The first CamelBak products proved to be very popular among mountain bikers and motocross riders, because it allowed them to drink without taking their hands off of the handlebars in technical terrain. The product began to cross over into other sports when scientific studies showed athletes drank more fluids and performed better when they wore a CamelBak. Since then, athletes from an ever-growing list of sports and activities use CamelBak hydration systems for their convenience and performance benefits.

In addition to cycling, CamelBak has Hands-Free Hydration systems for hiking, running, snowboarding and skiing. CamelBak’s state-of-the-art packs and hydration systems have benefited athletes, outdoorsmen, and soldiers around the world. While CamelBak has grown tremendously since the early days, one thing hasn't changed: CamelBak still believes in the performance advantage that proper hydration delivers for just about any activity. The privately-held company is headquartered in Petaluma, California.

Customer Reviews

Holy Grail Bottle!
If you have been looking for a great water bottle, this is it!!! I am not a hard core workout person - I just want to drink more water for my health. I use this bottle at work, going from meeting to meeting and bring it with me when I am on the go in the car. I never thought I would be so excited about a bottle, but I am - Camelbak really thought about useful features and it shows.

The bottle holds quite a bit of water (25 oz, 750mL). The bottle is leakproof. I like drinking from the straw - no tipping the bottle required. No unscrewing a cap, just flip up the valve and drink. I removed the flexible bite valve cover and just drink normally from the hard plastic straw piece since the bite valve seemed a little weird to me. I have had no problems with leaking with the valve cover removed - just flip down the valve when I am on the go and there is no leaking. The valve system seems very well designed. I generally sit the bottle on its side on the car seat or throw it in a bag with no leaking, just like a regular screw-cap bottle. The carry loop is nice - fits in your finger. It is easy to fill, with the wide mouth. It comes in lots of colors.

As for minuses, there is only one minor annoyance and that was mentioned by a previous reviewer - the straw does not reach the bottom of the bottle. Note that this size bottle does not fit into the car cupholder - would need the 16oz=0.5L for that. Also, the plastic has scratched slightly from rolling around on a sandy car mat.

I have decided to purchase another bottle so that I can have one at home and one at work. I highly recommend!

Updated 12/24/07:
I still love this bottle, although I am now accustomed to it and it is not quite as exciting as when I first got it :-) I fill it every morning and bring it to work with me and also fill it when I get home from work. It has really helped me to increase my water consumption. The plastic has scuffed up a bit, but there is no change in function. I wanted to mention that water will come out when the bottle is opened after a pressure change - like going from air conditioned space and leaving it in a hot car. Physics at work.

Updated 6/28/08:
Yes, I STILL love this bottle and purchased another (the BPA-free version). I was pleased to find that the straw in the new bottle does reach nearly the bottom of the bottle, so that annoyance has been corrected. If you already own the previous (BPA) version of this bottle, note that Camelbak makes the BPA-free bottle with a "classic cap" that can be swapped with your previous straw assembly (classic cap version is slightly cheaper but does not come in as many fun colors).

Perfect Water Bottle
This is just about the perfect water bottle. The polycarbonate is shatter proof, it holds three cups of liquid, and it has a built-in carry loop. The nozzle is easy to flip down with a built-in thumb tab, and the nozzle works by opening when you bite it. This makes the bottle pretty much leak-proof even when the nozzle is down, and since it is meant to be bitten, you don't end up with ugly teeth marks on it. The included straw makes it convenient to use, but it can be used without the straw if you prefer to tip it. I also like the vivid translucent color (I got a blue one). The only thing that would make it better is if the straw went all the way to the bottom; it stops about 1/4 or 1/2 inch above the bottom.

Was great until ......
I loved this bottle till I found green moss in my bite valve. Bad and not so bad, it had been sitting on my counter for a week unused. The problem was when I tried to clean it (I scrubbed it with a little brush, I even soaked it in a bleach solution as a last resort) I could not get all the green stuff off.

Also I have not had it that long, maybe about 6-8 months and the plastic at the base of the thumb tab is starting to go white, showing that it is stressed (and will break at some point).

I still really like this bottle but will not get another.

Camping Grills Are Making Their Way to the Big Game

noreply@blogger.com (kpvida) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 22:51:00 +0000

Camping Grills Are Making Their Way to the Big Game
By Jay Stueve

If you have been to a sporting even recently you have probably noticed the hoards of people gathered in the parking lot playing games, enjoying a cool beverage, listening to music, and grilling out on little camping grills. This hugely popular pastime is often referred to as tailgating. They are basically backyard barbecue parties with all your friends only in the middle of a parking lot.

Tailgating has been slow in it's growth. It has been a very gradual process from it's original roots of hanging out in the parking lot in the car before a game into the huge production that it is today. Most sports fans are very competitive people. When they see someone with a radio, a few beverages, and a bag a chips, they want to "one up" these folks with a bigger radio and a bigger bag of chips. Well this "one up" mentality has made tailgating what it is today. With huge trailered grills, cornhole games, and large coolers, it is a site to behold.

Camping grills are a necessity for anyone wanting to become involved in tailgating. There is a vast selection available on the internet. There are even team logo grills available. All of these grills are portable, easy to use, and make for a delicious afternoon or evening full of chicken wings or burgers.

So the next time you consider arriving at the stadium a few hours early make sure you bring all your favorite backyard experiences with you. A cooler full of beverages, a cornhole set to play on, and your camping grills. You will have a wonderful time while supporting your favorite college or pro team.

sleeping bags for camping

noreply@blogger.com (kpvida) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 22:50:00 +0000

Sleeping Bags and Necessity Items For Camping
By Kelley Lang

If you and your spouse, significant other and/or family are planning a camping trip, you will want to make sure you have all of the necessary supplies.

First off, you will need a good quality tent. Make sure you look at the size so you purchase a big enough one for the number of people who will be camping. You can buy a tent that is a little larger than the number of people who will be using it, this way you will have more than ample room in the tent. You can purchase tents that have an added screened in area to relax in while sitting on chairs. This is a nice option if it rains during your camping trip so that you have a screened in shelter to sit in, talk and enjoy each others company.

Even if you are camping all on your own, you have the option of buying a solo tent. Think of the ease you will have in setting up a solo tent.

The second necessity you will need is a sleeping bag. The sleeping bag is the most important item you will need. You want to make sure that the sleeping bag is very warm and comfortable. If you do not get a good night sleep due to being uncomfortable and cold in your sleeping bag, you will be tired and not have as much fun on your camping trip as you should.

You can choose from a variety of styles of sleeping bags from the traditional to a fancy sleeping bag that will come in handy if you are hiking and an emergency comes up on where you will be sleeping. If you plan on camping when the weather is extra chilly and snow could be a possibility this tent is perfect for the elements. You can keep the pesky bugs off of your face if you will be camping without a tent as the tent offers a little canopy area over your face so you can get more air and feel open around your facial area while keeping you cozy and warm inside of the bag.

You will want to choose a cozy kids sleeping bag for your child or children. You can choose from a variety of warm kids sleeping bags with a pocket for the child to store all of his or her goodies or even kids sleeping bags with a built in soft and comfortable pillow. Make sure you choose a warm and comfy kids sleeping bag for your child or children so they awaken happy to explore the amazing outdoor world.

Another important item you should always carry with you on your camping trips is a MagLite. You never know when a flashlight can come in handy while on your camping trip.

Enjoy your next camping trip with a sturdy high quality tent, comfortable and cozy sleeping bag for you and your children and invest in a MagLite in case of the usual getting up in the dark having to take one of the kids or yourself to the bathroom or other emergency.

used campers

noreply@blogger.com (kpvida) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 18:56:00 +0000

What You Need to Know About Purchasing Used Campers
By Mark A. Lewis

If you are thinking of buying a camper, but don't think you can afford the retail price, or don't want to spend that much money, you can always think about buying used campers. A used camper can be just as good of an investment as a brand new model, especially if you are new to the world of trailers, or are only interested in using it on occasion.

If a used camper is something you are seriously considering buying, the following is what you should know before you settle on just any old RV or trailer.

The advantages of purchasing used campers - there are many benefits to purchasing a used camper, some of which include:

Price - The prices for used campers will be far cheaper than new models.
First Time Buyer - if this is the first time you are buying a camper, a used camper maybe a better idea incase you discover that camping and road travel really aren't a hobby you enjoy. At least if you purchased a used camper, you didn't throw all your money away on a brand new vehicle you won't use.
Occasional Camper - if you enjoy camping, but don't have the time to travel a lot or are only interested in occasional outdoor adventures, a used camper is another good investment.

The drawbacks of purchasing a used camper: Just as there are advantages, so there are disadvantages. The main drawbacks to purchasing used campers include:

Malfunctions - You could end up with problems with the vehicle, such as it having faulty parts, or parts that were never fixed
Mileage - depending on how often the camper was used, it may already have plenty of mileage on it. This means that the camper has been subject to more wear and tear, and may soon require new parts, or will need to be scrapped altogether.
It's Used - The camper originally belonged to someone else, so it is unlikely that it will still run or "smell" like new.

Where you can find used campers: Check both your local paper, as well as major city papers for listings. You can also research for used campers on the internet by conducting a search with keyword phrases such as "used campers and your city". You can also check out eBay. Just remember, that regardless where you choose to purchase the camper, you see it first, and the vehicle is checked out by a 3rd party (IE. mechanic or camper enthusiast) before you buy it.

Things to keep in mind when purchasing used campers: When you are searching for a used camper the following are some tips you should keep in mind:

Your preferences - what type of camper are you interested in buying, motor home, trailer, fifth wheel, etc? Will you be using it often? Who will you be taking with you? How long will you travel? And so on.
Learn as much as you can - you should learn as much as you can about the type of campers you are interested in purchasing, before you make any decisions. Read books, search for information online, talk to RV enthusiasts at campgrounds or shows, and check out the local RV club. You should also understand the different parts of the trailers so you can get an idea of what to look for. Some of these parts include: electrical and plumbing systems, weights, heating and cooling systems, inverters, tires, chassis, batteries, leveling systems, suspension, towing, wheelbase, etc.
Cost - take your budget into perspective. Only spend what you can afford. This means you need to consider the cost of purchasing the used camper, as well as the cost of extra accessories, operating the vehicle, and living expenses.

Protect Your Investment:

Warranty - does the used campers you are interested in buying have a warranty, or some kind of back-up warranty?
Pre-sale vehicle check - have a 3rd party examine the vehicle before you buy it.
Maintenance history - Find out from the seller if the camper has any non-working features, and if there were any parts that needed to be replaced, etc.
Know your pricing - find out how much a used RV is worth. You can find this out by checking out nadaguides.com, or looking for how much particular RV brands are worth online. Knowing the approximate price range will help you avoid a scam, and can also help you talk the seller into a cheaper price.

outdoor lanterns

noreply@blogger.com (kpvida) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:12:00 +0000

Choosing a Camping Lantern
By Bob Matsen

When you go camping you will need a camping lantern , camping stove and a camping cot as well as a flash light.

All campers will need some type of lantern gas, battery, or candle. Each one has there pros and cons. To find out which will work for you here are a few tips.

Gas lanterns
give off bright light but are noisy and will be the most expensive of all lanterns to operate. You will have to pack extra propane bottles The older liquid gas lanterns give off just as much light but you will have to refill the tank with liquid gas and this can be messy as well as dangerous if you are not careful. Both types of lanterns use mantels so be sure to carry extras.

Battery lanterns
give of plenty of light but however you will need to have spare batteries or if it is a rechargeable style you will need some way to recharge it. The rechargeable lanterns do not last as long as a battery type of lantern and the lighting tends to be a bit duller. The rechargeable lanterns can be recharged with you car by plugging into the cigarette lighter on some models.

Candles
will are the most cost effective but you have to be very careful not to start a fire with them. They also do not through a very strong light and they are subject to going out in a breeze.

The best lantern to use inside a tent is a battery style. But they do not work well in colder climates as the batteries tend to run down faster due to the cold..

Be sure the lantern you buy is weather proof. If you are camping in colder weather the gas type of lanterns would be your best choice because not only do they give of a bright light they also give off a fair amount of heat. Never use the gas lanterns in the tent. Should the lantern get knocked over or get too close to flammable materials it could start a fire.

If you are using a gas lantern in the rain you have to be careful because the glass globe can break if a lot of water gets on it. A single mantle in a lantern gives off about 300 watts of light. Be aware that the glass globe of all gas and propane lanterns get extremely hot and can give you a serious burn.

If you are going to use candles you will have to be very careful that you do not start a fire. Rememer that the hot wax of the candle can burn you if you get it on your skin. Never leave a candle that is burning in your tent unattended and never fall asleep with a burning candle or a burning lantern in your tent.

Many camping trips have been ruined by a hot lantern or a burning candle. Now matter which type of lantern you use always play safe Never store a hot gas lantern near any flammable materials or leave any open flames unattended.

Be sure the flashlight you purchase is waterproof, corrosion resistant and has a scratch resistant lens. Look for one that has an adjustable beam and can be free standing which frees up your hands to do other things.

Have a flashlight for each camper in your group. The plastic type are great for the kids and they only cost a dollar or so. Never let the kids wander around at night as unless they’ve been taught not to shine their flashlight beams into other camping sites which can upset the other campers.

Be sure that the flashlights are shock proof. Many a flashlight has been broke because the kids accedently dropped it on the ground. If you are walking at night never shine your flash light at any moving vehicles. Your light may blind the driver and which could cause an accident.

camping lanterns

noreply@blogger.com (kpvida) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:07:00 +0000

Camping Lanterns Guide: Backpacking And Camping Lantern Tips.
By Marc Wiltse

What kind of camping lanterns best fit your outdoor needs? Do you need light weight for backpacking, or is maximum light more important?

Camping lanterns have been around for quite a while, especially fuel lanterns like kerosene and gas lanterns. LED lanterns, rechargeable lanterns or electric lanterns, butane lanterns, propane lanterns, battery lanterns and candle lanterns are newer to the scene though. All of them being different they have advantages and disadvantages...

If you already have a camping stove or other camping equipment that uses fuel consider getting a lantern that uses the same type of fuel so you won't have to remember to bring both fuels and you'll use less space too. Although some dual-fuel Coleman lanterns will burn both white gas or unleaded gasoline (check to be sure).

Camping lanterns that burn fuel can come with either glass globes or metal mesh globes. The advantage to glass is that it lets more light through, but since it's glass it is fragile. Metal mesh globes are much tougher than glass but they do block some of the light.

When you buy a camping lantern make sure to get extra mantles, fuel, bulbs, and/or batteries, it's not much fun needing a lantern part in the middle-of-nowhere and not being able to get it when you need it.

Candle lanterns can be lightweight at 3.7 ounces, but you may not want to use them as a camping lantern as their light output leaves something to be desired at 1 to 1.5 watts. They're pretty much a candle with a protective sheath to help prevent the flame from blowing out in the wind and keep things a little safer by avoiding an open flame. Another drawback... the sheath enclosure also makes it more difficult to roast marshmallows over your lantern. ;-)

I recommend going flameless especially inside your tent. It doesn't take much to start a fire with a high intensity heat source. Falling asleep and tipping your camping lantern over is all it takes to put your life in serious jeopardy. There are a lot of great battery lanterns, LED lanterns and rechargeable lanterns available. Play it smart.

While great LED lanterns put out a good amount of light I haven't found one yet that can match the light output of well-designed flame camping lanterns. If you need a lot of light in a local outdoor area have a look at butane, propane, and gas lanterns. Some of these lanterns crank out up to 235 watts of light! That's more light than most people use to light a room at home. One of the butane lanterns even allows you to focus the light more intensely with reflectors and another is refillable with lighter fluid helping to make it great for...

camper trailers

noreply@blogger.com (kpvida) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:59:00 +0000

When It Gets Right Down To It -- I Choose Campers
By Curtis Graham

Debating about it is not an issue. No, I’m not talking about recreational vehicles that you tow, drive, or carry on the back of your pickup. The people who go camping are a special breed that somehow know how to enjoy themselves, and are ready for a challenge. Unique qualities exist among them that are worth recognizing.

Along with people that go camping either as a weekend break, or as a vacation, I include fishermen, hunters, birdwatchers, hikers, climbers, and all those that seriously seek to commune with nature. They all seem to have a powerful drive for adventure. Oh yes! I know that hikers on a one day trek may not really do any camping as we think of it. But you can’t deny that they meet the criteria for camping-out most of the time; the same with birdwatchers.

Ten reasons why I choose these “nature challenged” souls to associate with:

1. Show survival skills.

2. Driven to help others.

3. Manifest creative attitudes.

4. Avoid confrontations.

5. Seek to learn.

6. Teach us relaxation.

7. Expose us to our natural surroundings.

8. Instill a desire for healthier living.

9. Enable “peace of mind” to follow us home.

10.Learn about ourselves.

1. Granted. If your boat sinks in the middle of the lake, you won’t go home in a good mood. But you may have practiced your survival skills by swimming ashore. I’ve noticed many times that during each and every seemingly desperate situation that instinct kicks in and we do the right thing. In the process, we have learned another technique to save ourselves from harm. Campers learn many more of these skills than non-campers (or should I say, city folk). Now I’m in trouble.

2. I have never been out camping and run into real problems, without other campers being willing to help in as many ways as they can. It's not so much true in my neighborhood. Other campers share supplies and even their gear willingly, but that is only up to a point. They know that the item will be taken care of and they will get it back. Loan my tools to a neighbor and rarely do I get them back without insisting on it. Yes I know, you have good neighbors who don’t do such things, right?

3. You should take the time to watch other campers set up their campsite and take it down again. Most campers have a knack for coming up with ingenious ways to pack gear and supplies. It can save time and money. They seem to find creative ways to keep the tent from blowing down, trench rainwater away from the tent, fix broken equipment, and keep track of the kids; sometimes, all at the same time.

4. For all the years that we have been camping, I have rarely experienced violent outbreaks going on in the campgrounds. I have in my neighborhood at home. I believe that it is because campers “mellow out”, are less aggressive, and focus more on having an enjoyable time than they do when outside in this relaxing environment. Campers are much more forgiving of kids yelling, noisy radios, and dogs romping through their site.

5. People who camp regularly have a definite predisposition for learning. Each campsite, tasks involved with organizing it well, and predicting weather coming into the area – all are a new learning experiences each and every time. Campers seem to be of the learning type even in their everyday life. As a consequence, they are also teachers and usually share their knowledge.

6. Have you noticed that many people out there camping are not really enjoying themselves, or seem bored, or just do not know how to relax. I have a hard time relaxing, always have. The secret is to watch other campers and see what they do to pass the time. Along the way you will always find someone doing something that interests you and relaxes you. Then you are hooked!!

7. Without a doubt, nature forces campers to take notice. You are right there in the middle of it, so why not? Just gleaning even small amounts of what nature offers in the way of beauty, interesting interactions, and wildlife, is never forgotten. If you don’t do camping, you will miss most all of this wonder. Watching out of the car window doesn’t cut it!

8. Exercise increases during the camping process. You think more about your health and wellbeing than you do at home. Just watching the people hiking, playing, and moving like a bullet to get out of the rain, is an inspiration to be healthier. Of course, you may also be left with terrible guilt feelings if you don’t act on the thoughts. It does move you in the right direction.

9. Being around campers, participating in the events that occur, and using the relaxation techniques other campers also use, is something that hangs around for several days after arriving home. It’s sticky! Can’t really explain why, but it does. At least the feelings are there to counteract the daily work stresses at home and in the office for those few days after arriving home. Other campers trigger it, unless you camp alone. Then nature triggers it.

10. Self introspection takes place during those quiet times whether you want it to happen or not. It is easier to have a real conversation with family or friends in a camping environment. Family problems are often resolved in a pleasant way – no spitting or kicking. You get a good idea about how you truly feel about things, and where your life is going. Most campers know this. They share it.

Is there a better way to experience these valuable assets than going on a camping venture? It’s debatable. Going on a cruise, might stir up a couple of these. Sporting events raise blood pressure, pulse, and anxiety levels. Hobbies can be stressful. Camping in one form or another is a world wide sport and often a way of life.

I like to think about the enjoyment that comes with camping. The fact that so much of camping is less costly than so many other relaxing ventures, reminds me of someone who said:

"Much happiness is overlooked simply because it doesn’t cost anything."

camping outdoors

noreply@blogger.com (kpvida) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:55:00 +0000

Camping – A Whole New World Outside Your Door
By John Gibb

In a time when it is hard to escape from the day-to-day bustle of urban life, many groups like to have small holidays in the great outdoors. Camping is the practise of staying outdoors for a break and recreation.

Camping is usually done at an official campsite, where the campers usually pay a small fee to use grounds that are preserved especially. These sites are preferable as they will have some security and amenities, though some people prefer to be more secluded. The only problem is that camping in areas that are not designated for camping can cause problems with the law. Many land owners do not wish campers to be on their property and some nature reserves prohibit camping due to damage it can cause to the environment.

Most campers sleep in tents which are usually made from a waterproof material like nylon. They can be erected almost anywhere and can be carried in a small bag so that campers do not have to use a vehicle. Campers will also bring a sleeping bag and various accessories like torches, portable stoves, knives, food, etc. Some prefer to make a camp fire but this must be done very carefully and is prohibited at some sites.

A large van called an RV in employed by many campers, or more commonly in the UK a caravan is attached to a car. Both of these serve as basic mobile homes, with beds, gas and sometimes electricity. These make it feasible to camp in more remote places but many feel that they detract from the feeling of being in nature.

Regardless of the way that campers travel and camp, a good knowledge of the great outdoors such as map reading and first aid. With a good site and the right equipment camping can be really good fun for the whole family and a great way to escape the rat race without going abroad. Camping is relatively inexpensive, often nostalgic, and gives campers a chance to really appreciate their natural world.

camping apparel

noreply@blogger.com (kpvida) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:52:00 +0000

Camping Apparel: What To And Not To Wear
By Julio Marice

If you take inappropriate clothes with you when you go camping with your family then it can turn out to be a disaster. We can wear the kind of clothes we want, when we are home, which will be suitable for the weather there. On the other hand when you go camping, the clothes that you wear at home will not be sufficient to shield you nor keep you comfy. It is a known fact that nature does not always make things easy for the venturers.

Therefore in order to make sure that you have a pleasant camping adventure, make sure that you are fully clothed against all odds. In the recent years, a lot of camping clothes are available in the market to make you comfortable and protect you when you go camping. Nevertheless, with the excess supply of camping clothes you may get confused as to what kind of clothes are right for you.

Given below are the kind of clothes you should get from the stores in order to keep you comfortable during your trip and the technologies following these clothes. It is essential that you know the features so that you will know how these technologies can help you when you are outdoor.

The materials

The most common material that you can choose when you go camping consists of the technologies that will permit the water to pass through the material yet it doesn’t allow the water to go into it. From the time when man started to produce clothes for camping, trekking and the like; the major crisis that they had to face was to draw away the wetness from the exterior of the skin in order to avoid wearing wet clothes and which can make you comfortable during the bad weather. The new clothes will have to achieve this along with keeping the dampness away from the body. The new clothing is required to have some water-resistant features.

As an answer to this, the producers have revealed three technologies in the field of outdoor and sports attire. These are microporous laminates, microporous coatings, and monolithic membranes. These three materials permit the water vapor to getaway yet preventing the moisture from getting into the skin of the campers. More heat is created when you work hard and as a result, the water vapor is driven away. This is quite a remarkable technology.

It will be helpful if you search for attires with such technologies. You will be dry and comfy and will be able to retain a good temperature particularly during extremely cold weather.

Nylon or Polyester?

One of the most preferred materials among the people for the purpose of outdoor wear is nylon. The reason for such preference is its scratch-proof properties and it can tolerate the deterioration caused by most outdoor activities. Moreover, nylon is light and allows the passage of air and moisture. On the other hand, polyester is also not far from nylon. It is gradually becoming an alternative to nylon since it keeps the person warm and it soak less water as compared to the former material. Always go for the latest variety of the materials. Opt for nylon in order to be on the safe side, the latest polyester types will also do.

Keeping you warm

The one most important requirement for people who are planning to go camping is the kind of clothes that can keep them warm even during severely cold weather. Like we discussed earlier, nylon or polyester in combination with the latest micro pore technology can keep a person warm and comfortable. But in case of an extremely cold weather, you will require additional materials in order to keep yourself away from the cold.

The biggest problem that arises while selecting clothes for camping is whether you should get down or synthetic fill clothes. Down provides the most comfort and warmth and is normally chosen by most families when they go camping. The down-side of down fill clothes is that when it rains, these clothes will take a long time to dry off. On the other hand, synthetic fill clothes will provide sufficient warmth and it can also dry off quickly. The downside of this material is that they are heavier than down fill clothes.

An average material for camping is fleece. In opposition to intuition, fleece can keep a person warm even if it is wet. Fleece keeps moisture away from the skin as well as keeping a person dry and comfy. Moreover, they are soft and comfortable to touch.

Conclusion

While looking out for clothes that you can wear during your camping trip, keep in mind the technologies that are mentioned above. These technologies keep you warm, dry and comfy. Find out about each and every option you have and go for those that meets your camping requirements.

air bed mattress

noreply@blogger.com (kpvida) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:47:00 +0000

Pick A Quality Air Bed Mattress
By Catherine M. Wehner

An air mattress provides a firm support that's easy to adjust. Originally air beds where used in hospitals. Today there are many different styles on the market which can make picking a quality air bed mattress a bit overwhelming. Here are 5 great picks to get you started.

Air beds where used in hospitals because they provided a method that patients that were bed ridden could get more comfortable. It didn't take long before the benefits of sleeping on air become well known and more manufacturers decided to produce their own consumer line. Today air beds are as popular as tradition mattresses.

It doesn't matter the price you pay for your coil spring mattress they can create pressure points. Air mattresses reduce the number of pressure point and you can easily adjust the firmness so that it's right.

1. Somma Aire

Is available from a 3 star to a 5 star. The Somma Aire 3 Star is a 10 inch thick air mattress with a pillow top. It is sewn with Aterra which is a premium Damask poly-rayon blend material. It has a 4 inch quilted diamond tack with an ounce of Angel Hair combined with 2 ½ inches of foam. Now that's comfort at its best! The Laminet cover extends the cover life and the 1 inch Visco Elastic Memory foam is combined with another 1 ¼ inch finger foam. This is ever so comfy!!!

The inner coil technology provides proper lumbar support and you can adjust the firmness easily. The Star 3 uses the Somma patented Perfect Fit which relieves stress on the side panel and keeps the sides straight.

There is a foam divider between the two air chambers which assists in the firmness of the mattresses. The quiet pump is rated for 15,000 hours of continuous use. This pump makes it very easy to change the firmness of your mattress in just a second. And you can adjust each side so everyone is comfortable.

The cover is easily removed for cleaning and the Somma line has earned the American Sleep Research Institutes Seal of Approval.

2. Breeze

This bed is 100% American, made by American National it's built to last. It has a reinforced foam cavity with leak proof and kink free hose connectors. It inflates at a whisper. It's so quiet you won't even notice its inflating and you can quickly adjust the firmness level. You can reverse the foam layer for even wear and the price is certainly right.

3. Venetian

This is another bed by American National. It has a reinforced foam cavity with leak proof and kink free hose connectors. It inflates at a whisper. It's so quiet you won't even notice it's inflating and you can quickly adjust the firmness level. It used the American National Intel Air inflation system. You can reverse the foam layer for even wear and the price is certainly right.

4. Zephyr

Includes a reversible duvet pillow top with a summer and winter side. It has a reinforced foam cavity with leak proof and kink free hose connectors. It inflates at a whisper. It's so quiet you won't even notice it's inflating and you can quickly adjust the firmness level. It used the American National Intel Air inflation system. You can reverse the foam layer for even wear and the price is certainly right. The Zephyr also has perfect perimeter foam rail.

5. Teddy Bear

This air bed mattress combines comfort and affordability. It's is zippered so the cover is removable. It comes with a thick quilted Damask cover which is 8 inches thick. The Teddy Bear air system is designed to form to your body so that you relieve all pressure points a relief from the conventional mattress. It has dual air chambers so each side of the bed can easily be adjusted for comfort.

These 5 great picks will get you on your way to choosing the right air bed mattress. There are plenty of other great choices online so be sure to let your fingers do the shopping.

camp stove

noreply@blogger.com (kpvida) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:38:00 +0000

Camping Stove Performance: Ease of Use & What to Avoid
By Marc Wiltse

Important information about camping stoves...

What type of camping, hiking, or backpacking do you do? Do you camp at parks, out of your car, or do you carry everything on your back? Do you camp only in North America?

Do you need a camping burner for winter camping or do you mostly camp during the summer when it's warm out?

Will you be carrying it for long distances? What type of fuel do you want to use?

How many people will you be cooking for?

If you don't know the answers to some of these questions this camping stoves guide will help.

In general camping stoves that are easy to set-up and take up as little room as possible when you break them down are better. Fuel supplies that can be disconnected from camping stoves also make life easier. Good camping stoves should have a good base-of-support and avoid ones that tip on less-than-ideal surfaces or when they have a big pot on top of them.

You want the most reliable, durable, compact, light, easy-to-use, camping stove that performs well in all the conditions you encounter. For example if you travel outside the U.S. take a look at multi-fuel camping stoves because white gas is hard to find. If you cook for your family then you'll want at least two burners.

Two burner camping stoves, for families and groups, are bigger so you can heat more than one pot at a time making meal preparation much easier. They're great for camping at campgrounds or whenever you don't need to move them around much. If you're hiking or backpacking though you'll want to avoid dual burners and look at lighter camping stoves.

Light-weight camping stoves can weigh less than 4 ounces, not including the fuel and container. Better camping stoves are designed to fit inside other equipment used for camping, like cookware or even part of itself. This makes packing and carrying easier and less time consuming. Both two burner and light-weight stoves are divided into two types, liquid fuel or canister.

Types of Camping Stoves

Liquid fuels require pumping to pressurize the fuel tank and priming (lighting fuel or another substance to warm the liquid fuel so it vaporizes and ignites) to help them light off. They can take longer to start and bring to full temperature.

Once they're going, liquid fuels usually burn hotter, but they also require more attention when you're trying to gently warm food. Some liquid fuel camp stoves offer adjustability while some don't, if you're looking to gently simmer something gourmet in the woods then you may want to look at...

sleeping bags

noreply@blogger.com (kpvida) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:50:00 +0000

Sleeping Bags - An Important Part of Camping and Hiking
By Teri B Clark

If you are planning to start hiking or camping, one thing is for certain. You will definitely need a good sleeping bag. There are many questions to ask yourself to determine which one will be just right for you.

What Sleeping Bag is Best for You?

Not all sleeping bags are created equal – nor would you want them to be! My son is an avid backpacker. He often goes out for days at a time with everything he needs on his back. Not only that, but he loves to camp in the winter with below freezing temperatures. Let’s compare this to my own needs.

My idea of camping is driving up to a campground and getting my gear out of the trunk. And I only like to camp in the late spring and early fall.

What does this mean for our sleeping bag needs? For one, it means that I don’t need one that is rated for cold weather. I also don’t need one that is extremely light weight since I am only carrying it across the camp site.

Here are a few questions you will want to ask yourself:

In what kind of weather conditions will you be using your bag?

Is weight important?

Is a compact bag important?

How much money do you have?

The Three Main Decisions

When choosing your bag, there are three basic decisions that you need to make.

What kind of fill do you need?

What does the shell need to be made of?

What bag design suits your needs?

Fill Material

Down bags used to be considered the very best on the market. It is true – they tend to last a long time and are great for many types of camping. However, with the advent of synthetic fill, down may not be the best solution in every case.

If you live in or camp in wet or damp conditions, down simply does not work. Why? It will not keep you warm when wet. Synthetic fill, on the other hand, will. Several good synthetic fills include:

Lite loft

Primoloft

Polarguard

Hollofil

Microloft

Polyguard 3D

In addition to their warmth when wet, they are also easy to clean, resistant to mildew, and they dry fast!

Shell Materials

Once you have determined what you want your sleeping bag fill to be, you have to determine the material for the shell. Gore Tex was the “in” material for years. However, Gore-Tex does not breathe well. This means that if you sweat while in your bag, you will find that your bag gets damp and stays that way.

Good shell materials include:

Tight-weave nylon: Nowadays, nylon shells have a coating of durable water repellent (DWR). This offers both water resistance and wind resistance. If you need a more durable shell, you might want to consider getting the ripstop version.

Polyester: Polyester has the same qualities of nylon. It is both water repellent and wind resistant and comes in a ripstop variety. The big difference is in weight. If you are looking for a lightweight bag, you will probably want to avoid polyester because it is heavier than nylon.

Microfiber: Microfiber shells are even more water resistant than either nylon or polyester. They are also windproof, not just wind resistant. Additionally, microfiber shells are extremely lightweight.

Gore Dryloft: Gore Dryloft and no name brand dryloft substitutes are the most water resistant shell made. Additionally, it is the most breathable. It also happens to be the most expensive.

If your camping experiences are more similar to mine, you will not require your bag to withstand harsh conditions or cold climates. You will also not care about the weight. In this case, you can get away with the less expensive nylon or polyester shells. If, on the other hand, you are an avid camper and hiker and plan to take on something like the Appalachian Trail, you will wan tto consider the microfiber or Dryloft.

Types Of Bags

Mummy bags are “the” bag for those that want to backpack. They pack small. They are lightweight. They heat up quickly. The downside? They don’t provide a lot of room, thus the name mummy bag. You truly crawl in and that is that. There is no space for rearranging!

A similar bag that provides a big more room is the semi-rectangular or modified mummy bag. The biggest difference between this bag and the mummy bag is the middle section. The head and feet are still tapered, but the middle provides much more room for moving about. If you are not quite as worried about space in your pack or you are not hiking in cold weather, this bag would probably suit you just fine.

The final type of bag is the old fashioned rectangular bag. They are typically bulky and heavy and do not heat up well. However, they have plenty of room. Although not a good bet for backpacking, they are perfectly suited for car camping.

Other Attributes to Look For

Once you have decided on the fill, the shell, and the style of bag, there are still a few things worth considering:

You will want a full side zipper. This allows you to let your feet out during warm weather camping.

You will want a double-sided zipper. If one zipper blows out, you will still be able to use your bag. This feature will keep your bag in use much longer.

You will want some kind of closure over the zipper at the top of the bag. There is nothing worse than having your bag unzip in the middle of the night!

Look for 700-800 fill power. Although a bit more expensive, it lasts much longer.

Cleaning Your Bag

Once you buy your bag, you will want to keep it in good shape. Cleaning it properly will help the longevity of your bag.

Wash infrequently. You can keep your bag clean enough to avoid washing by keeping debris out of your tent, and cleaning mud and dirt off your clothes as much as possible before climbing into the bag.

Follow the washing instructions. Washing and/or drying your bag incorrectly will cause it to wear out much faster.

Do not use a washing machine with a center agitator. Doing so will damage your bag.

Use mild powder to wash your bag. Using a liquid can damage your shell.

Do not use hot water.

Always wash on a gentle cycle.

Dry alone. Putting in other objects can damage the bag.

Tips When Using Your Bag

Making Your Sleeping Bag As Comfortable As Possible

There is no use pretending that sleeping in a sleeping bag on the cold, hard ground is going to be as comfortable as sleeping in your own bed. However, it does not have to be torture either. Here are a few tips to help you feel the most comfortable in your bag:

Don’t leave your bag in the stuff sack until bedtime. Instead, just as soon as you pitch the tent, get out the sleeping bag and fluff it up.

Use a ground insulator, like closed cell foam, beneath your bag.

Never get into your bag with dirty clothes. Change into fresh, dry clothes before sleeping.

Ways to Keep Your Sleeping Bag Dry

No one likes a wet bed. Even those that are meant to keep you insulated even when wet are not as pleasant wet as dry. Here are some suggestions to keep your bag dry, even in foul weather.

Keep your bag in a waterproof stuff sack. If your bag didn’t come with one, then buy one!

Line your stuff sack with a garbage bag for extra protection.

Keep your tent well ventilated. The air flowing through the tent will keep condensation from forming.

Keep your tent seams sealed so that they don’t leak in the rain.

Use a plastic ground cloth under your tent.

Don't pack your bag when it's wet.

Camping, whether high adventure or car camping, is fun, especially when you have the right equipment. So, before you head out, be sure to investigate and then invest in the correct sleeping bag!

Discount Camping Gear

noreply@blogger.com (kpvida) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:45:00 +0000

Be Sure to Buy the Best Discount Camping Gear Before Going on that Family Adventure
By L Dente

When you’re on the Internet looking for discount camping gear, it’s good to read an online camping equipment review. There are so many camping outdoor gear products on the market today that the challenge is choosing between them. Some basic things to look out for when buying camp gear preferably at almost wholesale prices is to make a camping supplies list with these in mind affordability and lightweight products.

Some of the best camping equipment and gear manufacturers on the market today include Ozark Trail, Coleman, Motorcycle, Swiss, Eddie Bauer, Brunton, Hillary, Eureka, North Pole and Wenzel. Search online and you can buy all sorts of new or used closeout camping supplies like backpacks, sleeping bags, tents, camping furniture and other camping stuff.

There are tons of stores and outlets online including Wal Mart that you have access to anywhere in the world like Canada, Phoenix, Northwest Territory, New York Washington DC, Chicago, Oakland, San Francisco, Seattle, San Jose, Ohio, Philadelphia, Boston and even the UK. These outdoor merchants that sell everything from cooking gear, furniture, kid & family gear and so much more.

When you buy camping supplies and gear don’t forget you can use most of this gear and camp equipment when going on a hiking, biking, fishing or even hunting trip as most of the supplies are useful.

L. Dente is a successful author and publisher of http://www.discount-camping-gear.org Get information on camping gear, backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, furniture and other camping stuff.

stuff for camping

noreply@blogger.com (kpvida) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:40:00 +0000

Find a Camping Gear Outlet Near You
By L Dente

When you search online for a camping gear outlet you will find camping gear at great discounts like tents, sleeping materials like sleeping bags, navigation and survival items, camping furniture and lanterns, tools, knives and optics, personal care equipment, backpacks, camping cookware, and other camping stuff.

If the camp gear outlet you find is an established one, you will find some of the best sales and discounts on clearance items as well as discontinued ones. Some outlets also offer mailing lists with information on camping tips and information on the newest camping gear and equipment just out on the market.

Read up on camping resources, news and articles from consumers and experts who know everything about family camping. Find information on the best camping outlets that sell equipment and gear at almost wholesale prices or who’s having blowout sales.

Some of the most important items to bring along on your camping trip include backpacks, sleeping bags, tents and camping furniture like a table and chairs. Most camping equipment outlets will sell some of the best camping name brands like Hillary, Coleman, Ozark Trail, Brunton, Eureka, Jansport, Swiss Army, Boy Scout, Quest, Kelty, North Face, Gregory, Closeout and Motorcycle to name a few.

Camping Gear

noreply@blogger.com (kpvida) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:05:00 +0000

Camping Gear - The Camping Gear You Need To Have
By Michael Kohler

Camping can be one of the most rewarding recreational activities that a person can embark upon. However, when considering going on a camping trip, there are many items one must consider before jaunting off into the wilderness. If you are new to the camping scene, there are a lot more things to consider than one would think. To begin with, if you are going on any kind of a camping trip at all, camping gear is a necessity and it is often far more than some tent and sleeping bag. There are several things to consider, especially the tent size, various accessories such as sleeping bags and lanterns, the number of people going along with you, and of course edible supplies.

If you are going into a terrain that has a very cold climate, the first assessor you might want to consider bringing along is a sleeping bag. Although there are compromises in price and value that can be made in a variety of stores, you will want to focus upon quality opposed to the damage that will be done to your pocketbook when you are considering your own health and safety. Taking into consideration the temperature that the bag will handle, and the size of the person that it will fit, are probably the most important things to consider with a sleeping bag.

Other accessories would include lanterns, cooking utensils, a way to cook the food that you bring, the food itself, and any kind of safety supplies in case of accidents or in case you simply get lost while camping in an unfamiliar area. Likewise with all of the accessories, getting the best in camping gear is not always cheap but it also does not have to drain your wallet if you can find these accessories on sale. It is possible to find good quality camping gear at a reasonable price.

Buying a tent that is not only weatherproof but that will also fit the amount of people going on the trip is a large consideration as well. Although we all know that ordinarily when a tent says it's a four man that usually means that at best it will fit three people comfortably. And this comfortability factor is not taking into consideration any inflatable mattresses and luggage that you will bring on your trip. Simply put, the number that the tents give is for extreme backpackers who plan on sleeping cosily inside the tent. Therefore, it is best to supersize any tent purchase in order to safely and adequately fulfill your needs and the needs of others that may be coming along with you.

Another item of camping gear one needs to take into consideration if you are camping over a few days is a camping stove. Camping stoves can be bought in most outdoor stores and again, they do not have to be big and bulky to serve their purpose. Small stoves can be found that only require some oil to light up and travel size pots can fit on top.

If you are bringing small children with you, especially young children, will have to take a lot more into consideration than those traveling alone or in a group of peers. Certain precautions need to be taken by all campers but when there are children, there is a lot more to worry about. When purchasing any of the camping gear, make sure that it is safe for children and that it can allow for the overzealous activities that children usually preoccupy themselves with which may have to do with testing the durability of all of your equipment. Therefore, again, it may be more expensive to buy the cheap camping gear opposed to the expensive camping gear that is built to last.

Camping is an adventure for most people that embark upon it. Some will not enjoy interacting with the wilderness. However, by purchasing the correct camping equipment that will provide comfort for all of the parties involved, it will make your camping trip much more enjoyable because you chose to purchase quality camping gear that will probably last you for generations to come.

A Camping Life

noreply@blogger.com (kpvida) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:15:00 +0000

A Camping Life
By S. Bennett

What is it that makes us want to sleep out under the stars or cook over an open flame? What is it that makes us want to be out enjoying God's great creation? Is it something encoded in our DNA? Whatever it is, it makes life interesting doesn't it?!

A person that lives a camping life spends most of the time thinking about the next camping trip. When they are packing up at the end of a trip, they are already planning the next one. They will plan a vacation based on the location's campgrounds or backpacking permits. Does this sound like you? I know that describes me to a T!

A person that lives a camping life usually thinks in a unique way. A three day weekend? "Let's go camping!" Vacation time? "Let's go camping!" A nice quiet weekend? "Let's go camping!" The "perfect" getaway? Spent in a tent, with a camp fire, surrounded by what God has provided: trees, creeks and plenty of hiking trails, preferably on the shores of a lake, so can get a little fishing in too!

A camping life is not for everyone. You have to enjoy the outdoors. You have to have an appreciation and a respect for nature. If this appeals to you then you either already are or are ready to live "A Camping Life".

However you live your camping life, whether you are camping just to be camping or if you are camping as part of a hunting, fishing or hiking trip, there is certain equipment that you will need.

Basic requirements would be a tent and a sleeping bag. Depending on your idea of a camping life and your level of comfort the list of camping equipment could get quite long. You may need all, some or none of this equipment, just choose what fits into your camping life.

For comfort, you may need an air mattress. If your like me, getting a little older, sleeping on the ground in just a sleeping bag does not fit into my camping life. Just make sure you buy a quality one, if not it won't be much better than sleeping on the ground. Of course you don't want to blow this up yourself, so you will need an air pump, same here with buying quality, you don't want to end up spending an hour fighting with the pump just to get your mattress aired up.

Now that we have covered comfort, it is time to look to the practical. It is time to set up your camp. Your idea of the camping life may include cooking over an open flame or you may want the convenience of a camp stove. Either way you will need cookware. Make sure when you buy your cookware, if you are cooking over a camp fire, you get the kind that is made for this type of cooking. Now that you have your camp set up, you don't want to be tripping all over this camping equipment, so don't forget to get a lantern to light your way.

Now let's talk about the extras for your camping trip. If you are camping as part of a hiking trip through the back country you will need a backpack, make sure it is a hiking backpack, not one like kids carry to school. This can make a huge difference in the way your load carries. While you are hiking you may want to do a little bird or wildlife watching so you may want to invest in a good pair of binoculars. You will definitely want to pack a camera for all the beautiful scenery you will be seeing. A good waterproof one would probably be the best, as these are usually more rugged than the average camera. One last extra a lot of people don't think of is walkie talkies. If you are in a large group these can serve several purposes. One purpose could be smaller groups can hike in different directions and still stay in touch with each other. Or even if you are not in a large group, if someone is lost there is a means of communication.

Whatever your idea of the perfect camping life is: I hope your next camping trip will be the best camping life you can live.

Great Family Camping Trips Make Excellent Traditions

noreply@blogger.com (kpvida) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:14:00 +0000

Great Family Camping Trips Make Excellent Traditions
By Valerie Giles

A wonderful way to invest in your families’ treasure trove of memories is by spending time in the great outdoors. Camping trips can be an excellent tradition that your family will look forward to and in time, look back upon with fond memories.

Whether you plan to camp at the same place every year or seek out new places doesn’t matter as camping is always filled with new adventures. Your family might have a favorite place you go to every year mixed with a new spot you select together for another weekend or extended holiday during the year. There are so many national parks to explore; your options really are quite limitless.

Camping doesn’t have to be an overly expensive expenditure. Again this all depends on how you’ll be camping. Camping in a tent carries a completely different dynamic than camping in a fully equipped camper. Camping in a tent is also relatively inexpensive. Perhaps the camper is something you’ll decide to invest in after a few years of tent camping, then again there are some who prefer to only go tent camping. There’s something to be said about the rustic quality of sleeping in a tent, you can hike to far off remote spots where you couldn’t get to with a camper in tow.

Regardless of how you’ll be camping you’ll want to have the proper camping gear and accessories. First off you want to have the best tent and sleeping bags you can possibly afford. As your tent will be your home away from home for your trip and your sleeping bag will keep you warm and covered for those long nights under the stars (there are tents available that have mesh roofs for star gazing, of coarse if it starts to rain, you can just cover it up with your tent fly), you’ll want to be sure that both these items keep you appropriately covered so to speak.

Next you’ll want to have proper camp accessories; a trustworthy camp stove, a lantern, flashlights, a first aid kit, tarp, cooking and eating utensils, a little axe (for chopping firewood, also doubles as a hammer for hammering in tent pegs), some rope (for clothes lines and securing tarp), and cooler. Along with your sleeping bag you’ll want to remember comfy pillows (unless your backpacking then you might want a convenient inflatable pillow) and very importantly a good sleep pad. An uncomfortable sleep experience on hard ground may steer you off tent camping altogether, so come prepared, a good sleeping pad is worth its weight in gold. A good idea to help you remember all these items is the camping check list.

It’s a good idea to store your camp gear in some plastic containers. This way it’s all in one place (with your camp list included), so when it’s time to pack up and go camping you can go through the containers making any necessary additions needed. It’s very important to check that all your equipment is properly maintained and cared for; there is nothing worse than getting to your destination and finding that your camp stove is not working. You’ll also want to be sure that your camp fuel supply is replenished and you have extra batteries (for flashlights, lanterns or radios).

One of the best things about the whole camping experience is the food. Now depending on where you’re camping and what time of year it is, if you’re lucky you’ll be able to do some of your cooking around the campfire. During dry seasons there may be fire restrictions due to forest fire concerns, if that’s the case you’ll do all your cooking atop your camping stove. Every meal always seems to taste a bit better when you’re camping, it might have something to do with all the fresh air, or maybe all the fun activity builds up you’re appetite, either way you’ll want to bring along some family favorites. For dinner maybe some grilling of the families select choices, accompanied by some corn on the cob and potatoes wrapped in tin foil cooked on the coals with a nice salad and later for dessert smores (marshmallow and a slice of chocolate sandwiched between two graham wafers), add to that some hot chocolate before bed and that’s a night of food to dream about.

The activities (or lack of activities) will also make your camping trip one to remember. Hiking, kayaking, cycling and sailing might be on your agenda. Most parks offer excellent groomed hiking trails. Research in advance the area you will be visiting to know what activities will be available, you may be able to rent a kayak and take a lesson at the same time. Many areas also offer great bike trails that the family can cycle on together. A late night walk is among favorite suggestions; you can check out the stars and just listen to the silence.

Bring along a book you’ve wanted to read or some magazines. Games are another excellent pastime, a deck of cards or a board game might be some fun. Of course you can always bring along some baseball gloves and a ball for a game of catch. Soccer balls, badminton rackets and a net or volleyball and net all make for a fun day at the park.

If your family has little one’s you’ll be presented with a whole new challenge. Depending on the ages of your babies or toddlers you’ll want to pack some extra conveniences. There are excellent baby back carriers available allowing you to hike all sorts of terrain with baby in tow while keeping your back feeling comfortable, as well there are a numerous variety of baby strollers to select from which are great for using on trails. For toddlers you may want to bring a playpen to keep baby safe. You can never bring too many toys; the more your child has to keep them entertained you can rest assure they will be more content.

Be prepared for weather changes by bringing along extra clothing. Most likely you will be camping in the warmer spring, summer and fall months. It’s wise to remember however that the evenings can often get quite cool. Bring along heavy sweaters or extra jackets for added warmth, it can never hurt to bring along a couple of extra blankets for comfort beside the fire (or for use at a day picnic). Rainwear is another excellent addition to your camping wardrobe. With good quality rain jackets, hats, rain pants and boots you can take advantage of the rainy weather and actually go out for a hike rather than staying inside the tent or worse yet ending your camp trip all together.

Camping certainly has its challenges. Knowing what to bring and having the proper equipment and accessories is the first hurtle. Once you arrive at your destination and set up you want to keep everyone as comfortable and happy as possible, whether it’s keeping the kids occupied without the use of video games or cooking a surefire dinner. Rest assured that after your first couple of trips when you find out what everyone enjoys doing and you realize all you like to include on your trip, you will certainly add camping to your families list of favorite excursions and traditions. The wonderful thing about camping is its always different, perhaps the site is different or the campground you selected is unique to the last you stayed at, whatever the difference is it always seems to be an adventure that the whole family can enjoy.

Water Filtration

noreply@blogger.com (kpvida) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:14:00 +0000

Water Filtration


Katadyn Cyst Filter $16.95	WAter Filtration Replacement Kit	Gravity Replacement Filter $99.95

Katadyn Vario Replacement Cartridge $35.79 - $39.99	DeChlor (Chlorine Neutralizer)	GI Issue Pure Water Tablets $12.99

Pocket Filter Element by Katadyn $139.00	MSR HyperFlow Prefilter Replacement $19.95	Base Camp Microfilter [Misc.] $77.09
< <> 1 ... 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 ... Next > >

Camping Gear and Supplies

Polar Pure Water Disinfectant From Polar Pure

Polar Pure Water DisinfectantFrom Polar Pure

Product Description

Product Details

Features

Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

CamelBak Classic 70 oz Hydration Pack From Camelbak

CamelBak Classic 70 oz Hydration Pack From Camelbak

Product Description

Product Details

Features

Customer Reviews

Rock climbing

Rock climbing

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Contents

History

Rock climbing basics

Top-roping

Lead climbing

Grading systems

Climbing environments

Styles of rock climbing

Criticism of rock climbing

Cultural

Environmental

Vandalism

Trespassing

BASE jumping|BASE Jumping

See also

References

Further reading

External links

VICTORINOX Swiss Army Knife

Product Description

Product Details

Features

Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Rio Sports Sand Anchor

Rio Sports Sand AnchorFrom Rio Brands

Product Description

Product Details

Features

Customer Reviews

Camping, Hiking and Backpacking - Must Have Essentials

How To Decide On The Right Foods And Cooking Accessories For Camping

CamelBak BPA-Free Better Bottle with Bite Valve

CamelBak BPA-Free Better Bottle with Bite ValveFrom Camelbak

Product Description

Product Details

Features

Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Camping Grills Are Making Their Way to the Big Game

sleeping bags for camping

used campers

outdoor lanterns

camping lanterns

camper trailers

camping outdoors

camping apparel

air bed mattress

camp stove

sleeping bags

Discount Camping Gear

stuff for camping

Camping Gear

A Camping Life

Great Family Camping Trips Make Excellent Traditions

Water Filtration

Polar Pure Water Disinfectant
From Polar Pure

CamelBak Classic 70 oz Hydration Pack
From Camelbak

Rio Sports Sand Anchor
From Rio Brands

CamelBak BPA-Free Better Bottle with Bite Valve
From Camelbak