Bear Pepper Spray - The Bears Are Coming and They're Hungry

Recently on the news the announcement we have all been waiting for was made. No not about Brittany or Dancing with the Stars but bears are coming out of hibernation. In Colorado alone there are 8,000-12,000 black bears that will be waking up from their hibernation and GUESS WHAT they are all looking for food-YOUR FOOD.

This annual event is greeted this year with more attention than usual because of the heavy snow pack in the mountains which will effectively prevent the bears from most of their normal food sources.

Wild life officials point out that when bears are hungry they are more aggressive than normal-SO BEWARE. As the bears come out of the mountains looking for food they will pick the easiest sources first. Dumpsters, trash cans, pet food in the backyard; even bird feeders are prime pickins for bears.

Black bears are notoriously curious and less aggressive than browns or grizzlies. They are however extremely motivated by food. It is their very keen sense of smell that draws them to food out in the wilderness or in your backyard.
So think about these things that may draw bears to your backyard. The one that is most overlooked is the family bbq grill which is usually not cleaned very well and reeking of old food smells.

They are normally afraid of confrontation unless threatened or protecting their cubs. The sound of barking dogs is enough to scare them away. It is this same keen sense of smell that makes bear pepper spray so effective. Never purposely confront a bear. Be extremely cautious around bears. They are very quick despite their lumbering appearance. If you are in bear territory it may not be a bad idea to have some bear spray around.

Bear pepper spray is an effective deterrent in reducing injuries from bear attacks both to the bears and humans.

Just remember that wind, rain, even temperatures can affect the spray and its' effectiveness. If you follow these tips you can avoid a nasty bear encounter and keep bears out of your back yard.
Jack Krohn is the #1 author of Home Security Articles in the country according to EzineArticles. He owns SECURITY SOLUTIONS a one stop resource that provides solutions and answers for all your self defense and home security problems.

Get yourself some BEAR PEPPER SPRAY and the AMAZING ELECTRONIC WATCHDOG
Get a HIDDEN SPY CAMERA and find out what you are missing.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_Krohn

Appreciating Nature - Fun Activities You Can Do In The Wilderness

When you are appreciating nature, there is no better way to do it than by experiencing it first hand. But this doesn’t mean that you have to go on boring educational trips in the wilderness. Appreciating nature can both be educational and fun. Surprisingly as it may seem, there are actually a lot of different fun activities you can do in the wilderness to fully appreciate nature!

Hiking

Appreciating nature by setting out on labyrinths of trails in deep forests or wildflower-filled meadows is one great way to have fun and adventure. You can explore the wilderness, while walking along towering peaks and rolling rivers.

Hiking is basically another form of walking, accompanied with the particular purpose of enjoying and exploring the scenery. Sometimes, hiking is associated with other outdoor activities. For example, sometimes when you have to reach a rock climbing spot, you would have to take a hike first to the area before you can engage in rock climbing.

Canoing

Another fun activity you can do in the wilderness to appreciate nature is canoeing. This is the activity of paddling a canoe with the intention of recreation. It can also be a sport to some, or just a mere form of transportation. However, float trips are great, especially if you just want a change of environment.

You can use a canoe to appreciate nature, by sight seeing as you paddle your way around a lake or down a peaceful river. Sight seeing is not the only perk of this activity. You can also have close encounters with wildlife, like ducks or swans, if there are any present in your area.

Surfing

This ancient perfected sport of Hawaiian people, formerly called "he\'e nalu" translated as “wave-sliding”, originated hundreds or thousands of years ago. There is nothing more exciting than appreciating nature by riding the perfect waves. No wonder a lot of people have fallen in love with this wonderful sport!

Whitewater Rafting Or Inflatable & Hard Shell Kayaking

Another exciting way of appreciating nature is through having a whitewater trip consisting of a several days\' period down a wild and picturesque river. This is definitely a memorable adventure in the wilderness. The exhilarating white waters would definitely give you that thrill you are looking for in an adventure.

It doesn’t only provide you the opportunity to see stunning scenery that is not easy to go to by foot, but it also allows you to have a close encounter with wildlife that are normally frightened off when you try to approach them on land. This activity is best done in groups. It can also be a good team building activity, since in the process you and your comrades develop a replenished sense of teamwork and group awareness.

Mountain Biking

Appreciating nature through mountain biking can be both fun and challenging. It is a nice way to explore distant locations adjacent to or surrounding stunning wilderness areas. By mountain biking, you can discover snowcapped peaks and deep-forested valleys. You can choose to ride dirt off-roads, single-track trails, or desert rocks.

These are just some of the different ways of appreciating nature in a fun filled way. Other than these activities themselves, you can also do other pastime activities while on a trip. You can play games, and have storytelling sessions. Definitely, there are lost of fun activities that you can do in the wilderness, all you have to do is be game and up for it!

This article is brought to you courtesy of DukatsJournal.com, a website which offers free information and resources related to hunting, camping, and other outdoor activities. Get more information regarding nature.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_C_Boulden

10 Tips To Prepare For A Trekking Adventure

By following the tips below, not only will you be well prepared for possibly a trip of a lifetime but you'll get so much more out of your trekking experience.

Remember the fitter you are before you depart, the easier your trek will be. You will have spent a lot of time, effort (and probably money too!) to get to your trekking location, so it makes sense to get the most out of your trip by spending a little extra money and some more time being in good shape and having suitable kit.

1.Forward PlanningNo matter how far away your trip is it is never to early to start training. This way you can build up your strength and conditioning gradually, making the progressions and results more enjoyable and reducing your risk of injury and set backs

2. Happy FeetHaving well fitted and appropriate footwear is of the utmost importance. Get your boots, shoes form a specialist shop where the staff know what they are doing. Buy your boots in the afternoon when your foot has swelled slightly, this will give a better fit. Make sure you break your boots in well before your expedition. This will allow your feet to get used to the new boot and the new boot get used to you. Remember a $5000 trip can be ruined by the pain of badly fitted $300 boots.

3. On with SocksYour socks are an integral part of your footcare for the trek. Good boots and bad socks can still land you in a world of pain. Modern fibres such as coolmax are a winner. Many brands have socks specific for different types of trek. Take your socks with you when you go to try on potential boots.

4. Strengthen the LegsIt's your legs that are doing the walking, make sure that your strength program includes suitable exercises that work the legs through different planes of motion. IE get off the leg press and get a Personal Trainer to show you how to do Multi Directional Lunges and Multi Directional Step ups. You'll be carrying a pack so use free weights to add load to squats and lunges. Don't forget the body is a whole unit. You also need to strengthen your back, your core and your shoulders.

5. These boots were made for walking If you are working a nine to five in the city I can forgive you for spending time during the week doing your cardio in the gym. However you do need to get out and start building up to the sort of distances that you will be walking on your chosen trek. Plan a long walk every weekend. Start with 3 hour walks and build up, half day walks and then full day walks. Once a month try to plan a camping overnighter. This will also help you plan what is necessary to take in your pack and what isn't. How well all your gear works and what you need to change, lighten or improve.

6. Sticks aren't for oldiesPoles make a huge difference. They help reduce the stress on your knees by up to 30%. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes with the crème de la crème being the ergonomically designed Pacer Pole.

7. A well fitted packYour rucksack will contain everything that is important to you during your trip. Dry clothes, food, drink, camera and more. Don't scrimp on the pack. Make sure it is well fitted by a professional. Make sure it sits well. Aim to be able to sit 70-80% of the weight on your hips NOT your shoulders. Make sure it is fully adjustable and has external compression straps so that the weight doesn't shift whilst you walk. Use your pack as much as you can during training.

8. Water, water everywhereWhether you are trekking in hot or cold climes your hydration requirements significantly increase whilst trekking. As you lose water your blood volume is reduced which means your heart is having to work harder. Be careful about carrying bladders if they burst all your gear may get soaked. I tend to take a 1.5L Metal Sig bottle and a bladder. Diluted sports drinks powders are always a winner on a trip.

9. SnacksYou need to keep snacking to keep your blood sugar and energy levels up. Aim for high carbohydrate snacks. Don't rely on getting to much in the way of easy to consume snacks in your destination country (although you may get some fantastic fruit) stock up and take with you anything that is light easy to consume and high in Energy. Muesli bars and scroggin (Homemade mix of fruit, nuts, choc chips and other goodies)

10. Be Trek Fit!Physically and mentally. Be ready, this is possibly going to be the adventure of a lifetime. A holiday like this is an investment in an experience. Make sure you have the right gear and that it works. You have the right training program and are getting the right advice. If you prepare you are going to be able to enjoy the expedition for what it is, a challenging, total mind, body and cultural experience.

Enjoy your trek!
Joe

Joe Bonington is about living a life well lived. Setting goals, Getting fit, eating healthily, working enthusiastically, playing hard and living well. Training for adventures, sports or weight loss. If you want to know more about Joe's take on fitness and health his training programs or his organized adventures visit http://www.joebonington.com.au

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Bonington

Tips for Backpackers and Travellers to Avoid Ticks and Lyme Disease

Would you know how to remove a tick? Did you know that the old wives' tales for removing them should be avoided? Never attempt to burn them off, crush them with your fingers, cover them with petroleum jelly or apply any other chemicals. These methods may actually heighten the risk of infection by causing the tick to produce excess saliva or vomit into the wound! Yes...Yuk!

A tick will remove itself from your body once it is engorged with your blood by simply falling off, but this process can take several hours or even days. As revolting as this subject is, it should give backpackers, travellers, and even those who think they are safe pottering in the garden, the urge to read on...

This article is not intended to cause alarm, but to heighten awareness of ticks and the potential for catching the diseases they carry. Fresh air and exercise is good for us, so the outdoors should not be avoided because of the fear of catching something or getting bitten. However, it is better to avoid the bite than deal with possible consequences like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (U.S.) or other tick-borne illnesses.

Ticks resemble tiny spiders. There are several types of ticks and the diseases they carry depend on the geographical location. Ticks are reported to be the next most prolific spreader of disease after the mosquito. Although mainly inhabiting woodland areas, they are also found in our gardens and city parks. They are most active in warm weather but are present all year (even in Britain). Lyme disease is common across the United States, often transmitted by deer ticks, with thousands of cases reported each year. It is not as well known in the U.K., but many will be surprised to learn that hundreds of cases are reported each year. Lyme disease is also found in Europe, especially Scandinavian countries, as well as in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Cases have been reported in many other parts of the world, including Australia, S. Africa, China, Japan, and the former Soviet Union.

A tick bite does not automatically mean it will always result in Lyme or any other disease. Not all ticks carry the disease but, unfortunately, some ticks are capable of carrying more than one disease. Those who are bitten and infected do not always experience symptoms, and often are not even aware they have been bitten, so the disease can be hard to pin down.

Successful diagnosis may hinge upon relating it to a bite - which is why awareness and knowledge is so important. The tick will latch onto you any way it can, but its favourite spots to feed are the neck, head, armpits, back of the knees, groin and navel areas. Taking a photo of any rash that develops at the site of the bite before it disappears can help convince doctors to take symptoms seriously. Many victims remain undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed because doctors are not well educated about tick bites and Lyme disease. It's often up to the patient to be pro-active and pursue it by informing the doctor that they have been bitten and requesting tests and treatment.

Tips to avoid encounters with ticks:

Wear light coloured clothing and long sleeves.
Tuck trouser legs into socks and shirt into trousers.
Wear shoes or boots rather than open sandals.
Check yourself after sitting on grass or logs, brushing past branches or leaning against tree trunks.
Use a light-coloured picnic blanket to easily spot ticks and other insects.
Inspect outdoor pets regularly for ticks and keep them off furniture.
Arrange with travel companions to check each other for signs of ticks (or use a mirror to check the parts you can't see).
Use insect repellents effective against ticks.
Check clothing and shoes before entering your car or home.

Education is vital in avoiding and removing ticks. Know the correct method for removing them from the skin, preferably with tweezers or a special removal tool. Keep the tick so that it can be examined if symptoms occur. If head or mouth parts of the tick break off under the skin during removal they must also be taken out or medical help obtained as this can heighten the chance of infection.

If symptoms occur following a bite, antibiotic treatment should begin as quickly as possible. Symptoms of Lyme disease might include skin rash, headache, fatigue, fever, muscle and joint aches and swollen lymph glands. Left untreated the disease may spread to other parts of the body and cause chronic problems.

Apologies to the squeamish and arachnophobic who now have one more thing to worry about! A vaccine against Lyme disease is not available at the time of writing, so backpackers, hikers and campers should be especially vigilant. It is hoped that this information will remind lovers of the outdoors to take extra care and avoid unwanted close encounters of the buggy kind.

Jean Andrews is a freelance writer living in the UK. She regularly contributes articles for TIA Ltd who offer backpackers travel insurance.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jean_Andrews

Wilderness First Aid Kits

Some websites indicate that if you are properly trained and knowledgeable that you will not need to use wilderness first aid kits. This is something that I do not agree with at all. Regardless of the training and experience you have, accidents can and do happen. Even highly, safety conscious people can run into trouble at some point while out in the wilderness.

At least one member of your party should have proper first aid training, but it would be much better if everyone took a first aid course before an outdoor adventure. If possible, take a course in outdoor or wilderness first aid. In addition, everyone should know how to use his or her wilderness first aid kits. If you have first aid training, it is essential to renew it every few years. If you do not use, you will lose it! The retention for first aid knowledge is quite short.

Part of your first aid training must include CPR. This is especially important if your trip includes canoeing or kayaking. You must get any person who has experienced a near drowning situation to a doctor as soon as possible because complications can occur due to inhaling water. If your trip is a short one or simply a day trip, you can likely get away without full size wilderness first aid kits. However, a basic first aid kit is still recommended regardless of the length or duration of the trip.

Most people that do a lot of wilderness tripping never experience a situation where their wilderness first aid kits are required. A good word of advice is to consult your physician before your trip. He or she should be able to give you some tips on what you need to take or at the very least provide some information on who to contact for more information. Make sure you read the labels of any medication that you bring along. You may have someone that needs to bring their prescriptions along, and if they become incapacitated in any way, you may need to administer their medication. Do not give any medication to children or pregnant women without first consulting with a doctor.

We provide information for the outdoor enthusiast on wilderness survival kits, hunting stores, wilderness first aid kits and other related information.
by D. Karlson

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Karlson

Wilderness Survival - Getting Water to Drink

More important than food and perhaps even more important than fire, water is necessary for survival. Maybe it is obvious, but our bodies are comprised of a lot of it.

You can harvest water in a variety of ways. Unless you live in Michigan (the Great Lakes State) or Minnesota (Land of 10,000 Lakes) or such locales where ponds and lakes are prevalent, free-flowing water may not always be readily available. Standing water can be a bit sketchy, so if you don't have a kit to test or a way to purify, you need to seek it elsewhere.

Plants are some of the easiest to locate and most reliable sources of clean water. Many of them hold droplets of rain on the leaves and others house plenty of moisture in their stems.

Avoid drinking from storm drains, sewers, and puddles with rainbow sheen. Not all that is wet is water, so use your other senses to help determine whether or not it is in fact water.

If a plant is growing in soil that is near urban areas, the ground water may be contaminated. In this case, the more rustic the venue the better your chances are of finding healthier sources. Of course, this works to your advantage - if you are in a survival situation, you are probably pretty far out in the wild anyway.

Use caution when acquiring water from plants in the wild. If you aren't sure whether or not a plant is poisonous or not, don't use it. Remember the unfortunate kid at summer camp that ran through the poison ivy in shorts? Now imagine trying to scratch the back of your throat when it itches!

More often than not, you may be able to trust grapevines, birch tree sap, maple tree sap, and thistles. Some plants look like other plants that you really don't want to use for water collection. Grapevines have a poisonous look-alike, the Canada Moonseed vine, so be careful.

Instead of pressing your luck by squeezing what may or may not be grapevines, press the wood fibers of birch trees in your fist and point your thumb towards your open mouth.

Remember: water can be acquired from a variety of natural sources, but use your better judgment and never assume.

When the chips are down, you need tools you can depend on. Check out the Bushman Survival Knife and other Wilderness survival gear.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gabriel_J._Adams

How To Choose A Good Backpack

Bags are an essential accessory for most people, there seems to be a style for every occasion. The difficulty comes in finding the right one for you at the right price. Sometimes the purpose of a bag and its practical application is more important than how it looks; this is often the case with a backpack. The backpack has many advantages, but the most obvious one is the fact that it leaves both hands free. Below we will review the whys and wherefores of a good backpack.

Why Should You Buy A Backpack?

Using shoulder bags, worn either on one shoulder or across the body will still leave the bag free to move and slip around. If you are hiking or walking over rocks or mud, the swing of your bag can be enough to off balance you. A backpack would be securely fastened to you and would be less likely to cause a slip. If you are not used to carrying a backpack there is a simple test you can do which may be quite an eye opener. Next time you are out shopping or commuting to work take note of which arm/shoulder you usually carry your bag on. On the return journey try to carry the bag on the opposite side of your body, this will probably feel quite uncomfortable - the reason for this is that either you have developed stronger muscles on one side of your body, or in the case of shoulder bags, you have learn to hold the bag on by moving your shoulder up and down. Both of these options could suggest that you are walking in a lopsided manner; this potentially can damage our spines. So the carrying of an uneven load can be harmful and should be avoided if we want to keep our back in good order. The design of a backpack should allow one to carry your load evenly, you will probably also find that you can carry a heavier weight without straining any muscles

What Should You Look For When Buying A Backpack?

First you need to establish when you will be wearing your backpack; will you be using it for long periods of time? If you are hiking and will be carrying it all day, it is best to choose a backpack with wide supporting straps. If you are simply carrying your book and house keys when commuting to work, you can go for backpack with thin straps which would be quicker and easier to slide on and off. If you are going for a backpack with wide straps, make sure that these are fully adjustable; you will need to be able to adjust the backpack to fit not only your build, but also be able to adjust it depending on the weight you are carrying. It is important to make sure that you try the backpack before buying it and also wear clothes that will be worn when you are using the backpack the majority of the time; for example, if you are buying your backpack for hiking, make sure that you can fit any waterproofs underneath comfortably.

What Do You Need It For?

You should also consider what you will be carrying in your bag. Firstly for weight purposes and secondly to make sure that you have enough pockets and compartments laid out in suitable positions. If you have small children, you may want to make sure there is a section where you can put their spare clothes or snacks in, which is easily accessible.

Where will You Be Using Your Backpack?

Although you can never guarantee the weather it is worth thinking about how waterproof or water resistance you need the backpack to be. Another consideration worth bearing in mind when deciding what size of backpack to buy is that warm winter clothing takes up a lot more space than lightweight summer waterproofs.

Good luck with choosing your backpack, remember, if you are not sure it is the right one then keep trying on more of them until you are happy with your choice.

Jon Kelly is a published author who writes pieces on a variety of diverse subjects. This includes articles about all aspects of rucksacks and backpacks If you would like to get more ideas about backpacks. Please visit: http://www.thebackpackreview.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_Kelly

Camping - A Checklist of Things to Bring

Before you head for the campsite, make sure you have everything you need to make your travel safe, comfortable and enjoyable. Remember that failing to plan is planning to fail. But what exactly will you bring? The answer lies in figuring out what kind of a camper you are, what your comfort level is, and what style of camp will you have. The complete gear you need covers basic fire building, cooking and dining, lighting and other miscellaneous items that you think you need.
Minimalist camping

These campers can do without a lot of comfort and equipment. They are willing to accept the wilderness as it is, adapting to the natural terrains and weather conditions. They prefer to sleep on the ground rather than lie on a camping cot. Their camp is sparse, creating fire rather than using a stove and lighting small candles rather than using a lantern. The minimalist really tries to experience the outdoors by choice.

Gear-oriented camping

These campers are people who want to be comfortable and prepared. You can find chairs, tables, cots, stoves and other conveniences in their campsites. Gear-oriented campers enjoy the outdoors but they also prefer little amenities that will make their camp a home away from home. Their camping checklist is long and extensive. If you are this type of a camper, you will need some basic things such as a tent (preferably with rain fly and window), sleeping bag, stove, food and water.

In the campsite, if you need to gather some wood to build a fire, bring a small axe to split the logs. You can place your matches in a sealed container, or maybe you can carry butane lighter. Some campers bring dry logs if they are going out on a rain-soaked day.

For your hearty meals, there are a lot of easy-to-cook foods available. If you want to eat an elaborate meal however, then a more sophisticated camping stove (like those with several burners and adjustable flame) is required. Also, bring a cooler and ice packs to preserve your fresh food.

Be sure you have flashlights with extra batteries. One lantern or two will be enough to sufficiently light your camp. These lanterns can run on battery, propane or liquid fuel. Do not underestimate the value of lighting your camp at night especially if you have children with you. They will also be able to enjoy camping games with flashlights and glow sticks.

If you plan to do some hiking, you need a backpack, travel guide, compass, good shoes, extra socks, hat and a map. Don't forget to bring along a multifunction knife, which can be an indispensable tool. One model of a pocket knife even has its own reusable plastic toothpick, which you might have forgotten to include in your checklist. Also, if you like to swim or bathe in a stream or lake (which usually has rock bottoms) bring along some waterproof footgear.

Camping is a great kind of recreation. Find the right campsite for you, the right preparation, and the right tools to ensure that your trip will be memorable. Your checklist will definitely be very dynamic as you add and remove items along the way. But it is absolutely essential to ensure that you have all you need for a great camping trip.

Partingtons have a range of Caravan Parks across the UK for a great English holiday. Or if you are looking for a holiday home why not check out property in Tuscany

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Benedict_Hunter

Hiking Vacation Idea

There are great places to hike all over the world. My personal preference is in cooler, wetter climates; I am not a big fan of deserts or super hot and humid climates. I find it easier to get warm than it is to get cool - to each their own. Anyways, earlier this year I took a hiking vacation in Iceland. I am not sure how aware most Americans are of this tiny island nation. But, the bottom line is, if you haven't been there, you should go. It really is a hiker's paradise.

First, a little about Iceland. I recommend going there in late spring through the summer months for the best chance of decent weather. I was there in early May and the weather was surprisingly good, with little rain and warmish weather. Even in the warmer months though, you want to bring lots of layers and good waterproof clothes and equipment.

I found a tour company online that offered a good selection of multi-day hiking and trekking tours. I chose a four day backpacking tour that started in one of Iceland's national parks, called Skaftafell. This is a real gem of a location and it is situated near the bottom of a beautiful glacier. Our hike began in a place nearby called Nupsstadarskógar valley. This is a beautiful location with lots of arctic birch. That first day we hiked along this valley passing waterfalls and lovely sculpted canyons, some as high as 200 meters. That first night we made camp near a lava field.

The second day included more hill climbing through glacial valleys. About midway through the second day we ascended the Eggjar hill which has stunning views of a glacier lagoon with clear blue-green water and floating icebergs. We mad camp later at the north end of this large lagoon. Our campsite had views of the huge glacier that enters into this lagoon. That night was quite magical with the sounds of the glacier and soft winds.

Day three we got a chance to hike on the Skeidararjökull glacier, from Graenafjall Mountain to the Nordurdalur valley, an area surrounded by ice and high mountain ridges. It took us almost an entire day to cross about 9 miles of ice. By the time we crossed this glacier we were officially on the farthest outskirts of the national parks boundary. That night we camped in another beautiful spot with views over several glacier lakes with floating icebergs and a background of colored rhyolite mountains.

On the final day of our tour, we got to climb up a narrow mountain ridge. From the top we stopped to admire the panoramic view over the yellowish rhyolite valley. We also had a spectacular view of Hvannadalshnukur, Iceland's highest mountain. As we descended into the next valley, the vegetation became progressively more abundant with more arctic birch and other foliage that I can't name. By days end our group was back at the Skaftafell national park where we spent one more night before heading back to Reykjavik.

Words cannot express the experience of this journey. It was physically demanding but each night I slept well and awoke ready for more exploration. The views were stunning and I could see for miles because there's so little pollution in Iceland.

I have been on other hiking vacations but this one topped them all. Next time I think I will look into some Iceland mountain hiking tours or maybe some Icelandic pony trekking. - David Brooks

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Sean_Brooks

Campground Essentials - Camping Water Purifiers

If you have chosen camping as your vacation, you will leave the comforts of home and spend the majority of your time outdoors. You will live a far simpler life at the campground, but this simple life does not mean you must forego all "comforts" of your day-to-day life at home. You do not have to drink from a nearby stream or catch fish to eat.

There is some modern technology and inventions that you should take advantage of when it comes to camping. One such item is a water purifier, a good idea for any camping trip and one of the most important items you to bring.

Camping water purifiers are important to help ensure your water is clean and safe to drink. Using a purifier daily will help prevent you from being at risk for bugs, water-borne diseases or other harmful bacteria. Many models are available from which to choose. Doing a little research before purchasing a water purifier for your trip is a good idea, but here is some information to get you started.

The simplest type of water purifier for camping is the UV model which uses ultra-violet light to destroy any harmful bacteria that may be in the water. The UV model is a good selection for occasional campers. However, because the UV model does not last long, anyone camping regularly would be wise to invest in a more advanced model purifier. Others use iodine or activate carbon to eliminate unwanted bacteria and purify the water.

Camping water purifiers can significantly vary in size. For instance, there are larger models available to keep in your tent or trailer which is a good option when you are staying in one place or at one campground throughout the trip. Or, there are also personal drinking bottles you could choose which is useful during a day trip, while hiking or even traveling to different campsites.
Personal camping purifier water bottles allow you to hike without worrying about running out of water. You can fill your bottle with water from a nearby natural water source, such as a stream, and let the bottle purify the water so it is safe to drink.

Gravity fed water purifiers are similar to the water filters many use in their home. While camping, you can fill the purifier unit with water from a stream or lake, after which the water drips through to the bottom at which point it is safe to drink.

Water purifiers may not be something you first think of when preparing for a camping trip, but it is definitely one of the more essential items you should bring. Natural sources of water may be "natural" but can still contain bacteria and other potentially harmful toxins. Place a camping water purifier at the top of your list of camping supplies to purchase. It is better to be safe knowing that you are drinking clean water.

Vince Paxton repeatedly publishes summaries on topics dealing with octoberfest costumes and history of octoberfest. Sharing his passion in reports, the reviewer demonstrated his depth of understanding on information associated with octoberfest.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vince_L._Paxton

The Principles of Leave No Trace Camping ...by River Connection

The Leave No Trace principles might seem unimportant until you consider the combined effects of millions of outdoor visitors. One poorly located campsite or campfire may have little significance, but thousands of such instances seriously degrade the outdoor experience for all. Leaving no trace is every persons responsibility. Leave No Trace is an awareness and an attitude rather than a set of rules. It applies in your backyard or local park as much as in the back country and on rivers.

Help protect the back country and rivers by remembering that while you are there, you are a visitor. When you visit a friend, you take care to leave your friend's home just as you found it. You would never think of trampling garden flowers, chopping down trees in the yard, putting soap in the drinking water, or marking your name on the living room wall. When you visit the back country, the same courtesies apply. Leave everything just as you found it.

Hiking and camping without a trace are signs of an expert outdoors man, and of a someone who cares for the environment. Travel lightly on the land. No Trace Camping Principals

1. Poorly prepared people, when presented with unexpected situations, often resort to high-impact solutions that degrade the outdoors or put themselves at risk. Poor planning can result in improperly located campsites because groups failed to plan enough time to reach their intended destination, or improper campfires or excessive trash because of failure to plan meals or bring proper equipment. Come prepared one of the risks is hypothermia. Pack light, layering your clothing.

2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces: Damage to land occurs when surface vegetation or communities of organisms are trampled beyond repair. The resulting barren area leads to unusable trails, campsites and soil erosion.
* In high-use areas, Leave No Trace suggests that people concentrate activity, which makes further damage unlikely.
* In areas of very little or no use, Leave No Trace encourages people to spread out. Taking different paths when hiking off-trail will avoid creating new trails that cause erosion. Dispersing tents and equipment, and moving camp daily will avoid creating permanent-looking camp sites.

3. Though most trash and litter in the back country is not significant in terms of the long term ecological health of an area, it does rank high as a problem in the minds of many back country visitors. Trash and litter are primarily social impacts which can greatly detract from the naturalness of an area. Thus, Leave No Trace recommends that trash and litter should be packed out. Further, back country users create body waste and waste water which requires proper disposal according to Leave No Trace.
Waste Water: Avoiding soap and dispersing dishwater far away from natural water sources will prevent contamination. After brushing your teeth, dilute the rinse water to avoid leaving â??seagull droppingsâ??. Consider using a kitchen floor tarp to catch drops and spills. Strain dishwater, put the scraps in your trash and broadcast the dishwater above the high water mark.
Human Waste: Proper human waste disposal prevents spread of disease, exposure to others, and speeds decomposition. Pack out your human waste using one of the many good toilet systems available. A coffee can, small paper bags and some deodorizer can be used for a daytime toilet, or carry a wag-bag; this waste can then be added to that in the regular toilet when you get to camp. Regulations for depositing urine vary depending on the area; the usual rule in higher-volume waters and arid areas is to urinate in the water or on wet sand. Be sure to check out local regulations or accepted practices. Donâ??t forget to pick up your dogâ??s solid waste and pack it out too!

4. Leaving rocks, plants, archaeological artifacts and other objects as found will allow others a sense of discovery. Similarly, Leave No Trace directs people to minimize site alterations, such as digging tent trenches, hammering nails into trees, permanently clearing an area of rocks or twigs.

5. Minimize Use and Impact of Fire: Leave No Trace encourages people to use lightweight camp stoves, instead of fires, because the naturalness of many areas has been degraded by overuse of fires and the increasing demand for firewood. If a campfire is constructed, Leave No Trace suggests using an existing fire ring in a well-placed campsite or to use a fire pan or mound fire. True Leave No Trace fires show no evidence of having ever been constructed.

6. If enough people approach or interfere with wildlife, it can be disruptive to animal populations.
7. Following hiking and boating etiquette and maintaining quiet allows visitors to go through the wilderness with minimal impact on other users.

Remember............Leave only footprints Take only pictures!

About the Author
Riverconnection source for inflatable boats, kayaks, whitewater rafting equipment, fishing supplies, and camping gear. Specializing in inflatable raft repair supplies. Please see our full line of inflatable repair related products at http://www.riverconnection/.

How To Find The Best Safari Park

A Safari Park is very similar to a zoo with the exception of NO CAGES! Instead of the tourists walking around and looking at the animals, they drive their own vehicles around the park observing the animals, sometimes closer than you would expect as the animals have a tendency to come up to the vehicle to inspect the tourists who are watching them.

The types of animals that many tourists come to expect in such a park are Antelope, Lions, Elephants, Giraffes, Rhino's, Hippo's and Zebra's but if you look closely, you will get to see a lot, lot more.

Due to the natural habitat for many of the more popular wildlife, Africa has the original and still possibly the most popular Safari Parks, although the following Safari Parks around the world offer a great selection of animals to film and observe:

Great Britain : Longleat, Windsor, Woburn, Blair Drummond, Knowsley, Bewdley

France : Thoiry (Réserve Africaine), Peaugres, Sigean, Saint-Vrain

Nederlands : Hilvarenbeek (Safari Beekse Bergen)

Germany : Stuckenbrock (Hollywood und Safaripark), Hodenhagen (Serengeti Park)

United States : Florida : Loxahatchee (Lion Country Safari) ; California : Irvine (Lion Country
Safari), San Diego Wild Animal Park ; Texas : Grand Prairie (Lion Country Safari) ; Oregon : Winston (Wildlife Safari)

Canada : Ontario : Rockton (African Lion Safari) ; Quebec : Hemmingford (Parc Safari Africain)

Mexico : Puebla (Africam Safari)

Israel : Ramat-Gan

Africa alone has more than 14 Safari Parks, with some of the top Safari's suggested here:

1) Tsavo East African safari - This is Kenya's largest game sanctuary famed for its huge herds of elephants

2) Tsavo West African safari - volcanic lava flows, crystal clear springs fed and filtered by underground labyrinth of volcanic porous rocks

3) Amboseli Wildlife Park African safari - is in the shadows of Africa's highest snow-capped mountain - Mt. Kilimanjaro

4) Naivasha Wildlife African safari - is the second biggest fresh water lake in Kenya, famed for yawning hippos making loud bleating sounds.

5) Maasai Mara Game Reserve Wildlife African safari - WORLD FAMOUS

6) Lake Victoria - is the lake that feeds the river Nile

7) Mt. Elgon - the Kitum caves are so large, they can fit 100 elephants in one go

8) Lake Bogoria - famous for it's large flamingo population

9) Lake Nakuru - is a whetland heritage site with baboons, gazelles, impala and buffalo

10) Samburu African safari- famous for it's wildlife and crocodiles

11) Samburu Game Reserve Tour - home of the gerenuk *giraffe antelope*

As expeditions of this nature tend to be lead by professional tourist guides and wildlife experts, this adventure is relatively safe.

So, if you are looking to go on Safari, do your research, find which country has the best climate for your favourite animals, check out internet search engines like Google, Yahoo and MSN, look at online videos and read reviews to see what other people thought about the various locations.

I have been interested in wildlife and safari's for a long time. Please take a look at my website with regularly updated Real Safari Videos

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Simon_A_Ashton

Outdoor Camping Equipment

I have been outdoor rock climbing for years. Finding the right rock climbing equipment is pretty easy after you get used to it. There are so many people who review rock climbing equipment, and so many respectable sources in the area, that you can pretty easily learn what you need to take with you. Ironically, however, outdoor camping equipment is a little bit harder to find. Because camping gear is a little bit less specialized, you would expect it to be easier to pick out. You would expect there to be many different kinds of outdoor camping equipment that fit the bill. In reality, however, because it is less specialized there is a greater diversity of opinion. If you have never picked out outdoor camping gear before, you will probably be dazzled by the variety of options. Unfortunately, not all of these options will work.

The first time I took camping equipment outdoor on a rock climbing trip, I found this out the hard way. You see, I had decided to take no risks at all. I got the best outdoor camping equipment for rock climbing that I could find – or at least what I thought was the best. I got a very well made tent that was certified for Arctic conditions. I bought a mummy style sleeping bag, and a lot of other survival outdoor camping equipment. Unfortunately, I made all of the wrong choices. Although the outdoor camping equipment that I got was really good, it was completely inappropriate for the purpose. It was too heavy, too hot, and too bulky. Having the wrong outdoor camping equipment on a rock climbing trip can be very dangerous. Every spare pound that you are carrying counts, so taking too much stuff up with you is always a bad idea. I learned the hard way the pitfalls of picking out the wrong outdoor climbing equipment.

This is why you should always pick out outdoor climbing equipment with the help of an expert in the area. If you are just taking an overnight in a place that is easy to get to, mild, and close to civilization, it doesn't matter. You should use whatever outdoor camping equipment you can scrape together. You won't have to worry about having the best stuff. If, however, you are going on a serious outdoor adventure, you should do some serious planning. When you're in the middle of the woods, remember, you can't go to back to the outfitter to get more stuff.

For more information on the best Colorado Vacations try visiting Colorado Best Vacations located at http://ColoradoBestVacations.com where you will find valuable information on colorado springs vacations and other information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dominic_Ferrara

Getting Your Basic Outdoor Survival Gear

If you have a love of the great outdoors, than you already have a real respect for how very unexpected it can be. Whether you are a fan of wilderness survival or you simply want to be prepared should the worst come to pass, one of the first things that you need to address is your outdoor survival gear. In terms of both safety and survival, having the appropriate gear can make all the difference, and a little bit of preparation will go a very long way. Take a look below for some of the basic gear that you will need when you head out into the wilderness.

The first thing to think about are the bare necessities, that is, your backpacking gear. Your backpacking gear needs to be lightweight and able to withstand a lot of abuse. Reliability is important, so take some time to research the best backpacking gear available and then buy the best set that you can afford. This is not an area where you can expect to find a lot of bargains, so be prepared to lay out good money for good gear.

Your tent needs to be strong, lightweight and comfortable, and it should be very simple to pitch. Before you leave on your trip try pitching it a few times in various different situations that you might encounter on your trip. This is not something you want to learn when you are in more hurried situation! Take good care of your tent and it will take care of you. Hang it out before your trip, treat your zippers well as they are a main point of weakness and dry the poles and pegs thoroughly after use.

The type of sleeping bag you get will depend on your personal preference and the situation that you are going into. Mummy sleeping bags are top rated for warmth, weight efficiency and general use. They are wider at the top and come to a narrower bottom, eliminating empty air that can get cold, while rectangular bags are more comfortable due to their more roomy nature. If you are doing fall or winter camping, remember to get a sleeping bag with a hood that zips closed to preserve body heat.

Your backpack, what you will be using to carry all of your gear is also extremely important. There are daypacks, which don't have a great deal of room, but are excellent for very short trips, external frames and internal frame styles. External frames have a lot of space to lash things to, and they will carry the pack a little off of your body to supply you with more ventilation, while internal frames have less space, but provide you with a lower center of gravity, making it perfect for hikers and people spending time in the mountains.

Remember that a basic wilderness first aid kid is essential. Make sure that it contains a manual that is easy to understand and use as well as bandages that are suitable for blisters, wounds and sprains. Similarly, remember to pack your painkillers, antiseptics, anti-diarrhea medication and any prescriptions in waterproof container. Similarly make sure that any medications you carry are up to date. Basic first aid tools include tweezers and a sharp razor blade.

Taking off into the wilderness can be exhilarating, but remember to be prepared!

Looking for outdoor survival gear and accessories? We invite you to look thru out incredible selections at: http://www.simplysoldshop.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_W_John