Survival Tools

An emergency can arise at any time on a hike, and preparation is the key to getting out of many wilderness situations safely. Whether it’s a scraped knee, bad chafing while hiking, an unexpected rainstorm, or a wild animal approaching or getting lost on the trails, here are some backpacking essentials to bring along to...

Whether camping in a tent or staying in a luxury RV, campers often spend most of their time outside hiking the local trails, cooking over the fire with a great cooking pot and enjoying late night chats underneath the stars. While spending all of this time in the great outdoors, there’s bound to be an...

One of the best parts of camping is the ability to throw off the trappings of day-to-day life and reconnect with what’s really important. But camping and hiking require us to usually bring our own equipment. Equipment like our own food, water, a good mess kit, tents and spare clothing. However, one of the most...

The practice of building cairns—or stacking rocks into “signposts” in wilderness areas—is not new. In fact, it’s a tradition that dates to ancient times and has significance to many cultures. But now it’s being decried by environmentalists and park rangers. This is because it can be detrimental to life forms and natural land drainage patterns....

Camping is hands-down one of the most popular family activities of all time. However, there are at least a few dangers that all campers should be aware of before they venture out into the great unknown. As campers in the wilderness, or even in established campsites, we as human campers, need to remember that we...

Nature enthusiasts who love packing up their gear and their families to head for the great outdoors understand just how much careful planning is required for a successful journey. Camping and hiking can be fun and memorable. But camping with no thought to safety or possibly emergencies can be deadly or disastrous, such as if...