How to Choose a Water Filter or Purifier
Water purifiers also combat viruses, which are too tiny for most filters to effectively catch. If youāre traveling in less-developed areas of the world, consider products that also provide protection from viruses (such as hepatitis A, rotavirus, and norovirus).
How to Treat Water while Hiking or Camping
After heavy rain, wait before gathering water for treatment.Ā When streams are on the rise, rain has washed surface material into them, as well as lakes and other water sources. This increases bacterial loads and muddies up gathered water.
Backpacking Food Ideas & Meal Planning
You can take most foods backpacking, but itās best to stick with foods that are portable, lightweight, and not too bulky. Fortunately, there are ways to take backpacking versions of your favorite mealāfrom burrito bowlsĀ toĀ tuna noodle casseroleāwhether you dehydrate the meal at home,Ā buy ready-to-eat dehydrated mealsĀ that only require adding hot water, or assemble your meal from a mixture of fresh and dry ingredients.Ā
How to Choose Headlamps
Headlamps today use LEDs almost exclusively as their light source. LEDs are rugged, energy-efficient, and long-lasting.
How to Choose Between a PLB and a Satellite Messenger
PLBs and satellite messengers are your two best options for sending distress signals when on an outdoor adventure.
How to Build a Campfire
Build fires only in designated fire rings, grills, or fireplaces. Most developed campgrounds have some version of these. Using a fire ring will lessen your impact and keep your fire contained.
How to Use a Compass
Why not rely exclusively on a phone or GPS receiver? Because batteries can die and gadgets can malfunction. A compass relies only on Earth's magnetic fields. If you donāt have one yet, read How to Choose a Compass.
7 THINGS EVERY FIRST-TIME CAMPER SHOULD KNOW | CAMPING ESSENTIALS
The idea of camping can intimidate some people. But the truth is, camping is not only one of the easiest outdoor activities to do, but itās also one of the most widely loved. Its simple charms are addictive: crackling fires, fresh air, the exchange of stories with close friends, and all the sāmores your inner-fifth-grader-heart could want.
A Beginnerās Guide to Bikepacking
Bikepacking is essentially having multi-day, self-supported adventures on your bike. Typically, this would involve being more off-road than on-road and would feature some kind of lightweight camping, whether thatās in a small, lightweight tent, or an even lighter bivvy bag and tarp set up.
South Africaās 16 most beautiful hiking trails
South Africa is known to be a land of diverse landscapes and breathtaking vistas; an expansive playground capable of satisfying even the most die-hard travelerās wanderlust. And what better way to explore this raw, unadulterated terrain than by foot? Hmm, but where to start? Well, here are South Africaās 16 most beautiful hiking trails; let the Instagramming begin.
How to Choose Sunglasses
Sunglasses protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, reduce eyestrain in bright conditions and protect you from flying debris and other hazards.
How to Choose Sun-Protection (UPF) Clothing
Choosing clothing that has been designed for sun protection and tested to confirm its Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) will give you greater control over your total level of UV exposure.
TIPS FOR PROPERLY DISINFECTING YOUR RV | HOW TO BEST CLEAN YOUR RV
Thereās a difference between simple cleaning and disinfecting. Cleaning removes dirt, germs, and impurities using soap and water. This step doesnāt kill germs, it simply removes them which helps lower their numbers and thus the risk of infection. Use soap and water to regularly clean surfaces. Be sure to pay extra attention to high-touch surfaces like tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, faucets and sinks.
How to Choose Travel Clothing
Fabrics should breathe well, wick moisture away from your skin, and dry quickly. Cotton, while OK for casual wear, is generally less suited for traveling than the fabrics listed below.
How to Choose First Aid Kits
Even if you pack only a small first-aid kit, youāll have a great resource for treating minor issues and for preventing them from becoming major ones. Managing aches and pains also makes any trip more enjoyable.
How to Choose and Use Sunscreen
Sun rays contain ultraviolet (UV) radiation, the source of sunburn, premature skin aging, and skin cancer, which more of us get than all other cancers combined.
How to Stay Hydrated on the Trail
A good general recommendation is about oneĀ half-liter of water per hour of moderate activity in moderate temperatures. You may need to increase how much you drink as the temperature and intensity of the activity rise.
Backpacking In Your Period
After the first time backpacking with your period, youāll realize itās no big deal. And you can rest easy that the old notion that bears are attracted to menstrual blood turns out to be a myth. With a little preparation and knowledge, you wonāt have to think twice about heading into the backcountry at any time of the month
Encounters of the turd kind: Dispatches from a South African walking safari
Given scoops up a handful and passes around two beans to every person. He then asks us to stand behind a line heās drawn in the dirt. āLet me show you a game invented by the Afrikaners,ā he says, splitting a dropping open to reveal a compacted inner core. āNow, I want you to place one on your tongue.ā
Backpacking Repair Kit Checklist
Small gear emergencies and inconveniences with these easy-to-carry repair supplies
How to Improve Your Hiking Techniques on South African Hiking Trails
Check your hiking boots and see if theyāve gone through much wear and tear that might make them unable to work as best as they could. Wearing hiking boots that arenāt durable will make it harder for you to go hiking.
An epic self-drive Safari through Namibia
You wonāt need technical 4x4 skills to negotiate a safari in Etosha National Park either, so most self-drive holidays will leave you free to seek out its enormous bull elephants, lions, rhinos, and cheetahs independently. Roads through the park are in good condition and are well mapped out meaning self-drive safaris are a popular option here.
How to Choose and Use a GPS
A handheld GPS receiver remains a valuable outdoor tool for hikers and other backcountry explorers.
How to Read a Topo Map
A magnetized compass and a paper map are part of theĀ Ten Essentials.
