"The great secret that all old people share is that you really haven't changed in seventy or eighty years. Your body changes, but you don't change at all. And that, of course, causes great confusion."Doris Lessing
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Attract birds to your yard with Bird Feeders
Bird feeders are a great way to add some visual interest to your yard or patio. Not only do bird feeders add color and a finishing touch to your outdoor decor, but they are a source of relaxing entertainment as well.There are bird feeders available in ...
Kids Croquet
Kids love to play Croquet and other outdoor yard games. The other day I was applying for a job. I was on my fourth interview with the company and was wondering how I might make a good impression. On my resume the interviewer saw that I sold Croquet Sets ...
Sailing With Wind Orientation In Mind
On the sloops where I got my basic keelboat lessons, my neck developed a crick from constantly craning back to see what the Windex on top of the mast was doing. When I straightened out my neck, my eyes would fasten on the digital readouts of the knot ...
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Much of your hiking gear is only used when hiking or backpacking. And for many people, once you get home, it gets tossed into the closet until the next trip.
Prepare For Your Trip
If this is you, you have to be certain that all of your gear is in working shape before you leave on your next adventure. Even if this isn’t you, you still need to check everything out before you leave home. This should be done a few days before, just in case you need to do some cleaning or replace parts. There's little worse than having something vital, like your stove, break down on the first night or, even worse 20 miles into the backcountry.
Prepare For Weather
Having the proper equipment for inclement weather is absolutely necessary when backpacking. You need to be prepared for rain, cold temperatures, and even the sun.
In wet conditions, you’re going to need raingear. The best option is a waterproof breathable jacket. Rainpants are great, especially when the weather is cool or in higher winds. In warmer conditions, they may not be needed if you have hiking pants made of a quick dry material. Even with the best gear, you shouldn’t expect to stay completely dry, if you are hiking all day in the rain. Purchasing clothing made from synthetic, quick-dry materials, helps because when you do get wet, it'll dry faster. A raincover for your pack is also a necessity. A lightweight alternative to carrying a jacket and pack cover is to carry a hooded poncho to cover yourself and your pack all at
once.
No matter what weather you are expecting on trip, you need to plan for the worst and always have the following: raingear, hat, gloves, extra dry clothes, extra pair of socks, and waterproof boots. Even if you’re planning on staying in trail shelters, you should always carry your own shelter. You should also be prepared by packing two fire sources. Obviously, this is just a quick, basic list; backpacking in extreme conditions requires extra equipment.
After You Return
When you get back home, remember to clean everything thoroughly. Vacuum the zippers of your pack, sleeping bag, and outerwear to minimize wear caused by dirt. Make sure your boots are clean and, if needed, (re)waterproofed for your next hiking trip. Clean your stove to prevent buildup. Spend a little time doing the proper maintenance and the life of your gear will be extended and help to make sure that your gear will be ready when you need it.
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