Campstake Journal

As the day ended we once again crammed into the fifteen passenger van. There were only sixteen passengers this time.  Four hours later we arrived back at our rental RV knowing we had made a good decision to go to the interior of Wrangell St. Elias.  Our second time visiting the park was charming.

Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Alaska is huge.  With its 13.2 million acres, it is the largest National Park in the system.  Yellowstone would fit into it four plus times.  With its size comes challenges.  Overall, it is one of the most wild and remote places on earth.  It would take a lifetime to explore it.  There are only two gravel roads into the park. They are rough gravel stretches which the Park Service does not maintain.  The best way to get around in the park is via bush plane which costs between $600 to $750 per hour to charter.  This equation leads to low visitation.  If you go ask a Ranger what their visitation is.  They answer 67,000.  Almost all of them are cruise ship passengers sailing to the Hubbard Glacier.  Few visitors  make it to the interior of the park.

We "visited" Wrangell St. Elias for the first time last August. We were unprepared for the vastness of this largely impenetrable wilderness.  We did see Hubbard Glacier but little else.  This June we were determined to see its interior, hike a little and take in the park's vastness.  Our second trip to the park was a charm.  We were rewarded with mountain vistas, glacier views and a couple of great hikes.

Wrangell St. Elias has some of the highest peaks in North America.  They are so deep in the park that they are not easy to see.  Lower peaks, however, were visible from Alaska Highway 4 which borders the western part of the park.

We opted to take the long bumpy ride from Glennallen to McCarthy.  Readers may be familiar with McCarthy.  The town is featured  on the Discovery Channel show "Edge of Alaska".   The first bit of evidence we received that we were entering a special place was our view of Mount Drum.  Mount Drum rises just 12,010 feet above sea level but it dominates the local landscape.   It is notable for its large local relief.  Mount Sanford, at 16,237 feet, is nearby but not as striking as Drum.  We believe Mount Drum is one of the most beautiful mountains we have seen.

The McCarthy "shuttle" (an old passenger van with bald tires) enters the park at the Copper River.  Copper River salmon are prized for their mild flavor.  Fisherman worked this incredible landscape with enthusiasm as we drove by.  Be aware if you make this trip.  The first several miles of the gravel road is known as Bear Avenue.  Apparently Grizzly Bears enjoy Copper River salmon too.  They avoided us on this trip

After three jarring hours we arrived at McCarthy.  Almost.  Visitors have to walk across a bridge designed for ATVs to reach the town and local shuttles.  Our destination was the abandoned Kennecott Mine.  Seventeen passengers and an unconcerned,  law-breaking shuttle driver crammed into a fifteen passenger for the five mile trip to Kennecott.  The road to the mine was steep, rutted and slow.  Upon arrival our driver jumped out and held his hand out for tips.  He went home empty-handed.

Fortunately, the Kennecott Mine itself was a fascinating place.  The path around the mine, which is managed by the Park Service, is lined with private homes and retail shops.  We focused on learning about the mine and the local hiking.

We started with the Visitor Center which is in one of the abandoned mine buildings.  The Rangers weren't rushed so they took time to equip us with all of the information we needed for a fulfilling visit.  The Visitor Center features a film, several Ranger programs, and in-depth education about copper.

The Kennecott Mine dates back to 1900.  Prospectors found rich ore with an average concentration of 70% of copper.  It was a phenomenal find.  This mother load was eventually mined by the captains of American industry including J.P. Morgan.  Ultimately Kennecott netted a $100,000,000 profit for its investors.

Perhaps the most fascinating thing about the mine is how the miners and companies found the resources and energy to work it.  Kennecott is still more than seventy miles from anywhere.  First copper was packed out by mules and later by train.  The old train line is now the road tourists bounce down to see the park.  The copper was largely gone by 1938 and Kennecott became a ghost town in one day when the company summarily abandoned the town.

Today visitors can walk through parts of the wash mill featured a few photos above.  Other buildings, such as a hospital and cabins remain.  Some are owned privately and are still in use.

The mill sits high above a ground moraine left by the retreating Kennecott Glacier.  It is a massive field of rolling debris which many mistake for mine tailings.  The Kennecott Glacier and its associated ice field is massive (like everything in Wrangell St. Elias).  The best place to view it is from the bridge leading into McCarthy.

There are several excellent hikes at Kennecott.  While visitors can hire local guides we don't think they are necessary.  We opted for the moderately strenuous three-mile Glacier Hike.  There are other longer trails available.

What is bivy?

Bivy was born out of five years, four moves, three lost bags, and too much camping gear. After squeezing an ever expanding gear collection into magically shrinking closets, Jon (our founder) knew there had to be a better way. Now you can experience the great outdoors without bringing the campsite back to your living room.

With bivy, you can rent the camping gear you need and have it delivered straight to your door. Thoughtfully chosen gear packages allow all adventurers, from those going on their first trip to those with years of experience, to find premium trail-tested gear they can rely on.

Bivy offers three kits at launch, The Little Dipper, The Big Dipper, and The North Star, with tents and sleeping sets for two to four people, fitting up to six if you’re feeling cozy. All of bivy’s kits can be rented by the night, with no minimum nights needed - perfect for weekend warriors.  

Sounds great, how do I rent?

Bivy is rolling out in major metropolitan areas, starting with our hometown in Chicago. Adventurers in the Chicago-land area are able to pay a flat-fee which includes hand delivery by a camping expert who can answer questions to get you comfortable with the gear, and free pickup when you’re through.

PURINIZE, a Michigan-based company, offers a new and innovative water purifier designed for travel, outdoor, and survival enthusiasts as well as emergency preparedness and water storage treatment. With over ten years working in the home and industrial water treatment markets, the founders of PURINIZE knew it was only a matter of time before they ventured into the outdoor and survival markets.

After researching the marketplace, the need for an alternative way to purify water on-the-go was clear. Conventional water purifiers use harsh chemicals that taste or smell bad, aren't safe for long-term use, are harmful to the environment, and aren't effective against the most common contaminants plaguing our 21st-century waterways. The PURINIZE Brand was developed as a better alternative to these subpar water treatments.

PURINIZE is unlike any other water purifier on the market. To start, it's 100% non-toxic; its proprietary formulation of complex mineral salts clarifies and sterilizes water without the use of harsh chemicals.

Harsh chemicals, like chlorine dioxide or chlorine, react with organic materials in water, creating toxic byproducts that are harmful to you and the environment. PURINIZE produces no harmful byproducts, is safe to use every day, even for children, the immune-compromised and pregnant women. And, PURINIZE will never leave a bad taste in your mouth or have a noxious odor.

Next, PURINIZE provides added protection beyond bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. It protects against toxic, accumulative contaminants like pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals, and more which make up the majority of pollutants found in outdoor freshwater and even municipal drinking water sources today.

Finally, when it comes to cloudy, turbid water, PURINIZE clarifies it by exposing microorganisms that otherwise would be hidden and protected from other water purifiers, especially UV products. Once opened and stored properly, PURINIZE remains effective indefinitely, and can be used to treat water at any temperature above freezing. 

PURINIZE comes in two useful sizes – their lightweight, 2-ounce easy carry, pocket-size was designed for on-the-go outdoor adventurists, and will purify up to 15 gallons of water. Their 8-ounce bottle was designed as a convenient size for water storage; one bottle will purify up to 60 gallons of water and can be added directly to a 55-gallon rain barrel or water storage drum.

PURINIZE transforms portable water purification into something that works once and for all: an eco-friendly, highly effective, easy-to-use water purifier that makes safer, better-tasting drinking water for everyone to enjoy - anytime, anywhere. Safe for you, safe for the planet.

Based in the great lakes region, surrounded by the largest surface freshwater source in the world, PURINIZE knows how critical the quality of our freshwater sources is to the health of all living things. With that in mind, PURINIZE is committed to offering ground-breaking, affordable products that improve the quality and safety of water for all.  Through their new program, PURINIZE PRESERVES, they aim to partner with people, companies, and non-profits who share their mission of preserving clean water for people and the planet through restoration and cleanup projects.

Superfine Merino Sheep Wool

If you were like us, when we first heard WoolX marketing a wool base layer for summer recreation we thought they were a bit misleading. Prior to researching the resurgence of wool products, primarily composed of Merino Wool, we couldn't wrap our heads around it. How can a product created from sheep wool provide any breathable comfort when exercising whatsoever in the summer heat? We had a few sweaters in the closet made from wool, but donning these as we climbed the face of a cliff or even took a leisure hike into the woods sounded appalling. We envisioned a suffocating material, lots of sweating and general discomfort.

We were wrong.

The Merino Wool market is a growing space, but WoolX seeks to stand out by just how fine their offering is. Merino Sheep produce fibers which are less than 24 microns thick -- human hair is about 100 microns. WoolX uses "superfine" wool at 17.5-18.5 microns thick. The thinner the fabric, the softer it is to touch.

When sporting both the Outback T-Shirt and the Daily Boxers, the softness was evident. Co-founder Brandon Painter was our guinea pig and his opinion is that the boxers are where the superfine wool shines. The t-shirt was breathable, but the boxers felt similar to compression shorts from years ago when he played baseball.

Odorless, Fast-Drying, Moisture-Wicking Product

Brandon wore both products three different days for the purpose of evaluation -- whether it was out on the trail or in the city running errands, WoolX's no-itch guarantee was upheld for the most part. Tagless contruction is true for all but the boxers -- which happened to be the source of the itch. Both up top and down below stayed dry and kept the appropriate parts comfortable all day long. It was stated that the WoolX basics are intended as a base layer to help regulate body temperatures and after taking a four-mile midday hike, wearing the clothing during a typical day full of errands and sporting both during a morning jog, Brandon supports the claim.

We didn't put the shirt and boxers through a wet field test, but after the first time we washed the products, we laid them out to time just how long it took for both to become completely dry. In the artificial lighting of Brandon's apartment, at relatively average room temperature, both the Daily Boxers and the Outback T-Shirt were ready to wear in under 45 minutes. In fact, it was evident after pulling them out of the washer that they were drying before the other pieces of clothing.

Bottom Line

While price may become a factor as WoolX seeks to capture a larger share of the market in both Merino Wool and outdoor apparel ($34.99 for the Daily Boxers and $67.99 for the Outback T-Shirt) the premium quality can certainly hold its own.

The WoolX product lineup is ridiculously soft, but you can only get so much out of reading that on a blog. Head over to their website and check out their new styles and colors. With their 100% satisfaction guarantee, what do you have to lose?

Haleakala National Park was one of 16 National Parks that we had visited prior to our 59 park journey.  We went to the Park on a cruise ship excursion.  The tour was great but it was little more than Haleakala highlights.  This time was different.  We had time to explore, hike and linger.  Our April visit allowed us to conclude that Haleakala is one of the jewels of the National Park system.

The park road to the summit of Haleakala is filled with dramatic scenery, steep grades and sleepy bicyclists.  A popular excursion is to meet at the top of the volcano at sunrise and cycle to the bottom.  As the cyclists descend they make numerous stops to shed clothing.  The summit is around 30 degrees cooler than the entrance to the park.  We chose to sleep in and take a slow car ride to the top.  About half way up the volcano the fog rolled in.

Near the top of the park road the Haleakala Observatory became visible.  Tours are available but we opted not to take one this time.  We were too enchanted with the natural landscape.

The native plant life in the park is fascinating.  The Haleakala Silversword is a succulent plant found above 7,000 feet.  It was nearly extinct in the 1920s.  Determined conservation has allowed the Silversword to rebound.  They grow a cactus-like bloom similar to the agave plant. The Silversword can live up to 50 years.  Stop and take a look at them when you drive to the summit.

The summit of Haleakala reaches 10,023 feet.  It's one of a few places in Hawaii that receives snow.  Visitors can prepare for the stiff winds and cold temperatures.  Visitors may have a harder time preparing for the beautiful crater vistas they will see.

The Haleakala Crater is one of those places in the National Parks where the "First View" is important and memorable.  Weather, light and clouds conspire to assure that no two views of the Crater are the same.

Every angle offers insight to the geologic forces at work  that created Haleakala.  Its easy to see why the Hawaiian people consider this to be a spiritual and sacred place.

 We invite our readers to compare this shot to the first crater photo above.  You can see its is virtually the same landscape, yet there is nothing the same about the view.

We did some hiking at Haleakala.  Be advised that the Crater looks fairly benign from above.  Plan well and exercise caution if you hike to the bottom.  It is a challenging hike.

We did not see a lot of wildlife on this adventure.  We had hoped to see the endangered Nene--the State Bird of Hawaii.  Like the Yellowstone wolf, they were elusive.  We did enjoy the flora such as this agave-like plant.  Visitors that enjoy botany will feel at home on the trails.

Alaska truly is the "Last Frontier" in more ways than one.  With its unprecedented wilderness, mindblowing scenery, rich history and culture, and endless opportunities for outdoor recreation, it is arguably THE outdoor enthusiast's mecca. I would be lying if I didn't admit that it was all of these things that enticed me to pack up my life and move across the country as soon as I graduated college several years ago. Something about the exceptionalism of the state has continued to draw me -- and of course thousands of others -- back to Alaska year after year.

Throughout my time in Alaska, I've come to find that there are some essential rules of thumb to live by, when you're living in a land of unpredictable weather, predatory wildlife, challenging terrain, and often, isolation. Of everything I've learned here, the most important is to ALWAYS be prepared, while expecting the unexpected. This can be a little hard to wrap your head around, but not impossible. 

Layer up!

Coming from Florida, the concept of wearing layers was totally foreign to me during my first trip to Alaska, but it didn't take me long to catch on. If you're not familiar, here's the quick and dirty: any time of year in Alaska, have at least 3 layers ready. This should include a thin, synthetic or wool base-layer (long johns); a cozy mid-layer (usually a fleece or other synthetic sweater, and whatever pants you'd normally wear, like jeans or synthetic trousers), and a thicker outer-layer (down jacket and/or windbreaker). In addition to these, you should also have a waterproof layer of rain pants and a rain jacket if you're going to be spending a lot of time outside.

Even when I go on short day hikes over the summer when I know it's going to be dry and sunny all day, I usually throw in a pair of long johns, extra socks, and a rain jacket at the bottom of my pack, in the unlikely event that something happens and I get stuck out in the wilderness overnight. These items are pretty compressible and can make for a much more comfortable survival situation if the need arises.

Extra food

Speaking of survival situations, I consider packing extra food to be vital for any Alaskan excursion. Again, even though you may not plan on being out that long, anything can happen and you'll be glad you brought those extra granola bars, or trail mix, or other snacks when you find that your 2 hour stroll has turned into a 10 hour trek when you lost the trail or took a wrong turn.

Some good guidelines to follow when considering what extra foods to bring: Ideally bring foods with good packaging, or bring them in ziplocs or other sealable containers to reduce odors that might attract wildlife. Obviously if you're camping overnight in Alaska, you should always keep your food in a bear resistant food container (a.k.a. a bear can) and store it away from your campsite, but you certainly wouldn't be expected to haul one around for a day trip. In addition, your extra food supply should be something light, easy to pack, and nutritious that would give you energy. Personally, I usually try bring a bag of trail mix, a couple protein bars, or jerky as my "survival food."

Good shoes

Finding proper footwear for outdoor recreation in Alaska is not always an easy feat (no pun intended!). One of the worst mistakes you can make is to buy brand new hiking boots with the intent to break them in on your trip -- and I am ashamed to admit that I have done this before! Several years ago I bought my first hiking footwear, a pair of supposedly-waterproof name-brand boots. They were great for the first few times I wore them, but it turned out that these trips were child's play compared to what I would encounter in Alaska. It wasn't until I moved to the Last Frontier and found myself hiking in them every day over wet, soggy, uneven terrain that they destroyed my feet and their waterproof rating went out the window. Lesson learned!

The point is, make sure you break in your boots well before you try hiking in Alaska, and definitely test their actual water resistance. The most fun hiking in Alaska tends to be in mountainous terrain, so expect to have sore feet almost regardless of your footwear, but you can certainly mitigate a lot of discomfort by having properly-sized, waterproof boots that will give you good traction and hopefully not give you blisters on those steep trails. 

Communications

Alaska is known for its remoteness and isolation, and of course this means that communications can be one of the biggest challenges of outdoor recreation in the state. Even just a few minutes outside a town in Alaska, you could find yourself out of cell phone range, and even out of radio range in some places. Knowing this though, there are some simple tricks you can do to make sure that even when you go off the radar, you can still be found in an emergency.

One of the easiest and most effective methods is to ALWAYS tell other people where you're going. This can be as basic as telling a friend, "Hey, I'm headed out to hike the Mountainview Trail. I should be back no later than 5." Or, as I often do if no one else is around, leave a note detailing your plan: "I'm hiking off-trail around mile 5, south side of the road. I have bear spray, snacks and 2L water. Left at 10am, expect to be back around 5pm unless I get eaten by a bear. My number is _____." I would just leave this note in my bedroom or a common room in my house where someone would see it if they came looking for me. It's best to always include when you left, the absolute latest you might be back, where you're going, and how to contact you. I usually like to include what supplies I have too. 

Wildlife safety

Of course one of the biggest concerns for hiking in Alaska is wildlife safety, and usually this means bears. As mentioned earlier, you should always keep your food (and toiletries) in a bear can when you're camping overnight, and store the can at least 100 feet from your campsite. You should also make sure you cook and eat at least 100 feet from your campsite, though not in the same place you're storing your food. It really works too: during my first backcountry trip in Alaska, I woke up the first morning to find bear tracks leading right up to the cook tent, but they never went anywhere near where I was sleeping! No damage was done, fortunately -- probably just a curious bear following its nose, and didn't find anything of interest.

So, food storage is one wildlife safety essential, but what about wildlife encounters? It is generally recommended to stay at least 300 yards from bears -- that's the length of 3 football fields, or for those of us who have no concept of how far THAT is, it's also the distance at which you cannot make out the facial features of the bear. If you can clearly see its eyes, nose, or mouth, you're too close. Another important rule of thumb is that if the animal changes its behavior because of your presence -- either to look over at you, put its ears back, move towards or away from you, or stop what it's doing -- you're also too close. If the animal is not attacking, move slowly away and speak calmly to it, giving it lots of distance. 

If it's a moose you've just encountered, keep giving it distance and change your course of travel to go way around it. If it does charge, please run. Find a tree, boulder, or other large structure to hide behind. If there is nothing to put between you and the moose, run and keep changing direction, as they usually won't chase too far. If it does knock you down, curl up in a ball and protect your head and neck.

Now, if we're talking grizzlies here, absolutely do NOT run. Just like with moose, if you see a non-aggressive brown bear, just give it a wide berth and continue on your way as far from it as possible. If the bear does notice you and becomes confrontational, make yourself as large as possible by waving your arms over your head and talking calmly to it. If you're wearing a backpack, do NOT take it off, as it can actually protect your spine in the event that the bear does attack. This would also be a good time to take out your bear spray if you have it, remove the safety, and be ready to discharge it if the bear comes within range. 

Oftentimes, if a bear charges it is just a bluff charge and the bear will pull up short a few feet away. At this point, you should still stand your ground. If contact is made, this is when you curl up into a ball with your backpack on, and protect the back of your head and neck with your hands. If the bear continues attacking at this point, this is when you'll want to start fighting back.

I'm not saying all this to dissuade you from getting outdoors, but it's important to go over the course of action in your head as often as you can, so it becomes intuitive and instinctive if you do encounter a bear. 

Leave No Trace

Consider this: if it weren't for the vast wilderness of Alaska, we wouldn't have to give a second thought to what we'd do in the case of a grizzly or moose attack! But it's precisely this vast wilderness that most of us seek, and it will be up to all of us who spend time in said wilderness to keep it as vast and pristine as it is. The best way to do this is to follow the 7 Leave No Trace principles. The principles are listed below, but check out the Leave No Trace website for further explanations of each point. 

1. Plan ahead and prepare

2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces

3. Dispose of waste properly

4. Leave what you find

5. Minimize campfire impacts

6. Respect wildlife

7. Be considerate of other visitors

Be positive

My final piece of advice for your Alaskan outdoor adventure is one that I learned from an Alaskan bush pilot during my first year here: be positive. Your attitude really is everything, and can make or break a trip. It can be the hardest thing in the world to have a smile on your face when you're freezing cold, soaking wet, lost, hungry, or thirsty (though hopefully you won't be all those things at once!). As long as you can keep your hopes up, your chances of improving your situation are vastly better. 

One thing you can do to help yourself stay positive is to pack some small comforts. This can be a little treat for yourself (I usually stash a package of Reese's Pieces!), a small memento from home, a book, or any other special item that you know will make you feel better if your spirits get down. 

Staying positive doesn't necessarily have to be for a survival situation either; even on a day hike or camping trip, keeping your attitude in check will always make for a better experience. Take a moment to look at the scenery before you, the microcosms of life below your feet, the soundscapes you can hear, and the aromas you can smell. 

Amazing things are happening all around us, and Alaska is one of the best places in the world to experience the wonders of the wild. So pack your layers and extra food, lace up those broken-in boots, tell a friend where you're going, keep your eyes and mind open, and get out there for your Alaskan outdoor adventure!

There is something to be said for finding the right hike at right place and time. One summer day last July, my brother and I set out to climb Saddle Mountain on the Oregon Coast. Located one hour from Portland and a half hour from Cannon Beach, Saddle Mountain is known for its difficulty. The trail quickly gains 1,640 feet in elevation over a short 2.5-mile trek to the summit. It’s by no means an easy hike on a good day, let alone a stormy one.

Texas is as big as it is beautiful. I think people forget just how big Texas is. I know I do, but after driving ten hours across the state, it slaps you in the face. Texas has it all. It has some of the most beautiful scenery, food, places to swim, and what make’s it the best is the people. We started FOREVER//AVENTURA to try and campture (campture: capture camping, see what I did there?) just how beautiful and awesome Texas really is. When talking about the Texan outdoors, everyone immediately thinks Big Bend National Park. In this post, we want to focus on the State Parks and maybe show you a place you may not have gone or seen otherwise. Here are some of our favorite places for camping (and swimming). 

8. Cedar Hill State Park Location: Cedar Hill Why we love it: Some places are just about the people you’re with and the time we spent at Cedar Hill was so much fun. Dallas is a large metroplex, and to find this hidden gem in the middle of all the craziness is perfect. There are great places to hike, a beach, a lake and it’s overall a great place to be with your friends to start a fire and be as loud as you want.

7. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area Location: Fredericksburg, TX Why we love it: There are a lot better places to camp in Texas, but what makes this place so cool is just how crazy the rock formations are. This is not a place to go spend several days, for the lack of size, but the area makes for a great day trip. Not to mention that Fredericksburg is one of the most entertaining small cities in Texas. It has a lot of great local eats and shops. 

6. Barton Springs Pool Locations: Austin, TX Why we love it: Texas gets incredibly hot, if you weren’t already aware. So swimming in the summer months is a must. Barton Springs is a spring-fed pool smack down in the middle of Austin, within Zilker Park. When it’s a thousand degrees outside, the coolness of the water here is beautiful. You are sure to make tons of friends while you’re there. Its just the perfect place to be. Don’t forget that Austin is home to several of the best BBQ joints in Texas (world). *Swimming hole: 1 of 3.

5. Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway Location: Mineral Wells, TX Why we love it: It’s quiet, it isn’t overly populated, and you can rock climb. This cool little state park is west of Ft. Worth -- the perfect weekend get away. It is the worst when you get to a place to camp and it is overly crowded and you can’t enjoy being outdoors. That’s a part of the experience, right? Being outside away from the crowds and exploring a new place. This park is perfect for that.

4. Franklin Mountains State Park Location: El Paso, TX Why we love it: I am from a small island in Texas and this was the first time I had seen the mountains. This park was so crazy to me and to be able to hike these mountains. Just thinking about it blows my mind. Sure, maybe you’re from Colorado or some place with mountains and this place doesn’t seem so exciting, but being outdoors is about experiencing new things, foreign things, conquering things, and for me? Being around mountains for the first time was just that. This is the perfect place to spend more than one day since there are so many different hiking and biking trails.

3. Hamilton Pool Location: 23 miles West of Austin, TX Why we love it: SWIMMING!!! Hamilton Pool is one of the coolest swimming spots I have ever been to. It’s a natural-made swimming hole. It’s a pool -- it’s literally in a hole in a huge rock, submerged in water. It’s awesome, it’s beautiful, it’s perfect. Be aware that this place can be super packed in the summer months. It isn’t that big of a pool so it can be too much when it’s packed. THIS PLACE IS A MUST!! *Swimming hole: 2 of 3

2. Balmorhea State Park Location: Reeves County, TX Why we love it: We were regulars here last summer. A natural-fed spring in the middle of nowhere. We lived in West Texas last year and the lack of water is no joke. When you drive for two hours in the Texas desert and come upon a giant spring-fed pool, it is heaven sent. This place is one of the craziest because it’s literally in the middle of nowhere. Its perfect! *Swimming hole: 3 of 3

1. Palo Duro Canyon State Park Location: near Amarillo, TX Why we love it: This is the Grand Canyon of Texas. We took some mountain bikes on this trip, and HOLY CRAP it was awesome. Crazy cool canyon formations, the best one being the LightHouse, and some really good riding trails. I also want to note that we showed up super late at night and there was free overnight camping on the outside of the park! This is a place you want to spend at least 2 or 3 days at, for there is so much to see and do.

The 3 Essential Hikes in the Columbia River Gorge

Located about an hour from Portland, the Columbia River Gorge is a top choice for weekend campers and hikers. Ask any Oregon hiker for a Gorge recommendation and there’s a strong chance that you will be sent to one of the three essential hikes: Eagle Creek, Oneonta Gorge, and Angel’s Rest. Each hike showcases the best-of-the-best trails and viewpoints in a unique way all its own.  

The Classic: Eagle Creek

Out of all of the Columbia River Gorge hikes, Eagle Creek is the classic go-to choice for local hikers. Set in the Columbia River Gorge just outside of Cascade Locks, Eagle Creek was carved from the cliffs in the 1910s by the Columbia River Highway project. The trail weaves in and out of the forest for stunning views of tree lines and waterfalls. Although the hike itself is on even ground and doable for most fitness levels, it is not for those afraid of heights. When coming out of the trees, the trail becomes increasingly narrow around a few tight bends that drop off into the canyon below. The Eagle Creek offers a variety of mileage options ranging from 2.0 miles to the popular Punch Bowl Falls to 13.1 miles where the route junctions with the Pacific Crest Trail. Eagle Creek is also a top choice for weekend backpacking excursions.

The Adventure: Oneonta Gorge

If you’re up for an adventure, Oneonta Gorge is an Oregon hike unlike any other.  Although only 1.2 miles round trip, there is no traditional trail. Instead, the “trail” is a hike upstream the river-bend and a scramble over a looming, slippery log jam. Summer and early fall are the best times to go when the weather is warm and water levels are low. Some swimming is involved unless you have a little experience rock climbing— and in that case you can traverse the rocks around the deeper end to reach the finish line. The reward is Lower Oneonta Falls, a private waterfall with a shallow pool surrounded by the moss-covered canyon walls of the gorge. Oneonta Gorge is beautiful albeit an adrenaline rush. As it is one of the most fun and popular hikes in the Columbia River Gorge, be sure to go on a weekday or early enough in the day to miss the heavy crowds on Saturdays and Sundays.

The Best View: Angel’s Rest

Angel’s Rest boasts arguably the best view of the Columbia River Gorge. The incredible 280-degree vista is hard earned over a 1,540 ft. elevation gain. At over 4.8 miles round-trip, the path crosses through a beautiful mature forest in the Cooper Creek valley before making the ascent to Angel’s Rest. It’s a well-known route for hikers and trail-runners and, like most Gorge hikes, it’s busy on the weekends. Early birds will have the best luck of experiencing the breathtaking views in peace and quiet. Ambitious hikers can opt to trek on to Devil’s Rest from the fork before the Angel’s Rest summit.

1. Buckhorn Campground

Located in the Los Angeles Crest Forest, Buckhorn Campground is a great place to visit that is right on the outskirts of LA. When you visit here, you will surely forget that you are even in SoCal. There is only one hiking trail available, but it’s definitely worthwhile to see its beautiful waterfall and giant boulders, which are perfect for sitting upon to take a break or a quick photo. The campsites are fairly private and not very close to each other, providing a sense of serenity that doesn’t come often in the busy LA Metro area. There are fire pits and picnic tables provided in every campsite. If you decide to visit, make sure to see the 100-year old Sequoias that were planted by the park service, a rarity this far south of Sequoia National Park.

2. Big Bear

Big Bear is not only a great place to ski in the winter. Visit it during the other seasons for a beautiful place to pitch a tent and set up camp. The most popular place to settle is the Serrano campground. It’s close to the lake so you can cast a line or launch and kayak in no time! The lake is great for fishing for trout. The sites are well maintained and clean, along with the bathrooms and showers. The sites are spacious and you are not bumping elbows with your neighbors. There are several walking paths and hiking trails to get lost in (figuratively speaking, of course). Only a two-hour drive from LA, Big Bear allows you to relax and feel hundreds of miles away from traffic and sirens.

3. Los Padres National Forest

The Los Padres National Forest is the perfect area for that classic camping experience. Upon entering you will be overwhelmed by the beautiful vistas and wildlife scattered throughout the park. There are dozens of campgrounds that speckle the forest, and one of our favorites is The McGill Campground. There are plenty of hiking trails and bike paths for the active and tall shade-providing trees for those who prefer to relax and laze their day away. Offering a little bit of everything, you can’t go wrong with Los Padres and be sure to keep an eye out for hummingbirds flittering about the campground.

4. Castaic Lake

Looking for a great lake to camp at? Look no further than Castaic Lake! There are many water-based activities you can participate in during your stay. Try your hand at catching a few bass in the morning. Later in the afternoon, you can launch your boat and tour the surrounding areas. Or maybe you’d prefer to pull up a chair on the beach and watch the waves. A local university runs an aquatic center where you can try your hand at many water sports, such as: water skiing, wakeboarding, and kayaking. With hiking trails that branch around the lake, you can enjoy the water from almost anywhere in the park!

5. Leo Carrillo State Beach

What is California without its beautiful beaches and ocean? When you visit Leo Carrillo State Beach, you will instantly realize why us Californians consider ourselves so lucky. Located right off the PCH, this campground offers some of the best beach camping around. Pitch your tent, set up a chair and enjoy the 1.5 miles of beach available to you. If you are up early enough, you can comb the beach for shells and sea glass. Those who are a little more adventurous can explore the tide pools and naturally formed caves. If you don’t want to miss this gem of a site, located a little Northwest of Malibu, plan and book a spot ahead of time.

6. El Capitan State Park

It doesn’t get much more beautiful in California than Santa Barbara. Exuding that quintessential California vibe, the beach here is breathtaking. Oak trees butt up right to the coast and the privacy offered here is nearly unmatched. California beaches can get very busy. Finding one that feels this secluded is almost too good to be true! You may not see or hear the usual things you may hear on a normal camping trip, but there is nothing like opening your tent and watching the ocean from your sleeping bag.

7. Sequoia National Park

Sequoia National Park and its neighbor Kings Canyon offer a variety of activities and spectacles to behold. We recommended traversing the trails and truly walk amongst the giants. Sequoias are truly a sight to see. Just don’t hurt your neck trying to look at the tops of all of them. On your journey, be sure to stop by The General Sherman Tree. It’s pretty hard to miss, considering it is the largest tree on the planet. This area offers a little more to do for thrill-seekers. You can explore its rugged foothills, caverns, and canyons.  If you are feeling really bold, you can try your hand at rafting down one of the rivers. Sequoia and Kings National Park are great locations that offer many activities for all ages.

8. Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park shows off one California’s lesser thought of destinations in a great way! When people think of camping, they mostly think of pitching a tent up in the mountains, out in a forest clearing, right next to a lake, or on the beach. Southern California not only offers those mentioned, but also offers great desert camping. Located a little more inland, it is about an hour away from Palm Springs. Be sure to travel here during the springtime to see the park’s namesake bloom with beautiful white flowers. One of the best features of the park is that it is a “Dark Sky” park, which means that light pollution is at a minimum. It’s amazing traveling from LA, where you can only see the brightest of stars, to Joshua Tree and witnessing what the night sky truly looks like. Bring lots of water and sunscreen, and even though deserts can get very hot, the nights can get just as cold. Pack accordingly!

Shameless plug: don’t forget that anyone who uses “CAMPSTAKE” at checkout on Stansport.com will receive 25% off through the end of 2015!

Before we had kids we camped at some sites that were less than ideal; like the time we couldn’t make it to a portage before nightfall and ended up setting up camp on moss covered rocks in a swampy area at the height of mosquito season.  I had never seen so many mosquitoes before in my life.  It was a challenge, but if we had kids with us it would have been a nightmare.  

Choosing a site is always a matter of tradeoffs. In this article we describe some of the the key characteristics we look for in a campsite. Rarely will all of the characteristics we are looking for be present in one site, but when they are, the site quickly becomes a family favourite.  In this article we are assuming that you already know the basics about site selection (e.g. don’t pitch your tent on a flood plain) and so we will focus specifically on things to consider when you are camping with kids. 

Pre-Trip Planning              

If you’re heading out with an infant or a toddler we recommend going somewhere you’ve been before, especially if it’s your first trip with a child.  Getting used to camping with babies and toddlers is challenging enough without adding the challenges that come with an unknown campsite to the mix.

It is a good idea to get advice about good sites from your outdoor friends who have children the same ages as yours. We recommend caution when considering advice from friends with older kids and friends with no kids.  Friends with older kids may lead you astray because they have likely repressed -- I mean forgotten -- what camping with little ones was like. And kid-less friends won’t know what a kid-friendly site ought to look like. A while ago we made the mistake of taking advice about a camping location from a friend who had older kids. While the scenery was stunning, the landscape was far from kid friendly. The edges of every site had high slick rocks surrounded by deep water. We spent the entire trip being hyper-vigilant, intermittently fishing children out of the water who happened to accidentally come too close to the edge. The area would have been perfect if we didn’t have kids or had older kids, but we had babies and toddlers with us. Any parent who had been at that location before with younger children would have told us to avoid the area until the kids were older.

If you are going somewhere new look at elevation maps, satellite images, and do a search of the internet to try and get an idea of whether or not there are good sites in the area. Once Campstake is up and running it will be an invaluable resource for this sort of pre-trip planning.  

Tent & Tarp Space 

Ensuring that a site has enough space for our tents and tarps is an important part in our site selection. We camp with two tents (a four-person tent and a three-person tent), and at least one large tarp.  Sometimes it can be difficult to find a suitable site that can accommodate our space needs. In some areas, a space for a large family tent (e.g., 6 people) might not be available and so it might be necessary to split the family into two smaller tents that can better fit in between trees in a dense forest.

When camping with kids we highly recommend investing in a good sized tarp such as the Cooke Custom Sewing Tundra Tarp. On rainy trips     before we had kids we could cook our food and read in the vestibule of our tent. With kids, however, you need more space on those rainy days     and a tarp is the perfect solution. Think of your tarped area as your     living room and your tent as your bedroom.  In our opinion, tarp spot     selection takes precedence over tent spot selection. People often     make the mistake of bringing a large tent and pitching it in the location     that best suited for the tarp, since the tent won’t fit anywhere else.  For     this reason we recommend going with tents no larger than four man and     bring multiple tents if you need them.

We have also found that it is nice to have a tent located aways from the hub of the action so that infants/toddlers can nap without being disturbed.

Terrain Surrounding the Site

Look for a site that is relatively flat with some open space for the kids to run around.  If you are camping with toddlers then a site that is full of roots and rocks will mean that they will be tripping constantly (obviously this is the outdoors, but some sites are better than others in this regard).

Look for a site that won’t get too muddy if it rains.  Pine forests are wonderful for camping because the pine needles make a soft flooring.

It is advisable to avoid sites with steep drop-offs. 

Avoid marshy areas and areas with lots of moss where mosquitoes like to congregate.  

I like sites where the fire pit is up against a big rock that blocks access to the fire from one side. I find it is easier to watch the kids around the fire when they can’t access the fire from one or more sides. For instance, at the site shown in adjoining image,  it’s easy for one adult to stand     guard by the fire because access to the fire is limited and the children     are always within arms reach.  At sites where the kids can access the     fire pit from all sides, more adult supervision is required.

We love hammocks and they make camping with kids much easier. As such we like forested campsites that have many trees to hang hammocks.

Water Access

When we are canoe camping (which is our main form of camping), water access plays a key role in our site selection. We typically select sites with water access that is not rocky we avoid sites with steep drop-offs into the water.  

Sandy beaches are always a bonus, so keep a lookout for those! 

We often look for a site with limited water access. Limited water access means that it can be easily monitored by one adult. Lengthy accessible     shorelines can quickly mean a supervision nightmare.

Location Relative to Other Sites 

Kids are noisy. Happy or sad, they are noisy. So, to be considerate to other campers, try to find sites that are more secluded. You don’t want to have to spend your trip stressing about noise. This is one reason why we love backcountry camping - our sites are typically quite secluded. If your baby is colicky or your toddler has a major meltdown in a secluded site, there’s no one around to hear them fuss, so you don’t have to worry about disturbing other campers. 

Exposure to Wind and Bugs

On our backcountry camping trips we have often found that there is a tradeoff between wind and biting/stinging bugs.  Windy sites tend to have fewer mosquitoes and blackflies, but if it’s too windy the kids quickly feel cold and uncomfortable. On the other hand, your kids won’t like a nice warm campsite that is swarming with mosquitoes either. On our canoe trips, we typically avoid sites on small islands where it can get quite windy, and also on densely forested and marshy shores, which are breeding grounds for mosquitos. Ideally, we hope for sites that allow just enough wind to keep the bugs away.

A Final Tip 

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The ultimate every-use tool is your pocket knife. While wedon’t really recommend using it for everything, many adventurers will tell you it’s their preferred tool when heading outdoors. And because it is so beloved, it will inevitably need a little T.L.C. Here’s our best advice for sharpening your pocket knife.

Disclaimer: Sharpening a pocket knife may not be as serious a job as, say, sharpening your favorite hunting knife. These steps will get that knife sharp too, but you may want to double check your knife’s user’s manual before going ahead with them.

What you will need to sharpen your knife:

· A whetstone—you can pick these up for around $15 dollars wherever knives are sold. More expensive varieties aren’t really necessary for your pocket knife unless it’s in really bad shape, but even then you may want a couple of stones with different grits to work out chipped or otherwise damaged blades.

· Oil (of the mineral variety)—this is usually sold in the same vicinity as your stone. The oil serves two purposes; first, it will pull the tiny slivers of blade away from the work, and two, it keeps the work cool—friction will build up and you don’t really want to heat your blade. If you don’t have oil on hand, don’t be afraid to go ahead with job. Pocket knives aren’t that much work.

· Cotton cloth or paper towels (optional)—set these under your stone to catch slivers or wipe your blade clean before you check for sharpness with your thumb.

Now, hold your knife at about a 10 degree angle to the stone. Here’s the part that takes practice—either push your knife back moving up the length of the stone, or pull it toward you. Be sure you allow each part of the blade to lightly cut into the stone—it’s a sweeping motion. Now, flip your knife over and do the same thing to the other side. It doesn’t take a lot of pressure to get a nice edge, just repetition. To prevent lay-over*, be sure to alternate each side of the knife as you sharpen it.

It may take a few minutes of repeating the process, but your pocket knife should be ready for use again in no time. Just remember to keep it at a constant angle while sharpening the blade. And don’t be too impatient; it is definitely a skill, so be ready to practice a bit before you get your desired results.

There are few things folks in the Seattle area love more than hiking and beer. As craft beer culture has taken off around the country, the Pacific Northwest has become a hot bed of breweries and beer lovers. And those same beer lovers are often the ones taking advantage of Washington’s endless network of hikes— cresting a sunbaked ridge in the Cascades to start the day and ending it with a pint in the parking lot. Anna Elliott, the CEO and founder of Backpack Sixpack, wanted to provide people with an outlet to combine those two passions. Launched in February of 2015, each week, Backpack Sixpack posts a new local hike recommendation paired with the ideal craft beer to enjoy along the way. Now you can know exactly which six pack to take on this weekend’s adventure!

Backpack Sixpack currently operates through social media on Twitter and Instagram, posting weekly pairings, photos, and all the beta you need to get out there yourself. In the coming months, the Backpack Sixpack team will roll out their website, where you’ll be able to check out recent pairings, find info on local breweries, and generate recommendations based on the type of hike or beer you’re interested in. Beyond that, Backpack Sixpack is invested in engaging with the Seattle community, seeking out local knowledge and enthusiasm— the team is always excited to talk brews or backpacking over a pint (or a tweet).

In its pairings, Backpack Sixpack considers everything from the hiking season, to what beer is local near the trailhead, to how much weight is worth lugging to the summit. “For me,” Elliott comments, “it’s all about that ‘cheers’ moment. That time when you put your pack down, pull your beer out of the snow bank, or plop down at the edge of an alpine lake and take it all in. I think those moments are best when you have a good beer in your hand and great people to share it with. I started Backpack Sixpack with those moments in mind.”

1. Moose River Plains Wild Forest

Location: Between the towns of Inlet and Indian Lake, NY

Why we love it: The Moose River Plains is a great place to escape to when you’re looking for accessible wilderness.  The campsites are incredibly spaced out and remote, but everything is still accessible by car.  In the early summer months, Helldiver Pond is notorious for having a huge male moose visitor, often seen snacking on the aquatic vegetation.

Features: Primitive sites; limited outhouses available.  Some waterfront sites in the Cedar River Flow area.

2. Fish Creek Ponds

Location: Lake Clear, NY

Why we love it: Fish Creek offers visitors a true feeling of community camping with just enough privacy.  From being cheered on from the shore while enjoying water sports, to the “yoo-hoo” calls that circle around the lake just before quiet hours hit, the campground is a friendly and fun place.  Nearby is Rollins Pond, the quieter alternative to Fish Creek.  Canoers and kayakers can paddle from Fish Creek up to Rollins Pond by exploring a neat channel system with winding narrow streams and ponds of various sizes connecting the two larger bodies of water.

Features: Full campground facility - hot showers and bathroom facilities, plentiful prime water sites, ice cream truck in the summer.

3. Forked Lake

Location: Near Long Lake, NY

Why we love it: Forked Lake is a pretty well-hidden gem.  It is quiet and peaceful with 80 campsites accessible by boat or by foot (a bit of a hike for all but the three sites near the ranger post are RV-accessible).  The area offers plenty of opportunities for exploration by boat, including some beautiful islands.  Only small boats allowed, so the lake remains calm and the loons certainly love it.  It is important for paddlers to be aware that some parts of the lake are surrounded by private land.

Features: Primitive sites, outhouse available at each site; all waterfront sites, even some islands!

4. Lake Eaton

Location: Near Long Lake, NY

Why we love it: This campground offers 135 tent and trailer sites, a nice nature hike at the northern end, and a sandy beach with volleyball court and boat rentals.  The shallows near the shore, and sometimes in the middle of the lake, make for great swimming and fishing grounds.  There are plenty of activities in the nearby Long Lake, from boating of all types to grabbing a nice dinner at the Adirondack Hotel.  No trip to the Long Lake area is complete without stopping in at Hoss’s Country Store for a friendly chat with a stranger or a true Adirondack souvenir.

Features: Full campground facility - hot showers and bathroom facilities, plentiful prime water sites, secluded sites, boat and canoe rentals.

5. Lake Lila

Location: West of Long Lake

Why we love it: Lake Lila is the perfect place to get away from it all and just enjoy the fresh air in the William C. Whitney Wilderness Area.  There are 24 primitive campsites on this secluded lake, 18 of which are accessible only by boats (no motors allowed!) which must be carried down a 0.3 mile trail to the launch.  The lake is quiet and full of nooks and crannies just waiting to be explored.  A gentle climb up to the summit of Mount Frederica right next to the lake provides beautiful views of Lake Lila and the surrounding peaks.

Features: Primitive sites, island sites, rustic box toilets, accessible by boat or by foot.

6. Lewey/Indian Lake

Location: South end of Indian Lake, NY

Why we love it: There is a HUGE amount of water to explore between both Lewey Lake and Indian Lake.  It is also very easy to get from one lake to the other. A wetland area at the southern end of Lewey Lake has a channel system that allows paddlers to truly immerse themselves in a marsh ecosystem - surrounded by reeds, birds, and small mammals of all kinds, there is no better way to learn about nature.

Features: Full campground facility - hot showers and bathroom facilities, plentiful prime water sites, secluded sites, boat and canoe rentals.

7. Limekiln Lake

Location:  Inlet, NY

Why we love it: This campground has a staggering 271 campsites, however, only a small portion of them are waterfront.  There is a great beach to make up for this fact though, and the lake itself is a lot of fun to explore.  There are several little islands to explore while paddling, including one with a large rock that makes for the perfect platform for jumping into the water.  Limekiln is known for it’s bear visitors, so each campsite is equipped with a bear locker for food storage.

Features: Full campground facility - hot showers and bathroom facilities, a few prime water sites, secluded sites, boat and canoe rentals.

8. Saranac Lake Islands

Location: Near Saranac Lake, NY

Why we love it: You’re camping... ON AN ISLAND!  Sometimes your own private island.  The lake is beautiful and offers plenty of privacy.  There are even some sites available along the shoreline.  While the paddle can take a few hours from the DEC launching area off of Rte. 3, once you reach your site, the reward is worth the hard work.  We experienced one of the best sunsets of our lives while camping on one of the islands - the deep purples, pinks, and oranges were unlike anything we had ever seen.

Features: Primitive sites, rustic outhouses, accessible by boat only.

9. Seventh Lake

Location: Near Inlet, NY

Why we love it: The lean-tos on Seventh Lake work on a first-come, first-serve basis.  The sites are all waterfront and most of them have a perfect place to hang a hammock so that you can dip your toes in the water.  The Eighth Lake campground right around the corner is good if you are looking for something a little less primitive. Seventh Lake is close in proximity to Inlet, a charming Adirondack town with a killer pizza/wings/beer place - the Screamen Eagle… if you stop in for a visit, try the bourbon wings, you’ll love them.  

Features: Primitive sites, rustic toilet boxes, accessible by boat or foot (much faster by boat).

10. Tioga Point

Location: Raquette Lake, NY

Why we love it: This is another one of the boat access-only campgrounds, so you certainly get a nice tour of Raquette Lake as you make your way out to the quiet peninsula that houses 15 lean-tos, 10 tent sites, and a very friendly ranger.  From 1951 to 1966, Tioga Point was actually the Raquette Lake Boys Camp operated by the Conservation Department.  Even though the camp buildings were removed, there is still a rustic community camping feeling present at Tioga Point.

Recreational activities abound not only in the United States, but throughout the world.  For most, camping is a rite of passage that brings kids to the outdoors to experience many marvelous adventure activities.  Camping has become a staple activity in my household and is one thing that my kids look forward to doing each year.  This tradition started with my father getting me and my siblings out camping to experience much more of how this wonderful Earth is made.  This tradition carried on through my teenage years as a scout and now on into adult life where I am able to pass this favorite outdoor activity on to my kids.

As you start planning your trips and looking at that next great camping adventure, it usually stands to reason that you want some sort of activity to go along with camping.  While some are content to head out, find a remote location, pitch the tent and sit and sip their favorite beverage for a few days, others want to use their campsite as a “base camp” for a much larger adventurous weekend.  Once you find that perfect camp spot and stake your claim on it for the weekend, there are a myriad of activities to be had, depending on your location.  Very few campers look towards an arid desert climate as an adventure oasis. Little do they know that the desert has many treats of its own, waiting for those who might be adventurous enough to give it a chance.  For instance, have you tried “canyoneering?”

Canyoneering is an adventure sport that is fairly new.  It is, however, a bit older than most sport enthusiasts realize.  It just took a little while to be noticed as a mainstream activity.  Canyoneering is often seen as a spin off from rock climbing because a lot of the gear looks the same, but in reality canyoneering is a sport all on its own and it's drawing more and more people to the deserts of Utah and Arizona each year.  Set up your camp in a remote location and set off each day on captivating adventures to places that will blow your mind.  Awe-inspiring scenery that the mind can only imagine and the camera shutter will never do justice.

Canyoneering is the act or sport of descending into a slot canyon.  A slot canyon is a slit in the earth that was carved out over millions of years.  These slits can be anywhere from 5’ to 500’ deep.  Some consider it caving only without a roof.  Technical rope gear is often used to descend into and out of these canyons. There are a number of canyons out there that do not require rope gear to get through.  Probably one of the most famous slot canyons is Antelope Canyon near Page, Arizona.  This canyon has been rigged with a ladder system allowing tourists access to some of the sculpted walls and chambers within.  Another famous canyon in Utah is Little Wildhorse Canyon located near Goblin Valley State Park.  These are great places to get into a slot canyon without a lot of expensive equipment. Set up camp in the nearby areas and start exploring.

For those a little more adventurous who want to get out and see some great canyons away from the “tourist-y sites,” buckle up because the sky’s the limit.  

When heading to the desert for multiple days of canyoneering, plan on gear that’s appropriate.  Most of these trips are able to be done via car camping, but some can be accomplished with an overnight backpacking trip.  Most technical canyoneering trips require so much extra gear that overnight backpacking trips will put too much strain on being able to carry it all in.  Pack your usual car camping setups and hit the desert.  You can find many places on the Internet to give you information about canyons and locations as well as several guide books.  Some of the canyoneering gear you will want to bring a long will include: static rappelling rope, a harness, a rappel device, carabiners, a helmet, some gloves, knee pads, elbow pads (some canyons get tight and narrow), [disposable] clothing (it'll likely get torn and trashed), a pack, and of course water, a camera, lunch and snacks, First Aid Kit, Emergency Beacon, and a headlamp.

Some of the obstacles you may encounter in canyoneering are:  snakes, spiders, long drops (5’ to 300’+), narrow corridors, heat, cold, water, swimming, pot holes, boulders, falling rocks, and any other natural hazards.  Despite all of those, the reward is enormous when you see some great locations.

Canyoneering can be done year round with a little understanding of the area and the canyons in which you are heading down into.  Thermal protection (a wetsuit or drysuit) is often used in some canyons in even the hottest months and lots of layers in the colder months.  There are many groups forming with the intention to get new people out into these places to explore. There are also many guide companies offering trips and training on how to safely canyoneer.

Cairn™, a Bend, Oregon based company (getcairn.com) offers an innovative subscription box servicefor outdoor enthusiasts. Cairn hopes to excite and inspire you to get back out on the trail, river, crag, single track, or wherever your adventure takes you via a monthly delivery of new outdoor products. 

Cairn curates the latest outdoor gear, apparel, food/energy, and skincare products from established brands like Stanley, Black Diamond, and Gerber as well as up-and-coming brands like Hydro Flask, LuminAID, and Lifestraw. The subscription is $25/month and delivers 4-5 full size, trail ready items with a retail value of $35-$45.

Since shipping the first boxes in March 2014, Cairn has shipped more than 10,000 boxes to subscribers in all 50 states, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Finland, Norway, and Great Britain. The service has been incredibly well received; many subscribers have said the monthly “Christmas gift” is “like a care package from Mother Nature.”

Cairn is changing the way outdoor enthusiasts discover and purchase outdoor products by creating a unique relationship between brands and their end users.

· When a subscriber signs up they fill out a demographic profile, which allows for the box to be curated to fit an individual’s size, gender, dietary habits, and even activity interests.

· Reviews are a big component of the business and subscribers are rewarded for their input with points that earn them a free box to gift or to keep.

· Cairn offers this product review data, merged with the demographic information, back to the brands, providing valuable insight into the outdoor marketplace that can be used to identify new market opportunities and improve the next generation of products.

Cairn gives brands significant exposure by putting their product immediately in the hands of thousands of outdoor adventurers, and also returns data to the brands, giving them critical insight into their marketplace.