posted Jan 28, 2012 2:38 PM by Matthew Andrade
[
updated Jan 29, 2012 3:49 PM by iTriumph's Outdoor Adventure Tourism - Ontario
]
Everybody poops. And though you can
escape your job, your house, and even other people in the great
outdoors, you're going to have to go at some point. And while it might
seem kinda green, in that back-to-nature sort of way, to just drop trow
and do your business, the truth is you have to know the protocol when
it comes time to poop in the woods.
First off, though, what's the big deal here? Well, while the
developed world has a huge, expensive, energy- and water-intensive
infrastructure to deal with our waste, the great outdoors has no such
system. And, though our leavings are biodegradable, that doesn't happen
overnight; while your poo is getting 'recycled,' it's still pretty
dirty, full of bacteria and a host of stuff that we need to keep out of
the way. Not just out of your way (important as it may be) but out of
waterways, where you may be collecting your drinking and cooking water
during your wilderness excursion, and a little bit goes a long way; many
pristine alpine lakes and rivers have been polluted to the point of
banning human contact with them by a few carelessly placed poos. Though
your improperly placed poo can have much more far-reaching impacts. So
that's why, but how do you do it? There are a few basic rules to follow
when the spirit moves you.
Keep your distance
For both numbers 1 and 2, stay at least 200 feet from any water
source or trail; again, you don't want to eat, drink, or walk in any of
this stuff, so don't get lazy when it comes time to go. This distance
will also help you avoid any, um, surprises by anyone else who happens
to come sauntering down the trail or through your campsite while you
attend to business.
Come prepared
If you venture in to a no pit-toilet zone -- like most anywhere that
isn't a registered campground -- don't leave home without a proper
trowel/shovel, enough toilet paper to get you there and back (there are
alternatives, too; more on that in a sec), and some hand sanitizer to
help you clean up when you're done. Anyone who's ever tried to take care
of business out there without these materials will tell you that this
is not a step worth skipping.
Dig a proper hole
According to Leave No Trace, Inc., digging a hole and burying human
waste is an effective way to minimize its impact on the great outdoors.
Don't be hasty or shy when it comes to this step; go at least
6 to 8 inches down, keeping your freshly dug ground nearby so you can
use it to fill the hole. A rock on top helps keep any curious critters
from digging anything up, and can also signal to anyone else who
happens on your spot that this is now a no-dig zone.
Think ahead
It should go without saying that hole digging should come well before
you make your deposit, but it can sneak up on you if aren't careful.
Scope out your spot ahead of time; picking a scenic spot, with a nice
tree trunk, boulder, or other object to provide you with proper
furniture, is time well spent. Keep your shovel where you can get to it
easily -- you'll want it handy if the call comes in the middle of the
night.
Alternatives to toilet paper
If you find yourself without toilet paper, by choice or circumstance,
remember that necessity is the mother of invention, and don't be shy
to look around for paper-like substitutes. While dew-laden leaves are
probably at the top of the list, they can be sort of hard to come by;
sticks without bark, smooth rocks (like from a river bed) and even snow
can be used in a pinch. If some of these don't sound very pleasant, be
sure to pack enough toilet paper.
...Now you know :) Written by Collin Dunn: http://planetgreen.discovery.com/travel-outdoors/poop-woods.html
|
posted Dec 18, 2011 11:42 AM by iTriumph's Outdoor Adventure Tourism - Ontario
[
updated Dec 18, 2011 11:59 AM by Matthew Andrade
]
Written by Matthew Andrade.
Somehow walking -moving through space at human speed- helps me move through creative ideas and solutions to personal issues. Each hike ends with new insights, and greater awareness. A few days ago I found a movie which really captures this essence.
The Way is a powerful, inspirational story about family, friends, and
the challenges we face navigating our world. Martin Sheen plays Tom, an irritable doctor
who comes to France to collect the remains of his
adult son (played by Emilio Estevez). Rather than return home, an inexperienced Tom decides embark on a historical hiking trail to honor his
son's desire to finish the journey. What Tom doesn't plan on, is the
profound impact the journey will have on him.
|
posted Nov 28, 2011 10:19 PM by Matthew Andrade
[
updated Dec 8, 2011 3:05 PM
]
Written by Jamie Carpenter.
Are you an animal lover like me? Do you cringe at the sight of road
kill every time you pass it on the highway? Then you have most likely tried what I have to save those crazy critters! Not only can helping a turtle cross the road take a lot longer, it could be more dangerous. For starters,
turtles bite... and worst of all, they pee when frightened. So,
how do you help the turtle cross the road? Get behind that silly turtle and the rest is really quite simple...
you clap! Clapping behind that huge snapping turtle really gets them
moving faster than the stories say. I actually got a turtle to hop a
curb one time. So clap it up, because there is a turtle out there that
needs you... and remember clapping helps keep the turtle safe and you
safe. Now, you can get back in your car and continue with that road
trip knowing you made a difference in a turtle's life! Well done outdoors-person! :) I hope this helped!
Please remember to be safe. Check your rear-view mirror before hitting your brakes, and pull completely off of the road.
Be aware of oncoming cars!
|
posted Nov 22, 2011 10:43 PM by Matthew Andrade
[
updated Nov 29, 2011 9:22 AM
]
In my last blog I left you packed, with tent and cook ware, toiletries, clothes, food and you were on
your way to the campsite. In this blog I walk you through checking in and setting up your campsite. Let’s
go!
Checking In
When you first arrive at the campground you’ll want to stop at the campground office and check in. Identify yourself to the campground hosts and tell them whether you have a reservation or not. They’ll have you fill out a registration form and state the number of campers, how long you intend to stay and whether you’re tent camping or RVing. While registering, ask to drive through the campground to pick out a site. The office should have a map so that you can see the layout of the grounds.
If you have any location preferences, like close to the showers or next to the lake, ask the staff. This is also a good time to ask questions about campground rules, quiet hours, garbage disposal areas, emergency contacts, ranger patrols (good to know if you’re camping alone) or whatever else comes to mind.
Preparing Your Campsite
You’ve finally arrived at the campground, and you’re scoping out the best spot for the tent. Look for relatively high, level ground. Pick a spot that is elevated from the ground around it. In a storm, rain will flow away from your tent, rather than under it. You should never set up your tent on a slope, or you’ll find yourself rolling off your mattress all night. Try to pick a campsite with some shade if available. It’s nice to have a shady spot to relax in the heat but as a word of caution, you may not want to be under big trees if it's likely to rain. The leaves will drip water on you long after the storm has stopped. Avoid parking under evergreen trees. They drip really sticky sap all summer long and it is hard to get off your car!
Water Nearby
Water is essential for camping. You’ll need it for all your drinking, cooking and cleaning. When choosing a campsite, check to see how far it is to the nearest water source. You don’t want to have to walk too far with a five-gallon container if you don’t have to.
Cooking
Find an adequate area for cooking and don’t ever cook in your tent. For cooking stoves, locate a flat area away from any leaves, twigs or brush that may catch fire. Caution: Do not dump food wast, cooking oil, or dish water close to your tent, it will attract animals. And never leave the site or sleep while a fire is burning.
Separate Cleaning Area
Campgrounds typically have cleaning stations and water faucets. Please don’t use bathrooms or drinking fountains to do your dishes. Use biodegradable soap and only dump gray water in designated areas where it will do no harm.
Bears & Garbage
Always keep a clean campsite. Collect all litter and keep it gathered away from your tent out of reach of any of the local critters or pests. Bring plenty of plastic garbage bags and change them daily.
Now that your campsite is all set up, it’s time to relax, lay on the beach, take a walk, enjoy a fire. I like to just sit down, get something cold to drink, while enjoying the scenery around me. It’s usually around that time too that the thought goes through my mind, “What did I forget to bring?” There’s always something useful that gets left behind, like a bottle opener or the clothesline, so don’t feel bad if you find yourself without. It’s only your first time, relax! You did a great job. |
posted Nov 22, 2011 9:22 PM by Matthew Andrade
[
updated Nov 29, 2011 9:24 AM
]
Camping is a great way to enjoy the great outdoors. If you are new to camping, the first thing you should do is become familiar with the basic camping gear that you will need. Go with a seasoned camper on your first time out to help ease you way into the experience. Below I have provided information on how and where you can find quality equipment. Good Luck!
How to Pick a Tent
Having the right tent will help insure you have a good trip! Here are six tips for buying a tent:
- Lots of screened area on the top/sides of the tent is great. The tent will weigh less and allow more ventilation. These tents come with a rain proof fly that you can remove to look out at the stars on warm dry nights. You will want to make sure the screen is "noseeum netting" to keep out all the small biting bugs.
- Tapped seams improves the quality of the tent and should help keep you dry (sewing creates thousands of tiny holes in the tent material).
- A bathtub floor is the floor lining that comes a few inches up the walls on all sides keeping water from getting into your tent from the ground in a downpour.
- A fly with a vestibule provides an extra dry protected space outside the tent where you can store gear (like dirty boots).
- Two doors aren’t necessary but may be more convenient for multiple campers. People can get out separate exits without crawling over each other.
- It is worth mentioning not to trust how many people the tent box says it
will fit! Set up the tent, go in and lie down to see if it is
roomy enough.
Sleeping Bags and Mattress Pads
Making a bed at the campground is easy. First you need to have some type of padding to protect your back from the hard and cold ground. Inflatable pads and various closed-cell pads work well.
Place your sleeping bag on top of the pad. If you’re a beginner, you’re probably summer camping, so you won’t need an expensive sleeping bag. A lightweight sleeping bag will do. If it gets too warm, it is easy to unzip. Don’t forget to bring a pillow.
Campground Cooking Supplies
Outdoor cooking is enjoyed by many, whether at the campground or in your own backyard. So if you’re a backyard chef, you already have lots of recipes to try at the campground. If not, you can always get by with a cooler of drinks, sandwiches, and snacks. Most public campgrounds provide a grill and picnic table at each campsite. With a bag of charcoal and a spatula you’re ready to make steaks, hot dogs, and burgers. Add a propane stove, a skillet and a few pots and you’re ready to cook up lots of meals.
Where to buy Camping Gear (Ontario)
Mountain Equipment Co-op (Mec), Bass Pro, Sail, Atmosphere, Rona, Canadian Tire, and even Walmart tend to keep a large stock of camping gear. Remember to check for the basic features mentioned above.
Arriving at Camp
As you approach the campground entrance, the excitement begins and your heart beats a little faster. Don’t get too excited yet, there’s still the matter of checking in, picking out a site, and setting up camp. But, I’ll get to that in my next blog. Happy camping! |
posted Nov 20, 2011 2:23 PM by Matthew Andrade
[
updated Feb 6, 2012 11:46 PM
]
Written by Matthew Andrade.
You have a busy life and if you are like me, tend to read very fast... please try to slow down and imagine you were with me as you read the short story below. It is beyond quiet... Soft fresh snow lands on little pines... Every sound I make seems to be immediately erased... I slow down... I am hardly breathing. I look up, and across the forest. My heart slows. We wade off the trail into the fluffy knee-deep snow. At a 20-foot-tall ice cave we watch. The snow stops falling but we continue to gaze out as nothing happens. We listen while no sound can be heard. why is this is so amazingly captivating to us? ...Maybe somethings just can not happen in the city. Welcome to winter camping! For those of us which are new to outdoor winter activities, having safe fun requires being warm and staying dry. Here are a few tips to help :) Bring The Right Clothing - Do not bring any clothes made with cotton. It will not keep you warm when they get wet (which will happen) and cotton takes too long to dry!
- Bring fleece and wind proof/water resistant nylon.These dry fast and will keep you warm.
- Bring wool because it is fun to feel itchy –just kidding. Wool is the only material that will still be warmer to wear wet then to be dry and naked.
Stay Dry
- Prevent sweating. Be aware that you may be sweating in the small of your back. Remove layers and adjust your effort level to keep from sweating
- Remove clothes and slow down. Sweating while you are hot does not seem to matter, but when you get back to camp and your under-layers are wet, hypothermia can set in fast.
- Spend the time to brush away all snow and ice from your clothing. It is worth spending 15 minutes doing this and not having to deal with damp and wet clothing! Tip: A small broom works very well.
How to Warm Up
- Prevent hypothermia and frost bite by wearing winter clothing (hat, mitts and boots etc.) and remember exposed skin can freeze in minutes.
- Find shelter and keep yourself off of the ground. Conduction pulls heat away from your body faster than the air.
- Huddle with your company in a sleeping bag. removing most of the
layers of clothing between you will allow for faster heat transfer.
- Eat. Eating provides the body with the energy it needs to produce more heat.
- Get active. Jump around, run, do squats all intense exercise generates heat.
- If you have frostbite only try to
thaw the area if you are sure you will be able to keep it thawed. A
refreezing may completely damage the area. To thaw, remove all
constricting clothing and jewelery first (the area will swell as it
warms up). Slowly rewarm with your –or another person’s– body heat.
- Do not rub numb or frozen skin, you could actually peel off layers of your skin.
- Do not warm numb skin by a fire you will not feel it burning till it is too late.
- Drinking hot drinks may make you think your better but will not warm you up enough.
Shelters; Ideas to Consider
- A tent will keep the wind and rain out but not the cold.
- Snow will keep out the cold. You can pile it up against your tent to help protect you from the nightly lows.
- For a real winter experience, try building a snow cave. You can have one built within a few hours.
Frozen Lakes & Streams - Falling through the ice should be a real concern. First chop a hole, and make sure the ice is over 10cm think or don’t go on it.
- Be aware that the lake ice will be thinnest, or not even frozen nearest to edges and wherever there is a current.
Note: If you get frost bite, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. The information in this article is for First-Aid purposes only. |
|
*Click The Above Patch*
