How to Purify Water in the Backcountry
How to purify water in the backcountry: compare boiling, filters, chemical treatments and UV light, and learn a safe routine for collecting…
Outdoor Guides
Beginner-friendly camping and hiking guides that cover preparation, safety, skills and checklists. Start here if you are planning your first campsite night or day hike, or want to get more confident on the trail.
-
-
How to Go to the Bathroom Outdoors
How to go to the bathroom outdoors: pick a spot, dig a cathole, pee and handle periods on the trail, use waste…
-
How to Prevent Hypothermia on the Trail
How to prevent hypothermia on the trail: why it happens, how to layer and pack, the early warning signs to watch for…
-
How to Stay Warm While Camping
How to stay warm while camping: choose the right pad and sleeping bag, wear dry layers, eat well, pick a sheltered site…
-
Family Camping Checklist
A family camping checklist for shelter, sleep, kitchen, clothing, safety and kids, plus tips for babies, toddlers, packing the car and avoiding…
-
How to Hike in Hot Weather
How to hike in hot weather: when to start, how much water to carry, what to wear, how to pace yourself and…
-
Essential Outdoor Knots for Beginners
Essential outdoor knots for beginners, with step-by-step instructions for the bowline, clove hitch, taut-line hitch, trucker’s hitch and more for camp jobs.
-
How Long Does It Take to Hike a Mile?
How long does it take to hike a mile? Typical paces by terrain, how elevation gain changes your time, and a simple…
-
Camping Kitchen Checklist
A complete camping kitchen checklist: stove and fuel, cookware, utensils, cooler packing, food storage, cleanup supplies and pantry basics for campsite meals.
-
Heat Safety for Hikers
Heat safety for hikers: plan around the heat, carry enough water, dress to stay cool and learn the signs of heat exhaustion…