Tips & Tricks For Wilderness Camping

There is nothing like escaping from the electronic world and nothing makes this easier than primitive wilderness camping.  The U.S. offers some amazing places to take advantage of these opportunities.  You can locate your dream wilderness camping area by visiting the U.S. National Park Service website.

Because you will most likely be hiking in to your camping spot, you will want to pack light carrying only the necessities.  Some of the items to pack include but are not limited to the following.

• Lightweight tent:  Your tent will provide you with shelter from the elements as well as ensuring you have a safe place to sleep at night.  The tent of choice should be a high-quality, lightweight tent.
• Lightweight sleeping bag:  Your sleeping bag will help to keep you warm at night.  Select a tent that will keep you warm in your chosen camping environment.
• Sharp knife:  A knife has multiple uses when camping and should be kept sharp.   Accidents are much more likely to occur when using a dull knife.
• Ground mat:  A ground mat will put a bit of padding between your sleeping bag and the hard ground beneath you.
• Lighter or Water-proof matches:  It is imperative that you have a method to start a fire in order to prevent hypothermia as well as having a source for cooking food.
• Warm clothes:  Other than a fire, warm clothing is the best method of preventing hypothermia.
• Water source:  Because there is likely to be no clean water source in the wilderness, you will need to carry your water supply with you.  
• Maps:  Even the most seasoned wilderness camper will find maps useful at times.  No-one is capable of knowing every inch of wilderness.
• Compass:  A compass will come in handy if you do find it necessary to use your map(s) to find your way around.
• Flashlight:  The need for a flashlight is pretty self explanatory.  Nights in the wilderness can be pitch-black.  If you should find it necessary to move around in the dark you will be glad you packed one.
• Spare batteries:  What good is your flashlight if the batteries go dead?  Be sure to pack enough spare batteries to see you through your entire adventure.
• First aid kit:  As much as we don't like to admit it, accidents can and do happen.  In the unfortunate event of an accident happening to you or someone else in your camp, you will want to be prepared to take care of the wound(s) that may result.
• Eating utensils:  Unless you are eating out of cans you will need something to put your food on and the silverware necessary to eat.  Heavy duty plastic eating utensils are a good choice or you can purchase a folding metal set that is self contained.
• Trash bag:  Always make sure that you leave your camping area in better condition than you found it in.  This means picking up your trash and even picking up any litter you may see laying around the area you are visiting.  Together we can keep our wilderness clean!
• Backpack:  A good backpack is a must for carrying all of your supplies on your journey into the great unknown.  Be sure to select a backpack that is both big enough and rugged enough to stow all your gear inside.

Be sure you arrive at your destination in time to set up your base camp during daylight hours.  It is much more difficult to pitch a tent and prepare your site in the dark.  Beginning your adventure in the dark will also run down the batteries in your flashlight.  Be sure to set your tent up on a flat surface.  You may consider placing it under a tree for added shade when the weather is hot or place it in a spot where the sun will shine on it throughout the day when the weather is cool.  This will help you control the climate of your sleeping area.  Make sure there are no rocks or sticks on the ground where your tent will be situated.

Taking daily hikes from your base camp to areas of interest will ensure that you have more than enough to keep you from becoming bored while hanging out in the middle of nowhere.  Make sure that you clean up your camp area before leaving.  You may even want to consider carrying your food supplies with you on your daily hikes to keep wild animals from wandering into your chosen space.  Nothing would be worse than returning from a hike only to find your tent torn to shreds and your camping gear rendered useless by a bear or some other opportunistic creature (except maybe coming face to face with the unsuspecting beast).  Using your common sense will prevent any unwanted circumstances from taking place during your stay in the wilderness.

Remember this trip is being planned to be a relaxing and fun while you are away from the daily grind.  Make sure you have everything you need before leaving your home.  Use your common sense to keep yourself and the other people with you out of danger.  Most importantly enjoy yourself and the company of the people who go with you.

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Camping Etiquette - Minding Your Manners In Campgrounds

-Any day in the outdoors is a good day

Morel Mushrooms & False Morels - Do You Know The Difference?

It's that time of year again - the weather is heating up and the wild mushrooms are about to pop! There are many types of wild mushrooms, some are edible and some are poisonous.  Do you know how to tell them apart.  In this post, I am concentrating only on the morel mushrooms as these are one of the most sought after wild mushrooms out there.

The morel mushroom can be found around trees that are either dying or have already died and fallen to the ground.  Some of the best trees to search around include dead or dying ash, cottonwood, elm and sycamore.  As the dying root systems of these trees break down they form an excellent food source for morels.  When collecting these tasty morsels be sure to use only mesh bags which will allow the spores from your collected specimens to fall back to the earth ensuring that the area in which you are hunting will continue to produce a steady crop year after year.

The false morel is sometimes mistaken for a true morel; however, there are differences which will help ensure that you are taking home the real deal.  Below are two pictures.  The top photo features some true morels which are safe to eat.  The bottom photo shows a false morel (these are the ones you want to avoid).

Photo Courtesy of Missouri Department of Conservation

Photo Courtesy of Missouri Department of Conservation

As you can see in the top picture, the edible morel has very well defined pits on the canopy.  The stem of this morel is hollow and extends all the way into the mushrooms head.  The false morel however is wrinkled rather than being pitted.  This poisonous mushroom also has a canopy which has a distinctly different color than the stem.

To prepare morels to eat I typically cut them in half and soak them in salt water for about a day.  I then coat them in breading and either pan fry or deep fry them.  They will make an excellent side dish with your next fish fry.

Morel hunting is an excellent way to spend a springtime afternoon in the outdoors and you will be sure to get in your daily exercise while seeking out these flavorful treats.

-Any day in the outdoors is a good day