HowToDoThings.com Recent Camping Articles

How To Start a Fire with Sticks

gin rummy — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:44:35 -0500

If you're stuck outdoors and need to set a fire but forgot to bring matches or a lighter, there is no need to despair. There is a way to make a fire using materials lying around; it may take some hard work and time, but the results will be worth it and you will have learnt a new practical skill. Follow the steps given below on how you can start a fire with only sticks.

What to do?

How To Find True North Without a Compass

gin rummy — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:17:54 -0500

If you are reading this article you are either lost in the woods with your laptop or you plan to get lost in the woods in the near future. Either way, these simple steps are an excellent way to get you out of this bind. I may joke around, but this is serious stuff. The longer you stay lost the lesser your chances of being found. If you have an idea where the nearest ranger station is, try going there. The problem is that when you are lost in the woods, you don't really know which direction you are going. Unless you know some important tricks, you'll likelywind up going in circles.

There are several ways to find true north without a compass. Here are just some of the things I have come up with that might prove useful to you.

How To Choose an RV

jasonkeeley — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:44:38 -0500

How To Vacation Cheaply with Your Family

edward.s — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 13:38:15 -0600

This past year we have seen a decline in housing prices, the first time in years. Gas prices continue to climb and our purchasing power is declining. Fortunately, our children are often oblivious to these troublesome facts. They still want to go on vacation. With little money left over, camping can be an economical option that will create memories better than Disney World. Try these guidelines to help you build the trip they will remember forever, even if you have never camped before.

How To Select and Use a Camping Stove

edward.s — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 19:05:10 -0600

Selection of a camping stove can be very confusing. Propane, liquid fuel, solid fuel...all very useful given the right circumstances. What is a BTU? Why is it important to understand BTU? Is altitude during use important when selecting a stove? All of these are legitimate and necessary questions to ask.

It is also very important to ask yourself the question - what are the most important characteristics of the stove? (or: what type of camping trip am I making?) . "Car" camping is very different than backpacking and allows different stoves to be utilized.

How To Roast Marshmallows

ralexander — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 19:18:20 -0500

Roasting marshmallow is an excellent way to bring families and friends together on a chilly outdoor evening. Children and adults alike enjoy sitting around the campfire and toasting their own marshmallows. Whether it be for making s'mores or eating them alone, make sure you know these basic tips so you can safely and effectively roast a marshmallow.

How To Build a Shelter in the Wilderness

teacher — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 14:11:11 -0500

It doesn't matter if you are lost into the wilderness, hurt, have no camping gear or simply prefer to use what Mother Nature has to offer you as sleeping arrangements -- this type of shelter will help you out. Even during the winter season, you can use this type of shelter as it can also keep you warm. Of course, a fire pit helps also, unless it's too close for comfort, but this shelter can make an enormous difference when you need protection from the elements.

How To Plan a Solo Backpacking Trip

ronkhare — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:48:22 -0500

First, a warning: Solo backpacking trips are extremely dangerous. Many national parks will not allow a person to travel alone, be it hiking, backpacking or any other outdoor sport. Before you decide to risk it, check with the rules and laws of the parks and wilderness areas beforehand.

That said, there are rewards along with the risks. Backpacking is a great way to escape the insanity of the modern world, and traveling alone allows one to soak in nature without the constant interaction and chatter a partner would provide. However, without the extra pair of hands, feet and eyes, the dangers of backpacking increase exponentially.

This is for experienced backpackers only. If you are a new backpacker, go on a few trips with experienced friends first.

How To Pack as Little as Possible

ronkhare — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 18:48:24 -0500

Tried of lugging hundreds of pounds of luggage? Too much stuff can ruin a trip, from holding up buses or airport security, even requiring hotel staff, friendly passers-by or anyone around to help lug your stuff from here to there.

Rid yourself of excessive stuff, and revel in the freedom and ease of traveling unburdened!

Pack normally. Go ahead, just cram in everything you think you might want to take with you.
Unpack and spread everything out. Now that you can see everything you wanted to bring, we can begin to prune.
What are you actually going to wear? Honestly, pick out the few, best clothes and items, the ones you know for certain you enjoy wearing, and will often. Set them aside for the moment.

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How To Spot a Counterfeit Swiss Army Knife

KimberlyCo — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 13:39:04 -0500

Granted, you're probably pretty sure that if you're buying a "Swiss Army" watch off of somebody's blanket on the sidewalk, you're not getting the real thing. But what about avoiding knock-offs in stores or online? You may think you're getting a great deal on a Swiss Army product, when in reality you're spending more money than you should on something that's going to fall apart in a matter of months.

One of the reasons that designer brands are so popular and so expensive is because of their quality. People have come to trust those brands to make reliable products, so they have to be able to back up that trust with products of the highest quality. Chances are that if you're looking for a Swiss Army product, whether it's a knife or a watch, you want it not just for the name or the prestige, but for the quality that that name implies.

How To Be Safe in Avalanche Country

McQ — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 12:29:57 -0500

While carving lines on a board or set of skis is one of life’s great pleasures, the potential for danger, in the form of avalanche, is something that should always be in the back of snow enthusiasts’ minds. Especially those who like to travel in the backcountry. Each year, about 200 Americans are caught in avalanches with about 30 of those resulting in death. Avalanches can occur at any time of year but are especially common in winter, spring and early summer. Luckily, most can be avoided by following these guidelines. Keep in mind that whole courses are given in avalanche awareness and the science behind it all; these tips are no substitute for avalanche training.

Check www.avalanche.org for the latest conditions. There are links here to avalanche centers in North America’s most avalanche-prone regions.

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How To Make S'mores

edward.s — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 22:02:51 -0500

Making s'mores is not difficult. In fact, it is probably the easiest recipe to make, next to boiling water. There is no "right" way to make a s'more. Anyway you like it, is the right way. This recipe is one passed down through years of family and scout camps.

How To Clean a Sleeping Bag

edward.s — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 21:48:53 -0500

Cleaning a sleeping bag is not difficult and should be done periodically to increase the life span of your bag. ALWAYS refer to your manufacturers instructions, especially when dealing with new bags. However, if you are like all the other old timers that still use their sleeping bags from the 1960s, read on.

How To Take Your Dog Camping

The2 — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 16:01:26 -0500

Summer’s inviting weather tempts most people to spend more time outdoors, and there’s no better way to do that than by packing up the car and heading out for a weekend camping trip. The beauty of this short vacation is that you can bring your dog along for the ride without worrying about finding a pet-friendly hotel.

Depending on where you’re headed, you may want to double check that dogs are welcome, but it’s pretty much a guarantee that your dog will be allowed to stay at almost any campground you choose. Be aware that some National Parks, like Yosemite, may allow dogs in certain campsites and not others.

How To Make a Campfire

Brian263 — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 15:15:00 -0600

We've all been burned (figuratively) by lousy campfires in the past. Perhaps because making fires is such an age-old human endeavor, failing to make a good one can be a humbling experience. You might use up several days' supply of newspaper trying to light a campfire for day one. You might smell even more like hot dog smoke than you otherwise would have. You might worry that your fire-making ineptitude, together with that protruding brow of yours, could prompt comparisons between you and Ron Perlman in the classic "Quest for Fire." Far worse, you might be cold. Avoid this unfortunate fate!

How To Rent Portable Toilets

Staff468 — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 15:18:00 -0500

Are you trying to rent portable toilets? Maybe you're organizing an outdoor concert or special event. Maybe you're a football coach or league manager and you've noticed a need for a portable toilet at the field. Or maybe you have a construction crew at work on your property and want them to have the easy access that a portable toilet provides. You could even be looking for an entirely different kind of portable toilet - one that you can take into the outdoors when camping, fishing or hunting. Whatever the reason, there are several ways to rent portable toilets. First, let's look at how you can get your hands on some portable toilets for the non-backcountry needs like community events and construction.

How To Go on an Impromptu Camping Trip

The2 — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 13:37:00 -0500

Not every camping trip has to be a weekend-long affair. If you just want to get out, see the stars, and sit around a campfire you can go (pretty much) any night of the week-even if you have to work the next day! You may not find the best campground you've even been to, but you still get the relaxing, natural experience that camping provides.

Go online and find 3-5 campgrounds within an hour and a half of your home (or however long you're willing to drive). If you can make reservations and you know where you want to stay, great. If not, having multiple campground options ensures that you'll have a good shot at finding a site.

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