HowToDoThings.com Recent Outdoor & Event Sports 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 Get Fit for the Footpath

Journey Beyond Travel — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 20:48:38 -0500

You’re out with your friends hiking in Colorado. It’s a day’s jaunt, up and down through pristine woods and azure lakes with some of the starkest scenery statewide. However, your friends are good-humored, talking and jabbing jokes the whole way while you gasp for every breath. You’re the one they have to wait on; you’re the one they constantly ask, “How are you doing?”; and, worst yet, you’re the one everyone at some point asks, “If you’d like to turn back?” You gasp and say, “No” (yet again). Get fit the next time you take to the footpath by following these "how to" steps:

How To Find Great Hiking Trails

tmiller158 — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 17:21:50 -0500

How To Ollie

VewdoRick — Thu, 08 May 2008 15:05:07 -0500

How To Choose an RV

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

How To Keep Your Dog Safe in the Deep Wilderness

harryoakes — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 12:23:19 -0600

We all enjoy sharing our outdoor experiences with our pets. There's nothing more spiritual or rewarding than to cuddle up to your dog and watch a sunrise or sunset. To share in the majestic beauty of the wilderness. There are some very important factors to consider before you head into the outdoors with "Fido".

Terrain. Ask yourself: Can "Fido" handle the terrain? Is He / She in shape for this adventure? Can the terrain injure or kill my dog? What can I do to minimize the risks?
To protect the dog from a falls off of a cliff, make sure your dog wears a HARNESS.

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How To Watch the Daytona 500

catsfan — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 14:06:22 -0600

Ask almost any NASCAR fans, and they'll tell you they fell in love with the sport the first time they attended a race. There's simply nothing else that compares to the roar of the engines, smell of burning tires on asphalt, and the incomprehensible speed as the cars pass in front of you. If burning rubber doesn't sound appealing, don't worry -- watching the race on television is a good option as well. Here are the steps to Daytona 500 and NASCAR Fandom:

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 Buy Ski Boots

thebrad16 — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 14:24:26 -0600

Buying ski boots can be an intimidating – and expensive – undertaking, but by following a few simple guidelines the experience can be rewarding and enjoyable.

First, and this point cannot be stressed enough, you need to find a reputable ski shop with qualified, experienced bootfitters. Yes, this is a real profession and we take it very seriously.
After all, skiing is an active sport and the ski boot is designed to keep your feet more or less in a fixed position. The two opposing forces can be uncomfortable if your boots are not properly fit.

Not only will a qualified bootfitter be able to fit your boots properly at the time of purchase but many shops have some type of fit guarantee and will work to adjust your ski boots after you have tried them out if there are any problems.

How To Fish for Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass

pawppawp — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 14:01:52 -0600

During a business meeting with a high-level company manager from Minnesota about five years ago, the conversation changed from discussing how to sell more products to a passion we both shared -- bass fishing. For the remainder of the evening, my colleague shared with me how he caught literally hundreds of bass using a simple rig. I was skeptical -- a trait of most fishermen when they talk to other fishermen -- but I listened and told him I was game to try it. The results were astounding! I began easily catching dozens of bass each time I hit the lakes and ponds. If there were bass to be had, this rig would get them into the boat.

How To Avoid Altitude Sickness from High Altitude Skiing

chaletsusa — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 13:52:44 -0600

To get guaranteed snow and great skiing or snowboarding, you often need to go to high altitude resorts! Many of these resorts, particularly in the USA, get very early snow, often starting in September and continuing into June the next year. These resorts open in November and are perfect for early season skiing as well as deep powder snow later in the season.

Winter Park Resort, Colorado, USA, for example, has its base at 9000 feet. This means great snow conditions, but the air is thinner and less oxygen is available. People coming from lower elevations may experience altitude sickness when skiing at this altitude. It usually occurs within the first 48 hours and you may experience headaches, nausea, insomnia and loss of appetite.

Here's what to do to prevent altitude sickness:

How To Dress for Skiing

chaletsusa — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 20:00:57 -0500

Skiing holidays are such fun and can be the perfect holiday for all the family to enjoy. But without the right clothing, the perfect holiday can turn into a cold, miserable fiasco. Plus weather can vary so much in the mountains and a hot spring skiing day can turn into a nasty storm very quickly. Make sure you and your family are prepared for all eventualities to keep your holiday enjoyable and to keep everyone safe. Nobody wants frostbite or hypothermia. Here's what to wear when skiing:

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 Find the Perfect Ski Chalet

chaletsusa — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 15:12:23 -0500

Ski chalets are the perfect place to stay for your winter ski vacation - you get hassle-free skiing for all the family: your personal chef shops, cooks and serves your meals; the chalet hosts clean you rooms and the chalet plus have all the local knowledge you could ever need. They'll organize your lift passes, ski school and ski hire for you too. When you're planning the perfect ski vacation, you should make sure to find the perfect chalet:

How To Have the Perfect Ski Holiday

chaletsusa — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 18:56:39 -0500

Isn't skiing wonderful when you're on the hill whizzing down the slopes, with the wind in your hair and sun on your face? Don't you feel like it's a major hassle getting to that point, what with finding somewhere to stay, having to rent ski gear, getting the kids all dressed up? Not to mention worrying about getting dinner on the table later that night or finding a reasonably priced restaurant. Well follow these 5 tips to make your ski holiday so much better:

How To Find Great Places to Ski Early in the Season

chaletsusa — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 17:32:42 -0500

Ever wondered how to avoid the crowds, lift lines, get great deals and get 3 skiing holidays in per year? Well you need to start early and here are the top 5 steps on how to find the perfect place to ski early in the season:

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 Cast a Fly

crcurley — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 12:03:27 -0500

A Brief Intro to Fly-fishing

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 Stay Injury-Free

McQ — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 13:14:17 -0500

If you’re the physically active type, just about the last thing you want is to miss out on pursuing your hiking-biking-skiing-boarding-rowing (or whatever) passion because of injury. A pulled hamstring. A tweaked knee. A back thingee that hurts every time you move like this. (Ow!)

Luckily a few ounces of prevention can go a long way toward keeping you off the disabled list. Here are some tips:

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 Recreational Tree Climb

Shellystefbyrne — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 19:22:21 -0500

Unlike the tree climbing of our youth, recreational tree climbing is a fun and easy-to-learn activity that utilizes arborist rope, a saddle harness and a unique knot system to assist with ascending and descending a tree. It's an amazing feeling being in the arms of very large trees. You can sometimes get as many as fifteen climbers in a tree at once.

How To Fish for Fluke

neeks123 — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 20:52:20 -0500

Fishing has been slow for the lovers of the fluke. Yes, our flat-bodied friends who bottom-feed are low in population lately, and just aren't biting. It won't be as easy as it used to be, but here are some ideas to help you hook a couple.

How To Handle a Gun Safely

The2 — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 15:25:41 -0500

You should never handle a gun unless you know how it operates.

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 the Perfect Snowball

Brian263 — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 14:40:00 -0600

The perfect snowball... when you've made it, you'll know. It's unmistakable - that perfect weight and texture for packing, the ease on the elbow as you throw it, splattering perfectly across your hapless victim upon impact. So how do we make the best possible snowball, the winter projectile of our dreams? You have to know where to get the best snow, and then how to shape it for best results.

They say no two snowflakes are the same, and the same is true of snowballs. But there are different kinds of snow that we can define. There's slush, light powder, heavy snow and popcorn snow, to name a few kinds. The Inuit have many more names for snow than we use (though I bet we Seattleites have them beat in the rain department), and we can learn a lot from their distinctions; we're down here trying to make the best possible snowball, but for them, knowledge of snow is a matter of survival.

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 Get a Discounted Lift Ticket

The2 — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 16:10:00 -0600

Skiing and snowboarding are two of the most popular winter sports; they're also two of the most expensive. Unfortunately, after getting to the mountain, renting (or buying) gear and buying a lift ticket, your wallet can be a lot skinner than it was before you left. However, if you plan ahead and consider all your options, there are some easy ways to save a few bucks on lift tickets...even if you're just going to spend it on lunch in the lodge.

How To Gear Up for Skiing

The2 — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 13:07:00 -0600

When the weather starts getting colder and the leaves start falling from the trees it can mean only one thing: ski season is upon us. Whether you've been skiing for years or you're new to the sport, there's nothing like seeing-or hearing about-that first snowfall of the season. You know (or at least hope) the mountains will soon be blanketed in the powdery white stuff that allows you glide down the slopes amidst other skiers and boarders excited by the onset of winter.

However, before you get out on the mountain, you'll need the essential gear. For you newbies or not-so-frequent skiers, I've compiled a list of the essentials. If you're missing any of these items your exciting day on the mountain could rapidly turn into a relaxing day in the lodge.

How To Find a NASCAR Ticket

Heather166 — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 08:20:00 -0600

NASCAR has become one of the United States' fastest growing sports. From the first call for drivers to start their engines, to the checkered flag, fans pull for their favorite drivers to win the race. Each pass and pit stop lends to the excitement of a day on the racetrack. Nothing quite compares to seeing a race live as the engines roar past the stands. Here are a few tips on finding tickets to NASCAR races.

Contact the racetrack ticket office. Most of the time, this is the best way to find available tickets without having to pay more than the tickets are actually worth. However, you may find that a particular race has already been sold out and there are no more available tickets. Don't give up yet! This may not be an open and shut case. Try the next tip before you lose hope.

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How To Go Heli Skiing

The2 — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 11:49:00 -0500

Many skiers are quite content staying on the groomed runs of a fancy (or not-so-fancy) ski resort. You'll still be able to cover a lot of terrain and get to see some beautiful mountaintop views. However, if you're looking to move beyond maintained runs and want to taste the ultimate in skiing adventure, you may want to consider heli skiing.

While heli skiing isn't offered at every ski resort, it is offered at the big name Western ski resorts like Telluride, Whistler, Sun Valley, Jackson Hole, Diamond Peaks, etc. Some heli skiing, such as that in Washington state's North Cascade Mountain Range and the Chugach Mountains near Valdez, Alaska, isn't affiliated with any ski resort and caters specifically to those planning their entire trip around heli skiing. And don't think that heli skiing is limited to the U.S.; trips are available in New Zealand, Switzerland, Argentina, Chile and many other international ski destinations as well.

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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