Hiking Backpack Zone

In my last trip to Palm Springs, I spent an afternoon hiking the Palm Springs Indian Canyons. Located in Palm Springs, California the Palm Springs Indian Canyons consist of three trails to choose from: Palm Canyon, Andreas Canyon, and Murray Canyon. Each with an outdoor adventure for the active traveler.

The first and easiest is Murray Canyon. It is the easiest of the three to hike and is a simple trek from Andreas Canyon. Murray has both foot and equestrian trails that lead to the beautiful recreation areas that lay among thousands of palm trees. If you are lucky and keep your eyes open, you might just catch a glimpse of an endangered species, the Peninsula Big Horn Sheep. We saw mule deer and other wild animals that roam the high ground above the canyon. Murray Canyon is less visited and has a secluded beauty that must be seen to be appreciated.

Andreas Canyon has a half-mile lush radius with contrasting views of the magnificent fan palms and over 150 species of plants. It is the perfect place to bring your camera. Andreas provides scenic foot trails that lead through the canyon passing groves of skirted palms, unusual rock formations and the Andreas creek. It is a tranquil setting that is excellent for photography, bird watching, or just a quiet picnic at one of the many tables along the trail.

Palm Canyon is the last of three. Fifteen-miles long Palm Canyon has indigenous flora and fauna which are a breathtaking contrast to the stark rocky gorges and barren desert land beyond. It is equipped with a moderately graded, paved foot path that winds down into the canyon for picnicking near the stream, meditating under the sun, exploring the formations, hiking or horseback riding through the terrain. We found a trading post for hiking maps, refreshments, Indian art & artifacts, books, jewelry, pottery and conversational cultural lore.

The Palm Springs Indian Canyons are open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. October thru July and then July thru September open on weekends only. Prices vary from adults, seniors and children.

The Palm Springs Indian Canyons are a perfect stop for the adventure traveler on your next Palm Springs vacation.

Looking to find the best deal on a Palm Springs vacation, then visit www.palmspringsvacationdiscounts.com to find the best advice on aPalm Springs vacation for you and your family.

I’ve been an avid follower of Bruce Parry for years now his new TV series in the Arctic continues to be my favourite to date. In the last episode Bruce was at Greenland spending time on a hunt with the native Inuit people.

It was fascinating to observe that there were still wearing skins to safeguard them in the harsh climate, however I was surprised to find out that amongst the seal and polar bear skins many were dressed in technical outdoors clothing and one brand separated itself - black diamond . Now I’m into my outdoors pursuits so to see a guy who spends time in temperatures as little as minus 50 wearing this label of clothing must be the best endorsement you can find.

So straight onto the internet to discover what Black Diamond had to offer - if it’s good enough for the Inuit then it’s going to definitely keep me warm on a cold winter’s day out walking!

What a website - first of all you are presented with is an amazing picture of a male climbing a frozen waterfall - Sam Elias that’s sponsored by Black Diamond - what a beautiful shot.If you’re into hiking, climbing or skiing therefore you want technical wear from a brand which the pros wear (in addition to the Inuit!) then Black Diamond will have something suitable for you. A little bird who has just come back from a couple weeks from the Swiss Alps mentioned that all the uber cool ski instructors were wearing Black Diamond.

As a brand they are very much into giving back along with a very much into environmental conservation having a three fold policy 1) decreasing the environmental footprint of the production and operations; 2) building products with sustainability under consideration; and 3) supporting grassroots environmental organizations and campaigns on local and national levels.

As someone who is a skier who occasionally goes hiking I’m not sure I could justify or require the dangerous of equipment that Black Diamond offers but if I was blasting the slopes on a regular basis (if the job will allow it) I would definitely be checking out this brand. They of course make t-shirts if you decide to just want to become a brand hag (and I do) you’ll be able to at least look like a pro.

Black Diamond quite a cool company.

black diamond black diamond

Are you sure you know what are the things to include in your canoe camping checklist? You could be quite a seasoned camper or you have read things about camping or canoeing if you have made a decision to take a camping vacation and go canoeing. And it is also likely that you already have a sensible plan on what to take to camp like a tent, certain equipment, first-aid kits, flashlights, lighters, receivers and other stuff. But what about if you will be camping and canoeing, will you stick with the old camping check list?

Well, of course you should. Your camping tents, the flashlights, the tools, the survival kits, the lighters and the radios are always part of any camping activity and serve as the survival basic items. On the other hand, since you will be canoeing, you should also add more items for the care of your canoes.

What I am talking about is that you need to also take along several brushes as well , the type that’s for cleaning off the dirt and sand that can cling to your canoes in the course of use. Naturally, you’re going to push your canoes toward the coast and into the waters and then draw it back to land after use. And for sure, there will be mud clinging on to the damp exteriors which could damage your canoes and also the roof of your vehicle where you will secure them. Small cleaning tools can help you a great deal in cleaning your canoes after use and you can find them at Amazon website. Furthermore, there are more helpful things there which you’ll find truly handy so it’s really worth giving them a try.

Since you’ll be going with a lot of stuff like the brushes, carabiners, mesh bags, clothes, basic essentials and tools, you will need something to help you organize things upon arriving at camp. It isn’t like you can just be keeping your things in your bags till it’s time to return home already, right?

Camping organizers are great things to bring along so you can keep all your important items more accessible while you’re at camp. You’ll get really great deals from Coleman and Kelty which are very durable and portable so you won’t have trouble making your camp more like home.

And also, don’t forget to bring along those camping mesh bags in which you can store your wet clothes after canoeing in case things get splishy-splashy. Aside from that, you’ll find these things also really useful when it comes to organizing your stuff and when it comes to drying your other canoeing stuff.

Canoeing is the one of the most exciting outdoor experiences when camping so check out the best camping and canoeing items you could bring to complete the fun. Also, to keep things all organized, better have the finest camp organizers best suitable for canoeing and camping activities.

Camping in unfamiliar territory? Don’t compromise your safety outdoors by getting stringy on your shelter supplies. One thing that’s really going to help you a big deal in emergencies is a camp tent repair kit. Sometimes, no matter how good and durable your tent is, some things out there like the wind, strong rains and other things that come out when nature’s thrashing about can damage your tent and exposing you to moisture and the cold. When these things happen, the undesirable thing that can occur is that you’ll feel very uncomfortable - you can even catch cold or other diseases as a result of being vulnerable to insect bites.

Now, choosing among the available tent repair kits should also rely on what kind of tent you have. Some fix kits are specially designed to hold up canvas textiles. Some are intended to specifically mend nylon tents and some are made to repair tents made from both materials. Coghlan’s and NRS offer some of the finest camping repair sets which include threads, needles and patches for ripped tent fabrics such as nylon and canvas.

The trouble with using the wrong kind of kit for a certain tent is that canvas and nylon are different textiles that require different means of repairing. If you use an unsuitable kit for repairing a canvas tent, for example, you may just become disappointed if you see the parts that has just been repaired tearing up again.

With regards to tent stakes, there are also kits which you’ll be able to find to repair broken camping stakes. For tents that are not free-standing and the stakes provide for its footing, these are the basic kinds that keep your tent on the ground even when angry mountain winds come blowing. Stake fix kits include wire, ferrules and shock cables which all help in making your tent more impervious to damage from the extraordinary natural conditions.

If you want to get the finest camping stakes around, check out brands like Coleman, Black Diamond and Wenzel which supply all sorts of stakes and are made for superior strength. You can get a number of them made of plastic-type materials and a some of the best brands are made of aircraft-class aluminium.

Incidentally, if you need to get a huge tent to keep you and your buddies safe while you’re on your outdoor journey, you can rely on Eureka camping tents Eureka is the same manufacturer that provides Mount Everest explorers the security during those bad weather conditions. You’re going to get the finest cover protection with them anywhere you go.

For more secured camping with your tent, check out the most reliable camp repair kit which you must always have every time you camp. You can also check the trusted camping stakes to keep your tent tight on the ground.

Tired of taking the nights outdoors with your back against cold, solid earth? Are you frustrated with the uncomfortable sense of body heat accumulating beneath you? Does bedtime at camp spell B-O-R-I-N-G for you? Here’s the great news : there are more ways with which you could slumber like a baby outdoor savoring a better and cooler atmosphere while also getting a better perspective of the natural environment.

If there is one thing that’s beginning to become well-liked with campers when it involves items for outdoor overnite, it is a hammock. Hammocks are made from sturdy nets tied above the ground. They are breathable, extremely movable and truly comfortable after you learn the skill of them.

Since hammocks are designed of holey materials, there’s a possibility of them becoming torn easily due to numerous reasons. But that’s also dependent on the materials. If you would like to save yourself the trouble of coping with low-class types, buy the very best hammocks from brands like Lawson, Grand Trunk and Hammock Bliss. Some of these also provide defense against pests so you steer clear of disease-bearing critters like mosquitoes and also filthy insects like flies.

What’s also wonderful about bringing hammocks is that they are really light. You will not have any trouble holding them to camp along with your other camping goods. Also, on the way to home, you can easily detach them from the trees or wherever you have tied them and fold them up.

When it comes to unpredictable weather when it may drizzle now and then, you do not have to be anxious because you could still have a good and comfy time far above the ground on your hammock by attaching a camping tarp overhead so you don’t get drenched. You will find different types of camping tarps appropriate for different uses. You can get the finest camping tarps from Kelty and Granite Gear. These ones are manufactured from high-Denier fabrics which are water resistant and UV resistant so you can also use them to protect you from the sun on hot summer days while swinging on your hammock. They are also available in various colors and sizes so that you can build your camp however you wish to.

Then, if you’re going on a very special camping holiday where you want to create things look enchanting and magical, you can series along some camping light strings all-around your camp. Try switching off the lights, and settle on an big hammock with the great air and warm glows within you in numerous colors. With these, you may make this a surprise for someone too on important occasions.

You can always try the very comfortable and easy to set-up camping hammocks for your most convenient camping. You can also have better protection against rain and drizzles if you can have your own camping tarps along with your hammock.

When buying a tent, the type of camping and season in which you intend camping in, are important determining factors that need to be taken into consideration to find the correct equipment for your requirements.

Polyester fabric tents are able to withstand the sun’s ultra violet rays to a higher degree than those made out of nylon fabric and are generally better for longer trips. It is advisable to check for mesh sides because these allow for the correct amount of ventilation, they minimize condensation and stop the bugs from getting in.

A large tent that has all the special features is perfect if you drive directly to your campsite, because size and weight do not really make much of a difference, but other campers, such as backpackers, would need something light, comfortable and only big enough to accommodate themselves.

Tents for camping are divided into four main categories, which are, summer, winter, three seasons and all seasons. The summer category is geared towards hotter weather, winter designs are perfect for harsh conditions, manufactured more to meet mountaineering requirements, the three season category works well in summer, spring and the fall and can withstand light snow if it occurs, and the all season design is suitable all year round, but not in extreme winter conditions.

Family tents are made for comfort with sufficient space to accommodate most families. Certain sections can usually be partitioned for privacy which is ideal if you have children or want to have an early night.

It is always advisable to find a tent that you can stand up and move around in, with extra space to store your luggage and camping equipment, because there may be trips where you encounter bad weather for extended periods of time, so you will want to be comfortable.

A tent that has been specifically designed for harsh winter months is a necessity when camping in cold winter weather. They are thicker, sturdier, more wind resistant and comfortable, and able to stop any snow from accumulating on top of them which prevents them from collapsing.

Tents for camping should always be carefully selected for a specific climate to ensure that you are well equipped, protected and reasonably comfortable if the weather changes for the worst.

Information on suppliers of tents for camping is available on my website, where you will also find information that will help you choose the correct tent for your camping trip.

It is a great idea to consider letting your children attend Children’s Summer Camps . Kids’ summer camps everywhere have the people and facilities for teaching children everything from new skills to making art projects to lifelong principles like sharing and respect. Kids can learn, have fun, and gain new friendships by spending part of their summer at camp. Being a camper can be a good experience for children as young as seven or eight until well into the teen years. A lot of films are based on stories about summer camp adventures because so much universal coming of age happens to kids in these camps. Kids will also come to know more about nature because camps are usually located in the woods or near lakes or mountains.

Part of the fun of thisOvernight Summer Camps is that kids get to stay in an area all their own and sleep among other kids with adult counselors always present. It makes a young camper feel very grown up and it also brings a chance to learn independence. As a parent, it will be your responsibility to find the camp where your child can stay for right length of time during the summer. You can consider the following tips to keep in mind as you begin to look for the perfect overnight camp.

When it comes to choosing the right camp for your child, important camp information is needed and the right questions need to be asked. The best place to start is www.summercampadvice.com, a free website devoted entirely to helping parents and kids find the best summer camp for their particular needs. Acquiring that information takes time and patience, but the results can be priceless. Meanwhile, here are some basic areas of attention that you need to consider before you send your child off to summer camp.

Camps can either be general interest or specialty camps. Summer camps that fall into the general interest category offer a wide range of activities serving many interests. The choices might include swimming, horseback riding, indoor games, and arts and crafts classes. On the other hand, specialty camps focus on one area of interest. A specialty camp could be a sports camp that specializes in soccer or basketball, or it could be a camp that offers arts and crafts workshops. A well-rounded camp might be suitable for kids who most need to discover their interests and learn new skills while a specialty camp is perfect for older kids who are already passionate about something particular that they love to do.

You should also determine whether you want your child to go to a private or a non-profit summer camp. Private resident camps are more expensive but might offer new facilities and modern equipment. On the other hand, non-profit camps usually charge lower fees and can still offer properly maintained facilities and camp equipment. The heart of every camp is the staff, and nothing is more important to a camper’s experience. When selecting a camp, you have to consider budget, size, location, staff-to-camper ratio, length of stay and the condition of the camp facilities. There are perfectly good choices of summer camp for every budget, and they can be found with careful searching.

The grounds, facilities and equipment are much less important than the staffing choices, but they can offer clues about the attitudes of the camp’s directors. What is the condition of the cabins, bunks, bathrooms, kitchen, and mess hall? What about the equipment used for the activities? Is it properly maintained? Facilities and equipment that look a little rustic and worn can be perfectly acceptable as long as they are clean and still in good safe working condition. These questions can only be answered if you conduct a tour before making your final decision about which summer camp is best for your budding camper.

Swift Nature Camp is a Kids Summer Camps for girls and boys ages 6-15. We are a traditional camp with a science and nature focus. It is the perfect camp for the first timer.

Kuching is sharing pretty much the same festivals as other region of Malaysia, though you may still find some local festivals that only Sarawakian get to celebrates. All festivals and events in Kuching are as follow:

1. New Year’s Day (1 January)

Public Holiday through out the entire Malaysia, and the world; and Kuching has no different too.

2. Chinese New Year (January/February)

Chinese New Year is fall on 1st day of every lunar calendar year, that may fall on any days during January or February.

Google it for exact date for the certain year you would like to know, eg. “Chinese New Year 2010″. Travel to Kuching two weeks ahead of the Chinese New Year is the best time for you to see the locals getting ready for the Chinese New Year festival. People in Kuching is often busy shopping for Chinese New Year goods and goodies during this time. On the Eve of Chinese New Year, locals will do their final shopping before noon, and after 2pm usually the Kuching is much like a dead town. Shops shut, businesses ended, everyone is at home getting ready for their reunion meal. For anyone who is still in Kuching on this day, the only place you can have your dinner is probably the fast food restaurant for instance KFC or McDonald.

In the midnight once the clock strikes 12am, the entire city is like entering into a war, you will be amazed by the fireworks on the sky, and even firecrackers are everywhere. The whole event will last for about half an hour to an hour before you can get a good sleep. It’s illegal though to play with fireworks or firecrackers; however it isn’t been fully enforced in Sarawak. You will not get this if you are in the capital of Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur. Most businesses remain closed in Kuching from the first to the forth day of the festival, you still have to dine at the fast food restaurant during those days. However, cafe, pubs and bars are normally opened once the day turns dark.

3. Good Friday (March/April)

Nothing much special in Kuching during this day, it’s just a public holiday.

5. Labour Day (1 May)

Simply a public holiday. Business as normal for shopping malls and restaurants.

6. Wesak Day (May)

It may fall on any day during May be based upon which calendar year. For anyone who is at Kuching during this period, visit the Buddhist temples, in which the crowds are gathered on this special occasion.

7. Gawai Day (1 June)

This is the extremely important festival for the Dayak (indigenious people) in Sarawak, which celebrating the end of rice harvesting and welcomes the new planting season. Everyone in the longhouses in Sarawak will begin to celebrate the festival from the Eve of the Gawai day. On the Gawai day itself, that is 1 June, traditional rituals are held, dancing, plenty of local foods especially Bamboo rice and bamboo chicken. Should you be traveling in Kuching during this special event, you may take part in the Annah Rais Homestay program and experience the fun of the Gawai festival with the locals people. No walk-in traveler will be entertained during this day at most of the longhouses, except for pre-arranged tour from the tour company, and the invited guest by the local people.

For Annah Rais Longhouse, simply participate in the homestay program and you will get a chance to experience how the local people celebrate the festival at Annah Rais village.

8. Dragon Boat Festival (June)

As the name suggest, you will witness the dragon boats competition on this day through out most part of Malaysia. In Kuching, you may witness the dragon boat competition along the Sarawak River, at the Kuching Waterfront. Local Chinese will be making their own rice dumpling in this special occasion for their family. Most Chinese coffee shops in Kuching do selling them too, so you should try it!

9. Rainforest World Music Festival (July)

These are the infamous global event which will be held in Kuching every year. Rainforest World Music Festival brings together the planet renowned musicians around the globe and indigenous musicians from all parts of mythical land of Borneo to come to the same stage to perform for you.

Such event lasts for 3 days and will be held at Sarawak Cultural Village, next to Damai Puri Resort (formerly known as Damai Lagoon Resort), about 30 km from Kuching. For more information about Rainforest World Music Festival, kindly visit their official website at http://www.rainforestmusic-borneo.com.

Fairly often during this period of time, Kuching hotels occupancy rate are all time high and can be fully booked quite often, therefore you are advised to book early if you intend to attend to such global event.

Resort that within the walking distance to the Sarawak Cultural Village are Damai Puri Resort and Permai Rainforest Resort. Damai Holiday Inn Resort is also within a walking distance, nevertheless it takes you a longer walk, approximately ten to fifteen mins!

10. Mid Autumn Festival (August)

Also called Mooncake or Lantern Festival. Nothing much special accept eating mooncake (plenty of mooncakes, everywhere is selling it) and watching kids carrying lantern at each corner of the streets when the day turns dark. Novice photographer will really appreciate such occasion.

11. Malaysia’s National Day (31 August)

It’s a nation public holiday, and in Kuching, it’s celebrated each year, check out at Central Padang at Kuching.

12. Hungry Ghosts Month (August/September)

It is believed by the Chinese that within the 7th month of lunar calendar, ghosts are returned to the earth for feasting. In Kuching, take a look at this “hungry ghost event” that is held next to the old central post office. It’s always filled with crowd.

13. Christmas Day (25 Dec)

It is also another important event for the Christian in Kuching. However, special events’ arrangement mostly limited to each individual church only. Clubbers also gathered at certain pubs for counting down during eve of Christmas. Nothing much special in Kuching, better spend your time in Singapore’s Orchard Road I guess, should you happen to travel in this region!

That’s about all the festivals and events in Kuching. So plan your vacation wisely. Wish you have a wonderful trip soon.

For more information about tips and hints to travel to Kuching, visit Lester’s Kuching Travel Guide website. Also take a look at Annah Rais Longhouse Adventure website for more information about the homestay program offered by the local villager.

Snowshoeing is suddenly a favorite winter activity for lovers of the outdoors. It’s a fun and healthy way to get out and enjoy the snow. You can snowshoe just about anywhere — in the woods, on a trail or near a cross-country trail.

Besides being easy to learn, walking around with your snowshoes on is a great workout. It is like walking in shallow water. A single step is easy, but when you add up all the steps you take, it ends up being a good workout. You can get your legs in shape fast.

Getting around on snowshoes is a relatively safe activity. Snowshoes are very stable and offer a great method to travel in the snow and get an aerobic workout at the same time. They can be a terrific, low impact, winter-time cardiovascular workout that doesn’t punish your joints. If you are an experienced snowshoer and on the adventurous side, you will be able to explore some remote areas of our national parks that most people don’t get to see in the winter time.

How do they snowshoes work? They work by distributing the weight of the user over an area larger than the person’s foot by increasing the surface area that makes contact with the snow. This helps the user to not just sink past the surface of the snow. Snowshoe manufacturers call this a snowshoe’s flotation factor.

Snowshoes can have different designs, different features and be made from different materials. Choosing your model will depend upon personal preferences as to how they feel, but you should also take into consideration the advice of a salesperson or outfitter. They know that each model works best in one general situation. For example, if you are interested in starting to jog in the snow, you should go with a small running snowshoe. On the other hand, if you will be trekking through deep powder with a backpack, you will probably need a larger-bottomed model.

The biggest accessory you will need before you go out is a pair of trekking poles. A good pair of poles will help you keep your balance as you trudge around and will be especially helpful when coming down a steep hill.

Most snowshoes will accept most any type of shoe or boot. Since you’ll be in the snow all day, you will want to use a waterproof, insulated boot. Try to get the most comfortable footwear you can, as long as it is waterproof and warm.

One last thing to consider picking up to go with your snowshoes is a carrying and storage bag. You can use the bag to store your shoes during the off season and use it to carry them to the hiking area. You can often get them included as part of a package deal.

A word of warning, however, please be sure to tell a friend where you will be hiking to in case something happens and you don’t come back. Snowshoeing is almost always a safe adventure, but things can happen out in the woods.

I think the strongest benefit of snowshoeing is how it gets the people who don’t ski outside during the winter. It is an outstanding way for non-skiers to enjoy the snowy season.

Although he says to be just a snowboarder, Robert Jensen likes the sheer fun of snowshoeing around the park he lives near. He recommends browsing through some of the best snowshoe shops to get an idea of which snowshoes might be best for you.

You can have fun and healthy meals when cooking in Class C motorhomes while boondocking. Be prepared and plan ahead, and you will have success with meals in Class C motorhomes. Meals are easy when Class C motorhomes camping at RV parks, but they can be just as easy when boondocking if you read the tips below. You can enjoy cooking in Class C motorhomes and boondocking.

What are the meals that work well in Class C motorhomes?

Boonkdocking with Class C motorhomes means that one needs to be conservative and resourceful. This is why the best type of Class C motorhomes meals are One Pot Meals. One Pot Meals are both hearty and satisfying for everyone. In order to save on dishwashing, using the grill is another great type of meal for boondocking recipes in Class C motorhomes.

Use foil when cooking in Class C motorhomes and boondocking

Cooking with foil is a great way to cook when boondocking in Class C motorhomes because the clean up is easy. Foil can be placed on the grill or directly on a campfire or coals. Favorites for meals with Class C motorhomes are meat, potatoes, and cheese wrapped in foil. Use spray oil (non-hydrogenated) to help prevent sticking. Add vegetables for a more balanced meal. Some people even pre-cook the meats prior to leaving to camp.

Prepare and plan ahead of time

There are little to no emergency grocery stores available when boondocking, so by being prepared you can save stress by not forgetting anything. Pack foods that last awhile, such as cookies, canned goods, peanuts, fruit, energy bars, or protein bars. Look online or in RV cookbooks to prepare menus. You want to pack lightly and keep it simple. Prepare as much as you can before you leave town.

Take only the necessary cooking materials

If you will be utilizing a camping grill, then you should think about packing extra gas. You won’t be able to purchase these in a lot of places, so pack them ahead of time. Also, think about using biodegradable utensils, plates, and cups. These can be tossed, are environmentally friendly, and will help you save on using water.

Pack only the necessary pots and pans. Take a small can opener. Another good idea for boondocking is a plastic storage bin that you can pack foods in.

Pack in and pack out, and enjoy your meals while camping. Eat and be merry!

Julie Jacobs enjoys to travel and write about Class C Motorhomes. Read more RV articles at www.pedatarvcenter.com.