Sleeping next to the trail is an important outdoor skill and it’s been one since time eternal. In modern times, we’ve turned this combination of hiking and camping into a popular pastime known as backpacking. As with many outdoor skills, the tool has become an end to its own. Many of these backpackers put a… Read more

While hot tenting may sound like a youthful euphemism, it means using a heater in a tent intended for camping. While some may point out that cold temperatures are easily handled by a correctly rated sleeping bag and sleeping pad, what they might forget to mention is that this method becomes less comfortable the colder… Read more

So far, I’ve had two other outdoor skills posts for camping. In these posts, I discuss alternatives to the commercialization of recreational camping trips. While it’s true that expensive outdoors gear may have a place in extremely intense outdoor adventures, a casual overnight or weekend camping trip can probably be done with what you already… Read more

Back in November of last year, I spoke of the tendency to commercialize and overcomplicate camping trips. Yes, expensive modern equipment is useful and lightweight in many situations. I just wonder if a short-term, recreational camping trip is it. Don’t get me wrong in what follows. I’m not trying to be dogmatic about not using… Read more

Many people say that humans are social animals. But there are plenty of social animals. Our obsession with things is what makes us human. Our ability to use and make everything from basic tools to the most complex modern technology is what makes us different from the other animals. It’s not surprising that this has… Read more