Sailing and Camping

When going to a festival (if you're going for the full festival experience) you'll invariably be camping there. Since most camping bags are only so big (and there's only so much you can carry) you'll want to make sure that you get the most of every inch, and that you don't bring things that are too heavy and unmanageable.

The best tip that I can give you is to bring lots of packets of tissues (you can get a large multi-pack with lots of little packets inside fairly cheaply from most drug stores). These can be used for the obvious things (such as blowing your nose and cleaning yourself), but also as makeshift toilet paper, which notoriously takes up a lot of space.

In addition to that, if you're going to a summer festival than sun cream is a must. The fact that you'll be outside for 12+ hours a day (easily) should be a big enough warning. I've seen a lot of people getting back and suffering the consequences of ignoring the sun - don't let yourself become one of them! This may seem rather contradictory but I would also recommend taking a pair of 'wellies' (i.e. wellington boots or galoshes) in case of rain. The fact that most festivals and most campsites are effectively giant fields with tens of thousands of people (sometimes hundreds of thousands) walking over the same spots means that the dirt can easily turn to mud (if there has been any kind of precipitation) and this can be really nasty if you have to walk through it in your nice new sneakers.

1. Which stove is the most environmental friendly camp stove for your trip?
2. Where are you planning to camp?
3. How many people are you cooking for?
4. How are going to get to the camp site?

The most environmentally friendly stove is the propane stove that can be hooked up to a refillable propane tank. This option is mainly only available when camping at a campsite. Most of the stoves that use a 16oz. propane bottle can be hooked up to the refillable propane tanks with the aid of adapters and / or stands.

Several backpack stoves are able that burn liquefied gas fuels such as butane, propane, isobutane, or blends of these fuels. These fuels burn clean and work well at above freezing temperatures. When the temperature nears the boiling point of the fuel used it ability to vaporize minimizes and it becomes ineffective.

• Propane boiling point: -43° F (-40°C),
• Butane boiling point: 31° F (0.5°C),
• Isobutane boiling point: 11° F (-12°C).

These fuels can also be difficult to find and also expensive. These backpack stoves although environmentally friendly when burning use a gas canister that needs to be disposed of properly if gas is lift in them they can be classified as a hazardous waste.

Another type of camp/backpack stove uses liquid petroleum fuels that are pressurized in a bottle or tank. These kinds of camp stoves works well even in extreme cold and are quite environmentally friendly if the proper fuel is used and handled correctly. If the wrong fuel is used they can be toxic to you as well as the environment.

Alcohol camp stoves are environmentally friendly but require alcohol that is 91% pure or greater... the higher the better. One drawback is alcohol is it burns cooler and takes longer to cook requiring greater amounts of fuel to be needed.

The small single burner backpack stoves work well for one or two people are light and can be used at campgrounds as well as hiking or backpacking. The larger signal burner camp stoves and the multi burner camp stoves are heavier. They are not designed for hiking or backpacking.

If you can drive to your camp use the larger stoves. If backpacking or hiking use the small signal burner stoves. Use the proper fuel for your camp stove, take into consideration the time of year and expected temperatures'. Always follow manufactures safety instructions on the use of your camp stove.

If you are intending to do a lot of hiking or walking next spring/summer it is important that you purchase yourself the right equipment. Along with good boots you also need to get yourself a good rucksack to carry provisions, a tent, and sleeping bag if you intend to be away for several days and some extra clothing. But as there are so many different kinds of rucksacks to select from choosing the right one for you can prove somewhat of a challenge.

So below we offer a few pointers that you should keep in mind when you are choosing the rucksack you want.

1. First off it is important that you sit down and think about what you will be putting in to yours. By knowing what you will carry in yours you can then decide what size of rucksack you are going to require. It is important that you don't go for a large size one because you may find yourself inadvertently putting more into that is actually required and so increasing the weight you are then going to be carrying. Also don't think that going for a smaller size one is a better option because they are cheaper it just means that you will have to secure a lot more of your gear on the outside.

2. Next you need to make sure that the one you go fits well on your back. If you can try out several different types that you are thinking of purchasing with some weight included inside. If you can put in the same amount of weight that you would expect to be carrying in yours when out and about.

3. When trying them out make sure that the straps all provide support to your body and help to ensure that the weight inside is distributed evenly. Then spend some time in the store trying the rucksack out. You should do the following lean forward and backwards to ensure that the weight remains evenly distributed within it along with swaying from side to side. If you find that it starts to move then this can lead to your balance being thrown off.

Also it is a good idea to walk around a few times in the store including up and down stairs to see if the weight within is evenly distributed. Plus you will soon become aware if there are going to be problems that although may only be minor at the moment but become a very large problem when wearing it for considerable amounts of time.

4. Look carefully the shoulder straps on the rucksacks making sure that they have sufficient amounts of padding but are firm. Plus look for those that will ensure that the pack remains in the central part of your back so helping you to remain well balanced. They should fit snug to your body but still allow plenty of movement to your arms and upper body.

5. Finally when it comes to rucksacks make sure that they come with a good hip belt which is what will be bearing the main weight of what is carried in them. This will not only help to ensure that when you are carrying yours it feels comfortable but is also helping to ensure the strain being placed on your back when wearing it for sometime is reduced.

In another article I discussed how to survive arctic type weather assuming that you probably won't be spending the night outside. Hardy campers have been known to either put their camping sleeping bag in the snow or pitch a camping tent. I will cover some suggestions on how to survive the arctic weather for long hours like an expert.

The first step is to respect the elements if you are going to avoid paying the ultimate penalty of freezing to death. I mention this because the difference between that and enjoying the experience is fairly small. Keep in mind you should never plan on spending time alone in arctic weather because a small accident could be fatal. At least have someone who will look for you if you don't come back.

In addition to layered clothing, parkas, warm footwear and hand gear are essential. I cross country ski a lot, many times in arctic weather. I prefer leather mittens with a wool liner whenever possible when I am going to be outside for long periods of time. Kept together your fingers help keep each warm and the leather isn't subject to tearing just when you need it most.

Always allow plenty of time to get things done. Not only does everything take longer but if you start to hurry it will cause you to breathe harder. The cold dry air will cause your lungs to dry out and give a burning sensation. Breathe through your nose if possible.

Arrive at your camp site in plenty of time to pitch your camping tent in the day light. Remember there really isn't a lot of day light in the northern country in the winter. If you plan on building a fire, dig down to the ground before building the fire. Otherwise the melting snow will cause the fire to crash and it might go out.

Hardy campers sleep outdoors in cold weather. The first thing you need is a good camping sleeping bag rated for the temperature you will sleep in. Cover your sleeping bag with snow since snow is a good insulator. I wouldn't try camping outdoors in arctic weather without snow. Make sure your camping sleeping bag won't absorb moisture from the snow.

The other option is using a camping tent. Place the camping tent right on top of the snow. Since you can't pound stakes into the ground tie the camping tent corners to a tree or other heavy objects. Put snow around your camping tent to prevent wind from getting under the camping tent.

A couple of other tips -You will burn a lot of energy so make sure you eat a lot. Don't try to be on a diet as your body will be stressed enough just being outside. In addition fill a plastic bottle with hot water and put a sock or towel around it. Put that in the bottom of your camping sleeping bag. The sock or towel will slow down the speed the bottle loses heat but it will help you be warm enough to fall asleep. Don't consume alcohol- Alcohol will give you a warm feeling but can cause you to fall asleep deep enough that you won't wake up until it is too late.

A couple of tips- Starting a fire is a lot more difficult during cold weather as the cold weather will cool the fire down until the fire has a chance to overcome the cold. In addition wood can be a little damp from snow and will need to dry before it will burn. Don't ignore the fire until a strong blaze is going. If possible practice once before going camping.

Your vehicle will be harder to start if left alone for several hours. If you are depending on it to get you home make sure it has winter oil and is properly tuned up. Make sure you have more than a half a tank of fuel left before shutting it off.