Or, how good leadership is a lot like good fishing. It seems like an odd analogy at first. After all, the energy and drive required to be a leader may contrast the long moments of anticipation and relaxation associated with fishing. Still, the craft of fishing is one of mankind’s earliest pursuits. In fact, studying the earliest permanent settlements… Read more →
Category: The Great Outdoors
On Family Camping
As a new father, I’m excited for the day that I’ll be able to take my entire family camping. Camping can be a great, formative experience for children, giving them the opportunity to explore nature and let out some of their boundless energy. That said, I’ve known many adults that cite disastrous childhood camping trips as reasons for not enjoying… Read more →
Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My! A Brief Guide to Surviving Wild Encounters
If you spend time on the trail, chances are that you’ll encounter some manner of wildlife along the way. This is part of the fun of hiking and camping, and getting a good look at an animal can be rewarding after hours in the woods. However, always respect nature during your travels; even with harmless animals, keep a respectable… Read more →
Hacktive Lifestyle—A Brief List of Camping Tips and Hacks
Up until recently, any hacking done while camping was strictly log-based. Then, the Internet gave us the means to share all manner of weird tips for the outdoors with each other. These are generally less related to survival and more about making your camping experience a little more comfortable and whimsical, but allow me to share a few hacks that… Read more →
Shifting Gear—Some of the Best Available Camping Gear
As an avid outdoorsman, I’ve scoured the Internet on a couple of occasions looking for the newest and sweetest gear for camping. Don’t get me wrong; they’re all interesting, but there’s certainly a number of useless camping novelties out there. For every innovative water filtration system, there’s an air mattress with built-in speakers. For every lightweight camp stove, there’s a… Read more →
No Rime or Reason, Part 2: The U.S’s Best Parks for Winter Camping
This is part of a two-part series on winter camping. Additionally, I’ve written two additional blogs on the logistics of the subject, that can be found here and here. The wind howls. The snow falls. Winter may seem an inhospitable time of year, but between the storms, there are moments of stillness and peace that can be hard to find.… Read more →
No Rime or Reason, Part 1: Some Tips for Winter Camping
This is part one of a two part series that I will be writing on winter camping! Check back soon for the next installment. The weather outside may be frightful, but with the right equipment and a good attitude, you can enjoy some stark winter vistas that can’t be seen any other time of the year. There’s no need to worry… Read more →
Which GPS Should You Get?
Autumn is back! With that crisp air comes a renewed desire for some cool-weather camping. But what about people who like to camp but don’t like the logistics that come with the trip? Lucky for you, The Guardian has released a superb aggregation of reviews for GPS devices, and one is surely to be just for you. The five… Read more →
PFC Free Gear
PFC, or perfluorocarbons, are a compound that makes your pots and pans “non stick” and your favorite hiking or camping gear “water repellant” or “waterproof”. But it’s increasingly come under fire and has been linked to various cancers and birth defects. We live and learn, and many companies are beginning to ban the use of PFCs in their products. That’s… Read more →
Great Spots to go Hiking This Fall
Hiking is most refreshing in the Fall. The weather is not oppressively hot, nor is it bitter cold. The trees are changing colors, giving hikers ethereal landscapes through which to venture. There is no doubt that hiking in the Fall is a beautiful, calming experience. However, it can be difficult to choose where to go. There are several great places… Read more →