Outdoors Tips and Issues

If you are an early riser and want to get going at sunup, orient the door of your tent towards the rising sun.

If, on the other hand, you would rather sleep in a bit longer, turn your tent the other way to avoid the sun's early rays.

Don't pitch your tent next to a fire. When you awaken in the morning, you don't want to be peering out little holes (big ones either) caused by flying embers.

Avoid hollows or draws where water from a night storm could flood your tent. It would not be pleasant to find yourself floating down the mountain. Stay on high ground. Besides, cold tends to accumulate in hollows.

If there is wind, try to find a spot in the lee of a boulder or other protective object.

How to Read a Ratltesnake's body language.

In a wilderness emergency situation, it is essential to be able to build a fire. Here are some reasons: to warm yourself, to dry your clothes, to cook a meal, to scare away critters from mosquitoes to bears, to signal rescuers.
Here's a guide for building emergency fires in the wilderness: Starting an Emergency Fire.

And, here's a blog post with a great idea for helping to start a fire in the wilderness. It teaches you how to make wax-impregnated wicks. Check it out. You'll undoubtedly learn something valuable. Here's the fire starting link.

Strengthen your ankles for hiking on rough terrain.

More and more hikers are switching from heavy hiking boots and heavy socks to light boots, trail runners, running shoes or even sandals.

Some advocate hiking barefoot, claiming it is the most natural and healthy way to hike. If you want to get into this kind of hiking, start slowly and toughen up your feet and ankles before going off on a long trek.

You have a much greater chance of avoiding blisters if you wear lighter footwear.

Detractors from this idea of treading lighter point to the ankles and argue that unless you have heavy boots, you'll get a sprain. They want you to believe that you can't get along without the ankle support afforded by the heavy boots.

Proponents of going light agree that you can get a sprained ankle on rough terrain if your ankles are weak. So, you must build up strength in your ankles.

Here is a way to strengthen your ankles. Practice hiking on rough terrain for short periods of time over several days or weeks. Start with a very light backpack and gradually build up the weight.

Having strong ankles can keep you going on any trail or non-trail even without the support of clunky boots. Lighter is better.

Outdoor Gear
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Out Wilderness Heritage