Articles on Adventure Matters:
Camping Gear - Being Prepared for the Outdoors
Each summer you look forward to your big camping trips. You love being out in the woods, enjoying the scenery and beautiful weather, listening to the wildlife. Part of the fun of camping is not just being there, it is getting ready for the trip. And that means buying all the necessary camping gear that will make your trip a pleasurable one.
Camping gear can vary depending on what you will need it for. Each camping trip or outdoor excursion is different. What you choose to take along with you while camping will depend on how you will be transporting everything, what the weather is, the terrain, and a score of other factors. In general, camping gear needs to be highly portable and will need to suit the nature of your trip.
Here is some more advice that will help you select the best camping gear for your needs.
What do you need it for?
A lot of camping gear serves a general purpose. For example, no matter where you camp, you will need to purchase lightweight and portable dishware and cooking items. You can use the same camping gear to cook with no matter if you are mountaineering, kayaking, or just spending a leisurely few days in a structured campground setting.
It is the specialized camping gear that you need to spend the most time thinking about. Each outdoor sport has its own unique set of needs. And with that comes the fact that you will need to take specialized camping gear with you. This is an especially important thing to keep in mind if you are doing something like taking a mountaineering exhibition up a mountain like Mt. Rainier. However, if you hired a guide service, check with them to see what you would really need. They may provide some of the camping gear for you.
Check on prices.
Another important thing to do is to check on prices. But when it comes to camping gear, simply going for the least expensive item is not always a good idea. Sometimes, having the right equipment can mean the difference between whether or not you survive under adverse conditions. Why take that chance on shoddy camping gear?
Look for something that will not only suit your purpose but also be high quality. High quality camping gear is built to last. You want something that is durable and high quality. What would happen if you were stranded and you needed to boil water to kill any bacteria or organisms, but your stove were to break? This could be a life threatening and scary situation. Be smart about what you buy and don't let price concerns and budget affect the camping gear you choose if you can help it. See what's out there.
In general, you want to understand the different kinds of camping gear options that are out there before you make a purchase decision. Make sure that the products you are thinking of purchasing will suit your needs. Plan for the worst case scenario and make sure you have enough supplies to handle that.
However, it can always be a touch decision. On the one hand, you want to be prepared. On the other, you don't want to bog yourself down with too much camping gear. Do your own research. Talk to people who have a lot of experience. Also, go on a lot of camping excursions and take a lot of practice runs. The more you do it, the more you will understand what camping gear you will really need.
Michael Cottier
09 Dec 2006
To get the finest camping gear shipped right to your door, check out Smokies Gear, and make your next camping adventure a time you will never forget.
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5 Hawaii Whale Watching Tips For An Unforgettable Adventure
Each year, the Humpback Whales migrate around 4,000 miles, from summer feeding grounds in Alaska, to mate in Hawaii's warm waters.
During mating season, Humpback Whales are more active resulting in elevated surface activity which makes Hawaii a popular destination for whale watching. This exciting surface behavior, such as breaching and tail slaps, make for exciting whale watching in Hawaii.
As a Hawaii local and avid waterman, I have 5 simple tips that will help you get the most out of your Hawaii whale watching adventure. So before planning your next Hawaii vacation, follow these tips and you might just have an unforgettable whale encounter!
1. Plan Your Trip During Peak Months
Humpback Whales begin arriving in Hawaii in November and head back to Alaska in late May. If you have planned a Hawaii vacation during this time, you should have no problem spotting whales. However, peak Hawaii whale watching season occurs during February and March. So if you have not made your travel arrangements yet, shoot for these months.
2. Visit Islands Known For Whale Watching
Maui, Kauai and the Big Island are the most popular islands for Hawaii whale watching, so plan to visit one of these islands on your vacation. If you are visiting Oahu, you can see whales there too, they just won't be as abundant.
3. Plan A Boat Tour
Hawaii whale watching tours are ideal for seeing these spectacular animals in their natural habitat. Not only will you be in the whale's environment, but because humpback whales are curious about their surrounding, they will sometimes approach your boat. Plan a Hawaii boat tour to truly get the most out of your whale watching adventure.
Boat tours are available departing from Lahaina Harbor many times throughout the day during whale season. On the Big Island and the island of Kauai, whale-watching opportunities abound with a full schedule of tours provided by seasoned, knowledgeable guides.
Humpback whales may also be observed from land if you prefer solid ground to the deck of a boat. On Kauai the Kilauea Lighthouse, Kealia Lookout and various high-points of land in coastal areas are good places to start. Once you're in the right place, spotting the whales is easy: just look for the majestic plumes of water ("blows") rising in the air and the playful splashes made by these gigantic creatures.
4. Respect their space
In Hawaii, whale watching is an avid activity, and like with most outdoors activities, there are rules. Observers may not approach by vessel or by swimming within 100 yards of a whale (known as the 100-yard minimum rule). However, there is no rule that keeps whales from approaching people. Experienced leaders of Hawaii whale watching tours know how to gently approach these animals and encourage them to come closer.
5. Preserve the Humpback Whale
The humpback whale almost came to extinction in 1966 after mass commercial whaling during the early 20th century. Today there are approximately 30,000 to 40,000 humpbacks worldwide. Federal laws protect them, but there are things we can all do to help preserve this amazing animal for future whale watching generation.
* Keep beaches and waters clean and debris-free
* Participate only in responsible whale watching activities
* Support efforts to stop illegal whaling
* Support legislation, research and preservation programs
* Patronize eco-friendly companies and organizations
You can read books about whales, but with so many opportunities to see them up-close and personal, there's no reason why you shouldn't start thinking now about your next Hawaii whale watching tour. It's fun, it's easy and it's a great experience for the whole family.
Justin Britt
13 Mar 2007
Hawaii resident and adventure traveler, Justin Britt, invites you to learn more about Humpback Whales in this http://www.napali.com/hawaii_whale_watching. And If you're planning a trip to Kauai, learn more about http://www.napali.com/.
Affiliate Adventure - By Scott Adams
I have always wanted to own a successful online business. And I've tried quite a few ideas over the years. But I saw many internet marketing concepts that were doomed to failure before they got off the ground. I tried others that were just scams.
Then I came across a technique that really worked - marketing affiliate products through Pay-Per-Click search engines. http://netwkcyj.affad.hop.clickbank.net/