The Outdoor Rookie staff attended a Leave No Trace workshop in Feb 09 to learn the details of the Leave No Trace practices and pickup valuable tips on how to relay these practices to others.  The course was taught by the Leave No Trace traveling trainers as a 2-day backpacking course where each attendee had to teach one of the main Leave No Trace principals.  This trip was a lot of fun but also critically important.  The Leave no Trace principals (listed below) help us to respect the land that we choose to spend our time with to allow it to continue to grow and thrive.  Although we can not reach everyone, we can reach YOU and you can reach the people you go camping/hiking/biking/climbing, etc with.  For more information, please see www.lnt.org.

1) Plan Ahead and Prepare

• Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you’ll visit.
• Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
• Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
• Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
• Repackage food to minimize waste.
• Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging

2) Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

• Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
• Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
• Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
• In popular areas:
  • Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
  • Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
  • Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent

  In pristine areas:

  • Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
  • Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.

3) Dispose of Waste Properly

• Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter.
• Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
• Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
• To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.

4) Leave What You Find

• Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch, cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
• Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
• Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
• Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.

5) Minimize Campfire Impacts

• Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
• Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
• Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
• Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.

6) Respect Wildlife

• Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
• Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
• Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
• Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
• Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.

7) Be Considerate of Other Visitors

• Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
• Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
• Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
• Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
• Let nature’s sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.

Below are a couple photos from the Leave No Trace training weekend:

LNT Group 2009

LNT Traveling Trainer

As you camp more frequently, the desire for tasty meals from home seem to overtake claims that “ramen and GORP are the perfect camping foods.”  Now this is not to say those can’t be tasty (with modifications), but you can easily enjoy many of the foods which you love to eat at home right on the trail.

In addition to making delicious meals on our trips, we also enjoy making foods that require minimal cleanup.  Less cleanup time equals more time enjoying where you are in nature.  One of our favorite, easy meals is Tuna Quesadillas.  Anyone whose made quesadillas at home knows how blessedly simple these delicatessens are to make as well as eat.

To make these, follow these guidelines:

WHAT YOU NEED:

Tuna in a metal pouch bag (several companies are making these now, including the generic Target brand)

Quesadilla cheese

Veggies

Ziploc bags (2)

Tortillas (smaller ones are easier to fit in the pan and easier to store)

Camping frying pan (light weigh – anodized metal preferred)

Spray Liquid Butter (Parkay works best)

AT HOME:

1. Grade/slice quesadilla cheese into a Ziploc.
2. Cut and sauté some veggies (your choice) in some spices for a filling.
3. Place the cooled veggies in a separate Ziploc bag.

ON THE TRAIL:

1. Spray liquid butter in a frying pan (anodized metal pan is best).
2. Spray liquid butter on one side of your tortillas.
3. Place tortilla, butter side down, in the pan (this is before pan is over heat – should be cool)
4. Fill tortilla with quesadilla cheese, veggie filling, and tuna.
5. Fold in half and place pan on a medium hi burner.
6. Cook on one side until browned to your liking.
7. Flip over and repeat cooking.  The cheese should be melted by the time your done

Some tips:

1. If you can’t keep those cooked veggies cooled while in transport, just bring raw veggies such as a bell pepper or some mushrooms – cut them up at camp and put them in the quesadilla raw with some spices – might be a little more crunchy, but still tastes great!

2. You don’t have to shred the cheese beforehand – you can bring just a block of cheese to the camp site and slice it there with a typical camping knife.

3. Tuna in pouches often come pre-seasoned – if you’re into hot and spicy foods – we recommend getting the “hot and spicy” tuna flavor – works well in this dish!

As noted in our initial review of the Exped Synmat pad, we’ve noticed a rather unique noise when using them.  It is more of a quiet “whine” or squeal that is only heard if the pump area is up by your head.  This squealing is not that loud, but rather  just loud enough to hear when it’s next to your head and it only occurs when your laying still.

During our recent trip to the Outdoor Retailer trade show, we spoke with on of the Exped reps and they enlightened us to what is causing the noise.  So, basically, when you finish pumping up the mat to your desired comfort, you’ll close the valve in such a manner that you deflate the pumping mechanism slightly.  Since the foam inside the pump doesn’t like to stay compressed, it will do its best  to expand.  This expansion causes the pump to suck back the air in the pad slowly.  The air moves ever so slightly back across the one-way valve to fill the pumping mechanism.  This movement of air cause the pad to quietly squeal and thus annoy the would-be sleeper.

In order to prevent the squeal (other than just putting the pump end at your feet), you’re going to refill the pump chamber to prevent the pad from making the sound.  To do this, you’ll need to follow these steps:

1.   Fill the pad to your desired comfort level.

2.   Locate the valve at the end of the pump.  Look for the little dot (see photo).

3.   Give the valve a squeeze.

4.   Fill the pump chamber with air.

5.   Lay down and enjoy a noise free night.

Ever since we first started using the monarch butterfly chair, we’ve wondered how the chair would perform in sandy soil conditions.  Most of our trips are on the hard Texas clay, so we don’t typically run into this issue.   However; the two points in which the chair balances upon are small in size, which does not bode well for balancing on top of a sandy or soft surface.  In soft soil, the applied pressure won’t dissipate evenly, causing the chair to sink (not uniformly) and become difficult to balance (see photo).

Good News !!!! We have found an alternative that somewhat rectifies this issue.  While on a canoeing trip down the Big Thicket Reserve in Kountze, TX, we discovered a way to keep ourselves from sinking into the sand.  Using the storage bag as a platform aids in dissipating the pressure over a larger area.  This then allows you to balance much easier and enjoy.  After use, there is just some minor cleaning of the bag needed and your good to go.

If you would like to purchase this product and others seen on this blog, just Click Here

When hitting the trail for a weekend backpacking/camping trip, most people look forward to the views, the breezes, the smells, the wildlife, etc but not the food!  Why not?!?  Although a backpacking “kitchen” is not as versatile as your 4-burner stove at home, you can still make some tasty, nutritional gourmet meals on the trail.  Gourmet backpacking takes a little bit of planning up front, but typically pretty simple cooking on the trail.  In upcoming blogs, we’ll be posting some of our favorite things to make on the trail.  Most are originally from other sources, but none the less, we think they should be shared!

Our first recipe post is for Berry Cobbler on the trail!  This is pretty flexible and can be altered to include the tastes that you enjoy.  This recipe feeds 2 people – so, for more, adjust accordingly.

At home, prepare 2 sealable plastic baggies (like ziplock):

1. Fill the first bag with 1/2 cups of Bisquick instant biscuit mix.  On the outside of the bag, with a permanent marker write “Add 3 TBSP of cold water & knead until mixed”

2. Fill the second bag with 2 TBSP of sugar, 1 TSP of cornstarch, 1/2 cup of dehydrated berries and any spices you might like (dash of cinnamon, nutmeg or maybe some vanilla powder).  You can either get pre-dehydrated berries from a gourmet foods store (such as Wholefoods) or dehydrate them yourself with a cheap dehydrator.  If you’re dehydrating yourself, we recommend raspberries and sliced strawberries – these are the easiest to dyhydrate fully.    On the outside of the bag, with a permanent marker write “Add to 1 cup boiling water”

On the trail, for breakfast or maybe even dessert – using a large or medium pot (with a lid):

1. Bring 1 cup of water to a boil and add in the sugar/berry/corn starch mixture (this direction should already be written on your ziplock bag).

2. As this mixes, add the 3 TBSP of water to the Bisquick bag and knead until the water is completely mixed in.

3. Using a pocket knife, cut off the tip of one corner to make a hole about 1 cm in diamter.  Squeeze “dollops” of dough (about the size of spoonful) into the boiling berry mixture until there is no more dough.  Push down the dumplings with a spoon so they’re immersed.

4. Turn the stove to a simmer and cover for 7-9 minutes.  Check occasionally, adding water if needed to prevent burning.

You can use the cook time to start cleaning up camp – but don’t let it over cook.  Once it’s done, test one of the dumplings by splitting it with a spork – it should look cooked inside – like a pancake, not doughy.  If you don’t like cleaning up, or don’t have the water to spare, we recommend eating out of the pan.  (after it’s cooled)  This makes enough for 2 people for breakfast.

This is a sticky mess to clean up.  If you do use bowls, wipes work the best rather than water and soap.

Berry Cobbler for Breakfast!

Description:

The Express Stove from Primus is a light weight, compact backpacking stove that can be used on any Propane/Isobutane/Butane Blend fuel canister.  It folds down to fit in the palm of your hand, but can boil 1 L of water in a flash!  The flame is adjustible and it comes with or without the self ignitor. 

When to Bring It:

• Camping or backpacking trips where you plan to cook 
• When using Propane/Isobutane/Butane Blend fuel
• When using different sized pots and pans – it doesn’t attach to the cookware, so you can use any size pot/pan
• When saving on space and weight for backpacking
• When you can’t have camp fires (burn bans, no fire wood, trying to Leave No Trace, etc)

When to Leave It:

• When you’re planning to have a fire already and don’t need a stove
• When you’re planning on a fire for heat – this will not heat you up, only your food
• When you’re not limited on space/weight and would prefer a larger stove or grill
• When the camp sites have charcoal grill sites and you’re planning to use them
• When you’re not limited on space and you’re cooking more than one thing at a time – there are 2-burner stoves (you can always get 2 of these though!)

A couple tips:

• As with most stoves, the self-ignitor is not reliable.  It’s really nice to have when it works (probably about 85% of the time for us), but we recommend you always bring a lighter or matches as back-up
• You should NOT expect to fly with this (or any) stove…ever!  It should be obvious that you can’t fly with the pressurized fuel mixture, but now airplanes are also banning all camping stoves.  There is debate about bringing it brand new (with no fuel residue) but we wouldn’t risk it.  We recommend you ship your fuel and stove through ground shipping to wherever you’re going.  If not staying in a hotel when you first arrive, a local outdoor shop may allow you to send your stove to them for you to pick up when you get there.    (Call ahead before you send though!)
• The flame adjustment knob sticks out far enough that you can comfortably adjust it while something’s cooking (to bring it down to a simmer) but not if it’s boiling over – if it’s boiling over, you’ll need to remove the pot first, then adjust
• Comes with a small, handy stuff sack – we recommend you store it in the stuff sack and then in your cookware set
• Do not store your fuel near your food – these canisters leak slightly – I’d keep it on the outside of your pack
• The fuel for this stove is sold at just about any outdoor’s store – but it does NOT take liquid gas or alcohol – so be sure you’re getting the right type of fuel
• The EtaExpress cookset (1.0 L) comes with this stove, so if you’re getting that cookset, do NOT get this stove as well…unless you need 2 of them
• Stove works best when shielded from wind – the EtaExpress includes it’s own wind shield, but if you’re using it with another pots and pans set, just find a way to block any wind – we use rocks, books, stuff sacks, etc – just be sure to keep them far enough away that they won’t catch on fire!

Buy the Express Stove at OutdoorRookie.com

Express Stove

Description:

The LiTech cookeware set is a great light weight backpacking pots and pan set for cooking gourmet style on the trail.  There are two sets available – the pots set with 1 large and 1 small pot, and the super set with 1 large pot, 1 small pot and 1 frying pan.  The super set, when all together, is a little heavy at 1.8 pounds, however most backpackers will not need to always carry all three pieces.  The simple set totals 1.4 pounds with both pots.  The material is hard-anodised aluminium with a multilayer titanium non-stick surface so spray butter and cooking spray are not necessary for most applications.  The pots use a separate handle that clamps on while the frying pan has an attached handle that folds around the pan.  The included lid covers any of the 3 pieces.  As with most Primus Gear, this set comes in a net stuff sack. 

When to Bring It:

• Camping or backpacking trips where you want to do more than just boil water (pasta, pancakes, cobbler, etc)
• When you need an even heating surface (for cooking items that will need to “bake”)
• When you want to avoid bring cooking spray – this has a non-stick surface
• When cooking for more than 1 person where more than 1L of water/food is needed
• When you need any one of the pieces – all three do not need to be carried together
• When you will be both boiling pasta and sauteeing veggies – the pot and frying pan combination is great!
• If you want to eat directly out the pot – it cools off fairly quickly

When to Leave It:

• When you’re only making dehydrated meals and hot drinks - we recommend the 1.0L EtaExpress for this - it’s lighter and boils water in less than a minute
• When you’re counting ounces and don’t mind 10 energy bars/day – energy bars and fruit snacks are definitely lighter than uncooked food + a pots and pan set
• When using metal cookware – although this is hard anondized aluminmum, it will still scratch if you’re using a metal utensil

A couple tips:

• The mesh stuff sack included is for light use only – I wouldn’t recommend hanging the stuff sack on the outside of your pack
• You can fit several things inside of the set to save space – such as the stove, collapsable spoon, spork, etc
• If you store anything inside, be sure to store it in a cloth stuff sack so it doesn’t scratch the inside of the pot
• The handle for the frying pan can be detached and is really not necessary (although convenient).  You can use the included pot grip for the pan as wel - so if you’re bring a pot and pan, this could save on a couple ounces.
• The included grip has little rubber tips on the inside – this prevents the grip from scratching up the edge of your pot, something we hadn’t seen on other models

Buy the LiTech 2-Pot Cookware Set at OutdoorRookie.com

LiTech 2-Pot Cookware Set

Buy the LiTech Super Set Cookeware Set at OutdoorRookie.com

LiTech Super Set - 2-Pots and 1-Pan

The PrimeLight Compact Adventure Headlamp is a versatile, light weight head lamp for backpacking, camping or even using around the house.  It has an adjustable elastic band that fits pretty comfortably either on the head or around a hat.  The light itself is a little bulkier than others, but the sqarish design makes the light always point forward rather than having some light point down (this is often a problem with smaller, rounder lights).     There are multiple settings on the light including a bright light, dim light, red light as well as a strobe.  Changing the lighting is a little trickier than most lights because there are 2 buttons: the first turns the light on and the second toggles through the settings.  All in all, this is a highly functional, versatile head lamp that we would recommend for any backpacking or camping trip.   

When to Bring It:

• When you might be around lots of bugs – they aren’t attracted to the red light as much as white
• When you only want one light – it’s bright enough to hang in a tent and dim enough to use around a camp fire
• Any place where carrying a flashlight might be inconvenient- such as camping, outdoor grilling, working on outdoor projects at night, etc. 
• When you need a durable light that you can count on – the longest setting can last up to 100 hours
• When you need a headlamp that doesn’t accidentally turn on – the power botton has a lip, making it more difficult to turn on while being stored
• Where there’s a chance of rain or water crossings - it’s waterproof for accidental immersion of up to 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes.
• When you might need to signal for help or find someone – this has a slow strobe setting on it
• When you may want to attach it to your bike – there’s a bike attachment available for $10.  If you are interested in this attachment, please contact us at support@outdoorrookie.com . 

When to Leave It:

• Day hikes when you don’t need a light (although we recommed you always bring a head lamp on day hikes – just in case thing don’t go as planned!)
• When you need lots of light for a long period of time (such as a latern for card playing with a group) - the brightest setting reaches 82 yards, but only lasts for 12 hours
• When running trails at dusk/night – they now have chest lights that would work better for this so you don’t have to always look down.  Plus, the 1-strap and bulky design would bounce around quite a bit if running
• When you may need to change light settings quickly (such as for time-lapsed photography or night time exploring) – the 2-button system requires you to toggle through to the setting you want.
• When caving or exploring in tight places – the slightly bulky design does extend about 2″ off the forehead 
• When you’re looking for a “cheap fix” – this is a $60 headlamp meant to be relied upon for many back country trips.  If you’re looking for a quick $10 fix- we recommend the Energizer headlamps at Target.  They have many issues…turning on accidentally, shining down in your eyes, running out of batteries quickly, etc – but they are good for someone who is not ready for high quality equipment. 

A couple tips:

• The stuff sack included is, in our opinion, oversized – you could easily use it for 2 head lamps or other things
• The included stuff sack is made with a white lining that can be used to dampen the light when needed, such as for photography, talking to people in close proximity (where they don’t want to be blinded), looking at wildlife that you don’t want to scare away, etc.
• The bulky design extends off the forehead about 2″ – keep this in mind when in a tight place
• The light has a setting to alert you when the batteries are low but there is not an indication of how much power is remaining, so we recommend you always bring an extra set of batteries on the trail. 

Buy this Headlamp at OutdoorRookie.com

Description:

The Grand Trunk Traveling Pillow is comfortable and versatile travel pillow.  It has a drawstring cord that adjusts it’s firmness and can pack down to fit in a small stuff sack.  The filling is a cotton matieral and the outside is a nylon type material.  It’s great for traveling and light, comfort camping.  It comes with its own stuff sack. 

When to Bring It:

• Short backpacking trips during the summer when you may not have enough clothes to make your own pillow
• General traveling on airplanes, cars, trains, etc.
• Family/car camping where space is not limited
• When you can’t decide between a stiff or soft pillow (this can have both!)

When to Leave It:

• Longer backpacking trips – this takes up a rather large space – almost that of a tightly packed sleeping bag
• Winter camping – you can use a sweatshirt or stuff sack full of clothes for a pillow instead
• When you have a very slick sleeping bag – this is a nylon material, so it will slip around

A couple tips:

• The stuff sack included is for light use only.  If you plan to take this in the back country, we recommend getting a separate XS stuff sack to go along with it, or stufing it in your clothes stuff sack. 
• This works great on a plane and has a drawstring, so you can tie it somewhere on the outside of your carry on luggage so it’s not counted as a “personal item” with your luggage.
• There is a bit of compromise needed when adjusting for camping – the tighter you pull the cord, the firmer the pillow is, which makes it smaller and tighter – making it more slippery.  If you leave it pretty loose, it will stay in one spot easily, but you won’t have too much cushion. 
• The filling is a cotton material (not foam) so it’s compressible, but must be in a stuff sack or compression sack to stay compressed. 

Fully Expanded Travel Pillow with Stuff Sack

Description:

The All Terrain all natural hand sanitzer is a nice, all natural alternative to keeping clean on the trail, or wherever you’re going.  It comes in 2 forms – the first with moisutizer and therefore a lovely smell and the second without the moisutizer and completely unscented.  We recommend the unscented for the men…or anyone who isn’t interested in adding a new smell.   It keeps the hands nice and soft and isn’t filled with tons of chemicals.  It does seem to take just a little longer to rub in when compared to the generic brands from the drug store, but not so much that it makes a difference.  It feels a little more like lotion than thick water when used. 

When to Bring It:

• Backpacking, hiking, camping, or really doing just about anything
• Traveling where you come in contact with lots of people
• When you appreciate the importants of using all natural products

When to Leave It:

• When you’re counting ounces for a long backpacking trip (this is 2 oz…you CAN find smaller units)
• When you’re very limited on space (see above comment)
• When you prefer harsh, unnatural chemicals on your skin (ok…this one is a bit synical)

A couple tips:

• When backpacking, this is great to use for after using the “bathroom” or after touching something unfamiliar, but when you actually get dirty (such as dirt/mud/bugs, etc on your hands) it would be best to actually use some water to clean up before eating/touching your face, etc.
• The smell of the moisutrizer is very nice, however we all know that certain smells can attract certain creatures.  If you’re camping/backpacking in an area with lots of dangerous creatures, it may be better to use the un-scented version.   

Buy This Hand Sanitizer at OutdoorRookie.com

All Natural Hand Sanitizer from All Terrain