outdoor
Time to Enjoy Alaskan Wildlife Adventure
Filed in archive Wildlife Encounters by gautam on February 5, 2010
Time to Enjoy Alaskan Wildlife Adventure
© Susan E Adams
For some Alaska might send shivers but most of us don't know that it can be a great outdoor holiday experience. Alaska offers a mix of beautiful scenery and rugged wilderness. If outdoor adventure is what you are seeking for then Kenai National Wildlife Refuge is your destination offering space of two million acres for you to enjoy.

Until 10,000 years ago Kenai Peninsula was completely covered with ice and even today you can have a breathtaking view of Harding Ice Field covering an area of 800 square mile. Another place to enjoy is Skilak Lake which is a glacial body of water and is a clear lake with breathtaking view. You could even watch the Frying Pan island from all sides of the lake. This is a wildlife paradise as it is home to variety of animals, birds and fish and other exotic species which can only be spotted in this part of the world. You can even spot pink salmon, coho, chino swimming in the river and lakes of the park to black bear, caribou, deer, wolf etc wandering around in the area.

In order to relish your experience you could stay at one of the thirteen camping sites. For fishing enthusiasts the eighty two mile long Kenai River passing through the park is a great place to put your angling equipment to use. It is the best place to catch halibut, salmon or trout. If you are lucky enough you could even spot the Beluga whale which at times comes up to the mouth of the river for feeding on fishes.

My word: Kenai National Wildlife Refuge offers once in a lifetime outdoor adventure experience

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Camping tips for winters
Filed in archive Camping by gautam on January 28, 2010
Camping tips for winters
© jaygooby
Adventurous enough to go for winter camping but also be cautious to survive freezing conditions so that you come back to your family without any scratch. Below mentioned are some of the winter camping tips which you must follow to feel at home even in temperatures below 50 Fahrenheit.

Outdoor gear can be expensive, so if you cannot afford one then either go for the cheaper, bulkier and heavier option or you could even rent your gear. Also if the ground is flat and snow is firm you could haul a sled for dealing with the weight. In this manner you can save a lot of money if you are camping on a budget.

Keeping your body warm is extremely important during these cold conditions as the body tends to work doubly hard to maintain vital organs at operating temperature. Dressing in torso layer is convenient so that you can remove or go for additional layers of clothing without causing any trouble to your body. The best option would be to go for the lightest and warmest insulator. Opt for a thick parka with insulated hand warmer pockets and good hood. Also opt for insulated pants with leg zippers so that they can be taken off without having to take off your boots.

Preserving your body heat is extremely important in freezing conditions and keeping your head covered is imperative since you tend to lose half of your body heat through your head. While you are on the move wear an ear warmer headband and when resting go for a thick wool hat with synthetic liner. In case of subfreezing temperature hood is the best option.

When in deep snow keeping your feet warm can be quite challenging therefore you will need boots which are not even waterproof but also allows your feet to breathe. Most of your waterproof leather boots would perform their job provided they come with an insulated footbed and can accommodate your thick socks easily. Also snowmobile boots can be a good option as they can work in most of the weather conditions. Puff booties can be opted for standing around camp and at the same time they are cheap, light and comfortable. For snow deep traveling you will need gaiters and its better to avoid nylon coated and waterproof gaiters as condensation inside them tends to soak lower legs. You could even rent boots if you are camping on a budget.

If you are camping then how can you forget your sleeping bag? A nice sleeping bag is very important so that you can survive those long and harsh winter nights. It would be better to go for -20F or warmer down bag but they are quite expensive and in case you are on a budget you could go for synthetic fill sleeping bags provided you don't care about their weight but in sub freezing conditions they won't be an ideal choice. It would be better to avoid air mattresses in winter as they tend to become chilly in temperatures below 40F.

If you are not using hauling sleds then it would be better to go for a pack which is big enough to carry all your belongings. You can go for a big single compartment sack since going with more pockets and zips will tend to make the matter more complicated.

Your choice of tent should be weather specific and if the weather is cold and still then most of the tents would do their job but in case of full on snowstorm blizzard camping, the safest bet is to go for four season winter tent. You could even go for single wall tents made from waterproof fabric but this would mean frost on the interior of the tent next morning. For mild winter conditions tarps and ultralight tents work fine but when compared to full coverage tents they are not warm enough and tend to make more noise in high winds.

For winter cooking it would be best to carry along white gas stoves. You could even use alcohol stove as it works best with smaller utensils. Another option is blended fuel canister stoves but you need to warm it before cooking.

Hope these winter camping tips help you and you have the best of time camping in icy snow.

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Mount Sinai: Desert mountain expedition can also be fun
Filed in archive Mountain Climbing by gautam on January 24, 2010
Mount Sinai: Desert mountain expedition can also be fun
When you think about mountain expedition the first thing that comes to your mind is snow and barren rocks and may be some sparse green vegetation if Mother Nature permits but have you ever thought about undertaking a mountain expedition in desert area. Climbing barren rocks with glistening sand all around and sun over your head with no signs of vegetation or water body will certainly give a high to mountaineers who have an unending quench for adventure.

So for a change you should try out a mountain expedition in the desert area. One such area where you can undertake your mountain adventure is Mount Sinai which is a mountain in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. This area has the world's largest expanse of red granite. Once you enter this region you will be greeted with sandy terrain marked by dry solid rocks minus green plants. Occasionally you might come across dusty dry dates and palm trees dotted across the region.

Sinai Mountains are formed from combination of red granite and limestone and reflects light like beautiful gem. Climbing these lifeless mountains is not easy since it is a granite mountain with several peaks. The ascent is not normal and is marked by several twists and turns which makes the ascent seems trecherous. The journey is difficult but it is worth the effort and once you ascent the peak you would be greeted by golden sun rays over Sinai Mountain at the top of Horeb. From the top you could certainly experience nature in its best form. So if you are in Egypt then do it give it a try.

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Winter adventure can also be full of fun
Filed in archive Winter Adventures by gautam on January 20, 2010
Winter adventure can also be full of fun
© SanFranAnnie
Do you stay in Oregon or have moved in recently and in case you are someone who loves winter adventure then this is the best place to be in the month of January. Check out some of the winter adventure activities which you can enjoy in Oregon and that too only in the month of January.

Snowbiking


This adventure activity is not just for kids but can even be enjoyed by adults too. With wide skis instead of wheels your snowbike will wade through fresh snow and you would definitely enjoy your outing on ice.

Whale watching

During this time of the year gray whales migrate yearly to breed in Mexico and at certain lookout points along the coast you could visualize this amazing sight.

Storm Watching

If seas are too rough, don't lose heart; rather go for Oregan coast tradition - Storm Watching where you can watch thirty foot waves charging towards the beach. Just ensure that you watch this exercise from a safe distance.

Raptor Watching


For raptor watching, it is recommended you visit Bybee Lake, Fern Hill Wetlands, Jackson Bottom Wetlands and Sauvie Island. The time of 4:30 p.m is the best time for such kind of bird watching.

Ski to Mountain Hut


In case you would like to experience a night of snowfall or sounds of forest or wake up to mountain views from top of ridgeline then you must plan a visit to Cascade Huts. You could plan your visit for one or multiple nights. Be ensured that these huts come stocked with all things to keep you warm.

Winter steelhead fishing on Clackamas River

Fishing at the time of winters can be pure fun and you would definitely enjoy it in the snow as compared to summers.

Bike or hike the Banks-Vernonia Linear Trail

You could bike along this 21-mile trail through the Coast Range. The surface built on top of old rail road ties remains relatively flat and it's really adrenalin pumping for adventurous people as it crosses the eighty foot high Buxton railroad-trestle.

Noboarding

Snowboarding is passe, Noboarding is in. Rather than fastening your feet to the board, just traction pad, gravity and handheld cord hold you down which makes those turns more thrilling for you. It would even make bunny slope challenging therefore making it a fun filled activity for you in case you can't live without adventure.

Skijoring

Skijoring is fun and this is something which the Scandinavians have been doing for thousands of years. All you need are athletic dogs and ski for it.

Gourmet campout at L.L. Stewart State Park

This park is a great winter getaway minus risk of frostbite and it offers every comfort of home which includes tent sites, tepees, RV hookups, yurts and even cabin with showers which can be rented for your stay.

So if you love winters and adventure at the same then you must certainly plan out a trip to Oregon during the month of January

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South Carolina Waterways are perfect for your fishing getaways
Filed in archive Fishing by gautam on January 15, 2010
South Carolina Waterways are perfect for your fishing getaways
© Sue Waters
I am just waiting for my summers when I can take out my fishing equipments to breathe some fresh air as they have been gathering rust for quite some time.

In case some of you are planning an outdoor trip this summer to Charleston in South Carolina then you can't miss out on fishing activities out there.

You could consider the Salt Marsh Creek Fishing Trip. The good thing about the fishing trip is that you get guidance from seasoned fishing professional who will take you through some of the best fishing holes in the area and at the same time keep you occupied with his fishing tales. Just don't get lost in the fairy fishing tales and do spend some time to get your prized catch which could range anything from rays to flounder to ladyfish. For newbies fishing gear is provided so that they don't feel out of place.

The second fishing destination on the list is Shallow Thoughts Inshore Fishing Charters which gets you to some of the best fishing spots along the coast on a 22 foot Shearwater bay boat. You could enjoy a fun filled day on the sparkling ocean, soak yourself in the sun and catch fishes ranging from trout to red drum to flounder. The nice thing about the fishing trip is that they are safe, personalized and is carried out under the eyes of US Coast Guard Licensed Captain.

And before I leave don't forget your camera so that you don't miss to shoot these wonderful lifetime experiences.

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