Outdoor Nature On Adventures

Author: davidbendixen

  • Which Wilderness Skill Should Every Beginner Learn First?

    Expensive gear can help, but practical skills make the biggest difference when a trip stops going to plan.

    When introducing a friend, beginner or grandchild to the outdoors, which skill would you teach first?

    • A: Safe firecraft and tinder preparation
    • B: Map reading and compass navigation
    • C: Shelter setup and useful knots
    • D: First aid and hypothermia prevention

    Cast your vote in the comments and tell us why. We would love to feature practical advice from experienced readers in a future field-skills roundup.

  • A-Frame vs. Plow-Point: Pitching a Tarp in Wind

    Strong wind tests shelter placement as much as knot-tying. A low, well-anchored tarp often handles gusts better than a tall, exposed pitch.

    A-frame

    Provides familiar coverage and two-sided protection, but a high ridgeline can catch wind. Lower the pitch, orient it thoughtfully and use appropriate anchors.

    Plow-point

    A low wedge-style pitch can shed wind from one direction. Stake its windward edges securely and keep the opening sheltered from the prevailing gusts.

    Before you pitch

    • Choose ground away from dead branches, flood channels and exposed ridgelines.
    • Use stakes and guyline tension suitable for the soil and fabric.
    • Follow the tarp manufacturer’s guidance; do not overtighten seams or grommets.
    • In dangerous winds or lightning, seek a safer location or solid shelter instead of relying on a tarp.

    There is no universal wind-speed guarantee for any pitch. Practice your setup in fair weather first.

  • Lost Your Compass? Finding Direction With Sun and Shadow

    A simple stick-and-shadow technique can help estimate east and west on a sunny day. It is a backup skill, not a substitute for a map, compass and reliable route planning.

    Shadow-tip method

    1. Place a straight stick vertically in level ground where its shadow is clear.
    2. Mark the tip of the shadow with a small stone.
    3. Wait 15–30 minutes and mark the new tip.
    4. The line from the first mark toward the second generally indicates west to east in the Northern Hemisphere under typical conditions.
    5. Use the approximate east–west line to estimate north and south, checking against known terrain features.

    This is approximate: season, latitude, time of day and uneven ground can introduce substantial errors. Do not count on accuracy within five degrees. Moss growth is not a dependable compass. If truly lost, stop, assess your position and use emergency communication rather than wandering on a rough bearing.

  • Reading Moving Water: Where Fish Hold in Streams

    Instead of casting randomly across a river, look for places where fish can conserve energy while food drifts within reach.

    Three promising areas

    1. Current seams: Where faster water meets slower water, fish may hold along the slower edge and feed in the drift.
    2. Undercut banks: Shaded overhangs, roots and deeper outside bends can offer cover for trout and smallmouth bass.
    3. Pockets behind boulders: Rocks break the current and create calmer feeding lanes. Cast along the transition without snagging sensitive habitat.

    Water temperature, season, species and food availability all matter. No fixed percentage of fish occupies a fixed percentage of water. Watch footing and currents; never wade water that is too deep or fast for safe passage.

  • Squeeze Filters vs. Pump Filters vs. Boiling: Trail Water Treatment

    Clear mountain water can still carry disease-causing organisms. Choose a treatment method based on the water source, local risks and the manufacturer’s verified performance.

    Squeeze filters

    Lightweight and convenient. Many remove protozoa and bacteria but not viruses. A wet hollow-fiber filter that freezes may be damaged even if it looks intact; follow manufacturer replacement guidance.

    Pump filters

    Useful for drawing from shallow sources and for some silty water. They add weight and require maintenance. Not every pump filter removes viruses.

    Boiling

    Bring clear water to a rolling boil for one minute, or three minutes above 6,500 feet, following CDC guidance. Boiling inactivates pathogens but does not remove chemical contaminants or sediment.

    For cloudy water, let sediment settle or prefilter before treatment. Chemical disinfectants also vary in effectiveness, especially against Cryptosporidium. Carry a backup appropriate to your route.

  • Four Useful Knots for Camping and Trail Tasks

    You don’t need dozens of knots for routine camping, but a few well-practiced ones make shelter setup and gear organization easier.

    Four to practice

    1. Bowline: Forms a fixed loop for many non-life-safety tasks. It can loosen in some conditions; add a suitable backup when needed.
    2. Taut-line hitch: Adjustable friction hitch for tensioning tent guylines. Holding power varies by cord material.
    3. Trucker’s hitch: Useful for tensioning lines, but not a substitute for rated straps and tie-down hardware when securing cargo for road travel.
    4. Square knot: Handy for binding a bundle. Do not use it to join two ropes under load, for climbing or for rescue.

    Practice in daylight, then with gloves. Use rated equipment and task-specific knots for climbing, rescue and other safety-critical work.

  • What’s Your Signature Campfire Meal?

    Some of the best outdoor traditions begin with a simple meal shared around camp.

    Maybe it’s cornmeal-crusted trout, Dutch-oven cobbler, skillet potatoes or a family chili recipe that always tastes better outside.

    We want to hear yours: What camp meal do you make again and again? Share the ingredients, your favorite technique and any lessons learned.

    With permission, we’d love to highlight reader recipes in a future camp-kitchen roundup. Remember to follow local fire rules and safe food-handling practices.

  • When Your Camp Stove Fails: Safer Cooking Backup Plans

    A broken stove or empty fuel canister changes dinner plans, but improvising a rock griddle isn’t the safest answer.

    Better backup options

    • Carry no-cook food: Trail mix, crackers, nut butter and ready-to-eat meals provide calories without a flame.
    • Bring a backup: On longer trips, a compatible backup cooking method may make sense.
    • Use designated facilities: Established grills or fire rings only where permitted and safe.
    • Know when to stop: In a fire ban or hazardous conditions, choose a cold meal.

    Even apparently dry stones can fracture or explode when heated. Avoid heating unknown rocks for cooking, and never use creek stones. If your stove fails, conserving warmth, water and daylight matters more than making a hot supper.

  • Homemade Jerky for the Trail: Flavor and Food Safety

    Homemade beef or venison jerky can be a satisfying trail snack, but safe preparation matters as much as seasoning.

    Start with lean meat

    Choose lean cuts, trim visible fat and keep raw meat refrigerated. Slice into even strips and marinate in the refrigerator—not on the counter.

    Use a validated safe process

    USDA food-safety guidance recommends heating meat to 160°F and poultry to 165°F before dehydrating, using a process that reliably reaches those temperatures. A dehydrator setting alone does not prove the meat reached a safe internal temperature. Follow a tested recipe and use a thermometer.

    Drying times depend on strip thickness, equipment and humidity. Avoid guessing doneness from a fixed number of hours. Cool and store according to the tested recipe; refrigerate or freeze when storage stability is uncertain.

    For wild game, follow additional safe-handling guidance specific to the animal. Flavor is important, but food safety comes first.

  • Build Your Own Heat-Friendly Trail Mix

    Trail mix should be easy to carry, satisfying and suited to the weather. A homemade batch also lets you adjust sweetness, salt and cost.

    Start with a 40/30/20/10 mix

    • 40% nuts: Almonds, walnuts or pecans.
    • 30% dried fruit: Cherries, cranberries or raisins.
    • 20% seeds: Pumpkin and sunflower seeds.
    • 10% extras: Pretzels, toasted coconut or candy-coated chocolate.

    For truly hot weather, skip chocolate entirely; candy shells do not make it melt-proof. Pack individual portions in sealed bags, keep them away from heat and account for nut allergies. Compare ingredient costs locally rather than assuming every homemade batch costs half as much.