Gear Checklist for a Camping Newbie

Every now and then, friends ask us some basic camping questions. That woke us up to the fact that not all of our readers are seasoned hikers and campers. Today’s guide is for those just getting into camping, the newbies if you will.

We take a step back and look at the basics of planning a camping trip, from gear to some nifty tips and tricks you should be privy to when taking on the Great Outdoors.

Tent and accessories

First and foremost, it’s worth looking into your shelter. The tent-is-just-a-tent approach is common, but it’s not that simple. The wrong tent can lead to a number of issues.

Vital components can easily go missing, or worse, your tent itself can break. To avoid these mishaps, it’s worth considering the following to ensure a safe and calm night’s sleep.

Want To Start Hiking? Plan Your First Hike With Ease

Image Courtesy of: Pixabay

Your first hike is an adventure you are likely to remember for the rest of your life. So the pressure is on to make sure you remember it for all the right reasons. Planning your first hike can be challenging when you’ve never been on one before. You might not know what to bring, where you should go and for how long. Not giving your first hike plenty of consideration beforehand can also increase the chances of you becoming lost or ill in the process. This is naturally something you want to avoid. So to help you plan a safe and unforgettable first hike, use these planning tips for beginners.

Be realistic

You might have dreams of completing a particularly difficult hiking trail that takes days or even weeks to complete. But this is probably not the best idea for your first hike. You need to be realistic about your current fitness levels and hiking abilities. This should strongly influence your choice of hiking trail. Look for trails in your local area that are designed for beginners and don’t take too long to complete. These trails will allow you to familiarize yourself with what hiking is like and ensures you don’t push yourself too much. Going on an extensive hike when you aren’t experienced could result in you becoming ill or injured. So always remember to be realistic when choosing an appropriate trail.

Making Camping A Year-Round Activity: Essential Items For A Winter Break

Are you a camping fan? Do you jump at the chance to get out and about and set up camp somewhere far from civilization? Camping is often regarded as a summer vacation option. But if you pack wisely and prepare thoroughly, you can make it a year-round activity. If you’re thinking of fitting in a few days away before the holidays, here are some essential items to take with you.

Clothing

Image via https://goo.gl/Ygh4Xn

If you’re freezing cold all the time, this is going to take the shine off your outdoor adventure. No matter how stunning the scenery, shivering will affect morale, and it could be dangerous for your health. Before you go away, make sure you have suitable clothing with you. Base layers are a good place to start. Pack thermals to wear under sweaters and fleeces. You’ll also need a heavyweight, waterproof jacket. You may need thermals to go under your trousers. Add hats, scarves and gloves for added warmth. Depending on what activities you’re doing, you may also need specialist shoes. If you’re going walking on ice sheets or scaling snowy peaks, for example, you may need crampons.

Xterra Panther Creek 2016

Dirty Bird Events to host “Xterra Panther Creek” featuring a new Trail Run in the Series Saturday and Sunday July 30-31, 2016 at Panther Creek State Park in Morristown, TN

June 23, 2016

XTERRA Panther Creek Trail Races – July 30 @ 8:00 am
XTERRA Panther Creek Triathlon – July 31 @ 8:00 am

Panther Creek State Park
2010 Panther Creek Park Road
Morristown, TN 37814

Event Description

In late July, for the third year running, Dirty Bird Events will be hosting one of the oldest off-road triathlons in East Tennessee, XTERRA Panther Creek. Newly added this year is another trail race in the XTERRA Tennessee Trail Running Series.

Things to Do On a Long Walk

People today are more health conscious than in the past. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to take long walks on a daily basis. You can even make this time more interesting and consistent by following a few ideas suggested below.

Read
Ever wish you could find the time to read the latest bestseller? Your daily walk could be an ideal time. Today, it is easier than ever to download audio books for use on your iPod or phone. Libraries also offer audio books for free on CD.

Race Report: Rock & Root 30k

The second running of the Rock & Root 30k by the guys at Peak Mountain Sports went down at Haw Ridge Park in Oak Ridge, TN back on August 29. Yeah I know what you're thinking, wait long enough to write a report? Yeah,well when you're training for events you don't have time to blog, haha. I have to say that the Rock & Root is probably one of my favorite trail races and for a number of reasons.

The course is challenging to say the least. The Peak guys changed it up a little this year and added some extra vertical gain. There's one climb in particular called the Hill of Truth (H.O.T.) and in late August it's definitely HOT. It's a loop course and you have to run it twice. Thankfully, there is an aid station at the top of the climb put on by the Hill of Truth Hooligans. I'm always glad to reach this aid station because not only do they have water and/or electrolytes, they usually have some other libations if you so desire if you catch my drift. I call it motivation for getting up the hill.

Gear Review: Thule Capstone 32L Backpack

Some of you might have heard and even seen that Thule (luggage and car roof rack giants extraordinaire) has started making backpacks for outdoor adventures. That's right, the brand that dominates the "on top of your car" bicycle rack world and apparently luggage world has entered the outdoor scene on a new avenue. They have two new style packs that just recently launched and I was fortunate enough to be given an opportunity to try one out...The Thule Capstone (32L edition).

Upon arrival, I could tell this was more than just a day pack, indeed it could also be used as an adventure pack and even an overnight lightweight backpack. I couldn't wait to get it out in the field for testing but alas, wait I would have to do. Fortunately I didn't have to wait to long to really put it to the test.

Gear Review: Munk Pack Oatmeal Pouch

As an ultra marathon trail runner, I'm always looking for ways to refuel during my long training runs. We're talking runs that are anywhere from 10 to 30 miles. I'm always trying new things during my training so that come race day, I have everything dialed in and I know that what I put in my body will cooperate under that kind of physical stress.

A month or more ago, the folks at Munk Pack asked if I'd like to give their squeezable oatmeal a spin. I jumped at the opportunity. It was something new to me. Usually it's either, waffles, gels, chews, or granola bars that get me through my long runs. Having oatmeal on the trail sounds like a dream come true. It wasn't long before the squeezable pouches of heaven arrived on our doorstep.

Race Report:2015 KTC Lakeshore Trail Trek Marathon

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to run in another one of the Knoxville Track Club's trail series races, The Lakeshore Trail Trek Marathon. This was the first year for the marathon. Last year I ran this same trail race but the long distance portion was a brutal for me 16 miler as I went out to fast and struggled to finish after about 7 miles. Needless to say, after a few more races and again struggling this year in some of them due to starting out too fast, I finally wised up and took things slow.

This was a big race for me. Albeit I've run in a handful for 50k's up to this point as well as a 12 hour race in which I ran a little over 50 miles in under the 12 hour time, this would be the first time I had attempted a marathon, on trails no less, since my first ever debacle attempt, back in the day when I was in the Navy and thought it would be fun to run a road marathon. Needless to say, I only made it 16 miles that day when my legs said eff you buddy and decided they would not take another step forward. (as an aside, I had never trained for the marathon then and the night before I got pretty liquored up on Tekillya. Not making excuses or anything, but seriously I had no business attempting that Shamrock Marathon in Va. Beach back in 1994).

Xterra Knoxville 2015 Is Coming Soon

Below is the press release from Dirty Bird Events about Xterra Knoxville Trail Run and Triathlon:

"Dirty Bird Events to host “Xterra Knoxville” Saturday and Sunday June 6-7, 2015 at Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness 

May 8, 2015

Image Courtesy of: Dirty Bird Events

XTERRA Knoxville Trail Race – June 6 @ 9:00 am
XTERRA Knoxville Triathlon – June 7 @ 8:00 am

Ijams Nature Center (Mead's Quarry)
2915 Island Home Way
Knoxville, TN 37920

Event Description

Race Report: Barkley Fall Classic 50K+

It's been a bit since the running of the Inaugural Barkley Fall Classic and I'm still blown away at what all who toed the line accomplished that day. It's races and moments like this which will remain in my memory for a long time. Some 200 plus souls toed the line on Saturday, September 20, 2014 and 163 completed the full distance, which as it turns out was more like 35 miles instead of the advertised 50K, of course did we expect any different considering the who the race directors were?

I arrived in Wartburg around 4ish in the afternoon on Friday. My first stop was at the visitors center to meet and sign Gigi's visitor book as requested by Durb and Laz. All us runners have left an impression and Gigi has left an impression with all of us that dropped in. While there I met a couple other runners. We talked about the race and of course about the big dance that takes place in the spring.

After leaving the Visitor's center I headed for the American Legion to pick up my race packet and in general mingle with the other runners who were going to take on the challenge that Laz, Durb, and the BFC had waiting for us. Unfortunately I was just so immersed in the experience that I didn't even think to pull out a cell phone and take pictures. Probably should have. While there I got to talk with Laz again and also officially meet Durb. Great guys in all actuality, top notch indeed.

Trail Report: FHSP - Panther Branch to Debord Falls (Father's Day Hike)

Father's Day has come and gone but it is still fresh in my memory. The day before I had ran a 16 mile trail race in a little over 3 hours, but on Father's Day when asked what I wanted to do, I wanted to spend the day in the woods with my girls. We would only hike a little over 2 miles but the time it took, I wish lasted forever.

I awoke in the morning to find My Robin in the kitchen making breakfast, pancakes and bacon. It was scrumptious and went wonderfully well with my cup-of-joe. It took a bit for Bug to eat, and in that time we got the kiddo up and let her go through her morning routine as well.

Sharing some Camping tips...

So Robin just sent me a link to some camping tips with kids. I thought I would share them here. I'm liking number 10. What's your favorite or some other tips you would add to this list?

Tips for Camping with Kids

Happy Trails and Happy Camping,
Tim and Robin

Mountain Men Season 2 DVD Giveaway

We've watched Mountain Men on several occasions on the History Channel. Every time, I think Robin and I both are both in awe and jealous of how these guys and their families live. Simple, free, and "wild". Basically, they are masters of their own destiny, in control of their own survival in this world without being apart of the "rat race" most of us live by holding down normal 9 to 5's or staying at home raising the kiddos while spouses are at their day jobs.

That's not to say that they have it easy. By no means do these men and their families have it easy. As a matter of fact I think the rest of society (as a whole) have it easy. Heck, if what these guys did was easy, everyone would be doing it and there would be no need for a show right?

Which Bike is Right For Your Chosen Trail?

Spring is here! And with spring comes warmer weather that is perfect for biking! There are many different trails to take advantage of this spring. However, in order to ensure smooth navigation and riding, you should consider what your trail is like, the climate of the area, and which bike would work best for your chosen trail. There are several different bike options available for serious cyclers. Having the right bike for your chosen trail will make a huge difference in your riding and how enjoyable your biking trip is. Here’s a breakdown on some of the most popular bikes and which trails they work the best for.

1.     Mountain Bikes – Mountain bikes are some of the most popular bikes for cyclists to use on trails. They are perfect for mountain conditions, dirt paths, and other off-road conditions. However, these bikes are also frequently used on an all-around basis due to their durability and strength. If you want to use a mountain bike on the road it will also be an excellent choice since they can handle rough road conditions such as potholes very well.

Must-Have Gadgets For Outdoor Fans

Image Source

The great outdoors plays host to a number of activities, hobbies and sports. People from across the world both work and play outdoors, enjoying nature and the elements as part of their chosen pastime. Whether it is fishing, running, gardening, or sailing, spending time outdoors can help you unwind from the stresses of your working week, while helping keep you healthy and feeling fresh. With so many people professed fans of outdoor activities, it should come as no surprise that there are now an array of gadgets and tools that can be used to make spending time outdoors easier.

When you’ve been out walking in muddy or marsh ground, there is a certain inevitability about getting your feet wet. For those who frequently find themselves in this position, strong, watertight boots are the best option for keeping the feet dry and warm, even in adverse conditions. When you are done with your boots, they can often be soaked on the outside. This can lead them to become damp, and in some cases they may even become moldy or start to smell if they are not handled appropriately. Boot dryers are a good option here, helping solve the problem of wet boots much more
directly. These can be sourced from websites such as www.bootdryer.com. For anyone who regularly ends up with the problem of soaking wet boots, boot dryers save time and energy, while keeping your boots in a much better condition so they’re ready when you need them.

Race Report: Norris Dam Hard Trail Race 50K - Sept. 1, 2013

The Norris Dam Hard Trail Race 50K was a goal of mine when I sat down earlier in the year and made a list of trail races that I wanted to do. Included in that list was the Dark Hollow Wallow at Big Ridge, and The Panther Creek Challenge. Of course as the year has progressed I've thrown a couple other races into the mix. I guess you can say I've become somewhat of a nut when it comes to trail running, and the further the distance the better.

After taking a week or so off from Panther Creek, I developed my training plan and for 14 weeks leading up to the race, I was running 3 days a week, one of which was my long run which started at 8 miles and crescendo-ed at around 24 miles two full weeks prior to the event. Long and arduous were those long runs, but in the end they definitely paid off.

The Gear Needs of a Trail Runner

The needs of a trail runner are few. Namely, shoes, socks, shirt (optional), and underwear. Another optional gear item includes gaiters. They keep all major debris out of your shoes and are a blessing in disguise. However, some trail runs require a bit more logistical planning. My typical weekday morning trail runs are usually no longer than 5 – 6 miles long and really doesn’t require much more than the list above. My long runs however require a bit more thought as they can range anywhere from 10 – 30 miles. We’re talking water, fuel (food, gel, etc.), rain-gear (if you prefer to stay somewhat dry on your run), headlamp(s) (if you plan on running in the dark), etc.

 Here in East Tennessee, we have the blessing of all four seasons. Sometimes spring can be just a couple of weeks, and others it could be a full season complete with warm and cold temperatures. Fall can be the same way here too. Regardless, a trail runner’s needs in each season can and will change.

In the early spring it is still cold as the winter chill lingers in the air. Usually I wear long sleeve running shirts, shorts or sometimes running tights or base layer bottoms (such as Terramar Smart Silk), wool quarter crew socks, and good trail running shoes (currently Brooks Cascadia). Additionally, depending on how cold it is, I might wear a beanie and possibly even gloves but it’s rare as we all know, running generates heat. It’s also important to regulate that heat by dressing in layers because you never know when you might get stuck out there and you want to mitigate the risks of hypothermia.

Race Report/Camping Fail: 2013 Panther Creek Challenge

It was the weekend before Memorial Day, and KTC's Treadin' Trodden Trails series was making a stop atPanther Creek State Park for it's annual 10 mile Panther Creek Challenge. This was one of the original 3 trail races I had planned on running this year (To date I've run in 6 and I've still yet to run the last of the original 3 I planned on running and who knows how many more before the year is out). With the Challenge approaching I had the hair brained idea that we could turn it into a weekend of camping, fun right?

Since it was at Panther Creek State Park which was a 2 hour drive from home, it would be awesome to already be at the park on race morning and then have the rest of the weekend to camp with the family. On paper, most of our crazy ideas sound great. However, we've quickly learned that with toddler, those ideas don't always work out the way we plan. Race weekend had finally arrived and I had taken a 1/2 day on that Friday. When I got home, Robin had some stuff ready (another change since our Little Bug came along, Robin would have already had the car loaded and ready to go), so I got straight to helping with the final packing and then loading of the car. After all was said and done, we were packed, out the door, and pulling into our campsite by around 5pm or so.

Trip Report: Eleventh Anniversary Hike - Interpretive Trail Loop FHSP

Robin and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary back in April. We didn't get each other anything fancy or what-not, but what we did do, was all the better. Considering I had been out of work for over a month while Robin was recovering from back surgery, our finances were looking a bit thin and well we really couldn't afford to do much of anything. So with the lemons we had we made lemonade by spending the day with our girls, outside.

We decided that since it had been almost a month since Robin's surgery, and she hadn't set foot on a trail since late January, we would head to one of our favorite State Parks and give the mostly pain free feelings a test drive for Robin. We got everything ready including all of Bug's stuff (diapers, bottles, etc.) and loaded up in the vehicle and headed out for Frozen Head State Park to hike the Interpretive Loop Trail or as Kiddo has dubbed it, the Interpretive Dance Loop Trail. Teenagers can be so funny sometimes.