Archive for the ‘Heaters’ Category
Making Compromises for the Love of Camping
In my younger days, I made a point of hiking and camping on a weekly basis. Even in college, my buddies and I would drive out of the city and into the Cascade Mountains, far from the hustle and bustle of urban life. We took pride in building our own fire, pitching tents and fishing for our supper. This practice taught us self-reliance and a better appreciation for nature’s splendor.
Now that I’m older and married to a woman who’s not so enthusiastic about “roughing it,” I’ve had to make some compromises. For starters, we only go camping once or twice a year. One of my wife’s stipulations is that we have quality accommodations, including air mattresses and portable heaters. That way we can enjoy the tranquility and pastoral pleasures of the outdoors before retiring to a rather civilized slumber.
Prepare, Prepare
Prior to going out into the great outdoors, one of the best things you can do is make sure that you have all the necessary equipment when leaving the safe haven of the city or suburb. For many people, simply packing a tent, sleeping bag, energy bars and a lantern is enough, but personally, I think that more can be done, particularly if you’re spending an extended amount of time out in the wilderness.
If you look around online, you can find comprehensive camping gear checklists that go into detail on what you’ll need beyond tents, emergency supplies, flashlights and basic foodstuffs. If you are anticipating adverse weather conditions, tarps and a propane heater are advisable. Another great resource to aid in your preparation is the guides provided by the municipal parks and recreation department in your county. There are tools that should be utilized to have best - and safest - camping experience possible.
Plan Ahead for Your Camping Expedition
While the dog days of summer are still far, that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy the thrill of camping in the great outdoors. On some of the hottest days, some people even begin to crave the arrival of winter. For the extreme outdoorsmen, a winter camping excursion is the perfect way to satiate your adventurous urges.
Winter camping requires even more preparation than a typical wilderness trip, but the benefits are incredibly rewarding. The woods are practically tourist-free for nine months out of the year, and you’ll get spectacular views of the terrain when it’s unobstructed by leafy trees. Keep in mind that you need to stay warm at all times to avoid frostbite and exposure. Portable propane space heaters take care of that issue while you sleep, and your own effort trudging through the snow will keep you warm during the day.
Cold-Weather Camping Pointers
While most people enjoy camping in the warm summer months, cold-weather camping lends a whole new perspective to familiar surroundings. You’ll observe different wildlife along the way, and the stark, bare trees allow better views through the forest. While this hobby isn’t for everyone, hardened outdoors enthusiasts often take advantage of the lack of tourists in order to truly connect with nature.
Every cold-weather camper should have a portable propane heater for times when overnight temperatures plunge below freezing. A winter sleeping bag is also essential, but be sure to pay attention to temperature ratings before making a purchase. The loft, or thickness of the bag, makes all the difference in terms of comfort and insulation. If a sleeping bag is rated for 30 degrees Fahrenheit, it will have about 1.8 inches of loft.
Hunting Season Is Here – Are You Prepared?
November is synonymous with two distinct ideas in my mind. First and most obviously, it’s the month associated with Thanksgiving: stuffing oneself with delicious turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie, and reconnecting with distant family members. Almost as important, however, is the beginning of hunting season, which starts November 15 in my neck of the woods.
Hunting is not an activity many people would describe as comfortable. In order to be successful, you have to wake up before the crack of dawn and set out into the chilly woods. Once inside the hunting blind, you sit right back down and wait for your prey to appear. Fortunately, there are a few creature comforts that can help to make the experience a bit more enjoyable. Portable heaters can turn a cruel, impersonal blind into a temporary home.
Bringing the Heat in High Altitudes
Experienced campers are always prepared for any eventuality. While some “rugged” individuals might poke fun at their overabundance of equipment and supplies, it’s always best to have too much as opposed to too little. Weather conditions can change in a hurry, and a camp site that’s peaceful and placid one moment can suddenly become the epicenter of a roaring tempest.
In high altitudes, freezing-cold weather is a real possibility. At times it’s impossible to get back down to base camp for the night, and you must set up a tent and bear down until morning. An outdoor heater proves indispensable in these situations as it radiates warmth where it’s most needed. All of a sudden, an “overprepared” camper starts to simply look like a smart camper.
Off-season Camping
Living in the Midwest, I’ve grown accustomed to cold weather. Or at least that’s what I tell myself every year; the first cold snap often arrives in September or October at the latest. Still, I’ve found that by staying prepared for the worst weather conditions I can still enjoy the natural splendor of the outdoors. This means layering my clothes during camping trips, of course, but I also like to bring along a propane space heater.
I’ve found that most gas stations and general stores offer ways to refill a pressurized gas tank, so I’m never left without an adequate heat source. Some people would say that camping is best enjoyed during summer, but I prefer walking through the woods as the air grows crisp, admiring the trees with their colorful leaves. The campgrounds are less crowded and the wildlife more prevalent.
Beware of Cold Nights
While camping in the summer, the hot days may fool you into thinking that the nights will be comfortably warm. But summer nights can get pretty cold, especially if you’re camping in an area where you’re unfamiliar with the weather patterns. Clear skies during the day lead to cold, clear nights, and you might find yourself unexpectedly freezing if you don’t prepare yourself with the right equipment. If you’re camping in the mountains or another area of high elevation, you need to be especially careful when the temperature drops at night.
It’s a good idea to always have a thick, warm sleeping bag, like a mummy sleeping bag, to keep you warm while you’re sleeping. Even if the nights do turn out to be warm and comfortable, it’s better to be safe than sorry. It’s also a good idea to bring a portable heater with you. That way, you can stay extra warm by the campfire and enjoy s’mores and singalongs well into the night. Be sure to use a portable heater outdoors only. Using one inside of a tent is a fire hazard, and it may emit gases that are toxic in enclosed spaces.
Staying Warm at the Campsite
Sometimes it can be difficult convincing the family to come with you on a camping trip because they are loath to give up the create comforts of home. To that end, one of the most common complaints is that it’s simply too cold outside to be sleeping and hanging out, but there are several ways to combat this particular problem. For one, make sure to make a campfire. Not only will this offer some heat, but it will also be a fun way for everyone to sit around and bond (and eats s’mores).
Another option would be a butane heater. These outdoor heaters put out an impressive amount of heat, and if anyone in the group is particularly cold, they can simply huddle around this device for a bit of heat. The only thing that people should watch for is that these heaters aren’t used in a tent. The butane flame in and of itself is dangerous, but it will also emit fumes that aren’t safe to breathe in an enclosed area.