FitSugar

Camping Can Do: Make Coffee Anywhere

FitSugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:00:47 -0700

A few weeks ago Starbucks sent us a sample of VIA, its new instant coffee. Being a bit of a coffee snob I was kind of grossed out but decided to try it on my upcoming climbing trip anyway.

The best thing VIA has going for it is its size - it's small. Normally when I pack for camping I bring the works: coffee beans, portable grinder, and a french press. I was so happy to have more space in my pack and I definitely noticed a lighter load on my back. Score one for VIA! Was it as good as the Blue Bottle coffee I normally bring with me? Uh, no. Not even close, but I didn't expect it to be.

I think the point of VIA is convenience - you can have a OK cup of coffee anywhere and it'll be easy. It's definitely the best instant coffee I've ever tried and it even tasted better than some drip coffee I've had. Although the Colombian blend I tried was a bit bitter at the end, it had a nice, mellow flavor too. For a touch of sweetness, I added another camping shortcut to the mix -shelf stable Horizon organic vanilla milk. My companion, who is no coffee snob, said it was the best cup of coffee he's ever had while camping.

Though I won't be using VIA at home, I think it's a good choice for backpacking, camping, or for traveling anywhere you need coffee quickly. From now on, I'll be bringing it with me on all of my climbing trips.

Can You Burn Off Those S'mores?

FitSugar — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 04:30:00 -0700

One thing I love about camping and backpacking is that you stay very active, from pitching tents to building fires to hiking. So I don't have to feel guilty about enjoying a few s'mores.

Of course, lounging around the campfire isn't going to burn off those calories, but a few good old-fashioned camping activities will. Take my quiz to find out how much you have to work to feel better about those choco-marshmallow treats. (All calorie calculations are based on a 130-pound woman.)

Take the quiz

Fit Gift Guide: The Camper

FitSugar — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:00:00 -0800

My Dad taught me the joys of camping. This holiday season, I decided to celebrate the outdoorsy side of him with presents to help him out when he is roughing it in the woods. I think these gifts would be great for any camper in your life, from the seasoned camper to the newbie.

Coleman 2-Burner Stove: If you need to boil some pasta or beans while camping, this two-burner stove will cook your food fast so you can spend more time exploring.
Coleman Camping Coffeemaker: There's no reason you should go without your morning cup of coffee just because you're in the woods. This coffeemaker can make up to 10 cups of coffee, and can also be used to make hot chocolate, tea, or instant soup. The only snag is you need to use it with the camp stove.
Petzl Tikka LED Headlamp: A headlamp is a must so you can see at night and have both hands free. It weighs less than three ounces, requires only three AAA batteries (that are included), and lasts for 120 hours. The lamp body can be tilted to direct the light where you need it.

Source

Keep Your Hands Clean on the Go

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0700

Labor Day is fast approaching, which means it's time to start planning your last Summer hurrahs. Everyone I know in San Francisco seems to be attending music festivals and heading off on camping trips. In my mind, there's one thing that unites these two activities, and that's the need for hand sanitizers on the go!

Whether you're camping far from any running water or using questionable public bathrooms, you can find lots of ways nowadays to keep your hands clean. I'm a big fan of soap leaves - little petals of soap that lather when you put them in water - as well as this Clean Well Hand Sanitizer Spray I recently started carrying around. From plain old Purell to fancy-smelling foams, there's no excuse to walk around with dirty hands. Here are some of my favorite finds for picnics, backpacking, big festivals, and more.

Source

Fit Gift Guide: Camper

FitSugar — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 02:30:00 -0800

The gift-giving holidays are just around the corner and to spare you some of the last-minute shopping stress the Sugar sites are creating ever-helpful gift guides.

Here are some essentials for the camper in your life. Great gear is so important when out in the woods in order to stay safe and comfortable, and these gift ideas are sure to be loved by anyone who loves the outdoors.

Petzl Tikka Plus LED Headlamp: This super-strong flashlight is worn on your head, so you can see in the dark and have both hands free. Use it when walking, cooking, going to the bathroom, or looking for firewood.

Marmot Angel Fire +15 Sleeping Bag: This goose down sleeping bag is designed to fit a woman's body. It's wider at the hips and narrower at the shoulders, and has a hood so you'll stay cozy warm even in frigid weather. I love the heater pocket near the feet that can hold heat packets so your tootsies won't freeze. This sleeping bag is great for temperatures 15°F or higher.

REI Mountain 3 Tent: This tent can sleep three people, but would be really comfy for two campers (it's big enough to hold a full-size blowout mattress). The tent is simple to set up with only five poles, and has two doors so you can get in and out easily. It can be used through all four seasons, is waterproof, leak proof, and weighs under 10 lbs. when packed up.

Petzl Tikka Plus LED Headlamp ($34.95)

Marmot Angel Fire +15 Sleeping Bag ($199)

REI Mountain 3 Tent ($349)

Source

Get in Gear: Sealine Dry Bags

FitSugar — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 10:15:00 -0700

If you are going to be near water, either backpacking, camping, swimming, going to the beach, boating, water skiing, wakeboarding, fishing, or kayaking, you've got to protect all your stuff from getting wet. You know - the stuff that absolutely can't get wet like your camera, cell phone, wallet, and dry undies.

Check out this very practical dry bag (it means it's waterproof) made by Sealine. They make many different kinds of bags, but these Dry Seal Roll-Top Closure bags are great because they're made with transparent vinyl. So if you are looking for something in your bag, you can see right through the plastic to make sure it's still in there.

The bottom is made out of heavy-duty vinyl to protect against abrasion. All you do is place your things in the bag, roll down the top a few times (to keep the water out), and then you easily secure it closed with the D-ring closure.

These see-thru dry bags come in 4 sizes: 18 oz ($23.95), 14 oz ($19.95), 10 oz (16.95), and 6.5 oz ($13.95). They also make other kinds of bags that are much larger, so check out the Sealine website if bigger is what you need. If you are planning to be on or near water, dry bags are a total necessity.

Get in Gear: A Camping Stove is a MUST!

FitSugar — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Just because you are "roughing it" in the woods with your tent and sleeping bag does NOT mean you must be stuck eating only trail mix. Having a camping stove is a necessity when campground camping. I definitely wouldn't truck this stove around while backpacking, but if you're driving to your campsite, you can pack whatever you want.

This Coleman 2-Burner Propane Stove has double burners so you can boil your pasta and sauté veggies at the same time. One 16.4 oz cylinder or fuel will last over an hour with both burners on high, so you'll have plenty of time to make a fabulous meal.

Want to hear more about it? Then read more

Worried about wind blowing dirt into your food or blowing out your flame? This stove comes with two folding WindBlock™ shields. You can also flip these shields down so they act as shelves to hold cooking utensils and spices.

It's easy to clean and comes with a durable metal case to protect your stove. And the best part is that it's fairly inexpensive - you can order one from Rei.com for only $46.00. That's quite a deal considering eating healthy on your camping trip is so important.

Fit's Tips: Looking for some ideas on what to cook on your Coleman Stove? Just think about what you like to make on your regular stove and do some slight adjustments. You can cook just about anything, as long as it doesn't take too long. Save time by prepping meals ahead of time. Pre-cut veggies and pre-measure ingredients, and then store your food in a cooler. Then when you're ready to eat, cooking a healthy meal will be a cinch.

Source

Spider Bites: What You Should Know

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 10:15:00 -0700

When you go hiking or camping, you're bound to come across creepy crawlers. Most bugs, like mosquitoes, are annoying yes, but fairly harmless. If you're lucky enough to not have to worry about bee allergies, you still need to be on the look out for spiders.

Only a few spiders are dangerous to humans, but 2 live in the U.S., and are most commonly found in the southern states. The black widow spider and the brown recluse spider both prefer warm climates and dark, dry places where flies are plentiful. They often live in littered, undisturbed areas, such as closets, woodpiles and under sinks.

What should you do if you've been bitten by one of these? To find out read more

The female black widow gives a more serious bite, but is rarely lethal. You can identify a black widow by the striking red hourglass marking on the underside of its belly. The bite feels like a pinprick, and at first you may only notice slight swelling and redness. Within a few hours, intense pain and stiffness begin. You may also get chills, fever, nausea, and severe abdominal pain.

The brown recluse spider has a violin-shaped marking on the top of its body. The bite feels like a sting, but within 8 hours, you'll have redness and intense pain. A fluid-filled blister forms and then falls off, leaving a deep, enlarging ulcer. On rare occasion, death results, but mostly in children.

If you've been bitten by any spider, clean the area immediately with soap and water, and then apply a cool compress. Aspirin or Tylenol may be taken to alleviate pain.

If you have been bitten by a black widow or brown recluse, and the bite is on an arm or leg, tie a snug bandage above the bite to prevent the venom from spreading. Apply a cold compress to the area and seek medical attention. Black widow spider bites may require anti-venom medication, and brown recluse bites may be treated with corticosteroids.

Fit's Tips: Always camp, backpack or hike with a friend for safety. Bring along a first aid kit including ice packs, bandages and Tylenol. Carrying along your cell phone is also a great idea.

Source and Source

Get in Gear: REI Lightweight Sleeping Bag

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 11:00:00 -0700

I have a lot of wonderful memories of camping with my family as a kid. There was nothing like the feeling of snuggling into your sleeping bag inside your tent after a night of roasting marshmallows by the campfire. Back then I had this huge, thick sleeping bag made out of flannel and a whole lot of stuffing - it was like a comforter with a zipper.

Camping gear has come a long way since then, and that huge, puffball sleeping bag just wouldn't cut it on a backpacking trip. Check out the REI Kilo Flash +35 Sleeping Bag. It only weighs 1 lb 4 oz, and it's less than 1 foot long once it's rolled up and snug in its stuff sack. It's made of goose down, so it'll keep you warm in up to 35°F weather - perfect for those chilly summer nights in the mountains.

This sleeping bag is designed for women. It has a narrower cut at the shoulders, and extra insulation in the footbox and torso areas where it's needed most. Plus it has a hood at the top with adjustable draw cords so you can tighten it to your face and keep the cold out. It's like one big tube of cozy warmth.

Want to know why this sleeping bag is my favorite? Then read more

Another cool feature (and why I love this sleeping bag so much) are the sleeping pad loops underneath. They allow you to keep your sleeping pad attached to the sleeping bag so it shifts and moves when you do. Nothing's worse than waking up on the cold rocky ground next to your sleeping pad.

You can order it from REI.com for $179. Not a bad deal for a lightweight sleeping bag with such great features.

Fit's Tips: This sleeping bag will fit a woman who is 5 ft 6 in tall or shorter. If you are taller, you'll want to order this sleeping bag in the LONG version.

Altitude Sickness: Too High Too Fast

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 03:30:00 -0700

Even if you have been working out using the treadmill mountain hike, when you actually tackle the mountain you should be aware of the dangers of altitude sickness.

If you are planning on scaling some peaks this summer, plan on progressing slowly up the mountain to avoid such symptoms as: nausea, headache, shortness of breath, and difficulty sleeping. Symptoms usually occur above 8,000 feet. It is best to take your time going up so your body can acclimate to the different altitudes.

Camp the first night around 3,000 to 6,000 feet and then again at 6,000 to 8,000. If you feel sick at all, that is a sign to get down - and I don't mean boogie. Nope! You need to move to a lower altitude. Avoiding caffeine and nicotine (I don't understand the desire to smoke, especially in nature) since they can exacerbate fluid loss and rapid heartbeat that occur naturally as you go up in altitude.

Source