Thursday, March 6, 2008

Columbia Cougar Flats Six to Eight-Person Two-Room Cabin Tent


Comfortably house the entire family on camping trips with the Columbia CB-9000 Cougar Flats two-room tent, which can sleep six to eight people. For privacy, install the room divider to create 2 separate rooms, or quickly remove the curtain to create one large living area. It also includes two large bay windows for extravagant views. The tent provides a heady 86-inch center height and features a 1200 millimeter double-coated fly, sealed seams, and a polyethylene tub floor. The reflective zipper pulls make it easy to get in and out of the tent - even in the dark. It comes with a strong hybrid frame system, mixing both steel and fiberglass poles.
The tent includes a remote-controlled light (with a 65-foot reach) that attaches easily for exceptional nighttime security and visibility. For even more interior storage options, use the gear loft to keep your gear high and dry. With mesh pockets and a shelf, easily stash your stuff out of the way and out of your living space. The Clean Sweep zippered floor flap makes it easy to sweep out debris. Other features include a quick-release buckle system, two hanging cup holders, a hanging shelf unit, and two organizer pockets.

The CB-9000's venting system creates a vortex that flushes hot air up through the roof, providing fresh air all night long. For maximum climate control, open or close the lower vents to feel the cool night breeze or keep warm air in. The CB-9000 features the GoBe Dry Ultimate Rain Protection System, which combines patent pending fabric, component, and seam technology that culminates in exceptional protection from the elements, in particular rain, in any and all terrain. The DryTek Fabric repels moisture with a protective coating. The DryFloor Tub design elevates the floor seams to keep away water, while the DryGuard Skirt deflects rain from the floor seams and stake loops.

Specifications:
  • Base Size: 15 x 10 feet
  • Center Height: 86 inches
  • Poles: 6 x 19 millimeter and 2 x 16 millimeter steel poles; 2 x 12.5 millimeter and 2 x 9.5 millimeter fiberglass poles
  • Weight: 54 pounds
  • Sleeps: 6-8

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Columbia Bugaboo 4-5 Person Family Dome Tent


Amazon.com Product Description
Bugaboo Dome 12' X 9' X 74" 4-pole Family Dome Tent, 1,200mm coating on fly w/seams sealed. 2 storage lockers, gear loft, 2 pocket organizer, 2 hanging cup holders, carry bag with handles, reflective zipper pulls, Clean Sweep feature making cleaning a breeze, Sky panels, removable door mat, and quick release buckle system, No-See-Um Mesh, Cyclone Venting System, Remote Control Light.

High tail it out of town and escape to the great outdoors in your Bugaboo Dome tent. Columbia camping comfort is all yours for the taking. Featuring GoBe Dry, a cohesive rain-protection system that includes an elevated floor, sealed seams and more, your sure to stay dry. What's more, wtih the Cyclone Venting Camping and expansive roof skylight panels, door and window mesh, you have exceptional climate and ventilation control.

GoBe Dry
Nothing dampens spirits faster than a downpour and a leaky tent. The GoBe Dry Ultimate Rain Protection System by NorthPole use the most comprehensive "stay dry" technology on the market to ensure the tent is sealed and protecting you on the inside not matter what's happening outside.
  • Dry-Tanium-fabric repels moisture with a protective coating
  • DryGuard-Skirt deflects rain from floor seams and stake loops
  • DryFloor-Tub design elevates floor seams to keep away from water
  • DryLock-Sealed floor seams block moisture and prevent leakage


Cyclone Venting System
Keep warmer or cooler- it's up to you, not the temperature outside. The venting system creates a vortex that flushes hot air up though the roof, providing fresh air all night long. For maximum climate control, open or close the lover vents to feel the cool night breeze or keep warm air in.


Specifications:
  • Base Size: 12 x 9 feet
  • Center Height: 74 inches
  • Poles: 4 x 9.5 millimeter fiberglass poles
  • Weight: 21 pounds
  • Sleeps: 4 to 5

Monday, February 11, 2008

Gourmet Camping Recipes

Gourmet Camping Recipes - Be Creative And Enjoy A Great Meal!

By: Abhishek Agarwal

Gourmet recipes for camping will permit your cooking to be impressive to your guests at camping and give you the lavishness of home while outdoor camping. Addition of gourmet camping recipes for cooking menu will create a memorable experience for sure while camping.

It's a great activity to use gourmet recipes to have fun filled meals while sitting near a campfire.

A helpful hint wile preparing a gourmet type of meals during camping is that the preparation should be done much ahead of time. You can also use your home kitchen to do the preparation for cooking at the camp site like cutting vegetables. In this way you will save lot of time and can utilize that time doing other activities at the camp site. Cooking gourmet camping recipe at the camp side around the campfire is real fun. You can also transport vegetables and sauces in a container so that your campsite preparation is not to bothersome. Plan ahead for a quick and easy preparation.

Dutch ovens can be used for gourmet camping recipes and it will be able to cook meals you thought were not possible. You can cook gourmet camping recipes like pies, pastas, roasted fish and also other similar dishes in Dutch ovens at the campsite.

Being little creative can help you to transform any of gourmet recipes into a gourmet camping recipe which is delicious, impressive and easy to prepare around the campfire.

You can find other gourmet camping recipes from cook books, or from various online websites. The following recipe is of a fish dish, which is simple and easy to make and does not require complicated utensils.

To start with this gourmet camping recipe ,there are some preparations which are to be done at home,like making ginger garlic paste, spicing the lime and lemon. Once done, all you will require at the camp side is an aluminium foil and a grill if you wish.

A simple gourmet camping recipe:

- Put 2 salmon steaks on the aluminum foil
- Some lemon and lime zest should be grated in a bowl
- Lemon to be squeezed and along with lime juice put some of it over the fish and the remaining into the bowl with the lemon and lime zest.
- One table spoon should be sprinkled over the salmon fish and place thin slice of lime and lemon over it.

Three table spoons of melted butter to be mixed with the lemon and lime zest bowl. Spread this over the salmon.

- The aluminum foil can be wrapped and the salmon can be cooked either over fire or even a grill can be used.when fish is flaky ,this is the indication of fish being done.

The other such gourmet camping recipes are available online, you can visit many websites and try different gourmet camping recipes for your camping experience to be fun filled and memorable.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Amazon Tent Guide

Amazon Tent

Selecting a Tent
Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Expect the Worst
In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in! If you're a backpacker, alpine climber or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to take something designed to handle more adversity.

Three- and Four-Season Tents
For summer, early fall and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain-fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are more specifically designed for summer backpacking and other activities. Many premium tents will feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain-fly for enhanced waterproofness.

For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.

Domes and Tunnels
Tents are broadly categorized into two types, freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and those that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floor-plan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being more lightweight. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.

Size Matters
Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.

Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is also available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Hiking Boots

Hiking Boots - 5 Most Essential Features Of Hiking Boots

By: Abhishek Agarwal


Choosing the right hiking boots are as important as choosing the right backpack equipment for your hiking adventure. After all you are going out to get yourself some exercise and fun at the same time. So, comfort is the first criterion for choosing your boots then comes the durability part and of course the type of hiking boots you weak depends where you will be wearing them - the terrain I mean.

There are probably no boots that can be described as 'All-terrain' hiking boots. You cannot have a pair of hiking boots that will suit all kinds of terrain without compromising on quality and comfort to some extent. So, the best way to have your boots last a long time and not hamper your comfort level is to have a few pairs that suit different terrain.

1) Snake bite protection: if you are going to be trekking in are that are known to be inhabited by poisonous snakes you will do yourself a favor by choosing boots that protest your ankles and are made of material that is difficult for the poison fangs to penetrate.

2) Boots designed for snow and ice: if you are going to be trudging through areas that are wet with ice and snow you will need boots that can withstand moisture and keep your feet warm as well. These hiking boots usually have spikes built into them as they assist the hiker to climb slippery slopes and prevent injury.

3) Prevent blisters and shoe bites: whatever the kind of hiking boots you may choose, the design of the shoe to prevent the wearer from getting shoe bites and blisters is of greatest importance. You don't want to cut your fun-filled adventure short because of a pair of uncomfortable shoes do you?

4) Shoe liners: When you are deciding on the type of shoe liners to use with your hiking shoes, to make them fit more snugly and comfortable, you have a choice of liners to choose from. However, the best liners are moldable hiking boot liners. Here too, it is advisable to use the liners that are manufactured by the same company that made your hiking boots.

Incompatible shoe liners will not insulate the shoes well enough, will not fit the inner of the shoe and lead to discomfort and will definitely allow moisture and cold into the shoe. Polyethylene and Alveolit liners are known to work very well with hiking boots.

5) Water resistant boots: The importance to keep moisture out of hiking boots is of prime importance, both from a comfort point of view as well as a durability point of view. Leather boots are good for this purpose and can stay dry while you jump through a stream, a few stomps on dry ground and you are ready to go again.

Just ensure the water does not get in over the top of the boots. There is another option, and that is to wear a pair of water resistant covers over your hiking boots, called 'booties' these are not made entirely of waterproof material but are resistant enough to keep moisture, mud, ice and snow out of your boots.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Hiking Equipment

Hiking Equipment - 4 Essential Factors To Make the Best Choice

By: Abhishek Agarwal

A great and totally enjoyable hiking trip depends a lot on the appropriate hiking gear. There is a short checklist you need to keep in mind, when you are planning to buy hiking equipment. This list includes quality, comfort, budget and also the weight of the equipment. While high quality will guarantee the comfort aspect, the equipment must be lightweight, as you have to carry it all through the trip. Once a wonderful combination of all these qualities is found, you will have a great hiking trip, which will take you to amazing camping sites and ensure a great hiking experience.

How To Choose

1) Quality should be of utmost importance when you go to purchase any hiking equipment. Whether you are a newbie or an experienced hiker, the equipment you buy must be high quality and long lasting ones. It is going to be a struggle all through your hiking trip if you realize that your hiking gear, take for example your hiking boots give up halfway into your trip, because of poor quality. To have a great hiking experience thus, it is important to spend some time and effort into buying only quality gear.

2) The weight of your hiking gear is also a matter of consideration as it can get to be quite a cumbersome process to lug a heavy pack uphill on your hike. So keeping the quality aspect in mind, you should look for gear that is lighter in weight. This rule applies for everything from your clothes to your backpack. Pick up the equipment that is both good quality, as well as light in weight.

3) The hiking equipment you buy should also be extremely comfortable. If anything, from your backpack to your tent or your clothes, is uncomfortable, you will not enjoy your trip. The most important are your hiking boots. You will end up with discomfort as well as injuries if you buy ill-fitting boots. So be careful to buy shoes with proper support.

4) Consider the usefulness of the hiking equipment also, before buying your hiking equipment. You should carry only that equipment that you will definitely need on your trip. Only if the equipment is important for your trip should you even think of carrying it, especially if the equipment is heavy.

To make your hike a completely enjoyable experience, you need to buy the right hiking equipment. And then go ahead and enjoy your hike.

Kids Camping Gear

Kids Camping Gear - What The Kids Must Carry For The Perfect Camping Experience

By: Abhishek Agarwal

Camping with the family can be a very good way of spending some quality time and strengthen the family bonds. It is an established way to make the children understand the importance of living in nature and helps them be more independent doing things for themselves away from the luxuries of their home. The proper equipment and planning will make any camping trip more of a memorable experience and a very enjoyable one too.

When you decide to purchase your camping gear you should give a thought to purchasing some gear that the children will be able to use and help out with.

Children will love to be a part of setting up the tent and the fireplace at your chosen camping site. You will be able to locate a huge variety of children's camping gear at any sports mart, or even a general store might have some. Some camping gear that is made especially for children includes; battery operated torches (flash lights) rain coats, tents and sleeping bags. When the children are allowed to use their own camping gear they develop a sense of independence and self sufficiency.

Once you are done with the purchasing of the children's camping gear you must give a lot of thought to the trip itself. Deciding on the location and how you are going to get there is very important. You will definitely be driving a bit of the way; however, you should try to put in a lot of trekking into the effort as well. This is all part of the fun and adventure.

Instead of going out into the wilderness your should try to get a spot where there are a lot of activities that the kids can enjoy on the trip. If you can get a few of the kid's playmates to accompany you on the trip it will make the experience all the more enjoyable. Take some board games along on the trip to play when darkness falls, this will be an added joy to the ball games as well.

Apart from buying the children's camping gear and taking care of the entertainment aspect of the trip. Give a lot of thought to the safety measures you should be taking while on a camping trip. Start with educating the children about safety norms. This could include first aid and how to protect themselves should they come up against animals and reptiles.

First of all they should know that they must not stray further than they can be seen and heard. Tell them also to stay put when they are lost and make a lot of noise. This will be a great help in locating them. Each child must have their own pocket emergency torch as well. Then make sure they have ample clothing for the trip.

Once all this is taken care of you can rest assured you and the family will have a wonderful and memorable camping trip.

Monday, February 4, 2008

Camping Trailer

Camping Trailer - The Basics You Must Know Before Buying One In United States!

By: Abhishek Agarwal
Camping trailer is an American way and tradition which started during the year 1920s they were called at that time as tin can tourists. In fact we have gained a lot of experience about them since the early days of start of these trailers from less comfortable version to a more comfortable one. Now many people are okay with them and find it comfortable enough to dwell in for months together in a year if not the whole year through. These camping trailers come in many sizes right from a small pop-up trailer which looks just like a box ,(which is towed away by a vehicle till the time they are stationed) a large sized trailer that can be as big as a length of 65 feet or more.

In fact there are some essential factors that should be considered incase a camping trailer interests you for purchase. In United States, the same laws are applicable to these camping trailers as are recreational vehicles and other such groups of vehicles.

The type of things the law includes is;

-the hitch type used to bond the vehicle to a car or a truck that is dragging it

-the lights on the backside of the vehicle must be operating,

-there are also some weight limitations imposed which are not allowed for some vehicles

These things are different for different states, therefore it's mandatory to check on these regulations of the state of travel.

There are few rules and regulations that are common and apply to all the states of United States. People are not allowed to ride on trailer when the vehicle which is towing is still moving. Class A driver license is required if the camping trailer has more weight than 10,000 lbs. The maximum space that is allowed is 400 square feet. Though the camping trailers vary considerably in living space.

The kind of automobile used is also considered that you will be driving. In case you own a compact vehicle at present, then to get yourself into the world ofcamping trailers , you will need to change your vehicle also. Smaller trailers for camping weigh less than 3000 lbs and are only 18 feet long, but they still need a bigger car at least. These small camping trailers are mostly used for short distance traveling, but which may differ from person to person and also depend on your personal requirements.

If you required larger space, with modern amenities, you can go for a camping trailers camping trailer ranging unto 5000 lbs and up to 25 ft long which can be towed by V-8.If you still want more space, then you can go for the largest one which is about 40 feet in length and weight ranges up to 12000 lbs. This means a heavy duty truck.

Be sure of your financial position as well before spending any money on these camping trailers. Incase you running short of funds, you can still rent a camping trailer. When your are financially ready only then spend your money into buying one of your own.