Outdoor and camping

Questions and Answers

are all outdoor types all generally "camp"?

Q) you know yourself in a tent ,mmm

A) Hey Holmes, No mas elcampo, hoti'to !!!!!!!

what to wear to outdoor festivals?? (t in the park, leeds, reading etcetc)?

Q) hihi, iam a female and this year iam going to some of the big music festivals, at these iam going and camping over the weekend at them, what iam wondering is what i should take, in terms of clothes, just to let you know i get really cold lol. also when i get there i will be buying band t shirts from the small shop things there, and i will want to wear the t shirt, so everyone can see and i dont know what to do then, because i will have my other clothes on at that point. all i really want is help on what to wear coz i get cold and how i can wear the t shirt when i buy one????? thanks

A) thermals under whatever you take waterproof mac wellies dont take gucci or designer jeans, old is good you will get covered in muck, i always take stuff i can lob away afterwards. thermals waterproofs and wellies are the main thing

I am going camping for the first time next week. Any ideas about what sort of stuff we'll need to take?

Q) We are staying on a campsite, but want to live as much of the 'outdoor life' as possible. i.e. cook for ourselves, use the woods for food, light a fire, go walking, basically escape from the city. Any help and advice will be greatly welcomed. Many thanks.

A) Ahhhh... my favorite question! I'll try not to ramble on forever! There are two kinds of camping - car camping and backpacking. Car camping means you park at the campsite, and backpacking means you park at a trailhead, hike in and then set up a campsite. With car camping you can afford to take much more, much heavier things, and things you probably already have at home. (Like, instead of a sleeping bag, you could take tons of blankets and sheets and such.... even a cot.) I recommend car camping for your first time out, although backpacking is much more fun! For sleeping: Tent Groundcloth / Tarp for tent Sleeping bag (mummy bag would be best) Insulation pad (I prefer Thermarest) (These are not just for comfort, but also to help keep you warm.) Long underwear - if in a place that gets below 40 degrees at night Pillow or travel pillow - optional For eating: Food / coffee Stove Firewood (car camping) dishes (if backpacking, a bowl and spoon will get you through any meal) pot Biodegradable camp soap for dishes Bag and rope to hang food if in bear country Lighter / waterproof matches Cooler Hygiene: Biodegradable soap (doubles as shampoo) Toothpaste, toothbrush, etc. etc. Wet wipes (my preference over shower stuff) Comb Mirror (doubles as emergency signal mirror) Emergencies: First Aid kit Whistle compass, map, etc. if hiking or backpacking Cell phone Clothes: LAYERS! It's much colder first thing in the morning than it is at 3pm! Lots of fleece for warmth. A parka if you're some place cold. Tank tops and t-shirts for warmer weather. Be prepared for rain, too. For fun: Deck of cards, book, hiking boots, iPod/walkman, camp chair There are TONS of books on camping. Depending how serious you are about your first time, you could do as much or as little reading as you want. Mostly, I think camping is trial and error. You'll find things that were "uncomfortable" with the first trip, you'll make adjustments for on the second trip. (Like learning the hard way how long it takes socks to dry once they're wet, and knowing the importance of taking at least two pair, etc.) If you get serious enough about it, you'll want to read specific books to hone the skills you want. (Wilderness medicine, backpacking, ultralight backpacking, edible plants, etc, etc.)

Where can I go tent camping that is NOT in a "park" or caravan site up to 4 hrs away from Ldn..?

Q) I'm talking, woods, quiet, maybe a lake or a river. But with as few other people as possible, not a large caravan site! Myself and some friends want to hire a car and get away from London, and do some outdoor actvities but not surrounded by families! It needs to be a 1 to 4 hour drive away from London. I cant even find websites with simple tent campsites on! PLEASE help me!!!!

A) try castlemorton common or the malvern hills both just the other side of Gloucester about 2 half hours drive enjoy

Where can I buy non-aluminium pans to go camping with in Cork ?

Q) As aluminium pans are bad for your health, I'd like to get something like stainless steel pans. Any good outdoor shop in Cork ? Do you have an adress or a website I can check ?

A) I would think any camping shops would be able to help, also our motorists center has camping stuff so you could try one of those.

Quick UK Holiday LINCS Coast or Peak District?

Q) Hubby and I want to take a 3 day holiday in June with the dog (golden retriever, 6 mos). I'd like a little adventure, camping with some outdoor activities. I was looking at hitting the Lincolnshire coast or going over to the Peak District near Leek. Any suggestions on camping sites? Activities? Locations? Thanks!

A) Lincs, near Mablethorpe is best for camping

Fear of Water: How does one get 'a head' of having water over their head?

Q) I had not learned to swim until after I was 10 years of age. A friend taught me in her swimming pool. Even though I am a pretty strong swimmer, and am at home and fine with water for the most part...I have this enormous fear of being caught under the water. I am an outdoor girl and love camping, hiking, fishing, rock climbing, canoeing...I'm fine with all of that, but would love to take up kayaking for exercise and relaxation...and the whole idea of possibly rolling, and panicking if I'm not able to get my head out of the water quickly... How does one get past that fear? It's destroying my desire to pursue a couple of things - kayaking, scuba - it's just awful. I love the water, but get a little panicked at the idea of water over the head...

A) Swim in a safe place for example, a swimming pool and take things slowly. At first hold your nose and dip your head under the water. Don't rush things and only have your head underwater for a second. Once you've done it once try it again. Having done this you will slowly gain the confidence to stay under for a longer period of time and eventually will learn to stay in control wihtout panicking. Practice makes perfect. The more you do this the easier it will become and you will have less and less fear of the entire process untill eventually it will become second nature.

Can I Go? Please Help Me.?

Q) I used to have a close friend. We fell out, badly, & for some time she made my life hell, saying things about me, shouting at me, accusing me of all sorts. We had both done wrong. I decided to stay out of her lfie for good, but for some reason she seemed determined to make my life miserable for some time. After some time she calmed down on the abusive front, but there were long-lasting effects. I used to regularly go down to the local student pub with my friends, but I've been out once since 'the fall-out', & I find myself constantly scared. I make excuses so I don't have to risk maybe finding myself in the same place as her, like even cancelling on other good friends who know us both etc. Leeds Festival (big outdoor music festival in the Uk, camp overnight etc) is soon, & we both have tickets. I'm scared of being somewhere near her. Thing is, my boyfriend really wants me to go. I want to go to be with him, and because its great, but I don't know if I can do it. Opinions please.

A) just go and act like you do around her as you would others who you do not know, never let the past enter your future or it will haunt you, you must move on, unless you don't want to lead a normal life!

Can I go? Please Help Me.?

Q) I used to have a close friend. We fell out, badly, & for some time she made my life hell, saying things about me, shouting at me, accusing me of all sorts. We had both done wrong. I decided to stay out of her lfie for good, but for some reason she seemed determined to make my life miserable for some time. After some time she calmed down on the abusive front, but there were long-lasting effects. I used to regularly go down to the local student pub with my friends, but I've been out once since 'the fall-out', & I find myself constantly scared. I make excuses so I don't have to risk maybe finding myself in the same place as her, like even cancelling on other good friends who know us both etc. Leeds Festival (big outdoor music festival in the Uk, camp overnight etc) is soon, & we both have tickets. I'm scared of being somewhere near her. Thing is, my boyfriend really wants me to go. I want to go to be with him, and because its great, but I don't know if I can do it. Opinions please.

A) i feel for u hun ive been thru something like this myself and have felt just like you- i dont think youll bump into her at such a big venue- sounds like shes taken enough of your life up already-dont let her take any more xx

Group accomodation in the UK?

Q) Could anyone recommend a reasonably priced accomodation in the UK for a group of roughly 30 adults? We would want sole occupancy and nothing too fancy - ideally we're looking for a camping barn or hostel. Not really fussy about location as long as its within about 150 miles of London and there are some kind of outdoor activities to keep us busy. Just want to organise a weekend away from the city really...

A) When do you want to go? Although it's a little further than you are requesting, a lot of the hotels in Cornwall can accomadate you. I used to do this sort of thing all the time, and in Newquay for example, we would get exclusive use of hotel, breakfast lunch and dinner for a weekend (1 night, 2 full days) for £60 each but that was s few years ago now so will have gone up. The hotels site is: http://www.chycor.co.uk/hotels/newquay-porth-whipsiderry/index.htm and I can thouroughly recommend them Newquay is a fabulous place to go, it has water sports, sealife centre, walking or hiking, shopping, nightclubs (less so out of season) A cute little tractor train that takes you on a tour. You are within a short distance from Eden Project, Truro, Plymouth etc. A list of hotels in Cornwall, with link to Devon hotels http://www.chycor.co.uk/aaariv/accomht.htm#NEWQUAY A few hotels large enough to accomadate you: http://www.netpz.net/cornwall_hotels.htm I really hope that this helps even though it is farther away than you thought it is well worth it and you'd have a great time. All the best PS, I also found this which sounds likeitmightsuit you down to the ground. Heated tipis in the grounds of a youth hostel. You can also tie itinto a walking, canoeing or cycling weekend http://encountercornwall.com/accomm_listing?type_budget=y This is the right sort of size foryou and only £20 B&B http://www.activehotels.com/servlet/xmlbrochure/index.do?hotelid=33942&trkref=NPZ&subid=&year=2006&month=9&day=21&numnights=0&numrooms=0&language=en Also worth a look http://www.activehotels.com/servlet/xmlbrochure/index.do?hotelid=121102&trkref=NPZ&subid=&year=2006&month=9&day=21&numnights=0&numrooms=0&language=en This placeonly accomadaes 10people, but for 10 people it's £40 pernight! You can't do better than £4 a head! http://ratestogo.com/Hotel-Discounts/Specials/Cornwall

Outdoor camping...?

Q) Im going to Wasaga Beach in ontario canada, and i dont know of any spots to pitch a tent near the beach. Any suggestions???

A) i dont know wasaga beach, but i do know that ontario can be hard to find a camp site, so u might want to look into it at some of their campsite websites

What are some easy, delicious outdoor/camping recipes?

Q) Please help me, I am to feed a group of about 10 guys and I need a few recipes for the fire pit or camp stove. Anyone have any delicious, inexpensive recipes or ideas?

A) one of my favorites is you take biscuits that come in a tube roll one out like a hot dog and wrap it with bacon. Toss it on the griddle when its done drizzle a little honey on it and wal la

Where would be the most comfortable outdoor camping environment to sleep?

Q) 1. Rainy cabin in the woods 2. In a tent next to the ocean 3. In a little cave in the winter, with a nice camp fire to keep you warm 4. In the desert And why? Thanks

A) In a tent next to the Ocean. The Ocean makes a lovely sound that is soothing. I also like to take walks on the beach and have wonderful memories of it. This would give me pleasant things to think of while I was drifting off to sleep. It would also give me something to look forward to when I woke up in the morning.

anybody know of great outdoor camping sites in California?

Q) the usual site we go to is under construction so we can't go there. i've been looking around but haven't found any great ones. i'm thinking about the angeles NF but i'm reading there's a risk of fire mudslides and stuff. please help!

A) Angeles National Forest does have a "Very High" rating for fire danger, but I think that happens quite often in the summer, so I'd be more concerned with following the rules and making sure I don't start a fire than getting caught in one. I'm sure there's some sort of warning plan in place to evacuate campers in case of fire.

where is the best place to go outdoor camping in MO?

Q) driving through st louis so some where off route 44 would be best

A) pineridge or someethin like that is an awesome place, they've got a small (really small) lake that you can camp by and fish, they've got a put-put for your kids a little souvenier shop up by the front desk, and it's really quiet.

wheres a good camping, outdoor vacation spot in California?

Q) and no, were not tourists. we live in CA. we dont want Seqouia, Big Bear, or Yosemite. any other places beside those? i live in long beach so i have no further desire to see more of the freakin ocean.

A) Mount Lassen National Park. Nice camping with lakes and streams, and you can hike to the top. No, then Mount Shasta. Play around on the snowfields up Avalanche Gulch towards Lake Helen. No, Death Valley National Monument. Camp near the beehives (i.e., charcoal kilns). The stars at night are fantastic. Hike up Telescope Peak. No, then try White Mountain. Visit the Bristlecone Pines. Hike up White Mountain (over 14,000), but it is a long haul. No, they try Whitney Portal near Lone Pine. Hike up to the base of Mount Whitney. If you are in good shape, start early and make the summit. Where else. Providence Mountain State Park, but it is dry and remote. Have fun.

Best outdoor hiking/camping gear store?

A) You could also try the sportsman warehouse, they just opened one in Burlington

Best camping and outdoor company ?

A) Coleman. There outdoor products rock!!!

Is any body into 4x4's camping and outdoor activities?

A) ME. ME. ME. Camping & four wheeling is my cup of tea.

Carry-on vs. checked bags for my camping knife/outdoor gear?

Q) I have a 3 inch utility knife I use during backpacking trips, and wonder what the regulations are. Ideally, I'd bring everything as carry-on, but don't think this is likely (my stuff isn't bulky/will fit into a backpack). Can I bring the knife through the security screen (before entering the terminals) and check my backpack/knife before I board?

A) I would suggest that you check you the knife. Before you travel you should go to the TSA website http://www.tsa.gov/ they have the complete list of what you can and can not bring on the aircraft with you in both your checked and carry on luggage. Hope this helps and have a great trip!