You and your group arrive at a campsite after a long drive. You’ve just finished pitching your tent and setting up camp when a blinding sandstorm or a blizzard with 50 mph winds rolls in. You scramble into the tents with the last of the gear. It’s meal time, but… Continue reading
Hot Tips For Successful Winter Tenting It was my inaugural trip on the Mojave Road. The first night was spent camping in the mountains near Caruthers Canyon. It was February or March, and the temp dropped at night. Two guys in the group apparently hadn’t prepared well. After spending a… Continue reading
Last month we reviewed a number of hacks geared toward four-wheeling. This month we turn our attention to camping and tenting. Here are my hacks for a more enjoyable camping experience. Use lip balm to ‘wax’ a sticky zipper. A light coat of lip balm on the zipper will get… Continue reading
The term tread lightly is well known among four wheelers. (And, I hope, everyone who enjoys the outdoors.) Many folks have joined Tread Lightly!, the organization. That’s great. But what does it mean to tread lightly? It’s easy to remember the fundamentals with the help of this mnemonic based upon… Continue reading
This announcement is kind of like the garden seed catalogs you receive in late winter with reminders of what to do in each of the upcoming months. Are your backup supplies and kits ready for a long, exciting off-road adventure? Maybe the Rubicon? How about an emergency evacuation due to… Continue reading
Ah, another night, another raid. Those humans sure do keep it interesting. One night we hit the jackpot. Another night, it’s zippo. As in nothing. You just never know what to expect. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Learning the ropes quickly Hello, I’m Frank. A native of South Lake… Continue reading
Four-wheeling isn’t inherently hazardous. But like all outdoors activity, some risks are always present. Now is a good time to review a few common issues encountered while outdoors. Included are steps to mitigate the situation and prevent it from happening altogether. As a wilderness first responder, I am familiar with… Continue reading
“Begin with the end in mind” is based on the principle that all things are created twice. There’s a mental or first creation, and a physical or second creation to all things. Stephen R. Covey, “7 Habits Of Highly Effective People” That passage is from Habit 2 of Covey’s best-selling… Continue reading
You pull up to the campsite after a long day on the trails. You’re tired and anxious for the evening to begin. A light drizzle has followed you along all afternoon, with no end in sight. So much for relaxing around the campfire. What to do? Get creative during inclement… Continue reading
One December about five years ago, I took a group to Saline Valley to celebrate New Year’s Eve. While at the campsite I realized I didn’t have a tent. Completely forgot to pack it that day. As a seasoned four-wheeler, this basic blunder was especially difficult to swallow. On top… Continue reading
Tis the season for gift giving…whether for yourself or another four-wheeling aficionado. With that in mind, Santa Tom offers up these fine gifts and ideas sure to please any four-wheeler or other outdoors enthusiast. Continuous ratchet strap: Most ratchet straps have a hook on each end. A continuous ratchet strap,… Continue reading
Dutch ovens are great for cooking in the outdoors over charcoal and wood. Most hot dishes prepared at home can be enjoyed in the field as well. Four-wheelers often cook stews, casseroles, and similar dishes in a Dutch oven. What if you’re in the mood for baked goods? My triple… Continue reading
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