The Lumemo Trail - An African Wilderness Experience for the Practiced Hiker
April 1, 2008
The Udzungwa Mountains National park was created primarily for the protection of flora rather than fauna. The park was registered in 1992 and is the first of its kind in Tanzania. This park is a series of mountain rangers and interlocking valleys - ranging from the top of the Kilombero Valley at 300 meters above sea level to peaks of around 2,570 meters above sea level. Only experienced hikers can mange this difficult train. Making these mountains pristine and largely untouched by humans.
The Lumeno trail is 65km long and follows the path of the Lumeno River, which is sourced in the heart of these mountains. There are three campsites along the trail that are roughly spaced at 7 to 8 hour walk intervals. They are basic campsites. Remember in Africa basic means just that, basic ? simply a peace of ground cleared for your tents. It usually takes three to four days to complete this hike.
The trail passes through three types of vegetation: Miombo Woodland, Grassland and forest. Some of the wildlife you may see on this trail is the, red colobus & black and white colubus monkeys, yellow baboon, sykes monkey, sanje mangabey, bushbuck, waterbuck, bush pig, buffalo, elephant and red duikers.
You Might Be An Ultralight Backpacker If…
March 30, 2008
If you you find yourself saying “Hey, that’s a good idea,” to more than one of the following, you might be an ultralight backpacker. They are collected from various lightweight backpacking forums. For those of you that don’t share our passion for ultralight backpacking, let me explain that these are funny, but also mostly true stories.
You Just Might Be An Ultralight Backpacker If…
- Your wife’s purse holds more stuff than your backpack.
- You pack light for a family trip to Grandma’s house.
- You use the fruit scales in Walmart to determine the weight of a possible new piece of gear.
- At home you use just 4 toilet paper squares, to “practice”.
- You read that last one and say, “toilet paper?”
- You have no idea what the title, scale or contour interval of your map is because…. you cut away all of the margins to save weight.
- You sleep at home with the temps turned down while in the buff just to get used to the cold so you can take an even lighter sleeping bag.
- The thought of 1000 fill-power down gives you a little shiver down your spine.
Dont Forget that Camping Gear Checklist Before You Leave on that Family Camping Adventure
March 29, 2008
A camping gear checklist is an important tool to help you prepare and pack for that annual family camping trip. The last thing you want to remember about that camping trip is how you forgot that one piece of important gear and made the whole family unhappy. Remember to check and double check that list before you leave.
When you are going RV camping or just a simple weekend hiking trip bring along that camp gear checklist and just make sure you have plenty of room for food and camping supplies for the days your there.
Don’t over pack, just make sure you are packing the right stuff on that gear list that you would actually use, necessities are a must like your backpacks, tents, cooking equipment, sleeping bags, camping furniture for the kids so they can unwind and relax.
The easiest method of making up a quick camping check list is dividing your list into categories starting at food you will pack, camping supply needed or gear and equipment. Checklists should be made up at home, once you know your camping destination you can then figure what you need to bring.
Camping For Fun
March 27, 2008
Camping for fun is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and relax. But before going camping you will need to purchase camping equipment one of the better places to get the gear you need is at camping world.
To go camping does not have to cost a arm and a leg. With the basics found in your home you could go today. Lets see first you will need some type of shelter a plastic trap 8 by 10 will make a good tent some rope 50 ft will be lots the ¼ inch nylon rope will work. Tie the rope between two trees and place the tarp over the rope. Stake down each side of the tarp with screw driver numbers need 6 to 8 I buy them at flea markets and garage sales. If you have a second tarp place it on the ground under the tarp tent be sure not to place the ground tarp outside the tent if you do any rain water may flow in on the ground tarp and you may get wet.
Find a Camping Gear Outlet Near You
March 26, 2008
When you search online for a camping gear outlet you will find camping gear at great discounts like tents, sleeping materials like sleeping bags, navigation and survival items, camping furniture and lanterns, tools, knives and optics, personal care equipment, backpacks, camping cookware, and other camping stuff.
If the camp gear outlet you find is an established one, you will find some of the best sales and discounts on clearance items as well as discontinued ones. Some outlets also offer mailing lists with information on camping tips and information on the newest camping gear and equipment just out on the market.
Read up on camping resources, news and articles from consumers and experts who know everything about family camping. Find information on the best camping outlets that sell equipment and gear at almost wholesale prices or who’s having blowout sales.
Some of the most important items to bring along on your camping trip include backpacks, sleeping bags, tents and camping furniture like a table and chairs. Most camping equipment outlets will sell some of the best camping name brands like Hillary, Coleman, Ozark Trail, Brunton, Eureka, Jansport, Swiss Army, Boy Scout, Quest, Kelty, North Face, Gregory, Closeout and Motorcycle to name a few.
Stay Warm - A Backpacking Skill
March 25, 2008
Stay warm or die. That’s what it comes down to at the extremes. More people die in the wilderness of exposure than from any other cause. Staying warm, of course, also means more comfort, and for backpackers, it can mean going even lighter, without more risk.
Staying warm in the wilderness is about proper gear and good skills. Proper gear means clothing and equipment suited to the enviroment you’re in. This is a subject in itself, worth studying if you spend much time backpacking. With better materials and designs, the newest clothing and equipment saves lives. It is skills, however, that make the biggest difference.
How To Stay Warm - Tips and Skills
- Set up camp in the right places. Hilltops are windy and cold, and cold air also fills valleys at night. Level ground somewhere in between, out of the wind, is best.
- Wear clothes to bed. Shake and fluff them up to make them insulate better. Some recommend against sleeping in clothes, but I’ve tried it both ways many times, and it’s always warmer with clothes on.
- Wear a hat. This may be equal to a pound of insulation in your sleeping bag. A lot of heat is lost through an uncovered head.
Adventure Travel on Horseback
March 23, 2008
When you think of "adventure travel," what crosses your mind?
- Hiking?
- White water rafting?
- Scuba diving?
- Something as sedentary as a cruise ship or land rover safari?
Those ideas lose their "adventure" status when you compare them to galloping on a horse in Africa with a zebra and wildebeest racing along side you, or quietly observing the elephant and giraffe.
How can a traveler visit the remote parts of the world’s most beautiful and interesting places while…..
- Practicing a fascinating sport
- Avoiding polluting
- Keeping in harmony with history and nature
- Being free to explore exotic locations
- Making friends in remote places, and Sharing the experience with a willing animal?
Have you ever considered the tremendous advantages of adventure travel on horseback? A horse can take you to beautiful and remote places which are difficult to reach in any other way. At the same time, you can practice a challenging sport which has been a favorite of mankind for millennia.
Destinations like Africa, Asia, Europe and South America offer a wonderful variety of adventure tours on horseback. Though comparatively little known to Americans, the British and particularly the French have highly developed the riding tour concept in many parts of the world. In many locations in the United States rights-of-way for horses have been lost, but many still exist in other countries.
What Do Cowboys-n-Campfires Have in Common?
March 21, 2008
I bet you’re wondering where the heck this articles going. After all what could cowboys-n-campfires have in common? Well lots actually!
Cowboys are full of wonderful tales from their travels and their work. Campfires are a wonderful place to listen to tales whether from a cowboy or shared among a group of friends over an ice cold beer and a star filled sky.
There’s another commonality. In earlier times cowboys spent a great deal of time sleeping under the clear star filled skies. They enjoyed the peace and tranquility of the universe as they stopped to rest for their night from a long day of moving cattle across the country.
Today campfires are one of the few times we get to appreciate the dark night skies with the twinkling stars. It’s one of the few times we stop and appreciate what a wonderful universe we live in. In the city most of the beauty of the night sky is washed out by the ambient light.
Cowboys-n-campfires share something else ? the big C. Now I bet your wondering what the heck the big C is? The big C stands for a few things Character, Charm, Cause, Caution, Cheerful, and Chatting.
Rafting on the Rogue River in Oregon
March 20, 2008
Oregon’s Rogue River is one of the nation’s most beautiful. The Rogue River begins in Crater Lake and extends 215 miles until it empties in the Pacific Ocean. There are two major sections of the Rogue River: The Wild and the Recreational. Many river recreation outfitters offer tours through both.
The recreational area is more of a family-oriented affair, with a number of activities from sunbathing to swimming and rafting available. Half day, one day, and multi-day passes are available. The 13-mile stretch used for white-water rafting is moderate and definitely suitable for the whole family. Other activities like swimming, fishing, hiking, and sightseeing are also offered.
People interested in riding some of the finest rapids the continent has to offer are advised to visit the wild Rogue River. Here, travelers will find the best of Rogue River rafting. The rapids are mostly Class II and Class III, but some famous spots are Class IV. Blossom Bar Rapid and Mule Creek Canyon are two world-renowned Class IV rapids found on the Rogue River. Most wild Rogue River rafting excursions last multiple days, lasting between two and four days. Wild Rouge River is what rafters call a drop pool river, which means that the fast and exciting rapids are separated from each other by stretches of slow, calm water, giving rafters a chance to enjoy the scenery before being plunged back into the rapids.
River Rafting on the Salmon River
March 18, 2008
The beautiful Salmon River stretches through over 400 miles of Idaho. The legendary explorers Lewis and Clark traveled part of the Salmon River but thought it was too rough to navigate. For a short time The river was also known as Lewis’s River. Another name for this wild, untamable body of water is the River Of No Return.
The Salmon River has two major parts, the Middle Fork and the Main Salmon River. Both offer great rafting experiences, with rapids in the Class III to Class IV range. When the Main Salmon floods, the rapids become Class V.
Salmon River rafting trips take rafters through the second deepest gorge on the continent, exposing them to pristine, beautiful wilderness and Native American and early settler artifacts. The Salmon River Gorge that the Main Salmon passes through is even deeper than the Grand Canyon; the Snake River Canyon is the only one deeper in all of North America. The shores of the Salmon River are rich, sandy beaches perfect for relaxing. People who travel further inland will find Native American ruins and ghost towns formerly inhabited by early settlers. Rafters can see a wide variety of stunning wildlife along the riverbanks.
