Overlanders are arguably the most intense gearheads in the outdoor community. They鈥檙e willing to spend months (if not years) and thousands (if not tens of thousands) of dollars dialing in their perfect setup. As such, the overland product market is usually a rich place to find new and innovative gear. Some of it is way too specific and not much use to the general public, but a handful of items have a much broader appeal, and that鈥檚 what we鈥檝e rounded up below. Over three days, we scoured dozens of booths at Overland Expo West to find the gear that will help recreational campers enjoy summer camping trips that much more.

Watch: Our Favorite Rig at Overland Expo West

($269)

Air conditioning and adventure rigs have never really gone hand in hand. Usually, the AC units you see sitting atop travel trailers and RVs require a lot of electricity to run, meaning your rig needs to be plugged into a standard, household 120v outlet (or 鈥渟hore power鈥�). Twelve-volt AC units, like the or portable , are capable of running off your rig鈥檚 house battery, but they鈥檙e very expensive and run times are usually limited to a few hours without a massive battery bank. The Transcool E3, on the other hand, can run for up to 157 hours on a 100ah battery. It鈥檚 an Australian-made, portable evaporative cooler that holds a half gallon of water and only weighs 4.2 pounds. While it won鈥檛 cool down an entire rig or room the way a true air conditioner will, it could be the perfect solution for anyone looking to add a little cool air to their rig鈥攅specially since it costs just a fraction of a 12V AC unit.

($3,299)

, which until recently was called , makes these nifty little camper boxes that are meant to be mounted in a truck bed or on a flatbed trailer. At 180 to 190 pounds depending on the size you choose, they’re lightweight and designed to be easily removed from your truck or trailer when not in use. They鈥檙e also very well insulated鈥攖he two-inch, rigid foam walls have an R12-15 rating, which is incredibly high for a camper and means it won鈥檛 take much to heat or cool this thing. You can pick from either a truck mounting or during purchase, or you can simply strap the box down via ratchet straps.

($175)

Camping lanterns have been around forever, but Devos is changing the market with their LightRanger series of lights. The LightRanger 1200 is a USB-C rechargeable LED lantern that puts out 1200 lumens and comes with an adjustable light stand capable of telescoping the lantern up to 9 feet in the air. Raising the lantern that far overhead means it’s capable of lighting up a 60-foot area, and it鈥檒l keep the bugs up above you rather than buzzing around your camp table. It can run for up to 80 hours on its lowest setting (60 lumens), and nearly four hours on max.

(From $30)

We love it when someone finds a problem with an existing product and decides to make it better. Case in point, the Rollercam L Track Kit. The founder of Rollercam got sick of using traditional cam straps on river trips, which become difficult to tighten when friction builds between the cam and webbing. He designed a strap with a brass roller (hence the name Rollercam) integrated into it, which alleviates the friction problem problem and makes it easier to tighten the straps securely. Rollercam鈥檚 latest innovation is the L Track kit, which lets you pair different-length straps that come with L-Track fittings attached to the ends. As a result, you easily secure all sorts of gear to L-track systems commonly used in van builds, trailers, truck beds, and more.

While Koni has a long history in the automotive world, the brand is still somewhat unknown in the overland space. This was Koni鈥檚 first year at Overland Expo West, and they were showing off their current line of shocks along with the new , which is the company鈥檚 first overland-specific shock. The Explorer is a 2-inch aluminum, monotube design that features the brand鈥檚 ACTIVE FSD, or Frequency Selective Damping, technology. Basically, it uses mechanical components to automatically switch between low and high damping forces depending on whether you鈥檙e driving on the highway or off pavement. In other words, these shocks will likely be perfect for the vast majority of overlanders out there.

($549)

It can be a little spooky to drive your overland rig out into the middle of nowhere, set up camp, and just hope that nothing goes wrong. Some people bring firearms for protection, but if that makes you uncomfortable, the Byrna is a great alternative. The device, which looks exactly like a traditional gun, fires less-lethal projectiles that are powered by a CO2 canister. Those projectiles, which are round and not designed to penetrate, come out at 400 feet per-second and will deter most humans and many animals within a 60-foot range. If you want added protection, you can also load the Byrna with rounds that are full of a chemical irritant that sprays out when the projectile makes impact. The CL is not classified as a firearm so you don鈥檛 need a permit or background check, but you do have to be 18 years old to buy one.

($122)

When we first walked up to the Kama booth, we were confused by the product on display but drawn in by the beautiful colors and designs. Owner and founder Rachel Dobronyi explained that what we were looking at were high-quality mats made from a 1000-denier nylon shell and lined with marine-grade foam. These mats spreadsout quickly but also pack up into a tight and easy-to-transport bundle. When we asked about their intended use, she gave us a laundry list. She said people use them as changing mats during ski, surf, and bike days, put them outside their vans as a place to hold their shoes, and even drape them over the back of their truck tailgate so they can transport mountain bikes without scratching any paint. We photographed the medium-sized offering but there鈥檚 also a larger mat that would be great for gatherings in the park, and a smaller version that people can use as a place to sit when backpacking or hunting.

($100)

When you head out camping, there鈥檚 always a question about how to transport and store the little stuff. We鈥檙e talking headlamps, walkie talkies, extra cords, flashlights, etc. The best place, based on lots of experience, is in a headrest bag like this one from Onwrd. With two big storage pockets, it will hold a family鈥檚 worth of headlamps, help you keep your cords organized and tangle-free, and also comes with a padded sunglasses pocket so you have a safe space to store your sunnies overnight. There are other companies out there that make headrest bags, but we think Onwrd’s design is the best because it slips over any headrest on the market via elastic bands and then can be tightened down with straps so it doesn鈥檛 rattle around on rough roads.

($699)

We鈥檝e been going to Overland Expos for a decade now and noticed that there鈥檚 a new trend in the market. Some people still want big campers and plush rooftop tents, but lots of other folks want to keep their camping setup as simple as possible. Enter sleeping platforms like the Hideaway, which slides into the back of your SUV or truck and creates a comfortable but ultra-simple way to sleep in your car when you鈥檙e adventuring off the grid. Similar to an extra-large cot designed for vehicles, the Hideaway come in three sizes (single, double, and XL) and is made in the U.S. from durable materials, including 500-denier cordura fabric for the cover and anodized aluminum for the legs. The legs are also adjustable so you get storage underneath, and when not in use, the Hideaway packs away and roll up into a similarly-sized package as a ground tent.

($400)

The Bugout is a wildly popular model from Benchmade because it鈥檚 the perfect size for everyday carry. At just 4.22 inches when folded up, it fits nicely in your pocket and never interferes when you need to grab your phone or keys. But at a respectable 7.46 inches when open, it鈥檚 enough knife for any everyday task鈥攃utting salami at the campsite, gutting a fish, opening a box, etc. This version of the Bugout recently launched and ups the ante by using a higher quality blade (CPM-S90V stainless steel) and by including the red richlite material on the handle that鈥檚 designed to come away with its own unique patina over time. The Bugout is not the knife you want for a hunting trip, or a survival outing, but you鈥檇 be hard pressed to find a nicer knife for everyday use.

($1,719)

Well-known as the premier bike rack company on the market, 1Up just expanded its offerings with a rack specifically designed for motorcycles. The Moto Rack borrows a similar design from the company鈥檚 original bike racks with two arms that clamp down on the wheels but don鈥檛 rub any of the frame compartments. It also comes with included wheel chocks that fit in the trays and sit snugly against the tires to cut down on wobble. If you want even more security, the rack has a mechanism to hold and tighten down ratchet straps that go over the arms (or any part of the bike) to create one more layer of assurance. Rated to carry motos up to 500 pounds with tires up to seven inches wide, the Moto Rack is not designed for big road motorcycles but instead for dirt and enduro bikes or other smaller, two-wheel motorized devices. An included ramp that pulls out of the tray makes loading and unloading a cinch.

More Gear Reviews

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The Best Tents for Car Camping
15 Camping Accessories That Aren’t Essential But Are Really Nice to Have

The post The Most Exciting New Gear at Overland Expo West 2025 appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Any avid 国产吃瓜黑料 reader should have The Ten听Essentials etched into their memory. The venerable list of items that every hiker should take with them into the backcountry pays equal weight to insulation, fire-starters, and, of course tools. There are very few problems you’ll encounter in the wilderness where your tool of choice isn’t a knife. But what鈥檚 the best knife for the outdoors?

While I own dozens of options, the one I reach for most often is simple, small, and relatively affordable. My knife of choice is the Esee-3HM.听Let鈥檚 talk about how you can find the knife that works for you.

What Kinds of Knives Work Best Outdoors?

Perhaps we should phrase the question like this: What tasks do you need a knife for on your next camping trip or hike? You might need to cut cordage so you can lash a shelter down in high wind. You might need to break down dead wood, to access its dry interior and start a fire. You might need to whittle a stick, to use as an extra tent peg or to roast a hot dog. If you鈥檙e fishing or hunting, you might need to remove听guts or skin.

For general outdoors use, a knife is a tool for mights and maybes. If you鈥檙e planning to focus on a specific activity鈥攕ay catching a fish鈥攜ou might pack a specific tool like a filet knife. But if you鈥檙e just spending time outside, you鈥檒l want to carry a knife capable of any task you might encounter.

So that鈥檚 what an outdoors knife is鈥攐ne you can use for any task you might encounter outdoors.

What About Survival Knives?

In my opinion, the term “survival” has been co-opted by people trying to sell you a fantasy, rather than a useful tool matched to realistic needs. A good knife should be strong, sharp, and reliable. What you probably don’t need is the added weight and bulk a compass, fishing line storage, or saw teeth.

If you do find yourself in a survival scenario鈥攕ay you鈥檝e gotten lost and night is falling鈥攖he general-purpose nature of an outdoors blade is going to work better at getting a fire going or cutting pine boughs to sleep on than something purpose built for slicing open Those other features just get in the way.

Why Not Carry a Multitool?

I get the appeal of toting a Leatherman or other all-in-one tool. With multiple tools and functions, it鈥檚 easy to think a multitool or Swiss Army knife might be more versatile tool. Here’s why it鈥檚 not.

Away from a Phillips-head screwdriver and can opener, the tool you鈥檙e going to find yourself using most often outdoors is a knife blade. And while yes, multitools and Swiss Army Knives听do tend to include one of those, they鈥檙e usually small and of poor quality. Even if you do find a multitool with a good blade鈥攍ike the new Leatherman Arc鈥攖hat鈥檚 still going to fall short of most real knives for two reasons: 1) the handle will be uncomfortable and 2) it鈥檒l be subject to failure.

It鈥檚 for those reasons that I carry a small multitool in addition to a real knife.

Can You Carry a Folding Pocket Knife?

Folding knives are far more prone to failure than fixed blades because of the mechanism that allows them to collapse.

That failure can be non-mission critical鈥攖he pivot can fill up with dirt and stop working. Or, should a locking mechanism break or come loose, that failure could cause the blade to slam shut on your hand, leading to significant injury. More commonly, folding knives just break in half if you try to use one to split firewood, leaving you without the tool you need to finish the job.

A fixed-blade, with no moving parts, is the better option as a result.

How Long of a Blade Do You Need?

Longer blades span larger pieces of wood, enabling you to more efficiently split those apart. The additional weight that comes with longer blades may also make them easier to chop with, although a knife is not the best tool for that job. Get a hatchet.

The shorter a knife鈥檚 blade is, the easier it is to carry and control.

My compromise on blade length: while holding the handle, I try to reach the tip of the blade with my index finger. I like that length because I hunt, and being able to cover the blade鈥檚 tip with my finger means I can reach inside a chest cavity, feel for the windpipe, and sever that without poking holes in other organs while I鈥檓 in there. But you’ll find this to be a good rule of thumb鈥攐r index鈥攆or judging a knife to be easy to carry and convenient to employ.

Consider the Handle

As I mentioned at the top, my knife of choice is an . That combines a 3.63-inch blade with a thin handle which terminates at the base of the blade without any obstructions. You can really choke your hand all the way up into the choil (the finger shaped cutout behind the edge) for jobs where you need fine control.

That handle is made from linen micarta, a resin-impregnated fabric layup that leaves the end of the threads exposed. It鈥檚 virtually indestructible, but feels soft to the touch, and provides good grip while wearing gloves or barehanded, wet or dry.

The slim, elongated handle also facilitates comfort and security across all types of grip. The knife feels natural and comfortable any way you hold it.

The Importance of Blade Shape, Thickness, and Grind

Wonky blades that are shaped to cut only in certain directions, to protect their point while penetrating, or to work best while slicing, prioritize performance in those tasks over general utility. Try to split a log with some zanily-shaped knife and you鈥檒l quickly become frustrated. Instead, look for a blade where the edge falls away from the tip in a generous sweep, then continues back toward the handle in a straight line. That shape will be the most versatile.

Recently, I’ve noticed a trend in the market toward very chunky blades, measuring a quarter inch or more in thickness. This is done for looks, not utility. A knife is not a pry bar; it is a cutting tool. The thicker a blade is the harder time it鈥檒l have slicing through whatever it is you want to cut. The Esee-3HM鈥檚 one-eighth-inch thickness is ideal, lending the tool strength without getting in the way of the job at hand.

A blade is thinnest at its edge and thickest at its spine. Getting there in a straight line鈥攆orming a simple wedge shape鈥攊s the strongest arrangement and is very practical for splitting wood. Blades that feature a wide wedge terminating at a point below the spine won鈥檛 slice as well. Ones that use a concave shape from the edge to spine prioritize slicing performance over splitting.

What Makes a Knife Strong?

Look for a knife where the handle material is bolted to the outside of the blade鈥檚 steel, forming a place for your hands only. Knives where the handle continues rearwards beyond the steel can see the handle and blade separate under hard use, or after exposure to weather and chemicals.

What鈥檚 the Best Steel for Knives?

The variety of steel used to construct a knife, and the way in which it is forged, quenched, and treated, determine qualities like edge retention, ease of sharpening, chip and rust resistance, and even how fine of an edge is achievable at a microscopic level.

Because a sharp knife is also the safest and most useful knife, I try to prioritize ease of sharpening in blades I intend to carry outdoors. High carbon steels are generally good at that, even if they do tend to get rusty and tarnished. Esee鈥檚 1095 steel is a proven performer, and also can be found at reasonable prices. The knife I’m using throughout this article retails for about $130.

Spend a little more on fancier blade steels like Magnacut for blades you plan to carry more than use. You鈥檒l appreciate rust-resistance in a folding knife riding in a sweaty pocket.

Don鈥檛 Overlook this Crucial Factor

A knife needs to be sharp. A sharp knife will require less force to use, reducing the odds of an accident. A sharp knife will also cause less damage to the medium being cut, and be easier to use.

I do not carry a field sharpener, instead preferring the ease of use offered by . Keeping knives touched up on that sharpener only takes a few seconds, and bringing a knife back from dull just requires a few minutes. Making sure my Esee has a razor鈥檚 edge before heading into the field has proven vital, as the blade stays useable even on trips lasting two weeks or more.

Wes Siler got his first knife in Cub Scouts, and has carried one nearly every day ever since. , where he explores the intersection of outdoor skills and the politics of the great outdoors.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Choosing an Outdoors Knife appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

At Backpacker, we鈥檙e champions of hiking year-round鈥攚hy trade your trail time for couch time just because it鈥檚 a little chilly outside? But we鈥檙e also clear-eyed about winter hiking鈥檚 challenges. When the mercury drops, what would be a pleasant weekend trip can become an ordeal. Instead of recharging you, it leaves you more drained at the end than you were at the start.

Instead of just surviving your winter adventures, you can learn to . Knowing what gear will help you stay comfortable and happy in the cold is a good place to start. We polled Backpacker鈥檚 editors and the rest of our parent company 国产吃瓜黑料鈥檚 staff to get our coworkers鈥� personal favorite gear picks for hitting the trail in the winter, and came away with a hit list that might just help you turn the fourth season into your favorite hiking season.

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside.听Learn more.

Argali Absaroka 4P Tent

Dennis Lewon鈥檚 idea of essential winter gear: a big tent. 鈥淲inter loads are already heavy so it can be tempting to bring a smaller and lighter tent,鈥� said Lewon, 国产吃瓜黑料鈥檚 director of content (and Backpacker鈥檚 former editor in chief). 鈥淏ut having more space and ventilation makes winter camping so much more comfortable, especially with the long nights.鈥� is a four-person pyramid tent with an unusual feature: a fold-up titanium stove that puts out enough heat that our reviewers could hang out in their baselayers during freezing nights. This isn鈥檛 like the canvas hot tents you may have tried in the past: The Absaroka听 packs down to the size of a paper towel roll, the stove to the size of a laptop case, and the whole package weighs just more than 5 pounds.

ReadEra App

With early sunsets, winter nights are already long, and when winter storms move in, it鈥檚 easy to find yourself waiting out the weather for hours or even days. Packing a book is a great way to kill time, and I鈥檓 partial to this free e-reader, which I鈥檝e paired with public domain ebooks (Dracula, anyone?) from . ReadEra doesn鈥檛 have any ads, subscription fees, or annoying pop-ups, handles a wide variety of file formats well, and it makes it easy to organize your files. I especially appreciated the customization: Being able to change font size and background has kept me from straining my eyes into oblivion while paging through stories on my phone.

Hothands Hand Warmers

We鈥檝e lost count of how many colleagues professed their love for these disposable warmers, which they stuff into gloves, boots, and sleep systems. 鈥淚 hold onto those puppies real tight each night or stuff them in my sleeping bag,鈥� wrote Emma Veidt, Backpacker鈥檚 associate editor. Trying to cut down on your waste in 2025? Zippo鈥檚 HeatBank 9s, which combines a USB-rechargeable hand warmer with a power bank, is a reusable option.

Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Pants

Packing down pants to take the chill off the coldest nights is a favorite strategy of Jake Stern, 国产吃瓜黑料 Magazine鈥檚 digital editor. Mountain Hardwear鈥檚 Ghost Whisperer pants keep weight down with 800-fill down and gossamer ripstop construction; a men鈥檚 medium weighs in at 9.6 ounces, but still features two side pockets and ankle zips to make getting them on and off easy despite the trim cut. Bonus: Pair them with a matching Ghost Whisperer Hoody to create the world鈥檚 most technical sweatsuit.

Baffin Cush Booty

Cold toes are a little issue that can have a big impact on your comfort, and packing insulated booties is a lightweight, easy way to banish them in camp. There are a lot of good choices on the market, but Ryan Snow, 国产吃瓜黑料鈥檚 data warehouse engineer, suggests this pair, which features a B-Dry waterproof liner and blended polyester and wool insulation for warmth. A drawstring around the cuff seals out drafts, while the nylon bottom is resistant to punctures and features silicone accents for slip-resistance.

Warbonnet Blackbird XLC Hammock and Wooki Underquilt

On fourth-season adventures, Mike Ardagh, a support operations tools specialist for 国产吃瓜黑料, prefers to avoid sleeping on the cold ground entirely with a hammock system. His model of choice: the Warbonnet Blackbird XLC, which at just under 1 pound 6 ounces is comparable to some ultralight tents out there. Ardagh pairs it with the company鈥檚 Wooki underquilt, which he calls a 鈥済ame-changer.鈥� The quilt features 850-fill dry-treated duck down, and fits users up to 6 feet, 6 inches; a 0-degree, XL model weighs in at a reasonable pound and a half.

A Warm Water Bath for Your Canister Stove

This cheap hack comes from Anthony Walsh, Climbing鈥檚 digital editor, who鈥檚 used it down to -30掳F. Just put a plastic container big enough to fit your fuel canister in on a sleeping mat or pack, add warm water, and stand your canister inside to help increase the canister鈥檚 pressure. 鈥淚t seems like a magic trick: literally just a splash of water will turn a sputtering stove into a total beast,鈥� Walsh said.

Underwood The Bubbles Sparkling Wine

If you鈥檙e a fan of a tipple around the fire, these cans of sparkling wine are a compact, great-tasting option. 鈥淪ure, it鈥檚 added weight, but life鈥檚 too short not to celebrate the moments that make us feel alive,鈥� said Sierra Shafer, editor in chief of Ski and editorial director of 国产吃瓜黑料鈥檚 国产吃瓜黑料 group. 鈥淗ow fun is it to pop a little bottle of champagne at the summit or once you鈥檙e settled in camp for the night?鈥� (A non-alcoholic canned option: Gruvi鈥檚 Sangria is a fruit-flavored, alcohol-removed wine that鈥檚 just tannic enough to taste like the real thing.)

Skida Sunday Alpine Neckwarmer

A neck gaiter is a multifunctional piece of equipment for staying comfy on both summer and winter adventures. Quality is important when you pick which neck warmer to bring, said Shafer, but so is quantity: 鈥淚 swear by my Skida Sunday Alpine Neckwarmer, but more importantly, packing a second gaiter in your pocket or pack can be a lifesaver when your first one gets damp from condensation or snow,鈥� she said of this polyester model, which comes in an array of vibrant prints. 鈥淎 fresh, dry gaiter makes a world of difference in keeping the elements out and staying warm,鈥� Shafer said.

Bear Creek Soups

What鈥檚 better than hot soup on a cold night? With classic flavors like minestrone and cheddar broccoli, this popular brand 鈥渕akes a big pot of warmth, is super easy鈥攋ust add water鈥攁nd is pretty dang good for a packaged mix,鈥� Lewon said. (Downside: None of these mixes are vegetarian, so if you鈥檙e plant-based, you鈥檒l need to look for another option.)

Patagonia Fitz Roy Down Hoody

It鈥檚 not the lightest down jacket on the market, but the Fitz Roy is as warm of a layer as you鈥檒l feasibly be able to pack in. 鈥淚t鈥檚 way too warm to hike in, and I鈥檝e been told it makes me look like I鈥檓 wearing a trash bag, but it makes hanging around in sub-freezing conditions actually bearable,鈥� says Jen Smith, a software engineer for 国产吃瓜黑料. The Fitz Roy features 800-fill down encased in a DWR-treated recycled nylon shell. At 14.8 ounces and packing to about the size of a 1-liter Nalgene, it鈥檚 reasonable to carry, and includes twin chest pockets, side pockets, and an internal stuff pocket for quickly storing essentials. Plus, a drawstring waist helps keep out the elements.

The post Make Winter Camping Suck Less With These 11 Gear Picks from Our Editors appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

In 2010, a camping trip to the Sahara opened my eyes to the magic of the night sky. I was a college junior spending the summer abroad in Morocco, and until then I鈥檇 never seen the Milky Way, let alone a meteor shower, due to light pollution back in my suburban hometown of Dayton, Ohio. But that night, tucked into a sleeping bag beneath the African desert鈥檚 real-life planetarium, I saw them both. The experience opened me up to all the unfathomable marvels of the universe.

In the years since, I鈥檝e built a travel-writing career around my fascination with the moonlit world. Recently, my noctural adventures have included: watching nesting sea turtles with Indigenous guides in Panama, pitching a tent on the Greenland ice sheet in a snowstorm, chasing the northern lights in Iceland, and searching for fluorescent rocks on the shores of Lake Superior鈥攁mong many other sleepless excursions.

These trips, and many more such outings, fill the pages of my upcoming book, , published by National Geographic and available on December 3. I hope the following three adapted excerpts鈥攕ome of my favorite experiences鈥攊nspire you to skip sleep and soak up the night鈥檚 wonders, too.

The 国产吃瓜黑料: Ice-Sheet Camping in Greenland

Spend an icy night camping above the Arctic Circle, following in the crampon-carved footsteps of polar explorers on the Greenland ice sheet. It鈥檚 a rare and immersive way to admire the world鈥檚 second largest expanse of ice, a blustery behemoth that blankets nearly 80 percent of Greenland鈥檚 landmass with icy mountains, teal lakes, and a minefield of crevasses and moulins (deep shafts in the ice).

Given the harrowing surroundings, most overnight ice-sheet jaunts are reserved for professional exploration or scientific research teams. But makes the dream possible for more amateur, yet still intrepid, guests. The outfitter鈥檚 two-day, one-night camping trip offers a taste of expedition life鈥攂ut don鈥檛 let the short duration fool you. A sleep on the unforgiving 656,000-square-mile sheet of white鈥攁n expanse roughly the size of Alaska鈥攊s no walk in the park.

On the trip, you and a team of trekkers haul tents, sleeping bags, and fuel for roughly one hour of hiking into the ivory abyss. Once you reach your overnight accommodations鈥攁n open patch of ice鈥攊t鈥檚 time to build camp from the ground up. You鈥檒l crank ice stakes, sort gear, pitch tents, and collect snow to boil for water.听It鈥檚 grueling work, but the sweat鈥檚 worth it for quality time with this rare wonder.

Once camp is set, you鈥檒l have the opportunity to hike among ice mounds and pristine cerulean water bodies, aurora hunt (in the spring or fall), and admire the midnight sun come summer. Just as memorable are the deep conversations shared over freeze-dried dinners in Camp Ice Cap鈥檚 orange globe mess tent. One topic that鈥檚 sure to arise among these fragile landscapes: climate change.

As the news headlines show, Greenland鈥檚 ice sheet is ground zero of earth鈥檚 shifting climate. The white mass is expected to lose up to 110 trillion tons of ice by 2100鈥攁 change that could raise sea levels by a foot. To do its part protecting this natural resource, Camp Ice Cap tour operator Albatros Arctic Circle has a strict Leave No Trace policy. That means everything you bring with you must be carried out.

Each season introduces a different flavor of adventure. Come in the calmer summer months for ice hikes with endless hours of daylight and, on the warmest days, even short dips in meltwater 鈥渓akes鈥� (water temperaturess hover slightly above freezing this time of year, but a warm sun can make the quick swim surprisingly refreshing). Visit in the shoulder seasons鈥攕pring or fall鈥攆or a chance to see auroras. But be prepared for particularly unpredictable and unforgiving weather that time of year. You could have a snowstorm, clear aurora-streaked skies, or both in the same night.

Weather is all part of the Camp Ice Cap adventure, as is the journey to get there in the first place. The trip begins in Kangerlussuaq, located inland in central-west Greenland. This town, home to one of the island鈥檚 main international airports, has the only road in Greenland that connects to the ice sheet. It鈥檚 a potholed 15.5-mile route, with potential reindeer and musk ox sightings along the way.

A good base level of fitness is required for a Camp Ice Cap visit, as the hiking can be strenuous and requires a bit of agility on the ice. Albatros Arctic Circle provides tents, sleeping bags, trekking poles, crampons, and food, but it鈥檚 up to you to pack warm-weather essentials: coats, gloves, hats, wool layers, headlamps, and, by all means, an extra pair of socks.

While You鈥檙e in Greenland

If a night at Camp Ice Cap whets your backcountry Greenland appetite, Kangerlussuaq has more where that came from. The town is connected to the island鈥檚 famed , a 100-mile thru-hike that runs from inland Kangerlussuaq to Sisimiut on the west coast. Expect unspoiled tundra sprinkled with musk oxen and reindeer on this roughly ten-day trek.

Other Greenland Marvels

A quick 45-minute flight north from Kangerlussuaq will drop you in Ilulissat, home to the Unesco World Heritage site . This 34-mile patchwork of icebergs, some 10 to 20 stories tall, stems from the Sermeq Kujalleq (also known as Jakobshavn Glacier), which runs from the Greenland ice sheet. It鈥檚 one of the world鈥檚 fastest-moving glaciers, and scientists believe it produced the fateful iceberg that struck the Titanic in 1912.

The 国产吃瓜黑料: Riding the Star Train in Nevada鈥檚 Great Basin Desert

In the early 1900s, the Nevada Northern Railway put the remote town of Ely on the copper-mining map. More than a century later, the railway鈥檚 historic locomotives still tote riders into Nevada鈥檚 听pi帽on- and juniper-dotted Steptoe Valley鈥攁lthough visitors now come seeking a different sparkly prize: clear, bedazzled nightscapes. They鈥檒l find this rare bounty aboard the special-edition , which runs deep into the Great Basin Desert.

Up to 80 percent of Americans can鈥檛 see the Milky Way due to light pollution. The same can鈥檛 be said for those at the far-flung Great Basin, which covers much of Nevada. This 190,000-square-mile high-desert patchwork of sagebrush grasslands, rolling mountains, and broad valleys boasts some of the country鈥檚 darkest nightscapes. The Nevada Northern Railway, now a national historic landmark in Ely, roughly four hours north of Las Vegas by car, makes the most of the celestial entertainment via the Star Train, which departs around sunset on select Fridays between May and September.

As the desert transitions from honey-hued golden hour to coal black night, onboard rangers from nearby Great Basin National Park and railway staff share tidbits about the night-sky attractions that await. Once you鈥檝e reached your final destination鈥攁 private Great Basin viewing pad with high-powered telescopes鈥攔angers narrate the universe鈥檚 marvels, from Saturn鈥檚 iridescent rings to any stargazer鈥檚 beloved treasure, the glowing Milky Way.

The 国产吃瓜黑料: Hunting the Southern Lights in Australia

You鈥檝e heard of the northern lights, but did you know you can chase those sky fluorescents in the Southern Hemisphere, too? Spotting these elusive green and violet streaks, known as the southern lights, or aurora australis, requires a bit of luck. Like the northern lights in the Arctic, southern-lights sightings are most frequent over Antarctica. But the Antarctica travel season鈥攕ummer鈥攃oincides with the all-hours midnight sun. What鈥檚 an aurora hunter to do?

Head to Tasmania, a landmass better positioned for aurora sightings than virtually anywhere else in the Southern Hemisphere, excluding the White Continent. Its aurora potential has to do with its geographic position and the mechanism through which auroras occur.

During solar storms, the sun flings charged particles into space. When the protons and electrons reach earth, they congregate near the north and south geomagnetic poles, then react with the atmosphere to create ribbons of green, purple, red, or blue. Typically, the lights appear over far north or far south stretches of earth such as Iceland or Antarctica, but when a solar storm is strong enough, you can catch them farther in toward the equator. Tasmania, situated close to the south geomagnetic pole, is one of the hemisphere鈥檚 most reliable perches.

鈥淲e have no landmass in the Southern Ocean that corresponds with Norway or Iceland,鈥� says Tasmania-based Margaret Sonnemann, author of . In the Arctic or Antarctica, where the charged particles collide with the atmosphere in the skies above, you can see the reaction鈥攖he auroras鈥攕traight overhead. In Tasmania, you鈥檒l typically admire the show from a distance, roughly between 45 to 60 degrees on the horizon.

This vantage point offers a unique perspective. When the lights are overhead, green colors are the most noticeable, says Sonnemann. 鈥淪ide on, you see the layers of color.鈥�

Given Tasmania鈥檚 pristine night skies, you can spot these colorful night swirls all over the island. Look for a panorama with minimal obstructions to the southern horizon; the northern banks of a large lake looking south, or the island鈥檚 southern coast looking out to sea, are ideal.

Some tried-and-true Tasmania aurora spots include Goat Bluff Lookout on the South Arm Peninsula, Carlton Beach, Tinderbox Bay, and the . For a southern lights鈥揻riendly hotel, try , which has minimal light pollution and unobstructed south-facing views across Lake Pedder. Hit Taroona Beach, south of Hobart, during the warmer months to catch a thrilling after-dark duo: auroras snaking across the sky as electric blue bioluminescence pulses across the water.

One advantage of Tasmania aurora hunting: you can catch the lights year-round. Tasmania experiences nighttime darkness in every season. Though you鈥檒l have more hours of potential aurora displays in the darker winter, you could snag a stellar show on a warm summer night.

Fast Aurora Facts

The hue of an aurora depends on where the sun鈥檚 charged particles collide with earth鈥檚 atmosphere. Red auroras hit at the ionosphere, around 150 miles high. Green streaks occur in a mildly dense stretch of the atmosphere, roughly 60 to 150 miles from the ground. The rarer purple hues appear when the reaction strikes in our thick lower atmosphere, about 60 miles above earth鈥檚 surface.

Stephanie Vermillion is a travel and adventure journalist with a particular interest in after-dark adventures, from the wonders of the night sky to the nocturnal happenings on planet earth. She recently wrote about how to take great aurora photos on an iPhone.

100 Nights of a Lifetime: The World鈥檚 Ultimate 国产吃瓜黑料s After Dark, by Stephanie Vermillion

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I鈥檓 not a prepper. I don鈥檛 own guns, I don鈥檛 can food, and I鈥檝e never dug a bunker. If we鈥檙e playing the word association game and you say 鈥渟tockpile,鈥� I will respond with 鈥渂eer.鈥� But when Hurricane Helene devastated my hometown (read my essay about the experience here), I found myself wishing I was a bit more prepared for life with disaster gear and without modern amenities. We spent seven days without cell service, 15 days without electricity, and 18 days without running water. We still don鈥檛 have potable water and probably won鈥檛 for a while. It was a brief look at what life would be like without the basic things most of us take for granted.

I might not be a prepper, but I am an avid car camper, so I have a garage full of camping gear, some of which came in handy in the wake of this natural disaster. Here are the pieces of disaster gear that made the last couple of weeks without first-world amenities so much more tolerable.

At A Glance

• and

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EcoFlow River 2 Max Portable Power Station

I don鈥檛 have a backup generator for my house, so when we lost power on the first day of the storm (Friday, Sept. 27), we were thrust back into the dark ages. Fortunately, I keep the EcoFlow River Max charged and loaded for camping trips, and the 500-watt power bank gave us enough juice to charge phones, headlamps, lanterns, and my computer while allowing us the luxury of plugging in a single lamp each night. It has DC, AC, and USB outputs so it can charge whatever devices you can鈥檛 live without.

It doesn鈥檛 have the sort of surge power you need to operate a Kureg (I tried), and can鈥檛 power something huge like a fridge, but I can鈥檛 tell you how comforting it was to have a light on in the house. The whole family would gather around the lamp at night. At that rate of usage, the River Max had enough power to last for two days, after which I would charge it for a couple of hours at a friend鈥檚 house who had power. Leaning on a friend like that was a luxury a lot of people didn鈥檛 have, so I wish I had the ($279) to feed this power bank during the day.

Dometic Go Hydration Water Faucet and Jug

This piece of disaster gear wins MVP of the disaster for me. We still don鈥檛 have drinking water in Asheville, but the combo of the Dometic Go 11-liter Jug and the Go Hydration Water Faucet has added a bit of civility to daily rituals, like washing hands, brushing teeth, or filling a glass with water. Just tap the button at the top of the faucet twice,, and a steady stream comes out. Tap it once and it stops. It鈥檚 super easy to use, and having water on tap is a hell of a privilege. Otherwise, we鈥檇 be fumbling with individual bottles or large containers when trying to wash hands or clean a dish.

The faucet is USB rechargeable, and it has held its charge for more than three weeks of heavy daily use. Water stations were set up throughout the city, so I could fill this jug, and a few others, to keep us in stock with drinking and washing water from the first day on.

NEMO Helio LX Pressure Shower

My wife says she can handle any sort of difficulty in life, as long as she can take a shower. After 18 days without running water, I would also put 鈥渟hower鈥� near the top of my priority list. Fortunately, we had this Helio LX Pressure Shower to get us through. The system holds almost six gallons of water and pressurizes with a foot pump. Give it a minute of pumps, turn the nozzle on, and you鈥檝e got running water. It doesn鈥檛 offer the water pressure you鈥檇 find at home, but if you occasionally give it a few pumps during your shower, you can get a stream steady enough to wash head to toe for several minutes.

It鈥檚 designed as a solar shower, so you can set it in the sun to warm the water inside, but I was taking most of my showers at the end of the night before bed, so any warmth gained from the sun was long gone. Instead, I added a gallon or so of nearly boiling water to take the edge off of each shower. You have to be careful though; I have a friend who burned a hole in his Helio by adding too much boiling water.

ROVR 60 cooler

I originally got this cooler because it has wheels, and rolling a bunch of beers around is way better than carrying a bunch of beers around. But the ROVR came in clutch during our disaster because it gave us enough room to store some essentials from the fridge (like yogurt and cheese sticks) and kept them cool for days on a single bag of ice.

Maybe more importantly, the ROVR has a neat interior organization feature that you can load up with items you want to keep cold, but not get wet. Put your cans and bottles and ice in the main part of the cooler, and all your dairy and whatnot goes in the dry bin. No cooler is as good as a fridge, but the ROVR gave me a little piece of mind, because I knew that the cheese and sandwich meat I put in the dry bin wouldn鈥檛 get soggy and ruined.

JetBoil Flash Cooking System

I don鈥檛 think I鈥檓 addicted to coffee, but I鈥檓 not willing to go a day without it to find out. With no power, my fancy coffee maker was just an expensive paperweight, so I made coffee every morning on my JetBoil Flash, just like I do when I鈥檓 car camping. I鈥檝e had this JetBoil for several years, and the thing still ignites on the first click every time. The boil time is fast, too (no more than a couple of minutes for a liter of water), which is important when you鈥檙e itching for your first cup of Joe in the morning.

Biolite HeadLamp 200

I wore this tiny headlamp around my neck almost around the clock for two weeks while we were without power. I have other headlamps, but this was my go-to because it鈥檚 unobtrusive and so light (it weighs just 50 grams), I barely knew it was on my body. It鈥檚 not the brightest torch (only 200 lumens), but it offered enough light for the myriad of situations that had me turning it on. I had to charge it every couple of days with the USB, but that was only during heavy usage.

Home Depot 5 Gallon Bucket

Never underestimate the value of a good bucket. I spent a lot of time with these buckets鈥攆irst hauling water from my hot tub into the back of my toilets so my family could flush, and then hauling water from a variety of other water sources in the neighborhood to do the same. You could buy Yeti鈥檚 version of the 5-gallon bucket, the , which I have no doubt would be the most durable option out there. But I opted for cheap buckets from the hardware store, and they performed admirably, with no cracks, leaks or broken handles after weeks of heavy use.

Pro tip: If you find yourself in a similar situation when you have to haul water into your house to flush toilets or take a shower, just make sure you buy the lid with your bucket. Because losing half of your water on the commute from the water source back home sucks.

The post This Is The Gear My Family Used In the Wake of a Natural Disaster appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Backpackers are no strangers to barking dogs. And, no, we don鈥檛 mean actual . We鈥檙e talking about sore and tired feet after a long day on the trail. Putting in the miles while backpacking, especially during months-long thru-hikes, can take a toll on your feet. All hikers run the risk of foot issues, from hot spots and heel pain to aching Achilles and bacteria buildup. When it comes to hiker foot health, there are many to feeling good again. We鈥檙e here to dig into camp shoes and footwear, specifically.

The idea of bringing camp shoes on a backpacking trip is a somewhat contentious topic. Some backpackers and thru-hikers think they鈥檙e a waste of weight. Others won鈥檛 hit the trail without them. I, myself, am a proud member of the pro camp shoe camp. In my experience, nothing beats the feeling of swapping or trail shoes for a pair of comfy camp shoes after a high-mileage day. I always look forward to slipping my feet into a lightweight, cushioned, and supportive pair of sandals or slip-ons to let my feet breathe, air out, and relax while at camp. My personal favorites include for trails with water crossings, for shorter backpacking trips, and sandals for longer treks where weight is top of mind. Like tents, backpacks, and sleeping bags, every camp shoe serves its unique purpose.

But do camp shoes actually help with foot health and recovery? And are they really worth the extra weight?

We talked with a certified sports medicine podiatrist to settle this debate once and for all.

What Are Camp Shoes?

Camp shoes鈥攎ost commonly sandals, slip-ons, or a true thru-hiker favorite, Crocs鈥攁re lightweight and comfortable footwear commonly worn around the campsite after a day of hiking. Camp shoes are loved for the ventilation and cushion they provide compared to bulkier, more restrictive hiking boots and trail shoes. They give hikers a comfortable alternative to wearing boots and shoes at camp and allow their feet to breathe after a long day on the trail. The ideal camp shoes are lightweight and easy to pack鈥攁nd are a popular choice for backpackers who want the convenience and comfort of an extra pair of shoes without too much added weight.

Benefit or Bust: The Camp-Shoe Conundrum

We won鈥檛 beat around the bush. Sports medicine podiatrist and former president of the American Association of Podiatric Sports Medicine (AAPSM), , says camp shoes aren鈥檛 a luxury item. There are key benefits to wearing them.

鈥淚 think many people will find the benefit of [camp shoes], especially after a long day of hiking,鈥� says Dr. Conenello. 鈥淲hen you鈥檙e in the same shoes all day, it feels good to be able to use less energy to move and have the comfort of a recovery or camp shoe underfoot.鈥�

Dr. Conenello鈥檚 podiatry practice, , is located a stone鈥檚 throw from the New York segment of the Appalachian Trail. He often advises his hiker patients to prioritize foot health when hiking, including examining feet post-hike, moisturizing frequently, and wearing camp shoes.

Dr. Conenello says camp shoes help the feet and toes splay naturally outside of a boot or restrictive shoe. Instead of being crammed into a hiking boot all day, camp shoes give your feet room to expand and air out, all while letting muscles relax. They also help limit bacteria buildup by giving your feet a break from being stuck inside a damp, sweaty boot.

Although he鈥檚 partial for their recovery benefits, Dr. Conenello says anything from cheap flip flops to more elaborate types of shoes like a recovery sandal or a secure slip-on with a back strap will work too. 鈥淛ust make sure that if you鈥檙e planning to walk someplace that鈥檚 a little slippery or where there鈥檚 uneven terrain, bring a camp shoe that can dig in a little bit and hold grip on slick surfaces,鈥� he says.

Another benefit of them is that they can also double as water shoes on trail. That way, hikers won鈥檛 have to get their boots or trail shoes wet during water crossings. Slipping on a pair of quick-drying camp shoes like Crocs, Hydro Mocs, or Xero Z-Trek sandals makes it more comfortable to wade through a creek or river.

鈥淥f course, if you鈥檙e going to make a water crossing, or are walking around water, make sure the camp shoes you wear are waterproof or are vented in some way so that moisture can escape as they dry out,鈥� says Dr. Conenello.

In terms of other basic foot health best practices, Dr. Conenello says it鈥檚 important to use moisturizer or lubricant, like Aquaphor or Vaseline, when hiking鈥攅specially in common areas for abrasion and stress points such as in between the toes and the heel. He says keeping the skin hydrated decreases the risk of developing hot spots that can lead to blisters, corns, and callouses. Despite popular belief, callouses aren鈥檛 a sign of tough feet built for the trail (unless you鈥檙e a barefoot hiker). In reality, Dr. Conenello says they鈥檙e a build up of excessive keratin that can lead to medical issues like plantar hyperkeratosis, which can cause pain and difficulty walking.

He also advises every patient to inspect their feet at the end of each day on the trail. 鈥淭hey should look at the bottom of their feet, look between their toes, and see if there are any kind of wounds or sores starting to form鈥攁nd address them before they become a bigger problem.鈥�

To Camp-Shoe or Not to Camp-Shoe?

Bringing camp shoes could add a pound or two to your backpacking kit. But do the benefits they provide outweigh that extra weight? We鈥檇 say, yes.

The post Camp Shoes Are Essential, According to Podiatrists. Here鈥檚 Why. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Plenty of backpackers and campers, even those who will happily string up a hammock for some lazy afternoon hangs, offer a vehement 鈥渘o thank you鈥� when presented with the idea of spending the night in one. And not for no reason: eight hours trying to catch some shut-eye while wrapped up like a taco isn鈥檛 too many folks鈥� idea of a night well-spent. But these days, there are options for those who aren鈥檛 too keen on snoozing on the ground, either.

Enter lay-flat hammocks, whose clever designs offer a more familiar (i.e. flat) sleeping experience while still rocking you gently to sleep above the forest floor. Another tester and I tested several options while camping across the United States, from Michigian鈥檚 national forests to state parks in Texas. Below are the best lay-flat hammocks for nearly every type of adventure.

At a Glance

• Best for Car Camping:
• Best Comfort:
• Best for Day Hiking or Backpacking:
• Best Stability:

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Best for Car Camping

Tentsile Duo 2-Person Double Camping Hammock 3.0

Perhaps the most uniquely designed lay-flat hammock of the bunch, these triangular tree tents and hammocks from Tentsile kept me (and a buddy when testing a two-person model) as supported and horizontal as I could ever hope to be when suspended several feet above the ground. A variety of models that sleep one, two, or even three people have all the features you love in a tent, but with the added comfort of fewer pressure points: mesh netting with large zippered doors on camping models like the Safari, a rain fly, plenty of pockets, and even an optional ground conversion kit if you need to pitch it on terra firma.

We found the Duo hammock roomy and the base rigid enough to sit upright, play cards, or simply lounge, which made it an excellent option for rainy or sunny days, but more for camping than backpacking or hiking as it’s neither small nor light. One ding: Setup took quite a bit longer and required more straps than a traditional hammock since the triangle design had to be anchored to three trees instead of two, all of which had to be spaced apart just right. But once you get the hang of it: it鈥檚 magic.

Best Comfort

Haven Tent

If there鈥檚 an award for the coziest all-in-one hammock that feels the most like passing out in your own bed, but, you know, suspended in midair, it would go to the Haven. A zippered mosquito netting, durable rain fly, and plush insulated inflatable pad (complete with pump sack) make it one of the most comfortable and posh lay-flat hammocks.

There were plenty of pockets to stash items like books and headlamps and enough room for shorter campers to sit upright, which was nice. That said, the Haven is tippier than your average hammock, so getting situated when I first turned in required a bit of a balancing act (fortunately the mesh enclosure kept me from tumbling out altogether). Once you do, however, the experience feels like nodding off in a cozy cocoon. While the classic version is fairly narrow and better suited for slimmer campers, the XL and Safari versions provide ample space for larger campers. Bonus: with a few accessories, it can also be pitched on the ground if necessary.

Best for Day Hiking or Backpacking

Eno Skyloft Hammock

Eno knows hammocks. Including, apparently, lay-flat varieties. And this one offers a more supine sleeping position than most traditional hammocks thanks to collapsible spreader bars at the head and feet and an innovative trough design that helps you feel like you won鈥檛 flip out with one wrong move鈥搕hough it did feel a bit tippy when trying to sit upright. On the upside, it鈥檚 incredibly quick to set up, so you鈥檒l be snoozing in no time.

Technically, the SkyLoft is designed for leisurely hang sessions next to alpine lakes instead of overnights due to a lack of integrated mesh or built-in features like excessive amounts of storage (though there are two pockets). And it鈥檚 not supremely compatible with after-market bug nets, though there is a SkyLite version with integrated zippered mesh. That said, the tester certainly laid flatter than in more traditional hammocks and got an excellent night鈥檚 sleep. Bonus: the compact and easily portable package made it small enough to toss in a daypack for an afternoon hike.

Best Stability

Klymit Lay Flat Hammock

You might know Klymit for its wide range of inflatable sleeping pads, but the brand also offers a comfy and packable flat hammock. And while the tester鈥檚 butt did sink lower than their noggin in this model during testing, an extra wide spreader bar at the shoulders and dual adjustable straps at the feet kept them from being squeezed like an overripe apricot at their widest points, making for a more comfortable sleep setup.

The construction is streamlined and slightly more stable than other lay-flat hammocks thanks to no spreader bar at the feet, but still two points of contact. But if you plan to overnight in it on your next camping trip and want to be protected from the elements, you鈥檒l have to bring supplemental gear like netting and a tarp.

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Dear Makers of Expensive Truck Toys for Adults,

First, let me thank you for creating a niche market out of thin air. Before 鈥渙verlanding鈥� became a legitimate hobby (back when I just went 鈥渃ar camping鈥� and didn鈥檛 realize I could spend a small fortune converting my vehicle to go even deeper into the wild), I had no purpose in life and wandered around aimlessly with too much extra money and time on my hands. But with the emergence of overlanding, extra time and money is no longer a burden, because it all goes to making my truck look like a FEMA rescue vehicle. Life without purpose is sad, and overlanding has given me that purpose. So, thank you.

I just have one quick piece of constructive criticism to the manufacturers making cool overloading stuff: Could you make some shit for trucks other than Tacomas?

Tacoma owners are like the cool kids in high school. They鈥檙e the captains of the football team and get the best parts in the high school play, and of course they鈥檒l be named Prom King and Queen. The whole system seems to be designed for them, and as an F-150 driver, I鈥檓 feeling a bit left out. Am I jealous? Yes, I鈥檓 jealous. From a marketing perspective, it probably makes sense to build accessories for Tacomas, because those accessories naturally look badass on the back of that truck. It鈥檚 a walking advertisement.

But here’s the cold hard truth: Tacoma’s aren鈥檛 the only trucks out there. Plenty of mid-size and full-size truck owners are dying to drive to the middle of nowhere with molle racks loaded with fuel canisters and pop-up campers that can survive a roll-over. For an F-150 owner? The pickings are slim.

Every third-party manufacturer makes a bevy of options designed to fit the Tacoma鈥檚 smaller trackbed鈥檚 dimensions perfectly. Both the five- and six-foot Tacoma beds are a half-foot smaller than most other full-sized truck beds, and a couple of inches off from other mid-sized truck beds like the Ford Ranger, meaning nothing made specifically for a Tacoma will fit the majority of other trucks (except for the Jeep Gladiator, which has similar dimensions). Being a Tacoma owner is like being a size medium and going to an outdoor gear sample sale. The world is your oyster. But if you own a different truck, like say an F-150, Chevy Silverado, Ford Ranger or a Chevy Colorado, you鈥檙e forced to ogle these goods like a second string player watching the varsity game from the sidelines.

Rack manufacturer Kuat makes the truck bed rack system with a new system of panels that transform the open-aired rack into a camper shell, but they only make this awesome panel kit for short-bed Tacomas. focuses mainly on the Tacoma with their badass overlanding racks, as does .

Then you have the that only sell Tacoma accessories, the forums where Tacoma owners get together to talk about how great their lives are. Sure, every truck and SUV model has a fanpage somewhere, but are they as feverish and abundant as what you鈥檒l find out there for Tacomas? And don鈥檛 forget all of the social media hashtags like #tacomabeast, #tacomanation, #tacomalife, #runnin4tacos. I don鈥檛 necessarily get the last one, but there are almost 15,000 posts with that hashtag, most of which hit social media on Tuesdays because, well, Taco Tuesday.

Let me be clear: my beef isn鈥檛 with the Tacoma. I wish I could live the 鈥淭aco Life,鈥� buying a truck for $15K, driving the hell out of it for three years and then selling it on the secondary market for $20K. I wish I owned a truck that is both an excellent way to get around the backcountry and a status symbol in the grocery store parking lot. I wish I was so proud of my truck that I brought it up in casual conversations, the way Harvard grads always find a way to bring up their alma mater regardless of the situation.

But listen, Overlanding Industry, there are other trucks out there. There are Fords and Chevys and Nissans鈥here are even other models of Toyotas you should consider when you鈥檙e building racks. Throw the rest of us a bone. Those of us who don鈥檛 own Tacomas have trucks that are depreciating rapidly and we need to stem the losses with high-priced overlanding gear.

My plea is simple: Make some cool stuff for my truck. Take my money. Please.

Sincerely,

Not a Tacoma Driver

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Backpacking is work鈥攆un work, but you still might want a drink when you鈥檙e done. A dehydrator isn鈥檛 just for meals; it allows for with unexpected ingredients that don鈥檛 compromise pack weight. Dehydrate berries and citrus for sunset sangria or limes for margaritas. Experiment with your favorite flavors or try this recipe on your next trip.

Backcountry Old Fashioned

Makes 2 servings

• A few drops of bitters
• 2 sugar cubes
• 4 orange slices
• 4 Bing cherries
• 100 mL bourbon

At home:

1. Add a few drops of bitters to two sugar cubes (enough to saturate but not disintegrate them).
2. Dehydrate the sugar cubes, orange slices, and cherries at 135掳F.
3. Pack your cocktail ingredients with two 50-mL nips of bourbon.

At camp: 听

1. Divide the ingredients into two cups and add one serving of bourbon to each.
2. Stir vigorously until the sugar mix dissolves, and enjoy.

The post The Secret to a Great Backcountry Cocktail? Your Dehydrator. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

On May 3, authorities in the Mexican state of Baja California听discovered the bodies of three surfers鈥攖wo Australians and one American鈥攚ho had been missing for a week. Authorities announced the arrest of three people in connection with the alleged murder.

The crime has generated headlines and intense media scrutiny around the world, turning a spotlight onto the Baja peninsula and the infrequent-but-shocking collisions between its beautiful, austere landscapes and the violence occurring by its border with the United States.

Is Baja more dangerous than it used to be? Is it still safe to camp there?

For me, those questions are personal. I鈥檝e been visiting the peninsula regularly for over a decade to go fishing, off-roading, and camping across its remote beaches, deserts, and mountains. I married my wife there just before the pandemic was declared in 2020. We spent our honeymoon driving from Montana down to Todos Santos and back, camping along the way. Part of the region’s draw for us is its demand for personal reliance and the opportunity to test ourselves.

While my wife and I have never had even a whiff of trouble, we do know people who have experienced violence. Among them is Ron Gomez Hoff, who runs the popular website and its multiple associated social media groups. TalkBaja鈥檚 online community is an essential resource for people traveling and living in Baja, and听Hoff has lived there听for the last 24 years. He married into a Mexican family, and lives as part of the local community outside a small town on the peninsula鈥檚 Pacific coast.

In , Hoff shared his experience with violence, telling the story of a time when he and his wife were attacked by criminals near their home鈥攁nd left for dead.

It鈥檚 not just Hoff鈥檚 personal experience that鈥檚 relevant here. is where news of the surfers鈥� disappearance first broke when the Australians’ mother posted photos of her sons and their friend, seeking help. Hoff sits at the epicenter of information sharing for the region.听If there鈥檚 anyone who can authoritatively weigh in on the question at hand, it鈥檚 him.

鈥淭here鈥檚 nowhere you can go in the world today that鈥檚 totally safe,鈥� Hoff told me. 鈥淏ut down here there are two things working against each other. You鈥檝e got smaller police forces with limited budgets, and then you add to that the fact that the vast majority of this large peninsula is off-grid, it鈥檚 remote, there are few paved roads, and there鈥檚 no cell phone signal in most places. You can drive hundreds of miles without even seeing a gas station.鈥�

Measured in a straight line, from the U.S. border in the north to Los Cabos in the south, the Baja Peninsula is about 760 miles long. The drive along Highway 1 from Tijuana to San Jose del Cabo is over 1,000 miles. Throughout most of that distance, that highway is barely two lanes wide, irregularly paved, and is so rough and remote that it presents more danger than most Americans have likely ever before experienced.

There are also two states on the peninsula鈥擝aja California and Baja California听Sur. The former, which is closer to the U.S. border, contains cities like Tijuana, Ensenada, Mexicali, and Tecate, which have some of the . South of Ensenada, it鈥檚 nearly a 400-mile drive to the border with Baja Sur, then another 260 miles from there to Loreto, a seaside town of 20,000 residents on the peninsula鈥檚 east coast which has seen , a much higher rate than is typical there.

Is the murder rate in Tijuana applicable to a remote beach in the same state, 300 miles south? Of course not. But Hoff said it鈥檚 equally inaccurate to look at the very low murder rate for American tourists visiting all places in Mexico, and conclude that Baja is entirely safe.

鈥淢exico had听33.5 million American visitors in 2022, and only 46 of those were murdered,鈥� said Hoff. At first glance, that represents a lower murder rate than north of the border.

鈥淏ut murder rates are calculated in homicides per-100,000 people per-year,鈥� Hoff continued. 鈥淎n average tourist is here for three days. So you鈥檝e got to take the 46 murders, multiply it by 365, and divide it by three.鈥�

Doing that math takes the homicide rate for Americans in Mexico from 0.14 to 17.5 per-100,000 people. In 2022, the overall murder rate in the U.S. was .

鈥淏aja has a reputation as a place that is very remote, and it is,鈥� Hoff continued. 鈥淏ut no matter how remote you get, there鈥檚 always somebody around, and that somebody is not always a good guy.鈥�

Hoff said that鈥檚 a change he鈥檚 witnessed during his time visiting and living in Baja, explaining that an amendment to the Mexican constitution in 1991 that permitted (a type of communal agriculture land that鈥檚 widespread on the peninsula) to be privatized has led to a booming number of small farms and similar being constructed, some听in extremely rural areas.

That鈥檚 something my experience backs up. I鈥檓 a skilled off-road driver who builds my own 4x4s into custom vehicles capable of unsupported travel through extreme terrain, and yet everywhere I鈥檝e been in Baja鈥攅ven on the other side of really challenging trails鈥擨鈥檝e encountered people.

鈥淵ou鈥檙e just not alone anymore,鈥� Hoff continued. “When you see somebody out there these days they鈥檙e either working at a fish camp or ranch, they鈥檙e a foreign tourist because Mexican tourists won鈥檛 go out there anymore, or they鈥檙e a malandro (best translated as ‘bad guy’).鈥�

Hoff went on to share information he’s gathered from local law enforcement and other sources over the decades. Lower levels of cartel operations鈥攄rug growing or production sites, or smuggling waypoints鈥攁re often staffed by the local equivalent of freelancers. Sometimes they might be busy working, and sometimes they might be between jobs. Because those operations take place in remote areas, that means you could come across malandros with free time on their hands pretty much anywhere. He also said that should you inadvertently find yourself camping in proximity to a cartel operation, they may send people to keep an eye on you, to make sure you don鈥檛 pose a threat.

Despite the large number of contacts, friends, and people I know in the Mexican tourism industry, no one wanted to discuss the murders or even safety protocols. People I’ve known for years ghosted me when I asked them. But Hoff’s assessment was backed up by conversations I had with Mexican听friends born on the peninsula. I spoke to three of them鈥攍ocals in the surfing community who told me they did not want to be named in this story.

Instead of sharing their thoughts on crime trends, they gave me practical advice for how to avoid problems in Baja. One, a surfer who recently had their first child, said that they no longer camp in unfamiliar areas, and where possible, try to stay on private land owned by friends or family.听 Others shared various strategies or approaches to determining areas in which they will or won’t camp that essentially amount to the same advice.

My local sources were reluctant to speak about criminal activities on the record, too. But these conversations are still fruitful. They focus less on an overall assessment of safety either historical or current, and instead immediately dive into the ins and outs of avoiding crime and violence while traveling the peninsula.

“Tell people to use paid-for campgrounds,” one of those friends told me. “That way they’re not only contributing to the local community, but you’re for-sure safe in those.”

I asked Hoff if simply finding a good campsite before nightfall, and making sure no one was around, would reduce that risk. That鈥檚 always been my strategy, and I wanted to run it past someone with much more experience.

Hoff told me he wouldn’t recommend winging it anymore, as that can get you into trouble.

The U.S. State Department last updated in August 2023. Those include a “Reconsider travel” warning for Baja, “due to crime and kidnapping,” and an, “Exercise increased caution due to crime,” for Baja Sur.

“Travelers should remain on main highways and avoid remote locations,” the State Department continues in the advisory. “Transnational criminal organizations compete in the border area to establish narco-trafficking and human smuggling routes. Violent crime and gang activity are common.” It goes on to order that U.S. government employees avoid driving after dark in areas of Mexico adjacent to the border.

鈥淚f you want to remote camp safely today, you need to do a lot of research,鈥� Hoff听continued. 鈥淎nd I don鈥檛 mean look at stuff people posted 10 or 20 years ago, you need to look for something that鈥檚 been posted in the last 30 to 60 days about that spot. And don鈥檛 just look for one source, find sources that have multiple people commenting on them, supporting or disagreeing.鈥�

Multiple resources exist right now for people looking for good, remote campsites and other areas in Baja. I reference , which is full of user generated content reviewing and locating campsites, taco stands, hostels, and similar. is a forum for the same that鈥檚 been operating for decades. Friends frequently share coordinates for spots they鈥檝e stayed in or traveled through.

And there鈥檚 Hoff鈥檚 own , , , and now, , a private Facebook group he started just this week, in response to the murders.

鈥淚t’s been a long-standing tradition for some of you to keep your favorite remote camping spots a secret but in light of recent events, the time has come for us to come together as a community and share what we know鈥攇ood and bad鈥攁bout the different off-road campsites down here in an effort to create a pool of shared knowledge,鈥� Hoff wrote in a post introducing the Safe Camping group.

Despite the recent murders, Hoff believes that information sharing forums like his Safe Camping group will help future travelers and campers stay safe.

鈥淪omething changed with this event, and I think it has to do with the amount of coverage it has gotten,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 exponentially greater than other similar events we鈥檝e seen in the past.鈥� Not only did word of the missing surfers break on TalkBaja, but it was followed by multiple eyewitness accounts that tracked their movements in the run up to the murders, described the location and crime scene, and even connected the murderers to another missing persons case.

Despite the increased availability of information on crime and safety in Baja, Hoff believes the murder could become a pivotal moment for tourism on the peninsula.

鈥淏ecause there鈥檚 been so many details provided outside of official sources, I think people are really seeing a detailed story of what these guys went through,鈥� Hoff said, 鈥淎nd people are going, 鈥榯hat could be me.鈥� That鈥檚 really hitting home for a lot of travelers.鈥�

For safer travel on the peninsula, you can always go to tourist centers with lower crime rates.

I reached out to the Baja D.A.’s office and the Baja California Tourism Board and its local representatives in Ensenada, Mexicali, and Rosarito for comment, but at press time have not received a response.

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