Fly Fishing

I really love to get a bargain. In fact, I hate to pay the full price for just about anything. That’s why I love sales, especially when they are selling stuff that I like.

Clothes, for me, are almost a fetish, but I really hate shopping in my local shopping centre. Queuing for changing rooms in hot, stuffy department stores is not for me. Are there alternatives to the crowds attracted to shopping centres at weekends?

Online shopping is the thing. Some say that shopping online for clothes just isn’t the same because you can’t try them on and you can’t feel the fabric or check the quality of the clothes. My solution to those problems is to check out what’s in the shops during my lunch break from work, during weekdays when there are fewer crowds. Then, armed with the information I’ve gathered from the high street shops, I go online and find what I am looking for there and I haven’t yet been disappointed.

Right now I’m shopping for some beach and summer wear in preparation for my holiday in Greece, which is just three weeks away (I can’t wait). I soon found myself on the pages of one of my favourite online clothing stores surfdome.com, are currently running an early summer sale. Brilliant!

So I have treated myself to some much needed new Rip Curl boardshorts, flip flops and a couple of Quiksilver T-shirts. I’d already checked out the latest styles in a couple of local surf stores but the prices in the Surfdome summer sale are unbeatable.

The crucial thing with online shopping is always be certain of your size. If you have to return clothes that you have purchased online it can be a real hassle. I like my summer wear to be lose and comfortable so I tend to go for medium rather than my normal size which is small.

So, if you, like me, hate to wade through the crowds at weekends, shopping for your summer wardrobe, I recommend that you take a look at what is available online. A top tip is to pick several items that fit you well, lay them out and measure their dimensions to be certain of your size.

Popularity: 49% [?]

Technorati Tags: boardshorts, clothes, clothing, quiksilver, rip curl, surf

Camping mattresses are no longer available in standard weights and in only a few colours.  There are lots of different types on the market, but what type should you buy and what are the important things to think about before buying a camping mattress?Objectives issues for consideration are raised in this article, prior to buying.

Most camping mattresses that you buy now are of exceptional quality.  Yes you still can buy the very thin and cheap camping mattresses that do very little in terms of providing comfort and warmth, but overall, the world of camping mattresses has evolved significantly over the last few years.If you want luxury then you can have it, since camping mattressess are now a multi-million pound industry!

But there are some basic considerations to take into account before you splash out on a top of the range mattress.  For a start, if the mattress is larger than standard and your tent is very bijou then if there are two of you in the tent with larger air mattresses then you may find that the bijou tent is suddenly very small indeed.  So make sure that any mattresses that you buy will easily fit into your tents for camping.

Mattressess that inflate are currently very popular, but you need to be able to inflate them.  Due to the fact that you are effectively supported by air, they do feel very comfortable and comfort is a good thing when you are camping!Self-inflating mattressess are available but they tend to be more expensive and are only for those lazier people.

A good camping mattress should protect you from the cold or dampness, so really the thicker the mattress the better.  If you are laid on a thin mattress you will feel the cold much worse.While taking account of the space your mattress will take you might want to consider also the thickness as you might find that you are stiff the next morning.

One very important issue is space.  If you are travelling by car then you don’t need to worry about weight or how much room your mattresses take up, but if you are travelling by bicycle or hiking, then do you really want to be carrying thick mattresses and a pump to inflate them?the weight of the mattress also has to be considered.

How you are travelling, balancing comfort, the weight and the thickness of the mattress are all factors to having a good mattress.  Do not be fooled into buying a mattress that is super de luxe, but you find it takes up the whole of your rucksack, just get what is right for you.

Popularity: 48% [?]

Technorati Tags: camping, Camping Mattressess, tents for camping

The average temperature of the world is steadily rising. This is going to disturb the ecosystem. The ecosystem will adjust to the rising temperature by changing its characteristics. Many species will find that they no longer can survive in their changed habitat. They may either perish or try to move out in search of other areas where they can survive. When the polar ice caps melt, the polar bear will find difficulties in surviving. The salmon and trout will no longer find the wetlands and freshwater ecosystem able to feed them.

The data that has been collected from across the world by environmentalists persuade us to believe that there is a major ecological crisis. Of the various environmental problems, global warming and climate change stand out as the most pressing problems. There are three approaches that are being adopted. Protection and conservation of nature is the first approach. Unique ecosystems such as the coastal, marine, forest, desert, fresh water, wetland, glaciers, river, and ice caps across the world are identified for protection and conservation. These areas are marked as no development zones or development is restricted. Awareness of the environment, ecological crisis and of nature so that people become sensitive and knowledgeable for behavior modification is the second approach. The third approach is to develop and implement such strategies as sustainable development, green technologies and shift from non-renewable resources to renewable resources.

Becoming conscious about environment, ecological crisis and nature is the way to change attitudes and behaviors. An effective way to develop this sensitivity is by encouraging people to visit nature preserves and to have an intense live in experience. The camper interacts with all the elements in nature with respect in order to develop a better appreciation of nature. The visitor learns to respect local cultures which are grounded in dependency and respect for nature. The experience is strong when the visitor lives in camping tents. Tents come in various sizes. Their capacities to withstand the rain, cold and the wind differ. The Kelty Mantra 7 tent, for instance, is able to withstand strong winds. Designed to accommodate seven persons, the tent is a waterproof three season tent.

There are some essential items that campers could take with them. These include such items as sleeping bags, basic utensils, flashlight and maps amongst others. These are packed in backpacks and brought to the camp site. Observation and study of nature is important. They watch the insects, the birds, the animals and the plant kingdom in order to understand how they depend on each other. The relationship amongst species becomes evident.

Popularity: 47% [?]

Technorati Tags: camp, camping, family, nature, outdoors, recreation, tent, tents

Urban life is fast and unrelentingly monotonous. There is hardly any time to think about nature and be one with nature. Nevertheless, so much has gone into making urban life what it is. Technologies have transformed nature in vast parts of the earth with human imagination knowing no bounds. The earth is heating up. The green house gases as carbon dioxide is one of the main causes. The harmful radiation from the sun is penetrating through the holes in the ozone layer that has all along been protecting us. There are now heated discussions on how to combat climate change. Draughts, floods, tsunamis, forest fires, cyclones, the receding of the polar ice caps and the rise of sea levels are taking its toll.

This increasing public awareness has triggered interests on environment. More and more people have begun to care for environment. In particular is the desire to protect and preserve the wilderness which is as yet not much modified by human activity. Travel to such areas, be it the forests, mountains, wild life sanctuaries or national parks, have increased. People take time out to travel to such places. There is an increasing preference to travel light and to areas where modern facilities of life are either not there or are not accessible.

Camping sites are identified and set up in many of these areas. There are also places where such facilities are not there. Visitors are allowed to enter some areas during particular seasons only. Taking along with you some essential things for survival is a good idea when you are visiting areas where there are no facilities. You could pack them up and bring it along in your backpack. The things that you are likely to need are available in the camping equipment stores. Camping tent is one such essential item. They come in different sizes and models. There are camping tents for one to even ten persons. The Green River 6 tent is for instance all about a two season tent designed used for car camping. They are large and are also make a useful base camp tent. It has a door and no windows. It is meant for a family of six.

The tent should stand up to the wind and keep the rain out. At the same time they should not intrude and disturb the surroundings. These camping tents are available for purchase online.

Popularity: 47% [?]

Technorati Tags: camp, camping, family, nature, outdoors, recreation, tent, tents

We have been using nature in a perilous manner for our progress. Plenty of data has now been gathered by environment scientists to indicate that there is a looming ecological crisis ahead of us. The air, water and land have been polluted beyond its ability to recover. We now are left with no choice but to head for zero level pollution.

Our energy needs are fulfilled mostly by fossil based fuels including petroleum and coal. We use a vast number of minerals including bauxite, iron ore, aluminum and a lot more. All these are limited in nature. These are not renewable. They are fast depleting. Their extraction is tearing up mother earth and they pollute nature. We need to think of ways by which we can begin using less of these non-renewable resources. We should soon be on the look out for substituting them with renewable resources. A good example of renewable resources are the solar panels and wind turbines. The land, air and water should be used judiciously and carefully in a sustainable manner. The nature should be preserved at all cost.

To be appreciative of nature means to experience nature as it is. Camping out for a few days and nights in the middle of nowhere amidst all the elements of nature is a great way to learn some hard facts. It is also adventurous. But you still need to take with you the things that you will absolutely need. Amongst the various things that you will need, camping tent and sleeping bag are on the top of the list. Camping tents are of many kinds. They may be one season tent, or two or three or all season tent. They vary in sizes depending on the number of people to be accommodated. They can house one to as many as ten people. The North Face VE 25 tent, a four-season light waterproof tent, comes with dual door and dual vestibule. You can either get them in a store that specializes in camping equipment or you can check online.

It is necessary to protect and preserve untouched and unique ecosystems. We need to protect the endangered and threatened species. Biospheres and nature reserves are to be established for the preservation of biodiversity. We should begin moving away from the highly consumerist lifestyle to a simple living. This will be a fulfilling experience.

Popularity: 47% [?]

Technorati Tags: biospheres, camping, ecosystems, enviroment, family, lifestyle, lifestyles, nature, outdoors, recreation

Can I be completely honest with you? If you do not hike half dome at least once in your lifetime, your life has been futile! Too strong? Perhaps. But seriously, Half dome is just one of those hikes you DO NOT want to miss out on. I can’t describe it any other way than simply saying it is one incredible hike. One that everybody should have the chance to enjoy in their lifetime.

Before I get talking about the actual hiking of half dome, let me tell you a couple things about safety, preparedness, etc. Make sure to read this if you’ve never hiked half dome. Hiking half dome is approximately a 17 mile round trip, with an approximate elevation change of 5000 Ft. Obviously that’s a pretty intense day hike. First of all, you’re going to want to be in shape for this one. People of most levels of fitness can accomplish this hike, but lets face it, you’re not going to enjoy it very much if your calves are on fire, your ankles hurt, and you’re always out of breath.  Secondly, be prepared! Eat a big high carbohydrate (low fat and low protein) dinner the night before, followed by a good solid breakfast the day of. Make sure to bring a nice solid lunch with you and plenty of snacks. I prefer to bring lots of energy bars, like cliffhanger, etc. along with other snacks. Bring lots of water. A camelback back pack with the bladder filled to the brim and two extra waterbottles should keep you going quite nicely. This could be more water than you need, but preparedness for unforseen happenings is always good. A waterfilter or iodine tablets is also something I highly recommend. Never hesitate to fill up on water when you get the chance. And very importantly, use quality footwear.Make sure your shoes/boots are broken in and comfortable. Obviously dress appropriately for the season in which you go: shorts and a T-shirt are fine for summer, along with a hat and maybe some sunglasses and sunscreen. Bring a flashlight! My group would’ve been up the creek without a paddle had I not thought to bring a flashlight the first time I went. It gets dark quickly! Also, bring toiletpaper, although there are bathrooms on the trail, you never know when nature’s gonna call. And for everybody’s sake, bury your duty far off the trail, please ;). Lastly, there’s no substitute for common sense, so make sure you pack that too!

The trail to half dome starts out at the Happy Isles trail head. From there you will want to take the John Muir Trail east along the Merced river. It’s pretty easy to find your way from there. The hike to Half dome is filled with some gorgeous scenery, but a couple sights really stand out. Like the waterfalls you will pass on the way. Even though it’s not the most spectacular sight or anything, walking the plain along the Merced river is just plain cool, and I enjoy it very much! My favorite part of the whole hike other than climbing half-dome itself are the rocky switchbacks just before half-dome. They’re part rock-climbing part hiking.. And of course my favorite part is climbing half-dome itself. This will probably be the most strenous part of the hike for many as you’re going to have to use a lot of upper body strength to pull yourself up the cables. However anyone who is fairly physically fit shouldn’t have too much of a problem.

IMPORTANT: Check to make sure that the cables will be up before you go!   Park rangers take down the cables when they deem conditions too dangerous to be climbing in. They should be open most of the summer of 2009. Also, watch out for thunderstorms. There’s been a couple of deaths on half dome from lightning strikes. Im sure there can’t be a worse place to be in all of Yosemite during a thunderstorm!

Now you’re going to want to leave early in the morning to try and make it back before it gets too dark. Around 6 or so is a good time to leave. Of course you’ve got the longer days on your side in the summer months. Even so, I once left around that time and ended up getting back at 11 o’clock at night, I attributed this to my hiking with some rather inexperienced female hikers. I must mention though that we did lots of bikeriding the day before so we were all pretty sore. The moral of this story being, make sure you don’t do anything too strenous the day before.

For a bit more on yosemite and some other not so extreme hiking trails, check out: Hike hard- Yosemite

Popularity: 47% [?]

Technorati Tags: half dome, hiking half dome, yosemite, Yosemite hiking

The outside world is sadly all but forgotten about by lots of people now. They are instead choosing to stay indoors and watch TV or play on a computer, which is causing obesity levels to soar. One of the most effective ways of getting to enjoy the outdoors again and understanding how good it can make you feel, is sport. Here is a look at 3 great sports that almost anyone can enjoy?

Mountain biking. They say you never forget how to ride a bike…so what is stopping you getting on one now. You can pick up great second hand bikes nowadays for next to nothing and you can look up good cycle routes on the internet very easily. Further more, cycling is great for anyone who has been out of exercise for a long time or has lost all their confidence as you can ride as vigorously or as gentle as you want to

Kayaking. If you’re after something off the terra firma then how about trying something like kayaking. Like mountain bikes there are plenty of fine used kayaks on the market and all you need other than that is an oar and a life jacket. It is advisable to go out with a professional first so that you can learn the ropes but once you’ve got it there will be no stopping you.

Surfing. If you’ve managed to stay dry in the kayak and fancy getting your hair wet then why not find some friends, grab a bunch of surfboards and hit the beach. Don’t try to stand up straight away, learn by catching the waves lying down first and then slowly work your way to vertical as you get better. Remember to take your car keys out of your pocket first however, as it could be a long walk home otherwise

Popularity: 47% [?]

Technorati Tags: kayaking, mountain biking, outdoors, recreation, sport, surfing

Campsites can be ad hoc or organised.  But there are some considerations that need to be taken into account before you commit to a camping site.  Here the basics of choosing one are explored to ensure everyone picks the campsite that is just right for them.

You can’t pre-order a suitable campsite.  One that will be suitable for some people and some tents, will not be suitable for all.  However, there are some basics that you should be aware of before you set up your tents for the night.

A campsite only has two meanings.First there are organised sites with added extras such as toilets, showers, a shop and maybe even washing machines.The bigger the site, the more facilities and the louder the night - so if you don’t like noise steer clear.Larger sites may even have entertainment or a bar - and this can make nightimes noisy.If you like socialising this may suit you well, but if not a quieter campsite may be just what you need.

The second type of campsite that you will come across is a site that you choose to pitch your camping tents, which is not an organised campsite.  This may be in a farmer’s field or a wide piece of open land.Always ask permission if it is a field.Don’t assume you can camp there - many farmers dislike campers and may become angry if you make assumptions about their land.

If you are in a remote place, it may be nice and quiet, but you may lack access to water for boiling to drink and wash.Bottled water is fine, but don’t forget about water.Don’t forget about the toilet arrangements.A pub nearby is handy, but don’t underestimate the need for toilets as well!

Pitching your tent in a valley leaves you exposed to the possibility of flooding.You also should avoid sites adjacent to water (eg rivers lakes and canals) as there will be insects and maybe even rats.

Taking all this into account, make choices that are right for you and you’ll have a successful and comfortable stay.

Popularity: 48% [?]

Technorati Tags: camping tents, campsites

HTML clipboard

If you are considering a hammock for your back yard, you can be easily mislead by terms like ‘Portable Hammocks.’  In truth, many would consider just about any type of hammock to be a portable hammock since they are never a permanently installed piece of furniture.  After all, any standard hammock only needs two stationary supports for hanging or a hammock stand.  In any case, it can be detached and easily moved from one place to another.

Real portable hammocks are intended for camp sites and offer additional benefits to the user.  When kayaking, canoeing or hiking, you naturally consider the weight of your food and equipment.  In my opinion the best feature of a true portable hammock is the fact that you can leave the tent at home.  True camping hammocks come equipped with insect and rain protection.  The netting is fine enough to even keep the smallest gnats and mosquitoes at bay while giving the user the comfort of sleeping in a hammock.  The more expensive camping hammocks selected by experienced campers will include a rain fly and good quality sealing to protect from the weather but if you go with a basic travel hammock, just carry a small tarp to tie up over you and you’ve managed to do away with the need of carrying a tent.

In most cases, a camping hammock will be made from single piece of light weight yet strong material that can be stretched between two supports such as trees.  Some types of camping hammocks also come with portable stands which adds to their flexibility.  This type is especially nice if you have a tarp to hang above for weather protection.  But the serious camper will probably desire that special location hanging between two trees on a side of a stream for atmosphere.  If you do decide to go with a portable hammock which includes stands, do your homework.  There are different types of portable stands to consider.

Another detail to be aware of is the weight and height capacity of various hammocks.  While some camping hammocks might have a rating of 200 to 225 pounds, you’ll find better ones with 250 pound ratings and higher.  This is something to consider if you are going to do away with your tent.  Certain times of the year you might add a sleeping bag or mattress and stow away food or other necessities with you.  I personally like the Skeeter Beeter travel hammock by Grand Trunk.  This hammock is exceptionally well made and does a great job of protecting you from the insects you might encounter.  You can also add things, such as hammock tree slings and waterproof shelters that you use to keep off any rain.  There are other camping hammocks for those over 6 feet tall and up to a total weight of 300 pounds.  These heavy duty hammocks have special accommodations for stowing additional equipment.

All in all, when you consider these hammocks enable you to leave the tent home, and provides off the ground sleeping and protection of your food, back pack and such, they are a great deal.

Popularity: 47% [?]

Technorati Tags: camping, hammocks, hiking, kayaking, tents

Camping is one activity that can be shared by so many people and it is a great way to get to know the countryside, experience Mother Nature at her best and have enormous fun along the way.  Examining the many appeals of camping, this article looks at just why camping is such a pleasurable experience. 

Camping, it is often said, is not for everyone.  However, this is a myth, since if everyone gave camping a try, they would undoubtedly love it and really start to appreciate just what camping can do for the soul!  It has also moved on since tiny, uncomfortable tents were all that were available.  Now you can have all kinds of modern facilities and campsites are clean, well run and with nice hot showers and usually very clean toilets.

For those people who have never tried camping or who have not been camping for a very long time, it's easy to forget what it's really about.  If you are camping somewhere very quiet and still, then you will find that when you are awoken by the dawn chorus or the sheep waking up etc that it is anything but quiet, with the thrill of the noise of nature awakening never ceasing to thrill.

Indeed, being woken by the tremendous sound of a powerful dawn chorus of birds is an amazing thing.  You commune with nature, realise that you are just one tiny part of the planet and that we share this planet with nature.

But getting back to wildlife and being at one with nature is only 1 aspect of camping (albeit a very important one).Most people enjoy the comradeship of camping.  Pitching up your camping tents, working as a team (or not as the case may be, cooking by the campfire, meeting other campers, enjoying games outdoors and burning sausages with a couple of tins of lager: what more could you ask for?

Camping is almost like a grand social leveller.Everyone is camping outdoors, just enjoying the countryside and having fun.  This is not about who has the biggest tent, the most luxurious canopy, but rather it is about simply enjoying the experience of camping and everyone being together in the great outdoors.

It is also a great way to see the UK and its countryside in all its glory.The reasons in fact are so convincing that it is bizarre why everyone just doesn't make at least one of their annual holidays a camping holiday.But the fact that they don't is great news for campers: the joys of camping secrets should not be shared with everyone, the lucky ones only who take the plunge to the canvas will find out!

Popularity: 46% [?]

Technorati Tags: camping, camping tents, tents