OUTBOUND

My camplife maybe physically demanding but mentally gratifying. I get to flex my muscles many times that I currently no longer do in my ordinary days.   Outdoor tasks though tiring  is beneficial in many ways than one. Nature's sights, sounds and sensation freshens up my anxious mind. It detoxifies unpleasant feelings I get given my demanding schedules and stressful life. Being one with nature improves my mental state. Being alone, away from any crowd and noises, I get to speak my heart out, comfortable of my natural being. Like a child, I playfully destresses  liberating myself to truly natural moral state. I feel so regenerated whenever I touch base to nature. Communing with it reverses ill feelings, fear and stress. It recharges me, gets me stronger, inpired and motivated going back to life.....fresh, full and free! Nature is my refuge whenever I feel weak. It is my "heaven on earth" so to speak.

  So there goes the pinoy popular declaration “Wala pala talagang forever”.   And all good things in time must come to an end.   The same is true with camping.   Matapos ng sarap…..”breakcamp”! Breakcamp simply means pack-up and get ready to head back home where my wife and several days’ laundry are eagerly waiting for me LOL.   I should get moving soon! Stow my gears, pack my tent and stash them into my rucksack the same way I arranged them previously.   We call it “Pack-In, Pack-Out” and bring all things back with you when you move out of the campsite.  Always remember to leave the place the same way as you found it. If you made fire during the night make sure that it is out and position everything back as if nothing had been there.    Make no mistake……”Leave No Trace”.  

  After cleanup up, it is now time to get inside my shelter and prepare my sleeping necessities.   It is getting dark so I put on my headlamp and change clothes.   I bought with me my earth pad.   It is my preferred sleeping companion and ground protection during colder nights.   Then my sleeping bag.   During season like this when temperature drops and weather gets cold, a warm and comfortable sleepwear is ideal. I put on additional fleece jacket plus some more layers whenever necessary. My other clothes inside a stuff sack or dry bag serves as my camp pillow. I would love to sip some hot tea before calling it a day. “Day is done, it was fun.   I should take a sound sleep until dawn.   Eager to see the next glorious morning sun.   Wishing for another day to accomplish a plan.”  

After every meal, mess kits and other utensils should be cleaned and ready for the next meal.  In a campsite where water is available nearby, cleaning them with water is a perfect delight. Remember not to wash mess kits and cooking gears directly on the streams so as not convey harmful impact on the environment. One should clean kits and equipment away from the flowing streams. Better yet, use wet wipes to clean your gears then keep soiled wipes and bring them to the nearest basecamp where garbage disposal service is available.  Or best if you keep them with you until you get home and put them into your trash bin. In a campsite, a bearbox or bear canister is my ideal dwelling for food provisions.  Putting them inside guarantees freshness, safe from ants and insects habitation.  Also, it will not entice wild animals from smelling them.

  Modern Outdoorsmen should be more concerned of the general well being of their environment.   By minimizing harmful impacts, they can help preserve and conserve conditions of our diminishing natural environment.   Preserving our remaining natural resources help assure that our environment will still be available, enjoyable and beneficial for future generations.   It breaks my heart to see people using big chunk of trees as firewood or using them on bonfire or as night light and warmth in a dark cold night. One of the prime limitations of responsible outdoorsmen nowadays is the use of trees as firewood for campfire or fuel for camp cooking.   Instead, the use of butane, propane, white gas or alcohol stoves are recommended.    Only in a survival situation where there is no more available equipment to use for fire, we can opt to using dried twigs and dead limbs as kindling and fuel for camp cooking purposes.   We should always care for our wild...

After settling down on a campsite with my preferred shelter pitched, it is time to organize a camp kitchen and prepare my meal.   Bringing correct cooking equipment that corresponds to my planned meal.   I always bring food that are lightweight, portable, healthy and with enough nourishment to replenish lost energy during the day.    Frequently, it has to be my comfort food.    Having in mind bulk and weight, I plan and bring just enough amounts of food plus a little more for contingencies. More often during multi-day backpacking, I calculated my meals well according to length of activity and route that I will be taking. Conscious of volume, weight, health benefits and good taste of course, I also never fail to inquire on locals about available food and water sources along the way, during stops and on the planned campsites.  If potable water will be available, I will limit my water load for comfort on load bearings. As much as possible, voluntary sim...

In a tropical country like the Philippines, a 3-season tent is most suitable to use in camping or backpacking. 3 season simply means  you can use it in hot weather conditions where a shelter has enough air ventilation to breathe and enough protection during heavy rains as well.  An outer layer we call “fly sheet” provides cover for the tent canopy from getting wet. There are numerous kinds of tents out in the market which suits any camper’s fondness. However, most considerations when selecting a shelter should be its size, its design, weight and of course its price. An ideal shelter option for the more adventurous camper or backpacker would be a Tarp or a Tart Tent.  It is a plain nylon sheet with loops on the sides and pull cords for pitching.  Tarps are more lightweight and cheaper than multi-seasoned tents. During summer, I sometimes preferred hammock and a tarp.  Which ever shelter I decide to bring on my adventures....I make sure it will provide me en...

A Campsite is an important element in a pleasant camping experience.  In choosing my ideal campsite, I should always consider the following: I should begin with proper planning and preparation.  Camping venue should be pre-identified.  Local Safety regulations should be checked beforehand and must be observed. Do I have company?  What are our available equipment suitable for the campsite? We will choose a campsite with minimum impact on the environment. If possible, select already established campsite. A perfect campsite has potable water source.  However, we should camp at least 200 feet away form any stream. A slightly sloping or well-drained area is ideal to avoid puddles during heavy rains.  Remember never to dig diches.  A good campsite is found, not made. Check for hazards, dead trees, falling rocks, expose to lightnings, strong winds, flash floods, wildlife or insects and stay away from them. For added safety, try to look for some natural protec...

My best time to go camping is today when surroundings are green and in healthy vegetation.  Thanks to the gift of rain during the past weeks.  Greener environment everywhere with flowers about ready to bloom. And cold breeze brought by the Northeastern wind.  It is nicer to breathe fresh "amihan" air all throughout the day.   Water from the streams are crisper and cold that sparkles when lighted along by morning sunshine.  Little birds are loudly chirping inside dense trees.  They are waiting for their hearty morning treats brought by their mothers who are flying here and therelooking for something special for their little ones. the best of nature is now.  where there is no more rain and skies are blue and clearer.  TheThe sun is up and shining once again.  It's been awhile.  time t get acquainted with my gears and recall my outdoor skills once more.