Spend any amount of time in the outdoors and you have probably found that mealtime is full of trade-offs. Do you choose foods that fuel your body or foods that satisfy your taste buds? Do you spend the extra time to prepare a real meal or grab a protein bar on the go?

Freezer Bag Cooking^TM minimizes these trade-offs by changing the concepts of traditional outdoor food. It offers simplicity, convenience and variety, then whirls them together with the philosophies of lightweight outdoor adventuring. The cooking gear needed is minimal, lightweight and can be bought, found or even made. Meals are prepared at home and put into zip top freezer bags. When ready to eat, the meal is prepared in and eaten out of the freezer bag. Mealtime becomes fast, effortless and cleanup is as easy as licking your utensil and sealing the zip top bag. Also, with meals portioned into individual freezer bags, making meals for multi-day trips, families or a group is painless.

So whether you like to be fancy with your food or keep it simple, Freezer Bag Cooking^TM can be your ticket to better eating and enjoyment of your outdoor experience. Below is a list of recipes you can cook right out of your freezer bag on those long hiking or camping trips.

If you like it at home, most likely you can have it on the trail. Options for breakfast can be any hot cereal you like that is instant or any cold cereal you like. You can premix the instant milk in with any cereal and add cold water and stir well.

Traditional Breakfeasts:

- Sarah's Fattening Coconut Berry Oatmeal
In a pint freezer bag:
2 packets instant plain oatmeal
2 Tbsp coconut cream powder
2 Tbsp diced dried fruit blend
1 Tbsp natural coconut
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon

FBC method:
Add 1 cup near boiling water and stir well. Seal well and put in a cozy for 5 minutes.

Mug method:
Add 1 cup boiling water. Stir well, cover tightly and let sit for 5 minutes.

Serves 1.

- Morning Potatoes

In a quart freezer bag:

1/2 cup instant potatoes
1 Tbsp dry milk
salt and pepper to taste
2 Tbsp cheese sauce powder
1/2 bag of precooked crumbled bacon bag.

FBC method:
Add 1/2 cup near boiling water and mix well. Add a bit more water if needed. Let cool.

Mug method:
Add 1/2 cup boiling water and mix well. Add a bit more water if needed. Let cool.

Serves 1.


- Eggs & Potatoes
At home combine:

1 Mt. House® freeze dried egg breakfast (plain, with peppers or bacon)
1 envelope of Idahoan® mashed potatoes (Herb or Loaded Baked Potato).
Mix the two packages together, and split in two servings, then put in two quart freezer bags. This will make two breakfasts.

Add one cup near boiling water for the potatoes plus half of the water called for on the egg package (most likely it will be two cups total). Stir well, seal tightly and put in a cozy for 10 minutes. Stir well and eat.

Each package serves 1 - 2. (Depends on appetite)

-Super Charged Oatmeal

In a quart freezer bag:
1/2 cup oats ground course in a coffee grinder or food chopper.
1/4 cup dried milk
2 Tbsp plain small TVP
1 Tbsp milled Flax seed
1 Tbsp wheat germ
2 tsp brown sugar
A handful of raisins

FBC method:
Add 1 cup near boiling water. Mix well, seal tightly and put in a cozy for 5 minutes.

Mug method:
Add 1 cup boiling water to mix in your mug. Stir well and cover tightly. Let sit for 5 minutes.

Serves 1.

Note: This recipe is very high in fiber.

Lunches:

-Tuna "Bruschetta"
In a sandwich bag:
1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, crumbled (non-oil type)
2 Tbsp dried onions
1/4 tsp dried garlic
1 tsp dried parsley
1/2 tsp dried oregano leaves
black pepper to taste

Also take:
1 3-ounce pouch Albacore tuna
1 packet olive oil (1 Tbsp)
2 tortillas
1 ounce cheese of choice, diced

Add a generous 1/4 cup cool water to the vegetable bag. Let sit for 15 to 30 minutes. Add in oil and stir. Toss in tuna to coat, then add in cheese. Serve on tortillas

Serves 1 - 2.

-Curry Chicken Pitas
1 7-ounce pouch chicken
4 packets mayo

In a sandwich bag:
2 Tbsp dried onion
1/4 cup dried apples, chopped

In a small bag:
1 tsp curry powder
1/4 tsp ground ginger

Also take:
2 large pita pockets or large tortillas

Add enough cool water to cover the onions and apples. Let soak for 10-20 minutes. If any water is left, drain off carefully. Open the chicken packet, add in the mayo to taste, then the seasonings. Toss in the onion and apple. Spoon into the pitas, halved.

Serves 2.

-Harvest Chicken Salad Wraps

1 7-ounce pouch of chicken

In a sandwich bag:

2 Tbsp dried chopped celery
1/4 cup diced dried apples

Also take:
1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1 Tbsp dried cranberries or raisins
1 packet each salt and pepper
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 large pitas or tortillas

Cover the celery and apples with water and let sit for 10-20 minutes. Drain any remaining water carefully. Open the chicken pouch and add the vegetables, nuts and cranberries and toss. Add in olive oil to texture you like, salt and pepper to taste. Serve in pita halves or as wraps.

Serves 2.

-Razzie chicken
1 7-ounce pouch of chicken
2 Tbsp dried cranberries
2 Tbsp dried chopped apples - plain (fresh is better if you want to pack one small apple in)
1 Tbsp walnuts, diced
Balsamic raspberry dressing to taste, from a single serve pouch

Mix together in chicken pouch. Will fill 2 tortillas.

Serves 1 - 2.

-Peanut Butter Wraps
Per person take:

1 tortilla or flat bread
1 individual tube or tub of peanut butter per tortilla
1 packet honey
Snack box of raisins

Spread and enjoy.

Dinners and Soups:

-Creamy Potato Soup Mix:
At home mix up in a bowl:
2 cups instant mashed potatoes
1 3/4 cups instant dry milk
1/2 cup shelf stable Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons low sodium chicken, beef or vegetable bouillon
2 Tablespoons dried onion flakes
1 Tablespoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme

Divide the soup mix up by 1/2 cup dry portions. Depending on if you will be using freezer bags or a mug to have your soup in, pack in quart freezer bags or sandwich bags.

FBC method:
Add 1 cup near boiling water and stir till smooth. Let cool.

Mug method:
Add 1 cup boiling water and stir till smooth. Let cool.

Serves 1 per bag.

Notes:
Creamy Potato Soup mix is a great way to get a potassium rich meal into you when you are so tired you can't face eating. It is easy to mix up, and quite affordable. Carry a packet or two with you in your food bag, as a backup for cold evenings as well. It rehydrates easily in a freezer bag or in your mug.

-Perk’s Chili

In quart freezer bag:
2 Tbsp diced dried onion
2 Tbsp diced dried green bell pepper
1 tsp granulated garlic
½ tsp dried jalapeno peppers (or Serrano if you like the heat)
2 tsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp tomato powder (or soup mix)
½ tsp ground ancho chili pepper
Dash of: oregano, red pepper, cumin, ground cinnamon, salt
2 Tbsp diced sun-dried tomatoes
¼ cup cooked and dehydrated red kidney beans
¼ cup dehydrated (canned) hot chili beans

Also take 1 package chipped beef or 1/4 cup cooked and dehydrated hamburger

FBC method:
Add the beef to the bag and top with near boiling water. Stir well, seal tightly and put in a cozy for 15 minutes. Add more water if needed.

Mug method:
Add the beef to the mug with dry ingredients. Top with boiling water. Stir well, cover tightly and let sit for 15 minutes. Add more water if needed.

Optional: Add a ¼ cup of red wine. Top with a couple of tablespoons of fresh pico de gallo packed in.

-*Vegetarian* Low Sodium Broth (Bouillon) mix:

1 cup nutritional yeast flakes
3 Tbsp onion powder
1 Tbsp garlic powder
1 tsp celery seeds
2 Tbsp Italian seasoning
2 Tbsp dried parsley
1/2 tsp ground pepper
1 tsp dried marjoram
1 tsp dried tarragon
1 tsp paprika (regular or smoked)

Put all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Pulse until well blended. Store in an airtight container or bag for up to 6 months.
Add 1 Tbsp mix to a cup of hot water for a cup of soup or broth. Use in any recipe calling for commercial bouillon cubes or granules. Use 1 Tbsp for 1 tsp commercial.
This makes 1-2/3 cups of mix. Add salt to taste.

-Spicy Black Beans & Rice
In a quart freezer bag:
3/4 cup instant rice
2 Tbsp cooked and dehydrated black beans
1 Tbsp diced dried bell peppers
1 Tbsp freeze-dried corn
3-4 tsp Black Bean dip mix powder

Also take 1-ounce cheddar or Pepper jack cheese. (The string cheese size packs work well)

FBC method:
Add 1 cup + 2 Tbsp near boiling water and stir well. Seal tightly and put in a cozy for 15 minutes.
Add in the cheese diced up and stir well.

Mug method:
Add 1 cup + 2 tbsp boiling water to the dry ingredients. Stir well, cover tightly and let sit for 15 minutes.
Add in the cheese diced up and stir well.

Serves 1.


-Shitake and Beef Rice
In a quart freezer bag:
1/2 cup rice
1/2 tsp low sodium beef bouillon
1 tsp diced dried onion
1/4 cup dehydrated top round beef, diced up
1/4 cup dried crumbled shitake mushrooms

Also take 1 - 2 packets of soy sauce (regular or lower sodium)

FBC method:
Add 1/2 cup near boiling water. Stir well, seal tightly and put in a cozy for 15 minutes.
Fluff up and add soy sauce to taste.

Mug method:
Add 1/2 cup boiling water top dry ingredients. Stir well, cover tightly and let sit for 15 minutes.
Fluff up and add soy sauce to taste.

Serves 1.

Notes:
This also works well with diced dried carrots added. Cooked and dried hamburger or 'Beef' TVP
can be used as a sub for the Top Round.

Drinks:

-Peanut Butter Hot Cocoa
Mix together in a bowl at home:

1 cup sugar
1 cup cocoa powder
1 cup dry milk
1/2 cup peanut butter chips

Split into individual servings of 1/3 cup and store in snack bags.
To make:
Add 1 cup of water to a bag, in your mug. Stir until peanut butter chips have melted and mixture is smooth.

Approximately12 servings.

Notes: If you use Nido® or similar high fat dry milk, store the mix in your refrigerator till trip time.

-Winter Cocoa

At home mix together:
1 4 serving box of instant chocolate pudding mix
2 cups dry milk

Split into 6 servings. Each serving takes 1 cup of boiling water. Stir well and enjoy! You can use sugar free pudding mix if desired, to cut pack weight. Whole fat dry milk (Nido®) works well here. If you use whole fat milk, store your mix in the refrigerator till leaving.
Serves 6.

-Mocha Coffee Mix

At mix together:
1 1/4 cups instant coffee granules
7 cups dry milk powder
5 3/4 cups powdered chocolate drink mix
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1 3/4 cups powdered non-dairy creamer

Store in an airtight container.
Add 1/4 cup mix to 1 cup boiling water and stir well.
Makes 64 servings.

-Sport Drink

10 tbs. sugar (5/8 cups or 120 grams)
3/4 tsp Morton® Lite salt (4.2 grams)
1 package of unsweetened Koolaid® or similar
Water to make 2 liters

The recipe will give a total of 124 grams of solute which in 2 liters water gives a total of 6.2% concentration. For an 8 oz serving this gives:
14.2 grams carbohydrate (6%)
53 calories
103 mg Sodium
121 mg Potassium

You'll notice that the amount of potassium is quite a bit higher than Gatorade®, but the rest is pretty close. If you wanted to reduce the potassium, another option would be to use 1/2 tsp. each of regular salt and the Morton® Lite Salt. This would change it to: 104mg sodium, 40mg potassium.

Source: www.freezerbagcooking.com

Having the right tools for the trade is the secret to having a successful and enjoyable outing. When everything has to be carried on your back, it pays to use a little forethought in choosing your gear. Our next article surrounding women in the backcountry deals with sleeping bags, pads, tarps and tents. These are not tips that are strictly for women only, so who knows, you may be able to teach your man a thing or two.

There is a lot of controversy over whether to own a down sleeping bag or one of the new synthetic ones. Down was the standard for many years as it compresses better than synthetics, is lighter in weight, warmer and more durable. The downside is that they are costly, hard to wash, and cold when wet. The synthetics are warmer when wet, less expensive and are washable. The down-side on synthetics is that they are less compressible and are not as warm. Whatever you do, don’t opt for a flannel-lined cotton-batting bag. They are heavier and can absorb moisture from your body leaving you freezing all night. (Been there-done that!)

Photo backpackgeartest.org

What climate will you be predominately camping in? A three- season bag can usually accommodate most backpacking trips. If needed, it can be adapted for cold weather with a liner or overbag. Next, you already know whether you sleep cold or warm. A person who sleeps cold should add 5-10 degrees F. to the comfort rating of the bag. Those who sleep warm can subtract 5-10 degrees F. Don’t buy more than you need, it is an unnecessary cost.

Mummy style bags are warmer for cold weather camping, especially if you have cold feet. If at all possible, before you buy a bag, crawl into it and see if it is comfortable to you. Is it roomy enough for your body build? Do not allow too much extra room in the bag if you will be camping in colder weather as this will allow cold spots. There are more and more bags out there built for a woman’s smaller frame and height. Unless you are extremely tall, do not purchase a bag made for a 6’4” male. It may be a little tricky to find a woman’s bag that fits if you are over 5’6”, but shop around and try out the bag and you will eventually find one that fits.

Can you easily turn over in the bag or does the inner fabric cause you to turn the whole bag with you? This is not so much of a concern if you never move in your sleep, but for someone who tosses and turns in sleep, you could end up in knots by the end of the night. Make sure the outer fabric is durable if you will be sleeping on the ground or tent floor. It would be a shame to spend a pretty penny on a nice bag and find it tearing after two camping trips. Also zip the bag up and down to make sure it zips easily and doesn’t catch the fabric. Practice tightening the top and then undoing the bag. Close your eyes and do this to see how long it takes you to get out of the bag for a night outing to relieve yourself.

A sleeping pad should provide insulation from the ground and, in my opinion, cushioning. I have tried the closed-cell foam which is a good insulator (but we were camping in the summer heat) and found it hard indeed. The best of both worlds is the Therm-a-Rest self-inflating pad, made of open-cell foam within an airtight layer of waterproof nylon making it very durable and leak-proof. It is easily inflated and deflated for fast camp set-up. There are other manufacturers making a close facsimile, but make sure they are durable and easy to repair on the trail.

Therm-a-Rest, Photo backcountrygear.com

For most backcountry trips, you will need a tent and/or tarp to protect you from the weather and bugs. A tarp can come in handy for any number of things. It can be laid on the ground to keep a tent clean and the floor protected. You can use it for a simple shelter if there is no rail or bugs to contend with. It can also keep your gear dry while you erect your tent in the rain or shelter you from the hot sun. If camping with a group, a large tarp can be erected over the openings of the tents to provide a place for everyone to remove their wet gear in rainy weather, providing you have the room to set the tents up with the openings all facing each other. You can purchase tarps at camping supply stores or purchase an automotive tarp for a very reasonable price. If you get one that doesn’t have any grommets, you can secure the edges down with some Sierra Designs Grip Clips, or other tent clips, pegs and rope, while holding the tarp up with poles or trekking sticks. You can even go to the toy store and purchase a few nerf balls and use them similar to the way the old Visklamps worked-placing them in the corner of the tarp, wrapping the tarp around it and tying your cord around.

Photo backpackinglight.com

For backpackers, the weight of a tent can sometimes be your heaviest gear. There are plenty of ultra-light tents out there now, but they also cost a good deal of money. At the same time, don’t be sucked into a “bargain” tent unless you happen on a great sale. Try to get an idea of what you really want before you go shopping. There are so many tent options out there that it is easy to get caught up buying more than you really need. Again, crawl into the tents to see if they are comfortable. It is not necessary to be able to stand up in your tent, but you should have enough room to sit up and change clothes.

Photo campingtents.us

If you will be sharing a tent, make sure you both climb in together at the store to see how much room there is. It may be that you will want to opt for a three-person tent instead of a two-person one, keeping in mind that this will probably increase the weight of the tent. My husband set our small two-person tent up at home and crawled in declaring it “roomy”. He invited me in and sure enough, it seemed roomy, with no gear in it! Once we set up camp and put in the sleeping gear however, it was very close indeed.

Do get a tent with a rain fly. This is so important in wet weather to keep water from seeping into your tent. Those with a vestibule can provide a second ante room where gear can be stored out from under the weather. It also provides a space to remove your wet garments before entering your tent and is helpful in windy, rainy weather to keep the water out of your tent. A tarp can also help with this, as stated previously.

Poles can be made of aluminum, fiberglass or can even be hollow. Obviously the hollow ones are often the lightest, but they also bend very easily. Fiberglass is more durable, but heavier, so consider how far you will be backpacking and what use you have for the tent. Aluminum poles are lighter, but can also bend with use.

If the store will allow, take the tent down and put it back up again. (You need to practice this at home anyway.) You will want one that is not difficult to put up and does not come with intricate features that would have you reading the instructions by flashlight. The last thing you need after hiking 20 miles is to fumble around in the dark getting drenched by a sudden downpour before you figure out how to assemble the tent.

Backpacking into the backcountry should be fun and exciting. It need not be a drudgery that women endure to be with their man, or an outdoor zealous friend. A little know-how can go a long way to making you pretty darn comfortable while out in the wild. So choose your gear thoughtfully with comfort, quality and weight in mind.

By Corie Marks

A-C photo: Grand Teton NP

Backpacking during in the winter months can be a rewarding experience in regards to recreation and scenery but these can loose their luster if you're freezing. Use the following methods to keep your winter backpacking trips from turning into brittle battles.

Learn about heat loss and you will come to better understand how to stay warm in the backcountry. Heat is primarily lost through conduction, convection, radiation and evaporation. For example heat could be lost from sitting on a cold rock, from wind chill, from not wearing a hat and heat escaping, or respiration. Besides warming up near the camp stove people can only generate heat by keeping up their metabolism, exercising and shivering if need be.

Layering properly is the first thing winter backpackers can do to regulate heat. This means non-cotton, moisture wicking base layers and mid-layers, insulated layers such as a down vest and jacket and down pants and weather proof outer layers. A hat and balaclava or neck gaiter is also necessary as are liner socks and socks made with wool. Down camp booties aren't necessary but make your world much more comfortable. Mountaineering or plastic boots with insulated liners are what to hike in through snow and ice and liner gloves and insulated over-mitts are what will keep your fingers moving.

Stay dry and pace yourself. The point of all these layers is not to wear them all at once but to control the four primary losses of heat while hiking. Staying dry is crucial. Don't let yourself get too sweaty because as soon as you stop for a break your sweat begins to freeze. Wearing things that dry easily and wick moisture such as polypropylene, capilene, synthetic or wool are the way to go whether you are hiking, snowshoeing or backcountry skiing. Keep yourself properly hydrated too, as loss of heat happens from loss of moist exhalation.

Make your camp in such a way that you take advantage of the elements. After anchoring your tents in the snow, dig out a 3 by 2-foot area in front of your tent door at least 12 inches into the snow. This acts as an entryway where you can sit in your tent while hanging your feet out to change out of your boots and camp booties without bringing wet snow inside the tent. One or two-wall nylon tents work fine though one-wall tents are a bit lighter. Using at least one sleeping pad is necessary for winter camping as you need to insulate yourself from the cold ground and snow. More than one sleeping pad is recommended. Either use a shorter foam pad beneath your inflatable one or sleep on your extra layers at night. This also dries them out.

Sleep warm. Make sure to eat a bit more than you think you can handle and have plenty of hot drinks before getting into your sleeping bag on a night of winter backpacking. Your metabolism not only has to deal with the workout you've had during the day but also has to keep you warm through the cold night. Before getting into your bag fill up a water bottle with boiling water from the stove, slip a sock or shirt over it so it doesn't burn your skin and sleep with this in your bag, sleep with two of them if necessary.

Make sure that you keep your sleeping bag as dry as possible, especially if it is made of down as this material loses its warmth when wet. If you are generally a cold person, get a sleeping bag that is rated at least 10 to 20 degrees colder than you think you might need. Also sleep with boot liners so they aren't frozen when you try to wiggle your toes in there the following morning. Use a small 2 by 2-foot square cut from a role of sleeping pad foam and kneel on it while cooking or taking a break, to insulate from the snow at all times.

By Naomi Judd

When bison snort out steam at Yellowstone, snow bunnies traverse Yosemite's slopes, and mosquitoes vacate the Everglades, it's nature's way of telling travelers to consider a winter trip to a national park. Visiting the crown jewels of the American landscape during summer with kids in tow is a cherished ritual, but it's a ritual for the masses: The 391 parks in the system, including the 58 major ones, drew 275.6 million visitors last year, and almost 40% of them came June through August. A savvier 13% visited from December through February and took advantage of such winter-only activities as cross-country skiing at Montana's Glacier National Park, storm-watching in Washington's Olympic National Park, ice-fishing in Michigan's Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, fireplace-snuggling at Triangle X Ranch in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park, and no-broil backpacking in California's Death Valley National Park.

Falling gas prices and the still-steep cost of traveling abroad this winter could give a short-term boost to what some see as a growing long-term trend. "As the Baby Boom wave moves into retirement, we'll see some interesting changes in the demographics of the people visiting the parks and the times they visit," says Jim Burnett, a retired park ranger/outdoors writer.

To get a sense of what awaits in the great outdoors, consider five parks that show their best sides in winter listed below.

Olympic National Park, Washington

•Why winter? Hiking through the Pacific rain forest is one of the park's top draws, but most trekkers see it only during the dry season, when everything is brownish and shriveled. Winter rains bring out the vigor and brilliant green lushness in the mosses, lichens and liverworts. In addition, rainstorms wash fallen Douglas firs, hemlocks and cedars down the rivers and into the ocean, where they are tossed about by giant waves and wind up back on the beaches. The spectacle can be viewed in relative safety from atop bluffs near Kalaloch Lodge.

•Entrance fee: $15 a vehicle; $5 a pedestrian/cyclist; good for 7 days.

•Coziest lodging, upscale: Kalaloch Lodge (888-896-3826; visitkalaloch.com), where rooms and cabins start at $123 a night.

•Coziest lodging, budget: Ten of Olympic's 16 campgrounds are open year-round, weather-permitting. Nightly fees are $10-$18 (nps.gov/olym).

•Heartiest dining: Roosevelt Dining Room at Lake Quinault Lodge (888-896-3827; visitlakequinault.com).

•Winter temps: 30s and 40s at lower elevations, but up to 10 feet of snow can fall in the mountains.

•Information: Road/weather hotline: 360-565-3131; visitor information: 360-565-3130; nps.gov/olym

Death Valley National Park, California

A-C Photo: Scotty's Castle

•Why winter? Well, you could visit the country's hottest (it hit 134 degrees here once) and driest spot during summer, but even masochists can't venture far into the desert without risking their lives. Winter, when daily high temps average 65 to 72 degrees, is when the park's 3.5 million acres open up fully for leisurely exploration. Stargazing is especially rewarding during the long winter nights. And, a few times a decade, enough rain falls in winter that wildflowers bloom in February. Though there may be some crowds to contend with, especially during holidays, most visitors come in the spring.

•Entrance fee: $20 a vehicle, good for 7 days.

•Coziest lodging, upscale: At luxurious Furnace Creek Inn, rooms start at $350 (800-236-7916; furnacecreekresort.com).

•Coziest lodging, budget: At 196 feet below sea level, Furnace Creek Campground is the largest of the park's seven campgrounds open in winter. Rates are $18 a night (877-444-6777; recreation.gov).

•Heartiest dining: Furnace Creek Inn Dining Room (760-786-3385; furnacecreekresort.com).

•Winter temps: Highs average 65 to 72 degrees; lows average 39 to 46.

•Information: 760-786-3200, nps.gov/deva

Yellowstone National Park, Montana/Wyoming

•Why winter? Think how extra fantastic Old Faithful and its hundreds of fellow geysers and hot springs will look when the backdrop is a snowy carpet. Only one park road stays open to wheeled vehicles, so skis, snowshoes, snowmobiles and snow coaches are the best methods for viewing the bison and elk herds and the occasional wolf and moose.

•Entrance fees: $25 a car; $20 a snowmobile or motorcycle; $12 each pedestrian ages 16 and over entering by foot, bike or ski. All are good for seven days and include entrance to Grand Teton National Park.

•Coziest lodging, upscale: Old Faithful Snow Lodge & Cabins (opens Dec. 17; accessible by snow coach from main entrances), where cabin rooms start at $94 a night and lodge rooms, $191. (866-439-7375; travelyellowstone.com).

•Coziest lodging, budget: First-come first-served Mammoth Hot Springs Campground ($14 a night) is the only year-round campsite in the park (307-344-7901, no online reservations; nps.gov/yell).

•Heartiest dining: Old Faithful Snow Lodge Dining Room (866-439-7375; travelyellowstone.com).

•Winter temps: Highs average 28 to 34 degrees; lows average 9 to 13. Snowfall averages 150 inches a year.

•Information: 307-344-7381, nps.gov/yell

Yosemite National Park, California
 
A-C Photo: Long Meadow

•Why winter? From downhill skiing at the five-lift Badger Pass area to ice-skating at Curry Village and overnight cross-county ski trips to Glacier Point Ski Hut, Yosemite is a winter-sports paradise. Snowmobiles aren't allowed, but that guarantees near-complete solitude for snowshoe hikes through the 8,000-feet-high Tuolumne Meadows area. And guided photography walks can teach budding shutterbugs how Ansel Adams coped with the winter light bouncing off Half Dome.

•Entrance fee: $20 a car; $10 a pedestrian/cyclist; both good for 7 days.

•Coziest lodging, upscale: Ahwahnee Hotel, where rooms start at $410 a night (801-559-5000; yosemitepark.com).

•Coziest lodging, budget: With 238 sites, Upper Pines is the largest of the four main campgrounds that are open year-round ($20 a night; reservations not necessary; 209-372-8502; nps.gov/yose).

•Heartiest dining: Ahwahnee Hotel Dining Room (209-372-1489; yosemitepark.com).

•Winter temps: Highs average 49 to 59 degrees; lows average 26 to 31.

•Information: 209-372-0200, nps.gov/yose.

Everglades National Park, Florida

•Why winter? The tropical storm season ends in November, taking with it those darn mosquitoes and biting flies. Taking their places are those darn tourists — winter's the high season here — but also thousands of migrating birds. Rangers lead excursions through the park's 1.5 million acres via motorboat, canoe, tram, bike or on foot through mangrove forests, stands of 600-year-old cypress tress, and sawgrass prairies, and along the coast.

•Entrance fees: $10 a car; $5 a pedestrian/cyclist; good for 7 days.

•Coziest lodging, upscale: Luxury lodging is plentiful in the Miami area, but the commute is about 40 miles, so chain hotels in the gateways of Homestead and Florida City are a better way to go. Typical is the Ramada Inn in Florida City, where rooms start at $157 a night (305-247-8833; hotelfloridacity.com).

•Coziest lodging, budget: The two main drive-in campgrounds are Long Pine Key and Flamingo Campground, both $16 a night (305-242-7700; nps.gov/ever).

•Heartiest dining: No fine dining in the park, so consider Capri Italian Restaurant (305-247-1542; dinecapri.com) in Florida City.

•Winter temps: Highs average 77 degrees, lows average 53.

•Information: 305-242-7700, nps.gov/ever.

By Jerry Shriver, USA TODAY

Being a mommy, this article has given me some good advice as to when we take our adventure to the outdoors. Just because you become a parent does not mean that you can not enjoy those same adventures you did before Junior, so go ahead and take that hiking trip or go camping with your children. I feel as a parent this will create a whole new bonding expierence with mom and dad; yet still make you feel there is life outside of parenting.

You have kids, and now your hiking and backpacking life is over, correct? Wrong. Hiking is one of the most popular and enjoyed outdoor activities for all ages. Children love the outdoors and they love to be active. Hiking provides a great deal of quality time with your children and also a wonderful place to teach them to love, enjoy and respect nature. Proper planning will insure a successful hike. This article is not meant to be a substitute for common sense, or on child care. The main thing to consider when hiking with babies and kids, is that you will have to modify your goals is whether it is in choice of destination, mileage, environment When you go hiking with a baby or a toddler, you will have lots of extra gear, plus be carrying the kid. That's when you pick a location that's easy to get to, kid friendly, and not too far in. There are certain trips you will want to do with your buddies or childless friends, to maintain your sense of what you want for "you", which will free you up to do more family oriented trips.

A-C Photo: Great Smoky Mountains, Trillium Gap Trail

Kids will force you to alter your sense of accomplishment and to be flexible. For many children, it's the journey that's important, not how long the journey is. They are slower and closer to the ground, and by taking the time to look at the world from their perspective, with their sense of time, wonder and their short attention span, we learn lessons for ourselves and build real foundations of a love for the outdoors with our children. For all of us who have taken young children into the woods, it is the sense of wonder and altered time that seems to be recalled most fondly. Children don't seem to care about mileage, or destination. "Have fun. look at world through their eyes and it becomes new again" is how one dad put it so well. Get down to their level. spider webs, dew drops, a crawling bug, tossing pebbles. There is a real joy in re-discovering nature, on a kid's level. Older kids are going to enjoy the hike, the mileage and the view from the top more, but that is something that most families work up to.

Many people take their babies. While it requires preparation and thought, remember, our ancestors were packing infants around with them for thousands of years, why not you? Babies, while requiring special care and attention, are not fragile. With you, the parent, paying attention, There's no reason not to go. First, be prepared to take extra gear. A large capacity pack is a must. One of you will be carrying the baby, and just some of the gear, the other of you will be carrying every thing else. This will be the pattern for the first five years or so. Other ideas for hauling the gear include having a dog who will carry items that if they get lost/damaged/wet aren't a critical loss, and recruiting a friend "Sherpa" who is willing to be a part of your family trips. More on sherpas later.

New parents can be unintentionally thoughtless, based only on inexperience. Precautions to keep in mind are watching for sunburn, rashes and hypothermia. Babies have no real way to communicate with you until it's too late for some things like sunburn or wind burn. They lose body heat quickly, especially through extremities, because they are not generating heat through activity. Be extra diligent, and educate your self to be aware of all the possibilities. There are lots of excellent kid carriers available. Look for one that has a good suspension, with padded waist belt, padded shoulder straps and adjustment points. Do not attempt to use a basic pack with only shoulder straps, older ("Gerry" type from yard sales) these are not designed with serious hiking in mind. Some carriers have places to strap thing on, and extra pockets. There are a lot of extra accessories too: sun and rain guards, stirrups, and so on. A smaller infant can be carried in a Snugli type front pack, which will balance out a backpack, and keep the infant close for warmth. On one trip, Dad carried out 11 month old on top on his pack, sitting on his shoulders, with the top pocket as a back rest and the baby pack was strapped to my pack for later use.

Diapers are one of the biggest issues when backpacking. Let, "pack it in,pack it out" be your guide, whether you use cloth or disposables. Under no circumstances bury or burn diapers. You MUST pack them out. Scrape the poop into a cat hole. What we did, is scrape the diapers clean, and then dry them in a rock in the sun. This is where a dog pack can be handy: what better item for your dog to pack out than dirty diapers in plastic bags. In terms of weight, cloth diapers will dry more efficiently than disposables. Good sanitation for the parents is a must. lots of hand washing, and antibacterial hand wipes might be a useful item to carry. Consider too that an infant in a pack will be sitting on his diapers all day long. be sure and maintain diligence for not getting too soaked, or diaper rash.

The consensus is that backpacking babies are breastfed babies. No bottles to wash, no formula to pack. milk is the perfect food for backpacking. When they get to the solid stage, just do like you would do at home. If you are the type that just feeds mushy versions of what the adults are having, that will be much simpler than carrying jars of prepared food. Many pack will "stand" making a great high chair substitute.Sleeping with your baby is your personal style guide. Many people do a double sleeping bag with the infant in between them. The problem with a baby in it's own bag is that they tend to wiggle out. If you are going to put baby it it's own bag, make sure they are dressed warmly enough to be comfortable in the night when they do wiggle out. Synthetic bags are washable. Toddlers who crawl is the most exciting stage, and one of the most difficult to deal with. They are little children that are mobile with no sense. Everything is interesting to them. to look, touch, feel and even put in mouth. For most families, it works best to have one adult completely committed to the task of watching the kid, while the other one does camp chores. Good communication is a must, so that all parties know who is watching the kid.

Remember outside dirt is clean dirt A dirty face is usually a happy face. Seriously, one can waste a whole lot of time and energy trying to keep them clean. Clothing? Forget it, just change it when it's truly soiled, and not just dirty. One caution about eating dirt: one of my sons ended up with a really nasty fungal diaper rash, presumably from something that was in the dirt.

Photo by Mark Fuller: Washington Trails Association

There are no real rules about hiking with kids. there are too many variables. As a parent, our job is to be sensitive and aware of their energy and attitude, and be ready to make alternate plans at a moments notice. Make hiking goals reasonable. Keep them fed and hydrated. Some kids love to travel on foot, some will dawdle. Some will set a faster pace than their older siblings, in order to not let them get ahead. Some families have done multi-day loop hikes, and other content themselves with hikes that only go one or two miles into the woods.

Start out with short hikes and slowly build up their conditioning and endurance. Hike are supposed to be fun, not forced and upsetting. Don't expect them to go as far or as fast as you can. Five miles for any child is the maximum. Make sure they have the proper footwear. This is as important for them as it is for you. Nylon liner socks and a heavier sock are also a must to avoid getting blister. Leave plenty of time for your hike. Be prepared to stop often. Kids love to touch everything they see. Plan hikes near boulder fields, waterfalls, streams and other attractions to keep them interested and to build their anticipation. Take time to identify things along the way. Look for wildlife. Teach your children to explore and touch; not to destroy or collect. Don't forget to take lots of pictures for their scrapbook.

Teach them good outdoor ethics and to respect nature and other people. Stay on the trail and don't allow them to take shortcuts. No yelling or loud noises. Don't throw rocks or break tree branches. Don't pick flowers or write on rocks. No running on the trails. Respect other hikers space. No littering. Remember--pack in, pack out. Keep kids away from steep cliffs and other drop off areas. Watch them closely when climbing on rocks and around water. Bring plenty of water and snacks. Don't forget the first aid kit for those unexpected accidents. Remember mommies, infants can be carried in a baby backpack if you can. Engage your child's mind and body. Make the hike fun. Sing songs. Identify items. Play games such as I Spy, twenty questions or cloud pictures etc. Have a scavengar hunt. Be creative. Use your imagination and enjoy this special time with your children.

Every so often, dump the kids and go off on your own and rediscover each other. Make time for you and your partner as friends, lovers, and wilderness partners. You will be better parents and partners because of it.

Author: Penny Schywn
Children's Hiking Gear.

Lowe Alpine TFX Wilderness

Backcountry camping can and should be fun for women. With a few tips on proper preparation and procedures, you can have a fun trip, instead of a miserable, wet and sleepless outing. I’ve gleaned the advice of the experts and have come up with a series of articles geared toward helping women to enjoy the rugged outdoors the way it was meant to be enjoyed. The first of these involves the choosing and packing of a backpack.

Since the backpack is probably the most important gear you will bring along with you, it needs to be chosen wisely. It might also be wise to borrow one for your initial trip to see what features you think you really need. Good backpacks are a decided investment and it is good to have a first-hand notion of what works and what doesn’t before you break open your checkbook.

When you do purchase, you will want to buy the best that you can afford. It will definitely reward you with longevity. The industry has risen to the demand and offers many backpacks that are geared for a woman’s frame and weight abilities. Few women can carry the loads of a man and why would you want to? The whole idea of a backcountry trip is to have fun. You can not have fun if your back is aching every time you break for camp.

It is best to look for length in a pack instead of width since a woman’s center of gravity is lower than a man’s. Try and buy at a reputable store that knows how to measure you for your backpack. They should measure you from the top of the spine on that bony prominence (C-7 vertebra), just below the neck, to the top of the hipbone or your iliac crest. To find the iliac crest, place your hands on your hips with your thumbs pointing straight across the back. The thumb position is the approximate iliac crest. This gives you the best length for your pack frame. If you can’t find a store that will measure you, have a friend measure you at home before you get to the store. A lot of frames are adjustable now, but don’t settle for too much give, especially if you are short-waisted. The hip belt should rest on top of your hips without constricting your diaphragm. Shoulder straps should rest lightly on the shoulders or when tightened, just slightly above the shoulders. You want all the weight to rest on the hips and not on your back. A chest strap was designed to hold the shoulder straps in place while carrying a load, not to actually handle any load, so make sure there is no stress on these.

A fully loaded pack for a woman should not weigh more than 30-40 pounds. With proper preparation, you will not need to carry anything heavier. Pack the heaviest gear such as food and kitchen gear so it sits at the small of your back. Next, pack your tent, tarps and camping pads at waist height. Lighter weights such as clothing or sleeping bag can go on top and bottom. Make sure the things you need handy while hiking are not buried, like warm outer clothing. Water should be carried outside your pack between your hips and waist.

Photo terragalleria.com

Backpacks come in many styles and have many features. If you borrowed a pack before you bought, you may have already learned what you like. Many pockets come in handy to have items that you need while hiking, such as snacks, hat, gloves, rain gear and medications, within easy reach. Try to remember where you packed everything and replace items where you took them from. Nothing will get lost or buried this way and you will not spend precious moments hunting for an important item. It is also nice to have a top and bottom opening so you do not have to remove everything from the pack to get one item buried on the bottom.

Get a comfortable fit before you buy and don’t get caught up with buying more than you need. You will just be tempted to fill those extra compartments and space with unnecessary items that will add weight. Most women pack items for that “just in case” syndrome, (I’m guilty as charged), so don’t allow yourself that luxury.

Every year, millions of Americans look forward to autumn and the opportunity to take in the beautiful fall foliage. As deciduous trees across the country begin to shed their leaves, "leaf peeping," as it is known, becomes a pastime of many travelers.

The national parks offer a serene setting and unmatched views to enjoy this majestic transformation. Our parks preserve hundreds of tree species, which, into November, vibrantly paint the mountains and hillsides and fields with fresh shades of red, orange, yellow and purple.

"Visitors come from miles away each year to experience fall foliage in our national parks. It is truly a spectacular time of year," says Mark Wenzler, director of Clean Air and Climate Programs for the National Parks Conservation Association. "Unfortunately, many of the trees people come to see face threats like air pollution, most of which is caused by exhaust from coal-fired power plants and automobiles. It is essential we do everything we can to protect our national parks for our children and grandchildren to enjoy, as well."

Here are a few national park sites beloved for their brilliant fall foliage, but also facing air pollution issues:

Although nearing the completion of this year's season, Acadia National Park in Maine is well-known for its beautiful fall foliage. Timing varies each year, but peak colors are typically seen in early to mid-October. The park offers nearly 40,000 acres of Maine coastline for visitors to explore the remarkable foliage and views. Leaf peepers come to see the bright yellow birch leaves, the deep red maple foliage, and the orange hue of the white ash. At an elevation of 1,530 feet, Cadillac Mountain allows visitors to enjoy fall foliage at the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard.

Acadia Fall Foliage
Photo by Bob Atkins

Despite the undeniable beauty throughout the park, Acadia's forests are threatened by harmful air pollution. To reduce pollution from your car, consider carpooling in the fall, as the park's shuttle system stops operating after Columbus Day. For more information about fall foliage at Acadia National Park, please see: http://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee, North Carolina) usually experiences a fall foliage season that lasts several weeks. Park trees change colors at various times, depending mostly on elevation. At mid and lower-level elevations, the color display typically reaches peak between mid-October and early November. The park attracts leaf peepers, who want a glimpse of the nearly 100 native tree species, most of which are deciduous. Some of the more vibrant trees include hickories, sugar maple, scarlet oak, sweetgum and red maple.

www.gatlinburgcabinsonline.com
Road leading to Gatlinburg

The fall foliage display at Great Smoky Mountains remains one of the best in the country, but park forests face air pollution threats like acid rain, which weakens trees by damaging the leaves and limiting the nutrients available to them. Visitors might consider alternative transportation options to lessen their own impact at the park, as automobile emissions are a contributor to air pollution. At Cades Cove, one of the more congested areas of the park, NPCA has partnered with the nonprofit Cades Cove Heritage Tours to offer a guided shuttle service for visitors. For more information about fall foliage at Great Smoky Mountains, please visit www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit.

Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky is known for its extensive cave system -- the longest in the world. However, visitors have ample opportunity to explore other features of this national park, as well. Mammoth Cave preserves the forested Kentucky hills, which offer numerous trails for hikers to explore and observe the vibrant fall foliage. Oak, tulip poplar and sassafras are among the trees that scatter park forests and attract leaf peepers annually.

Unfortunately, the park's beloved deciduous trees are threatened by acid rain year-round. Consider carpooling to the park, and using park trails to explore its changing forests. Mammoth Cave offers trails for every level of hiker. For an updated webcam shot of fall foliage at the park, please visit http://nature.nps.gov/air.

Each of these parks is downwind of dozens of coal-fired power plants, which are the major cause of acid rain and ozone which damage their trees. Fortunately, many electric utilities are now offering their customers the choice of green energy alternatives to coal, like wind and solar power. After returning from your fall leaf peeping trip, consider switching to green energy to help protect the beautiful scenery you just enjoyed.

Source: CarolinaCoastOnline.com