National Safe Boating Week begins Saturday, but for 365 days a year, safe boating is a concern for anyone who launches a boat. That's emphasized by some alarming statistics – Texas boating accidents claimed 61 lives in 2008.

That's the highest number of fatalities since 2002, which also saw 61 boating deaths. In '02, Texas had 620,000 registered boats. Last year, the number declined to 591,000.

Last year's boating statistics were not necessarily the result of increasingly crowded waterways.

As Alfonso Campos points out, there are three simple measures any boater can take to greatly reduce the odds of being a boating statistic. Campos is Texas Parks and Wildlife's lead warden for boating safety issues.

Campos' advice is nothing new. Wear a life jacket, leave the alcoholic beverages at home, and take a boater education course. I love TP&W's water safety initiative title – "Nobody's Waterproof." Do what Campos says and you'll be close to waterproof.

Let's take a look at the three benchmarks of boating safety:

First, there's the life jacket, now commonly called a PFD – personal flotation device. By Texas law, any child younger than 13 must wear a Coast Guard-approved PFD when the boat is underway. Any boater aboard a personal watercraft must wear a PFD.

Otherwise, it's up to the boater, and that discretion will never work any more than voluntary seat belts. Only when seat belts became mandatory did most drivers use them. I know because I was one of those drivers. Once I was forced to wear a seat belt under penalty of a fine, I discovered that seat belts aren't particularly uncomfortable.

The same is true of PFDs, particularly the newer, streamlined, lightweight models. They've even got inflatable PFDs that automatically inflate in the water and are no more intrusive than a pair of suspenders.

A veteran game warden once told me that he'd never recovered the corpse of a boating accident victim who was wearing a life jacket.

Point two is alcohol. Drinking and driving a boat is just as dangerous as drinking and driving a car or drinking and handling a gun. Actually, drinking and boating is more dangerous because the constant movement of the boat magnifies the alcohol's effect.

Also, BWI (boating while intoxicated) carries penalties that rival DWI. Because recreational boating is, well, recreational, too many boaters think boats and booze go together. If you have to drink, Campos says the least you can do is have a sober designated driver.

Since most Texas boats are trailer boats, a drunken boat operator eventually becomes a drunk driver with the added complication of a boat in tow. Boats and booze are a terrible mix. Statistics indicate that a boater who's drinking is twice as likely to be involved in an accident.

Point three is boater education. Lots of power boats will run 70 mph and a few will top 100 mph. Boats don't handle like cars, yet anyone with enough money can buy a speedboat and launch it in crowded waters, even if the new owner has literally never operated a boat.

Boater education can cut accident rates in half. At some point, Texas boat operators will be required to qualify for an operator's license, just as motorists do. Until then, beat the rush and sign up for a boater education course.

You can also learn more about boating safety at a North Texas Water Safety Shoreline Event that begins 11 a.m. Saturday at Lewisville Lake's Westlake Park.

By Ray Sasser
The Dallas Morning News

coolbuzz.org photo: soda can stove

Making a soda-can stove is a convenient and fun way to cook while camping or backpacking. A soda-can stove will burn for about 15 minutes, which is plenty of time to boil water, or even cook some breakfast. Your needed supplies consists of two soda cans, a needle or pin Knife Perlite, vermiculite and/or sand.

Create the base of the stove from one of your cans. Make a line around the can, about 1-1/2 inches from the bottom. Cut all the way around, as evenly as possible. Then you need to make holes for the burner. On the bottom of the other can, poke 15 to 25 holes around the edge of the bottom rim. The holes should be on the outer side of the bottom circle, but not too close to the soda-can label. A pushpin or needle is perfect for this job.

Then create fuel holes on your burner can. Poke one hole in the center of the can, with a ring of holes around it. Use the same pushpin or needle that you used to make your burner holes. Cut the burner can about 1 inch from the bottom (where you made the holes).

Cut vertical lines into the new, smaller burner section of the can. Set the can down so that the empty side is facing up, and use a knife to create 6 to 8 vertical slits from the area that is facing up to a spot near the end of the label. Make sure you stop cutting before you reach the rounded part of the can bottom. Fill the base with something absorbent. The best materials to use are perlite or vermiculite, but sand will also work. This helps distribute your fuel evenly.

Combine your two can sections. The easiest way is to slide the burner can down over the top of the base can, making sure it forms a good seal. Pour fuel into the top of your new can stove. Add the fuel slowly until the base can is no more than 1/2 full. Light a match or lighter and slowly hold it near the holes in the top of your can stove. It should light up fairly quickly. Cook using your new can stove. Make sure it isn't near anything flammable and is on a level surface.

By Robert Sunset

A-C Photo: Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is a great place to enjoy as a family, but the magnificence and the wonder of the experience can make parents less than mindful of their children’s perspective. Many parents attempt to see everything quickly and at a pace not conducive to their children. Parents worry a little too much when they come to a place like Yellowstone. They hear that it is filled with bears and other deadly animals, and tend to think that it would be best to keep all the car windows rolled up at all times. But the animals are not actually out to get you, and it is not very hard to keep the family safe and have fun at the same time. Here is how to enjoy Yellowstone without wearing the family out.

Scheduling and activity planning makes for a very memorable impression on a child and guarantee a lifetime of return visits to the park. Access the Yellowstone website for information and get the children excited before the trip has started. If you want to see the falls, walk down a few steps to the observation deck from either falls parking lot. Parents may want to accept that this vantage point is enough. A more challenging hike will take you to the brink. That hike can be very difficult for children and the vantage point just above the falls may be frightening.

See wildlife safely. Driving through the open meadows of Yellowstone offers children a safe and comfortable way to view the herds of elk, deer and buffalo. Parents may need to accept this method and dismiss any notions of parking and stalking the herd. Wildlife can be unpredictable and many instances have been recorded of serious and fatal attacks on adults. Understand that most of the animals will not actually come after you. You just need to give them their space. There are, however, some genuine dangers in Yellowstone that do not get enough attention, things that are really worth worrying about, where the safety of the kids is concerned.

Watch out for the hot water—and for the cold water, too. The rivers and lakes in Yellowstone look so pleasant that it is impossible to imagine them as a threat. The water is, however, so cold that it is hard to survive in it very long, and the water in the rivers is often moving very fast. Sp be very cautious as to where and how far your kids wonder from you even if they just want to do there own sight-seeing. Remind them to never wonder off without adult supervison.

Watch Old Faithful erupt. This event is even more amazing when observed through the reaction of their child. If you miss it, in approximately 1 ½ hours the eruption will occur again. During the hiatus, Old Faithful Inn awaits. The enormous stone fireplaces, spectacular upper decks, and overall homey feel, are a great place to relax. Take it slow. Allow children plenty of down time and respect their desire to simply play for an afternoon at a camp or playground. Every park within the National Park Service offers educational and fun activities for children.

Be prepared for congestion. The southern half of the park can be very slow-moving, especially in summer. The Mammoth Hot Springs area is less traveled as is U.S. 212 northeast to Silver Gate. Also, expect frequent brake lights and car stoppage at any time due to wildlife sightings. Many will confuse tree stumps for bears and thus create a chain reaction delay for well over an hour.

By James Barnett

Making arrangements for your stay at Grand Canyon National Park, any National Park, or any location where you plan to stay for the night is important to an itinerary you are putting together. There are many websites that advertise special deals and offer very appealing deals.

Many reservation systems may use tempting and possibly misleading information to get customers to use their services. This may result in additional fees by the third party reservation service while they use tools available to you. They may also suggest untrue facts about packages they offer, such as lodging locations being inside the Park boundaries when the opposite is the case.

Xanterra Parks & Resorts, the largest official concessioner of the National Park System, offers very helpful advice, in a recent press release, to help those planning their stays at National Parks, getting ready to decide summer vacation plans, and to help with traveling in general. Dave Hartvigsen, marketing consultant for Xanterra Parks & Resorts says, "Caveat emptor – let the buyer beware – is sage advice for summer travelers to national parks. Although these sites are legal and many have been around for years, they can be misleading and add unnecessary costs and hassles to a vacation." In many cases, Xanterra offers the same rate to the reservation services it offers to any one person using the Xanterra reservation system.

Xanterra also points out several other problems that customers of these third party reservation systems may cause. Reservation systems may advertise a much lower rate in park that don't exist, only to tack on extra fees or relay the customer to a higher rate claiming an unavailability of the lower rate. It is also very important to pay close attention to the fine print and to what they are advertising. There is a very big difference between lodging "at" a National Park like Grand Canyon and lodging "in" a National Park.

"Our guests often first discover the problems when they check into a Xanterra-operated lodge, and they are frequently surprised to learn that they did not make the reservation through us," said Hartvigsen. "If there is a mistake in the reservation, such as the wrong number of nights or rooms, naturally we will try to help guests salvage their vacation plans, but if their visit is during the busiest time of the summer when we have few rooms available, frequently our options are limited."

Here are several ways to avoid problems with Internet reservations sites provided by Xanterra Park & Resorts:

Look for language that identifies the operator of the site as the "authorized provider of concession services" within a park. Often, a single concessioner operates lodging within a given national park. The National Park Service website, www.nps.gov, lists authorized concessioners at every national park. Xanterra operates lodges and other concessions in Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Death Valley (1, 2), Bryce Canyon, Zion, Crater Lake, Petrified Forest, and Rocky Mountain National Parks and Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Read the terms. Internet reservations sites require users to accept the terms prior to completing a reservation. These sites must disclose terms such as their non-refundable fees.

Closely review a site’s inventory of available hotel properties. If gateway and in-park lodges are interspersed, that is a good indication that the site is a third-party service. Authorized national park concessioners typically only advertise and sell the in-park lodging they manage.

Be skeptical about claims that in-park rooms are sold out. Internet reservations services may try to paint a bleak picture of in-park room availability to get customers to book outside the park resulting in higher fees for their reservations service. For example, one reservations service implies all lodging in Yellowstone is sold out one year in advance. In fact, reservations for lodges are accepted a year in advance, but the hotels do not typically sell out at that time. Another site lists in-park lodging but steers users to gateway community lodging during the reservations process, which suggests that in-park lodging is not available for those dates.

Beware of claims that in-park lodging is pricier than lodges in gateway communities. Those claims are not necessarily true. All in-park lodging is priced based on a National Park Service guideline that requires park lodge rates to be comparable to rates for similar rooms offered outside a park.

Watch out for services that claim access to rooms "even when the park is sold out." Internet reservations sites do not hold room blocks. The Xanterra website lists availability of rooms on any given date, so consumers can see for themselves what is available.

Don’t be fooled by official-looking images such as images of National Park Service signs or logos. To a casual or inattentive website user, the use of any or all of these image types might suggest an official endorsement from the National Park Service when that might not be the case.

By Christian Espanol

If walking quickly is too uncomfortable for you as a fitness program, consider learning how to hike. Hiking allows you to opt for longer walks at a more moderate pace. In terms of energy costs, a day-long hike up hills and down winding paths is similar to running a marathon. But when it comes to taking in the sights, smells, and sounds as you go, hiking is tough to beat.

Where you choose to hike will depend, in part, on your interests. If you enjoy watching birds, for example, you may want to pack your binoculars and head for a swampy area like the Everglades National Park, which is known for its ornithological richness.

A-C Photo: Everglades National Park

If you're interested in plant life, you may want to plan a spring or summer hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where you'll find a brilliant display of rhododendrons and azaleas. If you just want to get out into nature, you may want to join the 20 million hikers and backpackers who put the national and state parks to good use each year. Chances are you'll find a national, state, or local park in your area that offers scenic trails for hiking. Trail maps are often available to guide you; some show estimates of mileage and may indicate the degree of difficulty of the trails.

A-C Photo: Smoky Mountain hiking trails

Even if you live in an urban area, you'll probably be able to find forest or wildlife preserves nearby that you can roam for a few hours. It's a healthy and inexpensive way to escape the noise and traffic of the city. It's also a good way to prepare your body for lengthier hikes across rougher terrain. Your state board of tourism may be able to provide you with information about state and local parks. Local chapters of hiking groups and environmental organizations may also be able to assist you. To find out more about national parks in your area, contact the National Park Service.

Before you head out on the wilderness trail, you'll need to prepare yourself for the greater intensity of hiking. Once you've completed the Starter and Basic Walking Programs, you should be able to walk comfortably on level ground for four or five miles at a time.

Rarely will you find a hiking path that's smooth and level. So you'll need to condition your body for tackling hilly terrain. To do this, choose a four- or five-mile route near your home that has plenty of inclines. Since walking up and down inclines takes more energy than walking on level ground, you may have to begin at a pace that's slightly slower than your usual walking speed. Walk the entire length of this route three or four times a week for several weeks, until you can manage it comfortably at a moderate pace.

Your next step is to practice walking on hilly terrain with weight on your back. Even if you'll be sticking to short day hikes, you'll probably need to carry a few things with you. So fill your hiking pack with items you're likely to take, including a filled water bottle or two, a small first-aid kit, insect repellent and/or sunscreen, a raincoat or poncho, a sweatshirt, and some snacks. Then walk that four- or five-mile hilly stretch a few times a week for several weeks while carrying your filled pack.

Once you've completed this round of conditioning, you should be ready for a day hike. You'll need to successfully complete a few day hikes -- and practice walking with a heavier pack -- before you'll be ready for an overnight trip. For your first hike, choose a well-marked trail that you can cover at a moderate pace in less than a day.

As you hike, choose a comfortable pace. You'll be walking for several hours, so don't race through the first mile. Be sure to give yourself rest stops, too. You may want to try stopping for about ten minutes each hour. More frequent breaks may cause you to lose momentum. If you absolutely need to rest a little more often, however, by all means do.

When you start out on a hike, it's better to be wearing too much than too little. You'll want to be prepared for the worst, even if the weather is beautiful when you begin. Of course, you probably don't need to carry your snow gear for a mid-July walk through low altitudes. You will, however, want to wear or carry clothes that will protect you from rain, winds, and a sudden drop in temperature.

Dress yourself in several thin layers. This way, you can strip off layers if you feel too warm. Choose a soft material that absorbs sweat (like cotton) for the layer next to your skin. For your outer layer, try a light, breathable windbreaker. Also, toss a sweatshirt into your pack. Even if rain doesn't look likely, it's best to come equipped with rain gear. In wet weather, a wet hiker can become frostbitten and hypothermic, even if the temperature isn't all that low. Bring along a large, foldable poncho for protection.

You'll also need a sturdy, comfortable pair of hiking boots or walking shoes designed for off-road terrain. Be sure to break them in gradually by wearing them around the house before you take them on the road. Invest in a good pair of socks to protect your feet from blisters. Nicely padded Orlon socks or wool socks with nylon liners work well.

Use these guidelines to determine what to pack for your hike. The first item on your list of things to carry is water, even if you're taking a short hike. It's all too easy to become dehydrated during a hike, especially in warm weather. So you'll need to drink plenty of water as you go, even if you don't feel particularly thirsty.

You can't count on finding drinkable water along your route, so you'll need to carry enough for your entire hike. If you're planning a short hike, you may be able to get away with one bottle of water. For longer hikes, try filling three or four containers so that you can distribute the weight evenly in your pack.

The next item on the list is food. Hiking takes a lot of energy -- at least 300 calories an hour (more if you're hiking at a brisk pace or on rugged or uphill terrain). Even if you eat an extra-large breakfast before you begin, you're likely to get hungry on the trail. Because you'll probably have to carry all the food you'll need, try to choose foods that are nourishing yet low in weight and bulk -- and easy to prepare in advance. Particularly in hot weather, avoid bringing perishable foods, such as milk products and raw meat that can spoil easily.

Sandwiches as well as snacks of nuts, dried fruits, and dry cereal are favorite choices. They'll provide you with the carbohydrates you need for energy. A variety of dehydrated foods are also available, but these require water to make them edible.

Another essential item is a small first aid kit. This kit should contain bandages or sterile pads and tape, antiseptic, and aspirin or another painkiller. In addition, you may want to carry a pocket knife or a small pair of scissors, matches, a small flashlight, biodegradable toilet paper, insect repellent, and a good sunscreen. You may also want to bring a compass along. If you have a map of the area, be sure to keep it handy.

To carry all these items, you'll need a pack. The type you choose depends on the length of the hikes you intend to take. If you plan on taking short hikes, a fanny pack or day pack should be large enough. If you go on overnight hikes, however, you'll need a backpack that's a little roomier.

Packs come in a variety of models, sizes, materials, and colors. Some have internal frames, others have external frames. To find a pack that's right for you, visit a sporting goods store or outdoor gear store that has knowledgeable salespeople. Discuss with them the type of hiking you'll be doing, the supplies you plan to carry, and the amount of money you're willing to spend.

Be sure, however, to try the pack on before you purchase it. You'll be the one carrying it around, so you'll want it to suit your body frame and feel comfortable. The pack should conform to your back. It should also have adjustable, padded shoulder straps and an adjustable waist belt that will allow you to distribute the weight of the pack to your hips as well as to your shoulders.

Once you've taken several day hikes, you may want to try an overnight hiking or backpacking trip. For these trips, you'll need to carry more supplies, including extra food and water, a sleeping bag, a powerful flashlight, a change of clothes, and perhaps even a tent and a small camping stove. This collection of necessities can add up to a heavy load.

Government researchers have found that carrying more than 25 pounds of weight for long periods can do more harm than good by straining the shoulders, back, and knees. This research grew out of complaints from soldiers who had to carry heavy packs during long marches. So it may be best to limit the load you carry on a hiking trip to 25 pounds, if it's at all possible.

To cut down on weight, try choosing nourishing foods that don't need to be cooked, so you won't have to carry cooking utensils. If you're purchasing a sleeping bag, tent, stove, or other equipment, choose lightweight models. You know that a first-aid kit is an essential safety item to take along on your hike, but there are other ways to protect yourself from harm while hiking.

There is several safety issues associated with hiking. Part of the pleasure of hiking is the opportunity it gives you to explore wild areas and experience the wonders of nature. Even if you're hiking a trail for the second time around, you'll discover many new sights and sounds. But you can prevent some unpleasant surprises by taking a few precautions on the trail.

As a general safety precaution, it's best to walk with a companion, especially on long treks. Before you venture out, it's also wise to let someone at home know where you're going, which trail you intend to follow, and when you intend to return. When you're on the trail, avoid drinking water directly from springs, streams, or lakes. No matter how clean and clear it looks, the water may be contaminated with a host of parasites and bacteria introduced by people or animals upstream.

Boiling the water for at least one minute may help destroy some of these organisms. Portable water treatment kits are also available to help you purify water in an emergency. However, the best way to avoid illness from contaminated water is to pack and carry your own drinking water.

Poisonous plants are another trailside hazard. To guard against getting rashes from poison ivy, poison oaks, and poison sumac, wear clothing that covers as much exposed skin as possible, particularly on the feet and legs. Wear long pants, socks, and shoes or boots.

When you return home from a hike, remove your hiking outfit and toss it in the washing machine. Use care when removing your hiking boots or shoes: The plant oil that triggers the rash can easily stick to the bottom or sides of your boot where it has come into contact with one of the offending plants. So try to remove your footwear without handling those areas or you could inadvertently touch the lingering oil, spread it to your face or other parts of your body, and end up with a nasty rash even after you've left the woods. If you do develop a rash from one of these plants, try applying an over-the-counter remedy, such as calamine lotion, to relieve itching.

Don't panic if you've been bitten by a tick. Not all ticks carry Lyme disease -- a tick-borne illness that can cause chills, fever, headache, and other serious complications. Generally, a tick must remain on the skin for 24 to 48 hours in order to transmit the organism that causes Lyme disease.

If you remove a tick from your skin, save it in a small container of alcohol, so that if a suspicious infection develops, the tick can be analyzed for Lyme disease. There is no need to see a doctor for a tick bite unless you notice any signs of swelling or redness around the bite (a sign of infection), a bull's-eye-shaped rash (often a symptom of Lyme disease), a fever, or a skin rash.

If you're going on an overnight trip in the wilderness, you can protect your food -- and yourself -- from wild animals by stringing your food up at night. Place all food, as well as toothpaste, lotion, and other pleasant-smelling items, in a corded bag or your pack. Then string the bundle up high between two trees.

If you'll be hiking in an area that isn't off-limits to hunters, be sure to wear something bright, especially during hunting season. Orange caps are very popular for this purpose and are available in waterproof and breathable materials.

Finally, before you head out, be sure to do research on how to prevent conditions like heatstroke, frostbite, and dehydration while you're on the trail. Combine that with the information in this article to make your hiking experience pleasant and problem-free.

By Tommy Boone

 
Photo cottonwoodinstitute.org

Survival planning is realizing something could happen that would put you in an emergency situation. Take steps to enhance your chances of staying alive and healthy. Survival planning means preparation in order to have a safe outdoor adventure. Preparation means having survival items and knowing how to use them. Preparation also pertains to knowing your intended route of travel and familiarizing yourself with the area. Emergency planning is essential and should be taken seriously. Detailed prior planning is necessary in possible survival situations.

            The main objective to consider in survival planning is improving your chances of survival, if an emergency were to occur. One important aspect of survival planning is carrying preventive medicine. Being healthy is also an important factor to consider when being out in the wilderness. Staying healthy will help with the ability to cope with other problems that you may face. Make certain that you have no dental problems and that your immunizations are current. This will help you avoid potential dental or health problems. Failure to keep your shots up to date may mean your body is not immune to diseases that are common in the area.

            Preparing and carrying a survival kit is as important as the considerations mentioned above. There are kits for over-water survival, for hot climate survival, and your basic outdoor adventure trip. Even the smallest survival kit, if properly prepared, is very useful when faced with a survival problem. Before making your survival kit, however, consider your project, the prepared environment, and the equipment you will need. The atmosphere is the key to the types of items you will need in your survival kit. The amount of items included in your survival kit will give you an idea of how you will carry the kit. For example a kit carried on your body if you will be hiking will be smaller then one you may need in a boat or a car. Layer your survival kit and keep the most important items on your body. Then carry the least significant items with your equipment and place the bulkier items in a backpack.

            When preparing your survival kit make sure the items you choose can be used for more then one purpose. For example if you have two items that may serve the same function choose one of the two items to use for another purpose. It’s best to not duplicate items which can increase your carrying load. Remember that your kit does not have to be elaborate, just useful. Include items that will be functional and will meet your needs if an emergency were to transpire.

Your basic survival kit should include the following:

- For the case, you might want to use a Band-Aid box, a first aid case, an ammunition pouch, or another appropriate case. This case should be:

      - Water repellent or waterproof
      - Easy to carry or attach to your body
      - Durable

- In your survival kit, you should include:   

         - First aid items
         - Water purification tablets or drops
         - Fire starting equipment
         - Signaling items
         - Food procurement items
         - Shelter items

- Examples of the above listed items:

          - Lighter, metal match, waterproof matches
          - Snare wire
          - Signaling mirror
          - Wrist compass
          - Illuminating candles
          - Small hand lens
          - Oxytetracycline tablets (diarrhea or infection)
          - Water purification tablets
          - Solar blanket
          - Surgical blade
          - Butterfly sutures
          - Chap Stick
          - Needle and thread
          - Knife
          - Poncho
          - Food packets

- Cold Climate Survival Kit:                               

        - Food Packets
        - Snare Wire
        - Waterproof match box
        - Wood matches
        - Smoke/illumination signals
        - Saw/knife blade
        - First aid kit
        - Magnetic compass
        - Frying pan
        - Signaling mirror
        - Survival fishing kit
        - Plastic Spoon
        - Compressed trioxane fuel
        - Survival manual
        - Sleeping Bag
        - Thermal Undergarments
        - Shovel
        - Water Bag
        - Extra layering/clothes
        - Hand warmers

- Hot Climate Survival kit:

      - Canned drinking water
      - Waterproof matchbox
      - Plastic whistle
      - Smoke illumination flares
      - Pocket knife
      - Sunblock
      - Plastic spoon
      - Food Packets
      - Signaling mirror
      - First aid kit
      - Plastic water bag
      - Fishing tackle kit
      - Snare wire
      - Magnetic compass
      - Wood matches
      - Insect head net
     - Bug repellent
      - Tool kit
      - Reversible sun hat
      - Tarpaulin

- Over water survival kit:

      - Packing list
      - Raft boat paddle
      - Survival manual
      - Insect head net
     - Reversible sun hat
     - Water storage bag
      - Magnetic compass
      - Boat bailer
      - Sponge
      - Sunblock
      - Wood matches
      - First aid kit
      - Pocket knife
      - Seawater de-salt kit
      - Food packets
      - Fluorescent sea marker
      - Fishing tackle kit
      - Raft repair kit
      - Waterproof match box
      - Signaling mirror
      - Plastic spoon

Scrambling up rock walls can often border on the insane approach when you think of the damage to be done to the tender human body if you should chance to fall down the wall. But there are times when short stretches of rocky walls are easily maneuvered if a few well known tips are taken into consideration. The mountaineers are acquainted with balance climbing, but for those who are novices, it bears mentioning this technique that could save life or limb, literally.

Stand erect by keeping the body weight directly over the feet. By leaning into the slope, one actually causes their body weight to push their feet sideways and they slip off their holds or break them away. The legs do all the work, just like in regular hiking, and the hands are used only for grips.

Make sure the body is supported by three points at all times. Before moving on, make sure there are always two feet and one hand or two hands and one foot securely on a solid foothold. This way if one point fails, you will always have two holds left.

Always test holds before committing yourself to the next level. Make sure the next object grabbed or stepped on is firmly attached to the side of the hill or mountain.

Move smoothly since this puts minimum stress on holds. Using a slow rhythmic stride conserves energy and helps to avoid breaking holds and possibly causing panic.

Always climb with your eyes. You should constantly be looking ahead to find the easiest route. Study all holds and carefully plan your next step to avoid possibly climbing into traps.

Lastly, practice makes perfect, so always be rehearsing how you will approach such a rocky slope. If needed, a rope can be used to help smaller climbers up the slope, but the rope needs to be belayed by a strong person. It should be tied around the waist of the smaller person and again, belayed from above on solid ground. Never throw rocks down slope and if you do dislodge a rock as you climb, you need to shout “ROCK” several times to inform anyone below to beware.

A-C Photo: Wichita Mountains wildlife refuge

Photographers tend to be gadget-oriented. We walk into camera stores and when faced with towering wall camera gizmos, our eyes bug out. If we just had that one more accessory: a titanium tripod head, a chocolate colored filter, or a light meter with a built in solar powered bird call.... we'd be nabbing much better shots.

But for nature photographers, the most important pieces of gear to have out in the field (aside from a camera and tripod), are not things you'll find in a camera shop. I'm talking about the weaponry that makes it possible, practical and productive to be out in the field. The best thing is that all of these items are quite inexpensive and you'll be able to find most of them in a single pass through your local hardware or outdoor store. So without further adieu, here are the 10 things I consider essential field gear for a nature photographer. Don't leave home without them!

1) An alarm clock
The fiery glow of purple-orange light that creeps over the horizon and ignites the sky about a half hour before sunrise can be a picture perfect shot.

2) Rubber boots or hip waders
A bit of mud or water should never stop you from getting to a great photo location. This is especially true if you're photographing along shorelines - sometimes the best perspectives come from getting into the water.

3) A shower cap and garbage bag
The shower caps they give you at hotels make great emergency rain hoods for a camera body or lens. They pack conveniently into a camera bag and the elastic band holds them securely to your gear. Carry a garbage bag for the same reason - to put over the big lenses when it starts to rain. These cheap items can save thousands of dollars in damage to your camera gear when caught in an unexpected downpour!

4) Bug spray or a head net
Nature is full of bugs that want to feed on you, but this shouldn't stop you from photographing. Some of the best wildflower and bird photo opportunities are during the height of black fly or mosquito season. Just be careful not to get bug spray on your camera gear!

5) A repair kit with duct tape and crazy glue
I once dropped my brand new camera body on rock and cracked the battery grip in half. I crazy glued it back together and was shooting again in a few minutes (in fact I'm still shooting with it as is 2 years later). Accidents happen and gear breaks. A bit of preparedness can save your shoot, so always carry an emergency took kit in your car when you go out photographing. Be sure to pack a hex key and sockets to fit all the major fittings on your tripod and head.

6) Extra batteries and film/memory
Your photo excursion is cooked if you run out of batteries or film/memory, so always carry spares. It never ceases to amaze me how many photographers I've encountered in the field who've had their batteries die and didn't have a spare! 

7) A headlamp or flashlight
IA headlamp and spare flashlight in your camera bag helps to gets me home safely. Sometimes use a flashlight as an additional light source for a photo, when needed to fill in shadows.

8) A compass
Most people carry a compass in case they get lost and need to orient themselves home. While that's a good reason to have one, I use mine mostly when I'm out scouting photos during the day to know where the sun will rise or set. When I return to shoot, I've already got a good idea of where the light will fall on certain scenes, which increases my efficiency in the field.   

9) Toilet paper
It is inevitable: if you spend a lot of time out in nature...nature will call. What more can I say?

10) Quality outdoor clothing
Crappy weather often spawns the most dramatic photo opportunities. Being prepared with clothing that keeps you warm and dry in the field is a must. Although this is the most expensive item on the list, it's something you can invest in over time. At the very least, buy a lightweight shell (waterproof/windproof) that you can pack in your camera bag. A pair of quick-dry pants that zip-off to shorts is invaluable for summer shooting when mornings or evenings are cool. I always keep a full spare set of clothes in my car, to change if I need to. Naturally, I have bright red, orange and yellow clothes that stand out in photos (they'll also make it easier for rescuers to find me if I ever get in trouble!).

A-C Photo: Everglades National Park

A-C Photo: Denali National Park

The secret to nature photography it would be this: BE THERE! It’s worth repeating: BE THERE! The simple fact is that the more time you spend out in nature with your camera, the better you’re going to get at photography and the better your photos will be. Be out at the right times of day, even if it means hiking in the dark. Visit places repeatedly so you know exactly when the light is best. Spend hours observing the behavior of species so you’re able to predict (and capture) spectacular moments of action.

Some of the best wildlife photos tend to be shots where there is direct eye contact with the animal. There's an instant connection when you make eye contact with another living creature. It's one of the key ways we understanding each other and convey emotions - important elements in a powerful photo, the kind that makes you go wow. 

Getting eye-to-eye shots requires a mix of patience and knowledge of the species. On a physical level, you need to be roughly at the same height as what you're shooting. For a salamander, you may have to lie on your belly on a wet forest floor. For a soaring hawk, you might be high up on a cliff where thermals provide lift for the birds.  

Many photographers get caught in the trap of always shooting from the same perspective - standing with their camera at eye level on the tripod. That works for a bird perched up on a branch, or a standing deer, but there are many species where it doesn't fit. To be eye-to-eye, you often have to get dirty and sacrifice your own comfort. Stretching regularly makes this much easier on your body!

A slow and fluid approach is the key to getting within range of animals, to make eye-to-eye photos. Most species are instinctively programmed to flee when they perceive a threat, and fast or jerky movements suggest a predatory attack. Move smoothly and continually watch how the animal reacts to you. This is one of the hardest things to master - probably because it's so easy to get caught up in the excitement of the moment. I blow many good photo opportunities by getting overzealous!

Beyond the physical challenge of getting close and level with wildlife, is a more subtle aspect of making eye-to-eye photos - that of capturing behavior, emotion and mood of the species. When you've gained the trust of an animal, to be able to observe and photograph it at close range, everyday behaviors and actions can lead to spectacular photos that connect us emotionally with the animal. For me, the times I've spent eye-to-eye with wildlife have been the very best moments of my life, and the resulting photos my most proud accomplishments.  

1) Think concepts.
Photos that convey a concept, emotion or mood tend to have impact. Sometimes we luck out and nab a photo that achieves this, but more often it requires advance planning. Think about what you want your photo to say before you snap the shutter. Pro photographers like to shoot concept shots because they sell well.
 

2) Know what your subject is.
Do you know what you’re taking a picture of? Define your subject and make sure it comes across clearly in the image. I often sketch out a photo on paper before I pick up my camera to be sure I know what I'm trying to accomplish.

3) Eliminate extraneous elements.
If it doesn’t support your concept or subject, don’t put it in the photo.

4) Watch your background.
A messy or busy background can distract from your subject.

5) Isolate with a longer lens.
A longer lens allows you to narrow in on your subject and create clean, out-of-focus backgrounds.
 

6) Change your perspective.
Moving your camera position is one of the easiest ways to find a clean, strong angle that emphasizes your subject.

7) Check the edges.
Before taking a picture, do a visual lap around the edges of the viewfinder to check for things accidentally sneaking into the photo. Be on the lookout for hydro wires, stray branches, out of focus leaves, tripod legs, filter edges or your own thumb!

A-C Photo: Kenai Fjords Playful whale

By Ethan Meleg
Nature Photography

 
Photo waterbottleweekends.com

So you now have a child and you are bemoaning the wonderful backpacking trips you and your spouse used to take. Does this indeed spell the end of your fun? It doesn’t have to if you are willing to take the bull (or baby) by the horns (no reference intended) and take into account a few suggestions.

While getting some shots of Shenandoah National Park, my husband and I saw the cutest and happiest little hiker being very readily carried on his Daddy’s back. His young parents did not seem to think it odd or a hardship to take their baby on an afternoon hike with them. Judging by their equipment it would appear they were no novices. So what does it take to bring your children along on a hiking or backpacking trip? Just a little ingenuity.

Photo Stu Marks

For a baby, there are plenty of child-carriers that would work for backpacking and hiking. Keep in mind that one parent has the baby and not much else, while the other one carries most of the gear. It seems that the general consensus is that the best age to start hiking with an infant is around three months. They travel well at this age as the gentle bouncing usually lulls them to sleep. Make sure the infant is protected from cold, sun and insects. Also make sure your first trips are relatively short and the weather is mild. Taking short trips to start will allow you to find out what paraphernalia you will need to cart along with you besides the usual diapers and bottles. Also, if the trips are short, it allows you to head back for home quickly if something does go wrong-a sudden fever or unforeseen storm. Also, be aware that until the child is about 12 months old, the respiratory system is not geared for large elevational changes, especially if they were born at sea level.

You may not think that a hike of a mile or so from the car is worth the trouble, but it has the great advantage of allowing you to get away from the crowds and have easy access to your vehicle should you need something. After a few trips like this, you will be better prepared to try farther hikes of 5 miles or several days to a week duration. A well chosen base camp would have its own attractions and several good day hike options as well as having the advantage of close enough proximity to your vehicle to allow you to run back for more supplies mid-trip.

Traveling with toddlers and young children present unique opportunities for parents to stretch their ingenuity. Those short little legs are not going to be able to keep up with Mom and Dad. So, the pace will have to be set to allow them to get used to the activity, build up their muscles and get to the campsite or end of the hike without one of the parents having to carry them very far. The distance any one family can make in one trip will just have to be determined on the trail. There are no cut and dry rules here. To battle the dreaded boredom syndrome, you will have to think as a child thinks and apply a little child psychology. Look for things that would interest a child-a hawk or eagle flying high in the sky, a waterfall or stream, bugs and amphibians, squirrels, flowers and mushrooms, and don’t fail to point them out. Take frequent breaks and watch with them as they study a butterfly or lizard. If necessary, send one parent on with the heavy pack to the camp site while the other dawdles with the kids so no one is left standing with a heavy weight on their back for long periods. Otherwise, if you prefer to stay together, drop the pack while you are taking a break.

Photo wta.org

Teach the children about the area you are hiking in and you may see them acquire an interest in the hobby you love so much. If the area was once covered by a glacier, let them know. Tell them how all the horns, cirques, arêtes, hanging valleys, and moraines were formed by ancient and present glaciers. If you are hiking along a volcano, teach how the area was affected by it when it last erupted. Answer their questions as you hike together. Make it an adventure for them and they will enjoy it much more.

Photo wta.org

Ok, leisurely walks are fine until darkness starts to descend or a sudden storm is brewing and you are still quite a ways from your destination. This is when you will have to be especially clever. Try games, while walking, where each family member is a part of a train or a convoy. There could be a promise of a small party at the next rise or viewpoint where they can have snacks and a drink. You could tell stories, even involving the kids in the story telling or sing songs along the trail. Do bring treats that the kids enjoy to reward them when they have achieved something. It doesn’t always have to be food treats. Offer to play a game or help them splash in the pond or lake at your destination.

Don’t overload your pack with too many changes of clothing for the child, although you will have to bear in mind that the toddler will inevitably fall into the creek or slip in the mud. There has to be a happy medium where the parent isn’t breaking his or her back carrying the entire child’s wardrobe and having just the right amount of changes of clothing to keep the child decent and healthy. It may take a few trips before you get this down pat.

Photo GoHikewithKids.com

Make sure that they have well fitting shoes or boots to hike in and if they do develop a blister, make sure you treat it quickly with mole skin or the other blister pads available. It doesn’t have to break your pocket book to outfit your children if you have several to cloth. Search yard sales and thrift stores to find used clothing that will work well. Since you will be out in the wild anyway, you will not feel so bad if they tear or ruin a shirt or pair of pants tumbling down the hill or get grabbed by a low hanging branch, if you got their clothes at a bargain price.

When they reach about 4 or 5, you can start giving them their own pack to carry with a garment or toy inside. You may have to take the pack long before you reach your destination, but it will begin to set the trend for the child. Remember not to load down too much, a sturdy looking child before he is ready, as this is not good for developing bones. By 5-8 years of age they are ready to take on a regular pack with some of their own gear and some of the food. You may still end up carrying the pack some of the way for them. Don’t despair however, because by the time they reach 9-12 years of age, they are able to carry all their own gear and a good amount of the food also.

Photo media.gatewaync.com

It should be mentioned that when they do get old enough to safely carry their own gear, they tend to long for independence also. They no longer like to hike slow enough for younger siblings and want to explore on their own. You should always make sure that they abide by safe traveling rules and have an emergency whistle available. Allowing them to have a friend along will also help alleviate the boredom teens or preteens sometimes feel when traveling with their families. If you are fortunate enough to be able to travel with another family, make sure everyone knows and uses the “Leave No Trace” principles so the area you pass through will remain inhabitable for humans and animals alike.

If you can contain yourself so that you set realistic daily goals for your family and can manage to remember what it was like when you were a child, you will be able to provide a rewarding experience for your children and may just succeed in raising another generation of wilderness loving people. Always remember that your goal is to have fun and relax. It can be done with a bit of planning.

By Corie Marks

Photo roadtrips.blogs.com

The most important thing to remember when hiking out in the wild is to be prepared. The essentials needed before starting out are extra clothing and food, sunglasses, knife or multipurpose tool, fire starter, matches, first-aid kit, flashlight with extra batteries and bulbs, a map, a compass and a whistle. Anyone with these provisions will go a long way to surviving their foray into the wilderness, especially if they become lost.

To help prevent or aid in the possibility you do get lost, follow these tips. While hiking, take careful note of the direction you’re traveling, of prominent landmarks and approximate distances you have walked in the wilderness. Frequently ask yourself if you could find your way back under conditions of low clouds, rain or snow. Take careful compass bearings on the next day’s proposed route before retiring. Inform all your party of the planned route, campsite, and general direction of travel in the event you become separated, but try to stay together as much as possible.

If you become lost, don’t panic; stop and plan carefully. Don’t plunge onward and get even more lost. Have something to eat while you rest a bit. Stay together with your group and don’t get separated. Do not have one person go for help unless someone is injured. Mark the area and take short forays in all directions to try and find the trail, always coming back to the marked area if you do not find the trail.

Photo bigbonton.org

If you become separated from your group, stay where you are or move a short distance to the point where you were last in contact with the group. If alone, climb high to look for familiar landmarks. If you find no familiar landmarks or rivers, stay in one place and remain in the open. Bright signals or objects placed in sequence of three are widely recognized as distress signs. Use signal mirrors or whistles to attract the attention of any passersby or nearby individuals. Three blasts on the whistle is also a recognized distress signal. You can also shout for help, but a whistle can last longer then your voice.

Prepare for the night early and conserve your strength for the cold and dark hours. Find the tightest area where you will be shielded from the elements such as under trees or overhanging rocks. Build a fire for warmth and in hopes that a rescuer might see the flames or smoke. Your best hope is to stay put and let them find you rather then wander around becoming more lost. More people have died trying to find their own way out instead of just staying put and letting the rescuers find them.

By Corie Marks