Now that winter is over and we are starting to warm up, this is the perfect time to start planning for that weekend camping adventure. 

Family’s and friends alike love to get out and shed the wintery cobwebs once the weather starts to turn warm and the signs of spring start to show through the darkness of winter.  Hiking & camping are popular activities as we all love to get out and see the how nature renews itself each year.  But, before you go venturing in the great outdoors, make sure all your equipment is in working order and that you have all the proper clothing and equipment to make your trip, not only enjoyable, but safe as well.

Let Jasper Mountain Outfitters be your source for all your camping, hiking and outdoor supply needs.  We have a great selection of camping equipment, GPS and optical supplies and well as camping and warm weather apparel. 

Since moving to the Pacific Northwest, my partner and I have tried to stay active by doing frequent day hikes in the many local parks and recreational areas.  When possible, we also take our 2 dogs, Snickers and Jasper along for the ride.  Both dogs love to get out and about and really seem to enjoy the hike as much as we do.

Snickers, our long hair dachshund, is very finicky when it comes to getting wet or dirty and will go out of his way to avoid any standing water or mud puddles.  Jasper, our Min Pin, will go full steam ahead and damn the puddles, cliffs or any lake that may be in his path.  He loves to stop at every tree, rock, leaf or branch and smell and or do his business.  He is in constant motion which is exactly what got him in trouble one beautiful day last winter.

We had all decided to go hiking up near Bonneville Dam in Southern Washington.  The Tamanous Trail is a 5.8 mile hike that originates at the Bonneville Trail head and ends at a Gillette Lake.  This trail is a easy hike with only a 648 foot elevation.  At the end of the trail, just as you crest the hill, you are presented with an incredible view of the lake.    

This was Jasper’s first hike with us since adopting him from one of Portland’s local rescue shelters.  Snickers was an old pro by now and started out at his normal leisurely but cautionary pace.  Jasper on the other hand took off like a bat out of you know where.  He had to smell and pee and bark and just plain run havoc all over the place.  We had put him on a 20 foot lead and he made use of every inch of that lead.  In short, he was in doggy heaven. 

Two hours into our hike we crossed an old logging road and climbed a short hill.  At the top of the hill was the overlook to the lake.  It was the middle of January and about 20 degrees with a strong wind coming off the Gorge.  This meant that we had the place to ourselves since there were no other crazy people out hiking that day. 

From the top of the hill, it is a steady downhill trek to the lake.  With Jasper leading the way, we were there in just a few minutes.   The lake is in a small canyon which blocked most of the wind and gave the lake a mirror like surface.  We were all quite taken by the beauty of the lake and we standing there just admiring the view when Jasper bolted and at full speed, jumped into the lake.  Luckily, he still had his lead on and we were able to retrieve him in short order.  However, the look on his face was priceless.  That water had to be about 30 degrees and I can only imagine the shock of hitting that water from a dead run.

We dried him off as best we could and tried to get him warm, but he just shivered and shivered.  Greg ended up putting Jasper in his coat and carrying him the rest of the hike.  But I think Jasper was quite content in being carried and of course, he had to have his head out all the time so he could see all around.

Aside from Jasper’s unexpected mid-winter swim, I think he had a great first hike.  We have been on numerous hikes since then and he is still gets very excited about going.  But there is one thing we have noticed.  Jasper is no longer quite so anxious to go swimming.

 DeLorme Earthmate PN40 GPS

Jasper Mountain Outfiters is offering  the DeLorme Earthmate PN40 GPS with Topo National map and a 1 GB SD card normally priced at $355.95, you can get it now for only $299.95.   With free delivery, this outdoor GPS is price to sell today. 

 Here are a few of the many features included with the Earthmate PN40 …

• NEW! Blazing-fast, high-sensitivity 32-channel STMicroelectronics Cartesio chipset
• NEW! Dual-core processor for instantaneous map and satellite imagery redraws, even with large aerial imagery files and multiple maps layers
• 360° raster rotation sets the PN-40 apart from other common GPS handhelds. With 360x rotation road, building, and other images really are on your left or right as you look at the map and walk, bike or drive
• NEW! 3-axis electronic compass with included accelerometer performs when held in any position while in motion or standing still
• NEW! Sensitive barometric altimeter for reliably accurate altitude readings
• WAAS-enabled for accuracy within 3 meters
• NEW! Now supports SDHC high-capacity SD cards (up to 32 GB) for fast and direct map transfer from the included maps discs
• Plus Many more options to list

Come see this and all out other great products at Jasper Mountain Outfitters.

In the article, How To Dress for Cold Weather Adventures, I addressed how to dress for cold weather activities.  In this article, I will discuses what happens when you don’t follow my advice.

Hypothermia, sometimes referred simply as “exposure”, is a lowering of the body’s core temperature caused by over-exposure to cool or cold air or water.  Most people know that extremely cold weather can cause problems and therefore most hypothermia cases are not seen during the winter months.  Most cases of hypothermia occur during the spring, summer and fall because people do not recognize that it does not take sub-zero conditions to cause hypothermia.

There are three major factors that cause hypothermia: cold, water, and wind.  In a cold environment, the body must work harder to regulate heat.  Body heat is lost in one of or the combination of three ways; convection, conduction and evaporation.  Contact with cold air, water, snow, ground or wet clothing will cause heat loss due to conduction.  Submersion in water will cause heat lost due to conduction and convection. While loss of body heat by evaporation is a major contributor as well.  Wet skin or clothing can cool the body quickly through evaporation, especially if it is windy and or cold.  Wind, in the absence of moisture will cause heat loss due to convection, and will accelerate heat loss due to evaporation.

While the basic effects of air or water induced hypothermia are similar, the speed of which hypothermia set in differs.  A person immersed in moderately cold water can have a drop of core temperature more quickly that a person exposed to cold ambient temperatures and wind.  50 degree water can drain a body’s heat quickly, often lowering the core temperature to less than 90 degrees in the first 15 min.  Shivering sets in quickly in an attempt to increase body temperature.  However, as the body continues to lose heat, the person will soon become unconscious and if the person is not wearing a proper flotation device, drowning is a common outcome. With air or wind induced hypothermia, depending on air temperature and wind speed, the symptoms may not be so apparent.  During the primary stage of hyperthermia, the victim may not acknowledge that there is a problem. Progression begins with a natural sense of cold accompanied by shivering.  A feeling of numbness then occurs while shivering increases to where it’s soon uncontrollable. Speech is garbled or incoherent, and the thought process slows. Body movements are erratic, and uncovered skin swells and appears blue. Unconsciousness follows and death can occur if the cooling is allowed to continue.  

The treatment for hypothermia is the same regardless of the cause.  It requires that the body core temperature be raised to a normal level.  Some recommended suggestions include:

• Removing wet or damp clothing
• Placed into a sleeping bag along with someone who is not suffering from the same symptoms
• Huddling near a fire or some other heat source.  Care must be taken here because, if frost bite has set in, the victim may not be able to feel the heat from the fire and a bad burn may result
• If available, place warm containers in the arm pits and groin of the victim.  Place a dry hat and socks on the victim if available.
• DO NOT GIVE ALCOHOL
• If the condition is so severe that it appears that the victim is not breathing, start CRP and maintain a proper airway.  Do not stop the CRP.  If possible, have someone else continue the warming attempts while CPR is in progress.  Most often, a person who is in severe hypothermia will respond to CRP once the body core temperature raises. 
• If the victim stops shivering but appears to still be hypothermic, he may be experiencing the onset of shock.  The treatment is the same as for hyporthermia except raising the legs above the heart is a good first step. 
• Seek medical attention as soon as possible.

  To prevent hypothermia, simply follow this advice:

• Dress properly for current and possible conditions. Have at least one wool garment for the upper and lower parts of your body. Wool is the only material with any insulating value when wet. Carry or wear a windproof, waterproof garment. Always have a wool hat and wool mittens. Have extra clothing available especially mittens and hats. A large proportion of body heat is lost through the head. Wear suitable boots, insulated if necessary; wear wool socks, and always carry extra wool socks. Avoid getting overheated and perspiring; this cools you down – fast. Wear layers and remove clothing as necessary. Better having extra than too little. Dress sensibly and expect the worst
• Sit out bad weather. Better waiting than be overtaken by a blizzard or thunderstorm. Do not push on through the night. Make camp early and rest thoroughly. You can continue tomorrow with a much greater safety margin.  Do not get exhausted. Exhaustion promotes heat loss, and thus hypothermia. Besides, if your exhausted, you are probably drenched
• Do not get in over your head. If your experience is limited to day hikes on moderate trails, do not try to go out and tackle Mt. Washington in February. Be smart. Learn to use a map and compass. Learn fire starting techniques. Learn first-aid. Be calm. Be prepared
• Be prepared for sudden weather changes especially at elevations
• Lastly, learn about hypothermia. Know the causes, warning signs, and treatment. Learn how not to get cold.

This time of year, outdoor activities can be more of a challenge then a recreational event. In my area of the country (Pacific Northwest) October through January is our normal wet season. It rains pretty much all the time and when it is not raining it is cold and damp. To most people, going outdoors in this kind of environment is just plain crazy. But to those of us who enjoy the great outdoors, this time of year can offer a real chance to get away from all the crowds and tourists that usually take all the available camping spots during the summer months. However, weather like this can and usually does present some definite problems. The cold temperatures and all the rain can present dangerous conditions for the adventurist that is not prepared. Staying dry and warm is the key to having a fun and relaxing cold weather outdoor experience.

Below are some tips to keep in mind when venturing out during the cooler months.

Your activity level will determine what kind of clothing you should wear while venturing into the cold weather. The key is to wear multiple layers of clothes so that you can remove or add clothing as the environment and your activity level changes. Your clothing should be designed to keep your body heat at a stable level and equal out heat loss and heat gain. You should be able to be comfortable whether you’re are moving around or sitting still.

In cold, wet weather, cotton is not your friend. Cotton holds moisture, whether it be from the wet environment or from sweating. As we all know, persistent moisture can not only cause things like blisters and skin irritation, but can cause loss of body heat as well. Wet clothing is the number one cause of hypothermia in cold weather activities. Every effort must be taken to keep your clothing dry while in cold weather conditions.

Like I said before, layering is the key to determining what kind of clothing you should wear. Basically, you should have 3 layers of clothes with each providing a different purpose.

The first layer should employ clothing that will remove moisture away from your skin. This will prevent heat loss due to moisture build up. Clothing comprising polypropylene or some other kind of synthetic is best suited for this purpose.

The second layer is the insulation layer. This should be clothing that will keep the heat in and the cold out. This is best material suited for this is fleece. It is light and warm, but does not shed water readily so the last layer of clothing is very important.

The third layer is for keeping the water and wind out. It should comprise of water proof materials such as Gore-Tex. This material is light weight, very wind and water resistant and warm. And for all you who are designer conscious, it comes in many different styles and colors as well.

Staying dry and warm can mean the difference in having a great time while hiking or camping and being found by a rescue party 2 weeks after setting out. If you follow the advice above, not only will you have a great time in your outdoor activity, but you will look like you are having a great time as well.

Jasper Mountain Outfitters, Camping and outdoor supplies is currently offering the Eureka Grasshopper +30 Degree Kids Sleeping Bag for $27.95.  That’s 20% off the normal price. 

Rated to 30 degrees Fahrenheit, the rectangular Eureka Grasshopper – 30 Degree Sleeping Bag for Kids is a great choice for car and cabin camping and outdoor excursions in temperate conditions. It has a polyester taffeta shell with a single-layer quilt construction and a polyester taffeta inner liner. The trapezoidal foot section is angled to allow for the foot’s natural sleeping position. Other features include a draft tube, inner stash pocket, and a two-way, self-repairing zipper. It comes with stuff sack. This sleeping bag is filled with Eureka’s proprietary 7-hole slickened, polyester Thermashield fiber fill, which provides maximum insulation at the best value possible. Each Thermashield fiber strand contains 7 tunnel-like holes that run the length of the strand. Each of these holes traps air inside it’s passageway creating dead air space that efficiently retains heat to keep you warm.

This offer is good until 12/25/2009. 

Jasper Mountain Outfitters is a locally owned, family run online camping and outdoor suppy store. We offers a large variety of camping, hiking and outdoor supplies, electronics and accessories. For a complete list of specials visit Jasper Mountain Outfitters Specials.

Jasper Mountain Outfitters, Camping and outdoor supplies is currently offering the Garmin Colorado 400I for $249.99.  That’s more than 50% off the normal retail price.

Jasper Mountain Outfitters is a locally owned, family run online camping and outdoor suppy store. We offers a large variety of camping, hiking and outdoor supplies, electronics and accessories. For a complete list of specials visit Jasper Mountain Outfitters Specials.

Camping can be a great adventure. Getting away from the hustle-bussle of the city and into the woods can be not only fun but very relaxing. While there, we give up most of the modern comforts of home; electircty, running water and most importantly, TV. But of all the things we give up, one thing is for sure. We can’t do without light.

Campers have learned to time most of their activities to daylight hours. However, once the sun goes down and the light goes away, we can’t just stop living. We still need to be able to cook and clean and then there are the recreation activities one must do at night. For these activities, we need a good source of light. And that is where lanterns come into play.

A camping lantern is absolutely necessary on any camping trip especially extended trips. It can provide you with all the light necessary to do the things you need to do when the sun is not shinning. However, for the purposes of safety and enjoyment, it is important to note that not all types of camping lanterns are suitable for the kind of camping that you do. Listed below are some of the features of the different types of Camping Lanterns available today. This section also covers some tips on what to look for when buying a Camping Lantern.

There are three lanterns types; candle, fuel, and battery-powered. Fuel sourced lanterns make use of different fuel sources such as kerosene, butane, and propane and they offer the brightest source light. However, these lanterns can be bit noisy and should not be used inside a tent since the can, depending on the fuel source, give off toxic gases.

Candle lanters can provide light for approximately eight hours but are extremely dangerous when used inside a closed inviroment such as a tent due to the potential for accidntal fires.

The most popular choice now days is the battery-operated Camping Lanterns. They are durable and safe to use even inside a tent. They do not give off toxic gases, are not a threat for fire and are slient. The draw back is that they often do not produce enough area lighting and can be insufficient if you are camping under cold conditions due to the loss of battery efficency in cold tempertures. LED lighs have overcome the issue of lack of brightness and they have also extended the lenght of battery life even in cold weather.

Tips in choosing a latern
Reguardless of which type of latern you choose, pick one with an adjustable flame or light so you can have the intensity or brightness that is just right for you while, at the same time, save your battery when bright life is not needed.

Always remember to bring extra fuel for your gas lantern, or spare candles if you have a candle lantern. Likewise, make sure to bring extra batteries for your battery-powered camping lantern. And you may want to consider buying rechargeable batteries.

Camping lanterns come in different sizes and with additional items. For instance, you may need a refillable canister if you are using a gas lantern or spare batteries for your battery-operated lamp. Make sure to consider the extra weight of these items as well as the space they will occupy. So, when buying your lantern, make sure to take a look at the features of several different types of camping lanterns which best suits your needs.

These lanters as well as other popular brands are all located at Jasper Mountain Outfitters.

Interrupted diamond surfaces
These products carry signature polka-dot pattern surfaces. The polka dots are slightly recessed so that during sharpening the metal fines (known as swarf) and small amount of material that is being removed will fall into the polka dots and remain out of the way of the sharpening surface keeping the sharpening surface performing.

Continuous diamond surfaces
Continuous diamond surface sharpeners are preferred when sharpening small-pointed tools and can be used for knife and tool sharpening, honing and deburring as well. On an interrupted surface the point of a small tool may get caught in a recess and damage the surface of the sharpener. It is recommended that you use a continuous diamond or ceramic surface for these types of tools.

Ceramic surface
Ceramic Diamond Shrpeners are the latest innovation and are the perfect compliment to your assortment of sharpening tools. The patented CeraFuse™ process transfoms the surface of aluminum to an extremely hard dense aluminum oxide that has the same properties of solid ceramic materials. With a finer grit than the bonded diamond products, they are unbreakable, wear resistant, light and non-porous. The ceramic sharpeners are the next step to achieving a polished edge.

DMT Sharpeners are a feature product of Jasper Mountain Outfitters.  For a great selection of DMT Sharpeners please visit Jasper Mountain Outfitters.

Want to carry an entire array of tools with you at all times, without needing a tool box or tool belt to store them in? Multi-tools give you this ability. This tool category features folding needle nose pliers, with an array of extra tools that are stored in its handles. Larger than a Swiss Army knife, but with the same benefits, multi-tools give anyone the convenience of carrying an assortment of tools with them, without weighing down their pockets.

When someone mentions a Leatherman tool, the image of a Swiss Army knife that has morphed into a toolbox comes to my mind. Tim Leatherman originated the tool category that we’ve come to know today as the multi-purpose tool. One of the top of the line Leatherman tools is the Wave model.

Made of 100% stainless steel, the Wave packs a lot of tools into a small package. Here’s what you get: