The Branson Daily News has a story about some local campground owners and their take on how gas prices and the economy are affecting their campground businesses. One of the campers interviewed said the economy hasn’t meant less camping for him, it’s just meant fewer but longer trips. According to some Branson campground owners interviewed for the story, things were a bit slow over the summer but they’ve picked up recently due to falling gas prices. But in Canada we read that camping participation was steady over the summer despite higher gas prices. So what’s really going on here?

Earlier this fall we wrote that camping is an inexpensive option for a family vacation during a recession so we’re a little surprised that gas prices would have such a large effect on participation. Sure, if you own an RV gas is probably your biggest expense (after your RV payment!) but for those who choose car camping it’s possible to get out of town on just a few gallons of gas. Longer trips certainly make sense if you’re trying to spread the cost of gas over multiple days and we may start to see longer stays for families as well as they choose camping for the annual summer vacation. Camping isn’t just for weekends anymore - why not spend the whole week outdoors?

Of course campgrounds in places like Branson, MO (or Las Vegas) should be able to benefit from a flagging economy even more. Visitors will continue to flock to see the lights and the shows - they’ll just be looking for a way to save on accomodations!

Hi-Tec launched a new pair of water proof hiking boots called the V-Lite Altitude Ultra WPI that pack some pretty impressive technology we haven’t seen in a pair of footwear before. If the name of the boot alone doesn’t convince you the boots are high tech, check this out: the ion-mask technology used in the boots is the same tech the military uses to make chemical warfare gear.

Without getting into too much detail, the technology places a thin, waterproof ion layer on clothing or shoes that’s 1/1000th the thickness of a human hair yet outperforms Gore-Tex by a factor of 100 (whatever that means exactly). In tests the material kept its waterproof characteristics even after 100,000 flexes - though if a boot “flexes” every time you step that translates into just 6.3 56.8 miles of hiking. Perhaps we’re missing something here…

The Gear Junkie wrote a favorable review of the boots and Hi-Tec is kicking its marketing machine into high gear, launching wetisdry.com to showcase the new material. Perhaps we’ll see other military chemical warfare tech making its way into hiking boots in the future - I know I could use some activated charcoal in my boots to keep them smelling fresh!

Here’s one class students won’t want to skip: the University of Georgia offers three hiking classes through the physical education department to introduce students to outdoor activities within the state. PEDB1100 is a beginning backpacking and hiking class that teaches students how to pack for a hike and culminates in a weekend camping and hiking trip at the end of the term. PEDB1110 is Wilderness Backpacking and teaches more advanced techniques and includes a group backpacking trip capstone. The University also offers a general outdoor activity class that exposes students to hiking, backpacking, kayaking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and more. Now why didn’t I get to take a class like that at my university?

Although I didn’t take any outdoor classes in college, I did take an outdoor education class at my suburban middle school in the early 1990s. We learned things like how to pitch a tent, how to cook over an open fire (dangerous for middle school boys!), and how to stay safe in the woods. Of course Boy Scouts taught me much more about hiking and camping but not everyone has the opportunity to join and participate when they’re growing up.

Outdoor education classes are a great way to introduce folks from all types of backgrounds to the joys of camping and hiking and you might be surprised to find out who’s offering classes these days. Plus it’s not a bad way to earn your phys ed creds!

Ok, I know, you’re probably tired of hearing about the election and the candidates by now and you probably figured you’d read this blog to get away from it all. But with the election just a week away I thought I’d point you to an interesting Q&A with the candidates in Backpacker Magazine this month.

When asked where the candidates would take a Backpacker Magazine reader hiking, Obama replied he’d like to go to Yellowstone for some fall hiking while McCain recommended Canyon de Chelly in Arizona, which he believes “is among our nation’s best-hidden natural treasures.” Both candidates support better funding for National Parks and both are opposed to drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).

Perhaps the most interesting part of the article comes from a Backpacker Magazine reader survey that asks “Who would do better in a wilderness survival situation, Obama or McCain?” The readers overwhelmingly picked McCain as the better survivor by almost 3 to 1! Sure, the guy’s tough but I think the readers may have overlooked the fact the man is in his 70s Readers were also asked who they’d rather share a tent with on a rainy day and again, the readers picked McCain. McCain was also the pick for the “better steward of public land” by Backpacker readers - despite the fact the majority of those surveyed said Democrats take better care of trails and national parks. Somehow this all seems a little fishy - I demand a recount!

Water purification tablets from Potable Aqua

Here’s another tip in our occasional series of weight and space saving backpacking tips: for short trips, leave your water filter at home. Instead of hauling your water filter for a short trip (say less than a week) you can get by with water purification tablets, available at most outdoor retailers and online. Just drop one or two tablets into a standard size water bottle and your water will be safe to drink.

The tablets use chemicals such as iodine to treat the water and because of this they have a somewhat unpleasant taste. According to the website for Potable Aqua, the company doesn’t recommend use beyond 6 weeks (!) but the fact that the product is marketed as “emergency treatment” makes me think it’s a good idea to use the product as sparingly as possible.

Still, for beginning backpackers the price is right (about $7 for enough tablets to treat 25-50 quarts of water) and the weight is light. As a beginning backpacker I relied on Potable Aqua tablets and today I carry them on trips where I plan to carry all the water I need anyway (like desert backpacking trips). Even if you don’t plan to rely on purification tablets in place of a water filter they’re a great addition to any first aid kit - you never know when your filter might break down!

Also be sure to check out our backpacking water filter reviews.

Here’s something I haven’t heard about: a Halloween camping event. The Second Annual Haunted Campground at Mozingo is happening in Maryville, MO this weekend and according to this article the campsites are sure to fill up fast (first come, first served!). Events and activities include a haunted graveyard, mazes, games, and of course, plenty of treats. Campers will be decorating their campsites and there’s even a prize for the best decorations. In-camp trick-or-treating will happen Saturday night. I also imagine there will be some pretty great costumes as well, though I can’t imagine wearing one for an entire weekend

On the other hand, a Halloween camping trip could be a pretty frightening thing, especially for new or young campers. It sounds like the focus of the Haunted Campground at Mozingo is family fun but I’m guessing there will still be some good natured scaring throughout the night.

I’ve only been really scared camping as an adult once and it happened while sleeping along the Appalachian trail with our dog Jackson. We picked out a spot about a hundred yards from the trail itself and beside a long abandoned and overgrown forest road. At some point during the middle of the night Jackson stood up in the tent and started growling at something outside. I tried to quiet him but he was focused and wouldn’t stop growling. Clearly he was concerned and that made me concerned. If it was a wild animal outside I didn’t want his growling to attract whatever it was (a bear? coyote?) to our tent. Then I thought maybe it was a person sneaking around outside which was even more frightening. We eventually got Jackson to quiet down but I couldn’t sleep the rest of the night. We never found out what it was and were thankful we never did.

I don’t think I’ll go on this spooky Halloween Camping trip but for those who are able to attend it should be a blast!

Photos from The Martin House Company.

With tough economic times facing many Americans some folks are deciding to go on semi-permanent camping trips in specially designed tiny houses. CNN.com posted an interesting article on the trend and it turns out it’s not just retirees deciding to downsize their living spaces these days.

Tiny houses can be purchased starting around $15K and offer most of the conveniences of a regular home, albeit on a much smaller scale. Since the homes are so small (generally around 100 square feet) they are ultra-portable and some are even built on a trailer for maximum mobility. Some small home residents are parking their pads on land owned by friends or relatives to save money between jobs. Others are flocking to the tiny home lifestyle for the freedom such a small footprint (both literally and financially) affords.

The tiny home trend has been around for a few years now and for many it’s surprising to see the quality of such homes (these aren’t you’re typical mobile homes by any means - stainless steel appliances, granite, etc.). The great thing is these homes can be installed almost anywhere with little environmental impact and some owners are using tiny houses as simple vacation getaway cabins.

It seems that modern materials and conveniences are blurring the line between camping and everyday living - perhaps one day we’ll all be on permanent vacation!

There was a brief article on azcentral.com (Phoenix area news station) about cool weather hiking. It got me thinking - if folks in Phoenix of all places need to be mindful of hiking safety in cool weather, how much more important is it in places like New England and the Midwest? Here are some things to keep in mind when hiking this fall:

1. Check the weather forecast for your destination. The great thing about the internet is that it gives you instant access to up-to-date weather forecasts for locations all around the world. Just pop over the weather.com and get an idea of the current and forecasted weather where you’ll be hiking. Conditions can change quickly in the fall so let the pros give you a heads up before you’re on your way.

2. Bring clothes for all conditions. By now it’s cliche to say “dress in layers” but at the very least bring a small daypack with some emergency cold weather clothing items like gloves, a wool hat, and dry socks. These items don’t take up a lot of space but they can certainly come in handy in a pinch. A couple years back we were hiking the Daniel Boone Scout trail and it turned out to be a much colder day than we anticipated. Luckily I had a pair of cotton gloves left in my backpack for bike commuting and I wore them the whole trip!

3. Temperatures drop as you gain elevation. I’ve heard that temperatures drop an average of 10 degrees for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain and while that’s not a hard and fast rule it’s a good thing to keep in mind (imagine climbing a 14er - the temperature won’t quite drop 140 degrees but you get the idea ). Not only are temperatures cooler the higher you climb but winds are generally more brisk as well, particularly on peaks without tree cover. Dress in layers or pack extra clothes and you’ll ensure a comfortable hike from bottom to top and back again.

4. Stay hydrated. Even though you may not feel like you’re sweating, your body still loses significant moisture even during easy hikes on cool days. Be sure to pack plenty of liquids for your trip and be mindful of your state of hydration. In many areas of the country fall and winter months are the driest months of the year and the dry air can leave you feeling thirsty quickly. Be prepared.

As with any outdoor activity, it’s important to plan ahead for your hiking trip. Fall can be a great time of year to get out and enjoy nature with a hike - just play it safe!

Photo from American Hiking Society

By now you’ve probably heard about the idea of “voluntourism” - mixing vacation tours with a chance to give back to the world in a small way. According to one study, in 2007 11% of vacationers planned to volunteer during their trip - a huge increase from just the year before. Voluntourism opportunities are as varied as vacation ideas themselves and a recent article from the Foster Folly News showcases a great pick for folks interested in hiking.

The American Hiking Society organizes Volunteer Vacations in most US states and gives volunteers the opportunity to pick jobs from easy to moderate with accommodations ranging from cabins to primative tent camping. In addition the American Hiking Society organizes National Trails Day each year which attract over 100,000 volunteers annually. For more diverse voluntourism opportunities, travelers can also log onto Voluntourism.org to find even more ways to help.

The next time you plan an outdoor adventure or vacation consider how you can spend a portion of your time giving back - you’ll be surprised how rewarding voluntourism can be!

Photo from goodexperience.com.

Lake County Record-Bee columnist Mandy Feder wrote an article last week lamenting the end of the good old days of family camping in the United States. She writes that these days it seems when families go camping (if they go camping at all) they’re more likely to be sleeping in metal RVs than simple canvass tents. To some degree it’s true that more and more folks are choosing the RV experience over tent camping: in 2001 sales of RVs were up 12% and in 2002 sales were up another 16%. And on a recent trip to the Grand Canyon we saw dozens of Cruise America rental RVs ambling across the western landscape, no doubt full of families intent on “roughing it” outdoors.

Although I’m a tent camper myself, I can’t say that I have a problem with more and more folks choosing RVs. It’s really a lifestyle choice for many people and although an RV camping experience isn’t for me I can respect those who choose it for themselves. For me camping is about getting away from it all for a few days and I’ll always seek out campgrounds that offer a secluded, natural experience over one with electrical hookups and dump stations. I also enjoy backpacking but that’s not to say that I look down on families that choose to go “car camping” with 8-man tents and stocked Igloo coolers.

Everyone has a different idea about what it means to go “camping” but the one thing all campers have in common is a desire to get closer to nature. In our daily lives we rarely have the chance to encounter nature on a more personal level and camping - whether in an RV or sleeping out under the stars - give us the chance to reconnect with our environment.

The ontheroad blog posted their list of the top 5 camping essentials and after reading it I was left scratching my head. I mean, sure they hit all the major items - sleeping bag, tent, flashlight, stove - but the first item on the list was an air mattress / foam pad, an item many might consider a luxury rather than an essential. As a Boy Scout and wilderness survival merit badge instructor I remembered a slightly different list and it goes something like this:

1. First aid. In any outdoor survival situation the first priority is to take care of life threatening situations whether it be bleeding, a broken bone, etc. Pack your first aid kid and you’ll be set to take care of many potential threats to your safety while camping.

2. Shelter. The ontheroad blog got this one right - bring a tent and a sleeping bag plus weather appropriate clothing. According to the Wikipedia humans cannot survive more than 3-hours when exposed to extreme low temperatures. Blazing summer heat can take its toll as well which leads us to essential #3:

3. Water. In many places you don’t need to bring your own water since it is available via spigots or natural springs. No matter where you go be sure to bring something to store and transport water like milk jugs or Nalgene bottles. If you’ll be relying on natural springs you’ll want some type of purification equipment as well - either tablets or a water filter (and no, a Brita pitcher doesn’t cut it).

4. Fire. The Boy Scouts put this priority before water which is a little questionable in my mind but fire is definitely important. It’s useful for signaling if you’re lost and can be used to purify water in an emergency situation. Fire also goes a long way to improving your state of mind and you can use it to cook any critters you might catch on your trip (see #5). Bring some matches AND a back-up fire starter (a lighter, flint & steel, etc.) and you’ll be set for camping.

5. Food. Man can survive for weeks without food but in my opinion a camping trip without food isn’t really all that fun Of course you need food but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll need to cook anything. Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) are available from military surplus stores and contain everything you need to prepare and enjoy them (including a heat source). Ok, so maybe enjoy is a strong word but you get the point. Crackers, Snickers bars, and Pop Tarts are all good camping food - no stove required!

So there you have it - the tripleblaze camping essentials list. Of course this list leaves a lot to be desired on the comfort scale so check out our camping checklist for a more detailed list of items to take on your next camping trip!

Host/Survivalist Bear Grylls of Man vs. Wild

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, reality television shows have come to dominate the cable network offerings and these days there are actually some pretty good ones for outdoor buffs like me. Sure Survivor was perhaps the first outdoor reality show but we’ve really come a long way since then (I promise!). Instead of contrived situations meant to produce conflict between participants, today’s most exciting outdoor television shows pit participants against nature.

In the Alaska Experiment (one of my new favorites) small groups are sent to live in the Alaska wilderness for the winter with little food and only basic supplies and shelter. Most of the participants have little outdoor training and have to figure out things like how to get clean water, how to dispose of human waste, and how to hunt for and store food for the extreme winter months. Weight loss, frustration, and fear grip the participants at times while at other times each marvels at the amazing beauty found in the last frontier.

Man vs. Wild is certainly a popular outdoor reality TV show and in big part it’s due to the show’s host, Bear Grylls. Grylls puts himself into extreme wilderness environments each week and shows viewers how to survive and find a way back to civilization. The show’s premise is very similar to Survivorman (which is, in my opinion, even more extreme since the host doesn’t even have a camera crew to bail him out of potentially dangerous situations) but Bear really makes the show entertaining to watch.

Finally there’s the Eco Challenge which is really just television coverage of an extreme adventure race held in scenic environments around the world each year. The Challenge is grueling, the outdoor environment harsh, and the course unforgiving which makes for great television drama. It seems like few teams actually complete the race within the pre-determined cut-off times and I usually find myself just rooting for anyone who can actually finish the race.

I’m sure there are other outdoor television show’s I’ve forgotten to mention and I’d love to hear any recommendations of other shows I might enjoy. Besides, on rainy or cold days sometimes just watching folks enjoy the outdoors is almost enough

The National Wildlife Federation re-posted an article on camping meals originally published in 1965 (!) with receipes for classic camping meals including fish, eggs, bacon, steak, and potatoes. My favorite tips from the article have to be the ones about cooking fish. The author seems to imply that we’ll be catching our own fish while camping - a nostalgic thought for most campers I know. These days it seems more likely campers will pack thick Salmon steaks or vacuum packed tuna rather than worry themselves with bait and fish scales.

I remember my early days as a Boy Scout when we would cook virtually all our meals over a campfire. We’d soap the bottoms of our pots and pans to keep them from getting too blackened by the fire and would try to level out a spot near the hottest coals for maximum cooking power. Of course we’d often get pieces of ash in our food and it was tough to cook anything evenly but for young pyromanics it was heaven.

Toward the end of my Scouting career our troop graduated from fire cooking caveman-style to using gas burner Coleman camp stoves. This meant fewer burned hands, easier clean-up, and of course quicker meals. No need to wait for the fire to burn hot enough for cooking - stoves offered instant heat!

Camp cooking has certainly evolved over the years (don’t even get me started on freeze-dried backpacking meals) but it’s nice to know there are still some classics when it comes to camping cuisine. Bon apetit.

Two years ago I wrote about some of the best adventure travel books I had read at the time. Since then I’ve read a number of great travel books I’d like to recommend in no particular order. First, though, a recap of books I recommended in my previous post:

• On the Beaten Path by Robert Alden Rubin
• Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer (since made into a movie) *
• The Climb by Anatoli Boukreev
• Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
• On the Road by Jack Keroac *
• Dark Star Safari by Paul Theroux
• Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing *
• A Walk Across America by Peter Jenkins *
• Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck
• Blue Highways by William Least Heat Moon *
• Kon Tiki by Thor Heyerdahl *

The asterisk marks above denote the books I highly recommend as they’re truly adventure travel classics.

Since compiling the original list I’ve expanded my reading to include all the books by Peter Jenkins: The Walk West (AKA: A Walk Across America 2), Along the Edge of America, Looking for Alaska, and Across China. Truthfully none of the books or adventures can compare to Jenkins’ first but his books are still entertaining nonetheless.

If you prefer fiction, I recommend some of the classics in the travel genre: Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne is great, as is his 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe is another classic that’s worth a second read, especially if you haven’t picked up the book since grade school. Some may argue with me here but I also think Grapes of Wrath by Steinbeck is a great travel story about the massive western migration.

Finally, if you’re looking for an easy, fun travel read check out Catch Me if You Can by Frank Abagnale (or rent the movie if you prefer). This summer I read Cabin Pressure by Josh Wolk which took me back to my days as a kid at summer camp in Tallulah Falls, GA - not really a travel book but it does have an outdoor flavor to it. A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson is another outdoor travel / hiking book that’s certainly worth a read.

Whew, that’s a big reading list! If anything, writing this follow-up has inspired me to seek out more adventure travel books - look for Part III of this thread in just a few months…

The Huashan trail in China is perhaps one of the most dangerous hiking trails in the world and one look at this photo confirms this designation. Rich Archer posted a detailed description of the trail with tons of photos on his website that’s definitely worth a look - that is if you’re not afraid of heights

This trail is particuarly dangerous not because of its height (though it is very high) or the weather conditions on Mt. Huashan. The danger stems from the fact that this trail is open to tourists who have little to no mountaineering training and who are given the illusion of safety by the presense of steps and chain ropes along the trail.

I’ve hiked just two hiking trails that I would consider somewhat dangerous. The first, Daniel Boone Scout Trail near Blowing Rock, NC really isn’t all that dangerous but it’s one of the few I’ve seen that requires fixed ropes and ladders to get to the summit. The second, the Stone Mountain summit trail just outside Atlanta, is hiked by thousands of families and children each year. But for such a mainstream hike (it’s almost exactly 1 mile from the parking lot to the summit) the steep grade (more than 600 feet of climbing) and the rocky/rooty tread make this a risky hike for many who make the attempt. Sometimes the most dangerous thing about a hike is its easy accessibility for any and all takers.

What’s the most dangerous trail you’ve hiked?

The Nevada Humane Society has a new program that allows animal lovers to adopt a dog for the day to take hiking, jogging, or biking. The program benefits both the animals and the volunteers and seems to be a great example of a win-win opportunity.

The benefits to the dogs are pretty obvious: a day outside of their cages enjoying nature, human companionship, and mental and physical exercise to keep them healthy. The dogs even wear special vests or bandanas advertising the program and letting people know they’re available for adoption.

Volunteers get the chance to take a canine companion on a hiking trip while minimizing the responsibilities of pet ownership. One thing the program organizers don’t mention is the fact that I would imagine many volunteers end up falling in love with their dogs after spending time together outdoors and ultimately adopt the dogs for good. Honestly, how could you send a dog back to his cage after a fun hike together?

This is such a great program that it’s hard to believe it hasn’t been done before. Seems like a great idea to share with Humane Societies around the country…

We’ve started posting Appalachian trail maps in our hiking section and the plan is to post the entire 2,174 mile trail section by section. We’re starting with the southern end of the trail with Springer Mountain in Georgia and working our way north to Maine. Each trail map shows the trail, local roads in the area, and shelter locations along the trail.

Trail sections are bounded by roads (generally paved) on either end and labeled accordingly. Ideally the sections will be around 20 miles or so but this depends on finding good starting and stopping points. Members can post reviews or additional info on each trail section and can even post photos taken along the trail. The trail lengths posted are estimates and we hope to post links to high resolution PDFs of each trail map very soon. In the meantime you can download the first three detailed Appalachian trail section maps here:

Section 1: Springer Mountain to GA Hwy 60

Section 2: GA Hwy 60 to GA Hwy 348

Section 3: GA Hwy 348 to US Hwy 76

You’ve probably seen the signs or posters at campgrounds and National Forest areas that advise campers to “leave no trace.” But what does this mean in practice? Here are five quick tips to minimize your camping footprint.

1. Set your tent on a durable surface. In areas where there are no designated campsites, avoid pitching your tent on top of vegetation, particularly for trips lasting more than a single night. Find a clear spot with dry leaves or pine straw and you’ll be comfortable while minimizing your impact on nature. Avoid trampling vegetation while walking around your campsite as well - stick to established paths whenever possible.

2. Clear all traces of your campfire when you leave. One of the easiest ways to tell if someone has camped in an area is to look for a fire ring. While it’s important to line your fire ring with rocks or logs, consider dispersing your fire liner when you break camp. Scatter cool ashes to minimize traces of your fire and always make sure your fire is completely extinguished before leaving the area.

3. Pack out and dispose of waste properly. Sure, everyone knows it’s important to pack out trash but it’s also important to bury (or in some cases remove) human waste as well. Even smells can alert folks to the fact that someone camped in an area - proper waste disposal ensures that no trace is left.

4. Don’t take anything with you but take everything you brought. In most areas it’s illegal to remove any plants or minerals but even if it isn’t, removing natural items can have a big impact. On a related note, when gathering firewood it’s important to only use dead materials. Cutting down live plants and trees certainly leaves signs of human activity and it’s unfair to future campers.

5. Don’t feed wildlife. You may not realize it but feeding wildlife (either intentionally or unintentionally) leaves a huge impact on your natural surroundings. Animals used to human handouts become less wild and often evolve into nuisances.

The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics has even more tips and principles for being good environmental stewards while enjoying nature. The next time you’re out, try to view your campsite like a detective might and ask yourself: could anyone tell I camped here? Hopefully the answer is no…

I’ve always wondered what it would be like to hike the entire Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. Since I was a Boy Scout I’ve been fascinated with the idea of a through hike and even as an adult I still think that some day I might just give it a try. I’ve read books like Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods and Robert Alden Rubin’s On the Beaten Path and I once even talked with a guy who had hiked the entire trail but that’s about as close as I’ve come. Nope, beyond a few multi-day Appalachian Trail hikes I really haven’t come close to truly understanding what it takes to be a through hiker.

Anyway, all of this is to say that I understand the seriousness and difficulty of an Appalachian Trail through hike which makes Ben Davis’s attempt to run the entire Appalachian Trail in just two months seem completely crazy. Although Davis’s attempt won’t break any speed records for the trail (the unofficial record time seems to be 48 days, 20 hours, 11 minutes held by Pete Palmer), he is hoping to raise awareness for ALS research through his journey. As of yesterday Ben and his support team were in Vermont - hopefully they make it out of New England before it starts getting too cold!

From 2175forALS via Serious Running.

eHow has a good article on keeping food cold in your cooler on extended camping trips. Although high summer temperatures are mostly gone for the season, it’s still important to keep certain foods cold to reduce the chances of food borne illnesses. This past Memorial Day we camped at Fort Mountain State Park and found ourselves buying a bag of ice each day just to keep our drinks and hot dogs cold - luckily there was a camp store in the park with plenty of ice.

So what does eHow recommend? First off, instead of using bags of ice the author prefers to freeze two-liter bottles full of water to use as large, inexpensive ice packs. The large block of ice takes longer to melt and it’s self-contained - no more messy leakage (aside from condensation) in your cooler! Freeze your pre-packed drinks like iced tea and lemonade and you’ll find your drinks will cool themselves!

But don’t expect the drinks to do all the work for you - consider freezing your food beforehand as well. Frozen hot dogs will stay cold much longer in your cooler and they’ll also serve to keep everything around them cold as well. Sure, freezing drinks and food beforehand takes some extra planning but the results are well worth it.

Keeping your cooler packed tightly and located in a shady spot can also go a long way toward keeping food cold longer. Storing your cooler on the ground (as opposed to on a picnic table) provides added insulation that can extend your cool power by up to 15%.

For extra long trips you’ll probably need to add bags of ice at some point and it’s important to drain out any liquid that’s accumulated in the bottom of your cooler before adding the frozen stuff. Also make sure your food isn’t in direct contact with the water itself as this can introduce contamination from uncooked meat and other items.

Keeping your cooler cooler is simple with a little deliberate planning. Next year see how long you can go without adding ice to your cooler during a camping trip!