Camping Equipment 365 – Camping, Hiking, Rambling, Trekking & Outdoor Leisure

When going camping, hiking, rambling, long distance walking or participating in sports activities such as fell or tail running, apart from being physically and mentally prepared for your sport or adventure, the most important thing is to have have the right clothing, footwear and other accessories you need to make your outdoor experience a success and a pleasure.

Helping your make a success of your time outdoor by bringing you information about the right clothing, tools, access, footwear and other info is the primary aim of camping equipment blog. Though the blog is called camping equipment 365, our articles, reviews and opinion covers much more than camping equipment for example our camping checklist can help you avoid costly mistake when planning for your camping trip. Our fell and trail running tips can help you enjoy a successful race whether you are a beginner or seasoned runner and up to date news about outdoor adventure events can open up a whole new world to you.

An Inflatable roof rack is an ideal accessory for any camping trip or outdoor adventure.

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The Old Town Discovery series of canoes is described as “Tough, rugged, stable and easy to handle” This holds true on all 3 of the models, the 119 – a solo canoe which is compact and makes getting on the water easy when out by oneself. The 169 – a longer canoe which can comfortably seat 3, maybe even 4! But will still handle perfectly with 2 paddlers on an easy day out. Then there is the 158…

the Discovery 158 is a 15ft 8” canoe which has been a best seller for years. It will comfortably sit 2 Adults with a load of kit, or if a snap in seat is used the space can be made to seat a smaller member of the family. The flat hull design keeps the boat very initially stable, meaning that it will inspire confidence in even the most sceptic beginner. It may be best suited to paddling flat waters, lakes, lochs and calm rivers. However it also can navigate some moderate rapid water should you come to it. The Old Town name means many things, some of them being tradition, build quality and reliability, the combination of these will allow you to have a trouble free boat and a decent return on your investment should you ever sell it.

To sum up – the Discovery 158 is a stable easy to paddle tandem canoe which is well suited to camping trips, day trips and learning all the basics on some easy going water and rivers.

Here is the specs:

Length

15′ 8 / 4.8 m

Width

35.5 / 90.0 cm

Bow Height

21.5 / 54.6 cm

Depth

13.5 / 34.2 cm

Weight

80 lbs / 36.2 kg

Max Load Range

1,100 – 1,150 lbs /
499 – 521.6 kg

Symonds Yat is an ancient area of outstanding natural beauty. Nestled in the heart of Herefordshire, it is one of the oldest areas of human habitation in the UK. The area is steeped in history and has long been covered in woodland and forest.

If you’re considering a good weekend break then you’ll find plenty of places to stay, and if you want to try some accommodation Herefordshire style, then you will find some of the best hotels, guest houses and bed and breakfasts in Herefordshire right in the heart of Symonds Yat gorge.

The River Runs Through It

The river Wye runs through the heart of the Yat, splitting it in two, East and West. The river is best viewed from the top of Yat Rock where the ox-bow bend can be clearly seen. There is some great rock climbing around here and many rock climbing groups embark on conquering the ‘needle’ rock which juts out from the gorge. Walking around Yat Rock is truly breathtaking, with deer and peregrine falcons at large. If you have long enough, this is a great place to start exploring the Forest of Dean which is right on your doorstep.

The River Wye offers up some of the best salmon fishing in England but a permit is needed as there are clubs who fish the waters here.

If canoeing floats your boat then a trip down the rapids is worth a day, boats can be hired from both sides of the river and there are some great routes to take in both direction up and down stream.

Endless Forests

There are quite literally miles of quiet woodland and forest walks and cycle routes around Symonds Yat, and that is not taking into consideration the Forest of Dean next to the Yat and the rest of the Wye Valley.

Hiking, walking and cycling is all popular around Symonds Yat and you can easily get lost so a map is worth investing in.

The sights around here are beautiful. Beech, oak and pine woods blanket the area with a wide variety of fauna and flora, not to mention the wild life, wood ants, wood peckers, deer, peregrines, cave spiders and the occasional boar. Symonds Yat is peppered with old caves and a few mines as well as old lime kilns. Some of these are open to the public but it is not advised to venture into the caves without a guide or an experienced caver.

If you think of the film Excalibur, then you’ll have a good idea of the beauty of Symonds Yat. It really is a hidden gem in the British countryside. There is plenty to do in the area and a long weekend is probably not enough. If you’re hiking in winter then be wary of the slippery rocks under foot, there are a couple of small waterfalls during winter months and Symonds Yat covered in snow is something to behold.

If you’re looking for a Herefordshire bed and breakfast then a visit to the Saracens Head Inn is well worth the money, although you may need to book ahead as the Inn is very busy.

Article by Simon Lucas

Camping is a very popular pastime throughout the world, and no matter where you live, the attraction of camping is ever present. From woodland getaways, to coastal cliffs, festivals to lakes, camping can be a cheap and easy way to escape the hum drum of everyday life.

Camping is notorious as a rough way to spend your holiday, especially if the weather is not so great. The comforts of home are left behind, and for many this is quite off-putting.

However, there are plenty of caravan accessories and camping furniture which can really make camping a pleasant experience.

Camping Furniture

There are many accessories which can make your trip away more enjoyable. Camping furniture is great for both caravanning and camping in a tent.

Tables will always be a great addition to any camping holiday, they allow you to utilise the space outdoors or in an adjoining porch or awning.

Camping tables come in all shapes and sizes, and the most useful ones of all are the fold away type. These can be stored easily and provide a good solid wipe-able surface for preparing food, eating and drinking. These are also known as trestle tables.

Chairs are also important, especially if you want to sit at your table. Camping chairs can be used indoors or outside, and are popular with fishermen, campers, festival goers and general outdoor types. They can be padded for extra comfort or lightweight with breathable material to prevent sweating in summer months. Most camping chairs are the fold up type, and some even come with drink holders for extra comfort.

Caravan Accessories

Caravan accessories are vital for those who enjoy getting away in their caravans. Accessories fall into various categories, such as electric, awnings and covers, furniture and other handy tools.

Caravan electrics help to make caravanning a great experience, like for instance camping fridges, mini televisions, portable lights and torches, heaters and so on.

Furniture has already been discussed but items such as caravan covers can really help keep your pride and joy in good condition and clean from the elements. Awnings are also very popular with campers and caravanners as they offer additional space and provide shade from the sun or protection from the rain but still allow you to get outside the caravan.

No matter whether your passion is in the tent or in a caravan, accessories for camping and caravanning are essential to making a great holiday. For more information on caravan accessories, camping furniture and camping equipment try Camping-Online.co.uk in Derbyshire.

Extinguishing a Camp-fire Properly

If you are lucky enough to be somewhere that camp-fires are allowed for cooking rather than using a camping stove then it is your responsibility to ensure it has been properly extinguished before you leave. It is quite amazing how resilient one tiny burning ember can be and putting out a fire can often take more work than getting it going in the first place. When you are camping there is no need to build a huge roaring fire. Small, well contained fires are easier to build, maintain and extinguish and provide enough heat for staving off the evening chill, cooking and roasting marshmallows.

Plan ahead – you will need to start thinking about burning down your fire a little while before you intend to completely extinguish it. It is easier to ensure a fire is put out properly once it has burned to ash and small coals. If you unexpectedly have to extinguish a fire before this stage then spread out the logs or larger sticks as much as possible then scrape them free of any obvious burning embers.

First douse – you will need quite a bit of water to douse the fire but start with a small amount and build up gradually to stop ashes flying up. Once you have poured a substantial amount of water on in this way give everything a good stir with a stick to ensure any buried embers get wet too. Aim for a gooey mess and you are on the right lines.
If you still had some larger logs burning then they will need several heavy dousings to ensure they are wet through and their unseen interior isn’t still smouldering.

Second douse – pour more water on the fire. If you can still hear any hisses it means that somewhere in that gooey mess or buried out of sight are hot embers which need attention.

Spread it out – use a large stick or spade to spread out all the fire remains. Knock larger lumps down to tiny pieces. Turn them over several times and let everything stay loose. Don’t pack the remains down – this would serve to help maintain any burning embers rather than stifling them.

Wait – leave everything for a minimum of ten minutes and then use your hand to feel for any hot spots. If you detect any heat at all after this time then the fire is not extinguished and you will have to repeat the steps above.

If you are in any doubt as to whether or not the fire is extinguished just keep dousing and spreading the ashes. If your fire was a large one with a deep bed then you may have to dig down a bit to ensure that there are no hidden glowing embers underneath.It is possible to extinguish a fire just using earth but unless you know what you are doing you are more likely to protect burning embers which will continue to smoulder long after you have gone. If you have any gathered firewood left then it is both acceptable and courteous to leave it for the next person, particularly in places where camping is common. In many countries it is an unwritten law that failure to leave a wood supply for the next person is extremely bad manners.

It seems that an adverse law of camping states that even the most reluctant fire to get started may prove even more reluctant to extinguish (annoyingly, this same adverse law applies if you are trying to bank a fire to keep it in overnight but for the opposite reasons). Although the UK doesn’t present the same high risks of bushfire as other countries, an improperly extinguished camp-fire can still lead to disaster, not least of all for wildlife. Open fires are not just the heart of any home – they are the epitome of idyllic camping. Help ensure that this tradition stays alive in the UK by acting responsibly.