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New Year’s Resolutions for the BackCountryChuck Fitzgerald The New Year has begun and you probably have a few New Year’s Resolutions under way. You’ll lose weight, lose a bad habit, add a good habit or even mend an old fence. But do you have any resolutions for the backcountry Are you ready to make this year your best backcountry year I’m ready. Here are a few of my backcountry New Year’s Resolutions; please adopt a couple of these for yourself. If you do, 2005 will be your best outdoor year yet. First off, I resolve to spend more time in the backcountry. No matter how much time I spend hiking or camping, it never seems to be enough. So this year I will try to get my fill of the outdoors. Of course, I said this last year too but failed to get enough. Next I resolve to upgrade my critical gear. Some things are more comfortable the longer you own them, but this isn’t good practice for critical backcountry gear. For example, it’s been a few years since I upgraded my first-aid kit or my hiking boots or my sunglasses. These items become a liability if they are not properly maintained. I’ve let that slip. I’ll also take a long look at my binoculars and my camping kitchen, especially my stove. Taking care of your gear will ensure its ability to take care of you when you need it most. While we’re discussing gear, let’s keep going with another resolution. I resolve to learn how to use all of my gear. I’ve been carrying a magnesium stick for fire starting for about 5 years. I don’t think I know how to use it. I’m going to learn. I need to understand more about my GPS receiver Garmin eTrex Vista. I use about five percent of its capabilities and this is only because I haven’t taken the time to learn. That changes this year. I also resolve to learn a new backcountry skill. I haven’t decide what skill to learn but it will be something I’ve never done before. I’ve never taken the time to learn how to rock climb. Perhaps that’s the one, or maybe kayaking. I’ve never collected water using a solar still. That sounds interesting too. Maybe you need to learn CPR or how to read a map or tie a variety of knots. This is the year to fill in the knowledge gaps. Finally, I resolve to bring someone new into the backcountry this year. When I see the perfect sunset or a herd of antelope, the next thought I have is “I wish so-and-so was here to see this!” So this year, I’m going to share the awe of our backcountry with someone brand new to the outdoors. By sticking to these New Year’s Resolutions, I will have a great year in our backcountry. I hope to see you there! Use this information and you’ll Get It Right The First Time. Get Outdoors!
| RELATED ARTICLES Kitesurfing Techniques - Launching & Landing There are many different kitesurfing techniques that are important to kitesurfing sport. This article will focus on some basic kitesurfing techniques that will help you improve you kitesurfing skills and will allow you to have more fun and enjoy your experience while kitesurfing. However, you will need to spend enough time practicing these techniques before you can say that you have mastered them. Martial Arts: Mind, Body and Spirit Presented Online http://www.taichiacademy.com.au/default.htm Extend the Life Of Your Flowers By Steaming Them This method of extending cut flower life may sound a bit drastic but it is quite effective. Finally, You’ve Caught The Perfect Fish. Now, Do You Know How To Fillet Your Fish You can’t be happier. You have finally caught the perfect fish. Do you know how to fillet your fish Once you become an expert at fish filleting, you probably will be asked to fillet everyone else’s catch. Digital Camera Macro Mode The digital camera is a wonderful device that allows a diverse variety of applications with its even diverse spectral collection of utilities. As technology progresses it brings along with it those intense pleasures that human beings have only thought of. Now the digital camera has opened up the dimensions for the people and the photographers in providing with the liberty of capturing whatever they wish and of whatever type they prefer! Well the magic words are macro mode. Although the words might seem to be a bit deceiving they have really a great application in the field of digital photography and digital camera as a device. 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I Hope it Rains in Heaven Ive been hunting for as long as I can remember. The first hunt I ever went on with my dad, he had to change my diapers. My first real hunting memory is sitting on a tree stand and snuggling under my dads coat. To this day, I can still smell the musky scent of that old coat. Are You A Side-Line Coach With spring in the air, flower’s and baseball are in full bloom. As the father of a nine-year old son, each day is spent perfecting the art of baseball. This includes making that perfect pitch to first base, snagging those ground balls and driving those hits when we’re in the batters box. Oh, did I say we, sorry, I meant, when my son is in the batters box. Three Main Trout Senses An angler should therefore become familiar with the three main senses a trout uses. These are: US Women Soccer Superstars - Victims of Their Own Success With the imminent retirement of long-time veterans Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy, and Joy Fawcett from the U.S. Womens National Soccer Team, I often find myself thinking how fortunate my family has been to witness their heroics on the field and their positive influence off of it. Essential Information On Choosing The Best Golf Clubs To Suit Your Game Most golfers, whether a beginner or a pro, struggle when trying to decide which golf club to buy.The buying process becomes easier when the consumer has a good understanding of the types of golf clubs available and their specific use.Your playing and thus your staying power is greatly enhanced by choosing the proper golf clubs. An Easy Way to Become a Good Blackjack Player Learning to play the game of casino Blackjack reasonably well is not rocket science, regardless of what the dozens of books on the subject would have you believe. 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Id want my mind and body to be in every inning of every game. I wouldnt want to be one elbow injury away from a possible end of my career or a lost year. I listened to Nolan Ryan talk at the last All-Star FanFest in Houston about how he would have to "rebuild" his body from one start to the next, an incredibly arduous process that the great pitchers know and few fans realize. Ryan would be on the bike immediately after each start, and he said his physical strength would go down to about 50 percent a day or two after each start, and then his mission was to get it back up to 100 percent by the next start. As the slugger you mentioned, Id love to be in that zone of hitting in the cages every day and be able to "slow down" every pitch like Manny Ramirez and Albert Pujols do so incredibly well. Have You Heard About...Cosplay The word cosplay is actually a blending of the words costume and play. Cosplayers are called this because not only do they dress up like their favorite characters, but they also act out skits and pose for pictures as the charactersjust like actors in a play. Snorkel and Mask Tips Before you start your diving activities and using a snorkel for the first time, there are some important tips and notions which you must learn and take into account. When done properly and following some main guidelines, diving and wearing a snorkel can be a great and very enjoyable activity, but if it is done without following the basics problems might arouse and it might end up being a headache rather than gratifying. |
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