If you’re an outdoor lover, we probably don’t have to tell you why hitting the trail with your little ones is an amazing activity, but let us provide a quick rundown anyway. Studies show that fresh air is the ultimate medicine, providing benefits ranging from improved concentration to better physical health. Throw in some hands-on learning, family bonding and a break from the screens, and you’ve got yourself an all-around positive family activity!
If you’re an outdoor lover, we probably don’t have to tell you why hitting the trail with your little ones is an amazing activity, but let us provide a quick rundown anyway. Studies show that fresh air is the ultimate medicine, providing benefits ranging from improved concentration to better physical health. Throw in some hands-on learning, family bonding and a break from the screens, and you’ve got yourself an all-around positive family activity!
Most people who have gone camping or spent any time in the outdoors have probably heard the phrase “leave no trace.” This concept traces its roots back to the 1960s when a boom in wildland recreation led to overcrowding and ecological damage. It embodies the principle that one should leave the wilds exactly as they found it, with no exceptions. At its core, “leave no trace” means allowing nature to be as it is with minimal impact or intervention from the people who enjoy it.
Here’s some simple math: moisture plus oxygen plus metal equals rust. It doesn’t matter from which material your gun is made — steel, aluminum, titanium — it, by nature, will have the tendency to rust. But that doesn’t mean that rust is inevitable. And it certainly doesn’t mean your firearm should stay locked in a box for most of its life.
Knowing how to start a fire is one of the most fundamental survival skills you can learn. In fact, it’s one of the core skills covered in classic survival guides like the SAS Survival Handbook and the Boy Scouts’ Fieldbook. Being able to start a campfire is important because fire provides so many crucial survival necessities, allowing people to keep warm, cook, purify water, signal for help and more. Most of the time, though, the campfire serves as a fun place to gather, make s’mores, tell stories and play music. No matter your wilderness needs, knowing how to light the fire is the first step.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), there are about 20,000 earthquakes per year in the United States, with some of the biggest earthquakes in the past decade leaving unprecedented damage in their wake. Large-scale quakes cause large-scale devastation — mudslides, landslides, fires, tsunamis and collapsed buildings or roads are common. As a result, earthquakes can leave victims badly injured or even dead.
Anyone who has ever attempted to snap a shot of a star or planet knows that it’s seemingly impossible to capture that same wonderous feeling and spectacular view through a camera lens. What looks bright, mystical and awe-inspiring in real life just looks like a blurry blob on the screen. And yet, we frequently see breathtaking celestial snapshots all over the internet. So, it begs the question: What are we doing wrong?
With the pace of city life getting faster, the planet getting warmer and the cost of living getting higher, it’s not hard to see why so many people are charmed by the idea of off-grid living. This way of life involves living off the power grid, with no access to public utilities that supply electricity, gas or water. But there’s a lot more to off-grid living than that. In this guide, we review a few important basics on how to live off the grid. Hopefully, it will help you decide if it’s something you might want to seriously consider.
Part of the fun of camping is being away from the routine of normal life. The tradeoff, of course, is that you have to give up some luxuries along with it. One such luxury is the refrigerator. When you’re heading off the grid, you’ve got to eat and — if you’re like many modern campers — you want to eat well. The key to feasting (and drinking) like royalty in the woods is to develop a food-cooling strategy that keeps everything fresh.
Your backpack was designed to go with you everywhere, so don’t be ashamed if it faces the occasional snack spill or gunk buildup. After all, for many of us, the backpack is the ultimate go-everywhere cargo carrier, the thing we use to tote anything and everything, from dirty gym gear and extra clothes to trail snacks on the weekend and full lunches during the week. A dirty, worn-out pack just comes with the territory, which is why it’s crucial to carry heavy-duty backpacks as much as possible.
Whether you’re working with a 100-year-old antique firearm or a modern handgun fresh from the range, you need to be vigilant about oxidation, which leads to rust. Rust occurs in firearms because some ammunition contains corrosive materials that leave behind salts — copper, lead, etc. — and because metal mixed with salt and humidity can kickstart the corrosion process. Even if you’re using the cleanest ammo around, you still need to think about rust prevention and storage in a quality gun case.
Firearms are complex pieces of machinery that require routine maintenance. Cleaning and the occasional tune-up helps keep your gun shooting accurately and safely while preserving it so it stays in good condition for years to come. But this begs the question: How often, exactly, should you clean your gun? The answer depends on a few factors, including what it is used for, how often you use it, what kind of ammo you’re using and if it has been exposed to any potentially damaging materials, like water or dust.
None of us want to imagine what might happen in the event of an emergency, but — as scary as it is to consider — preparing for a disaster is crucial to ensuring the health and safety of you and your family. Having a well-derived disaster plan can mean the difference between life and death in potentially devastating situations, so it’s well worth your while to conceive. One of the facets of your emergency response plan should be to pack a go bag that you can grab and go should you need to flee.
When you’re heading out on a road trip or are moving, your car becomes the hub of everything. In a sense, it becomes your home between homes, and it’s the trusted transporter of your most precious valuables (including your family). One other important thing about the car: it has limited cargo space. You’ve got to find a way to safely fit your belongings, plus the cooler and the snacks — which, by the way, need to be immediately accessible at all times — as well as you, your family and your pets, all in a car with a trunk the size of a bathtub. It’s a true challenge.
The best photographers know that the prize-winning shots are the ones that come from off the beaten path, from the middle of a rainstorm, from the far-off angles that you can’t get to easily. They also know that these places can be disastrous for expensive photography gear. The fact is, cameras are fragile and expensive, and they operate best when they are free of debris, moisture and impact. A solid storage solution — both while out in the field snapping photos and when not in use at home — is crucial for any dedicated photographer. So what are some simple and effective ways to keep your camera safe and sound between uses?
Though none of us want to think about facing an emergency situation, preparing for a disaster is actually one of the best ways to ensure that you weather even the harshest storms without incident (perhaps quite literally). The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends that citizens have an emergency plan in place and keep at least 72 hours of basic survival supplies on hand at all times. A bug out bag (BOB) is a smart and simple way to do this, and it doesn’t take a huge investment of money or time.
Thinking about upgrading your backpack? Consider the rucksack. Perhaps the word “rucksack” calls to mind some quaint, primitive pack used by a traveler from the 1800s, but the truth is that it’s actually the exact opposite. In fact, a rucksack is more like an upgraded version of your typical backpack, and it’s a lot more rugged and technical than the one you used to take to school.
Have you ever stopped to ask yourself whether you’d be safe in the event of an automotive emergency? Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for cars to break down and require a tow, potentially leaving you in a vulnerable situation on the side of the road. In fact, AAA reports that it fields over 30 million roadside assistance requests each year, with the most calls involving battery failures, flat tires and keys locked inside the car.
Got a gun enthusiast in your life? Do you want to surprise them with a special gift? The key is to find a present that honors your recipient’s love for all things firearms while also choosing something they’ll use forever. Anything and everything dealing with gun maintenance is a good choice. Take it from us: gun collectors tend to get downright giddy over finding the perfect gun case. Unique shooting-related experiences are also fantastic gift ideas that you can enjoy together. Here are some gifts for gun enthusiasts that always hit the mark.
When we think about going camping, most of us picture a scenic campsite with a designated picnic table, fire ring and camping pad. There may be public showers and a camp shop. But this is far from the only way to camp, especially when you’re rolling with a full-blown RV or camper. Another option, and an arguably more primitive one, is boondocking. In this guide, we’re going over all the basics of boondocking to see if it’s something you may want to try.
One of the main benefits of trading up your tent for an RV or camper van is that, well… everywhere you go, you’re home. Self-contained camping units come equipped with many of the same comforts as your permanent residence — a roomy bed with a real mattress, a full-scale kitchen and, in some cases, a bathroom. Another big advantage? With all of these amenities, you may not need the ones you’d get at a standard campground. Enter dry camping.
Due to the spread of Coronavirus (Covid-19), some of the ideas listed here may not be appropriate to try at this time. Please refer to guidance from your local health authority.
Though not complicated, packing a cooler is a task that involves some considerable forethought and strategy. We’ve all experienced the dreaded soggy butter boxes and floating soda cans, but prevention comes down to two important factors: selecting the right cooler and packing it properly. The first one is easy if you use a Pelican cooler. The second one takes a little bit of practice and planning, but it’s practice and planning that goes a long way.
The United States boasts an incredible 4 million miles of public roads and the biggest total road network in the world, so it’s not hard to see why the road trip is such a cherished American tradition. There is so much to discover along those 4 million miles, from the breathtaking sea-cliff views of the Pacific coast to the tree-lined mountains of North Carolina. The best way to see everything, of course, is by car. So pack your camera backpack and load up the snacks, because we’re going for a drive!
Boarding a domestic flight with a gun in your checked bag is your right as an American, but for your safety and security, you need to know how to do it in accordance with the law. Preparing for a trip with a firearm is fairly straightforward. You just need to know the rules set by the United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and make sure you have the proper gear so you don’t get turned away at security.
Can we take a brief moment to show some appreciation for the duffel bag? These essential carry-alls somehow manage to fit a week’s worth of clothes and gear without breaking a sweat, making them truly versatile pieces of luggage for all manners of adventure. Even when they’re jam-packed, they’re fairly easy to transport thanks to the multiple straps and carrying configurations. But a well-packed bag makes all the difference, so today we’re covering the best way to pack durable duffel bags so you get the most out of every single liter.
Tactical situations are no joke, and they call for heavy-duty, rugged gear that can handle anything. Today, we’re shining a light on one of the most all-around practical pieces of tactical gear in your pack — the tactical flashlight. These ultra-durable, ultra-bright flashlights can provide lifesaving protection and essential illumination when the scenario demands it.
Thinking about taking your handgun with you when hitting the road across state lines? Depending on where you’re going, you may be able to take your handgun with you without breaking the law. The most important thing you can do when traveling with a firearm is to closely follow all current laws and to consult a lawyer if you aren’t clear on something. Always select the right handgun or pistol case to stay safe and compliant on the road.
Packing a backpack, like starting a fire or pitching a tent, is art masquerading as a chore. A perfectly-packed pack is easier to carry, fits more stuff and stores your items so you don’t have to go rifling through it every single time you need something. But the thing is, there’s no backpack-packing formula that works for everyone, mainly because we’ve all got different gear to stash depending on the expedition at hand. Luckily, there are a few packing tips that’ll help ensure you get the most out of your backpack no matter where you’re going.
We all get satisfaction out of dumping a 10-pound bag of gas station ice atop the contents of a perfectly-packed cooler, but is there a better way to keep the cooler... cooler? Actually, yes, and it involves the same subzero stuff you used to mess around with in high school chemistry class. Dry ice is the underrated cooler companion that helps keep all your perishables cool and dry for longer. Here’s how to master it using your Pelican hard cooler.
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