That cold fast moving clear mountain spring appears pristine to the naked eye, but microscopic organisms are thriving in its water by the millions. If ingested, some of these microorganisms can cause severe gastrointestinal infections resulting in diarrhea and vomiting. Two such common microorganisms you might encounter in wilderness waters are Giardia and Cryptosporidium. Here we discuss why you should always treat wilderness water and the type of treatment method you should use based on your location. Biologically Contaminated Water Biologically contaminated water is water that contains microorganisms such as protozoa, bacteria, or viruses that can lead to gastrointestinal infections. These […]
Life
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After thoughtful consideration, we’ve decided to discontinue Bee Good Couscous for 2017. This product contains bee pollen, which comes from the pollen of plants collected by honeybees. Honeybees have been dying off in record number for more than a decade because of human interference. In good consciousness, we will no longer purchase products coming from bees.
If you are planning to travel to the United States to go backpacking, you might be wondering what items you can bring with you. We’ll cover what backpacking gear is permitted in your carry-on and checked luggage so you can quickly get through U.S. customs without a problem. Backpacking Food & U.S. Customs Generally, the U.S. allows entry of processed food that is shelf-stable and free of pests – this includes dehydrated, freeze-dried, roasted, baked, cured, and candied food. All food must be commercially labeled (with an ingredient statement in English) and unopened in its original packaging. Meat and animal […]
When Wild Turkey numbers dwindled in the twentieth century from hunting and habitat loss, various states, such as California, adopted programs to reintroduce them. These programs have saved them from extinction. Today, wild turkey populations have recovered throughout the United States. Here in Northern California, wild turkeys are a daily occurrence. You’ll find them roaming free in suburban front yards and public parks. Drivers routinely stop for a pack of turkeys to cross a busy street. The gang will stroll across the street without concern, fanning their tail feathers and pecking at bits of leaves while crossing. Although most people […]
Have you ever gone hiking with an edgy friend who is always on the lookout for snakes on the sides of the trail? When discussing your previous weekend backpacking trip with your co-workers, how many times have you heard, “Aren’t you worried about snakes?” You should be cautious, but not worried about venomous snakes. Here’s why. Your Odds of a Snake Bite It is no surprise that many people fear interaction with snakes when most of the images presented to us about snakes through books, stories, and TV is a negative one. Modern sensationalistic documentaries would lead an uninformed person […]