Carl J. Borg
Stories by Carl J. Borg
Snakes in Texas: 81 Types and How to Identify Them
Texas snakes span deserts, brush country, Hill Country, prairies, pine woods, wetlands, and Gulf Coast marshes.
Snakes in North Carolina: 38 Types and How to Identify Them
North Carolina's snakes shift from coastal marshes and pine savannas to Piedmont woods and Blue Ridge slopes.
Snakes in Mississippi: 44 Types and How to Identify Them
Mississippi's snake list runs through delta wetlands, pine flats, river bottoms, hardwood forests, and backyard edges.
Snakes in Louisiana: 49 Types and How to Identify Them
Louisiana's snake fauna is built around bayous, bottomland hardwoods, pine woods, prairies, and Gulf Coast wetlands.
Snakes in California: 47 Types and How to Identify Them
California's snake list moves from desert rattlesnakes to coastal gartersnakes, mountain boas, kingsnakes, and burrowers.
Snakes in Alabama: 46 Types and How to Identify Them
Alabama's forests, rivers, and coastal plain hold copperheads, cottonmouths, rattlesnakes, kingsnakes, watersnakes, and secretive burrowers.
Snakes in Arizona: 54 Types and How to Identify Them
Arizona's snakes span desert washes, canyons, grasslands, and sky islands, from sidewinders to tiny threadsnakes.
Nature’s Dangers: How Deadly Are The World’s Most Common Natural Disasters?
Droughts have killed 11.7 million people historically; earthquakes and storms pose the deadliest threats today.
Extraterrestrial Encounters: The Biggest UFO Hotspots in the USA
Explore the top US UFO hotspots using National UFO Reporting Center data; mysterious lights dominate sightings across California and Washington.
The USA’s Search and Rescue Hotspots
Grand Canyon leads with 785 search and rescue incidents; Yosemite follows with 732; California parks dominate incident numbers from 2018 to 2020.
Dangerous Coasts: The United States’ Most Dangerous Beaches
Venice Beach, Daytona Beach, and Waikiki top the list of America's most dangerous beaches, ranked by crime, pollution, and shark attack data.
Wildlife Trades: Live Animal Trades Analyzed
200 million live animals have been traded since 1975, driven by demand for clothing and food, with El Salvador, China, and the U.S. leading exports.
National Park Premiums: The Cost of Living Near the Country’s Most Sought After Natural Landscapes
Property near Grand Teton costs 390% above state average; Voyageurs offers the best value at 74% below state average.
Animal Attacks: The Most Deadly Animals In North America
North America's most dangerous animals kill 70+ bears, 57 sharks, 57 snakes yearly; know defense tactics for bears, sharks, snakes, alligators, cougars, wolves.
Skinny Dipping Spots: The Best From Around The World
Spain, France, and the US lead the world in nudist beaches and naturist campsites; Spain has 422 designated nude swimming spots.
13 Tips for Camping With your Cat
Camping with cats requires gradual acclimatization, pet-friendly sites, safe spaces, leashes, and strict supervision to prevent escapes and injuries.
Fjällräven Vs. Arc’teryx: Which is better?
Arc'teryx dominates technical performance; Fjallraven prioritizes sustainability; both deliver reliable outdoor gear with distinct brand philosophies.
Scrambling in Hiking: The Perfect Blend of Hiking and Rock Climbing Adventure
Scrambling blends hiking and rock climbing using hands and feet on steep terrain; three difficulty grades from beginner to advanced mountain pursuits.
27 Unique and Cool Backpacking Gadgets
Explore 27 unique backpacking gadgets from water filters to solar chargers that enhance comfort, safety, and convenience on outdoor adventures.
Cot vs. Air Mattress: Which One’s Right For Your Next Camping Trip?
Cots offer durability and airflow while air mattresses provide comfort and versatility; choose based on your camping style, terrain, and sleeping position.
TOAKS vs. Snow Peak: Which Cookset is Better?
Compare titanium camping cooksets: TOAKS excels in durability and heat distribution; Snow Peak wins in ultralight portability and 3-in-1 multipurpose design.
Fleece vs. Cotton: Which One Is Best?
Fleece dominates cold-weather gear with superior insulation and quick-drying; cotton suits everyday wear but absorbs moisture and loses warmth when wet.
Are Bean Boots Waterproof?
L.L. Bean boots are water-resistant, not waterproof. The rubber sole is waterproof, but leather and stitching allow water penetration over time.
8 Tips for Car Camping in Bear Country
Bears smell food 7 times better than bloodhounds; lock doors, store food sealed, use bear canisters, and carry bear spray (92 percent effective against attacks).
Don’t Drop the Connection: How to Use Internet While Camping
Eight internet options exist for campers, from campground WiFi and hotspots to satellite internet for remote areas.
How to Safely Ground a Generator When Camping in 3 Easy Steps
Ground your camping generator in 3 steps: install an 8-foot grounding rod, connect copper wire to it, and secure the wire to the generator grounding bolt.
Deuter vs Osprey: Which Backpack Brand is Right for You?
Deuter edges Osprey across backpack categories with better durability, lighter weight, and lower prices, though Osprey offers more style options.
Camping Without Electricity
Camp without hookups using portable power sources, coolers, non-perishable foods, camp stoves, and proper insulation for temperature regulation.
Climbing Costs: The price of completing the world’s most iconic mountain climbs
Mount Everest costs $84,123 to climb; discover the top 10 most expensive mountain expeditions worldwide and their price breakdowns.
Ensure Your Adventure Starts on the Right Foot: How Should Hiking Boots Fit?
Hiking boots should fit snug without being tight, with half a size bigger accounting for foot swell during hikes.
7 Must-Know Hiking Trail Signs
Master 7 essential trail signs to stay safe: trailhead markers, blazes, rock cairns, wildlife warnings, mile markers, and directional signs guide hikers reliably.
How to Start a Fire with Sticks
Master three primitive fire methods; bow drill, hand drill, and plow technique all require the right wood, proper technique, and lots of practice.
Keep Warm, Travel Light: Nano Puff vs. Micro Puff
Nano Puff and Micro Puff synthetic insulations keep you warm without bulk, perfect for cold-weather hiking and camping gear.
Bonfire vs Campfire: What’s the Difference?
Campfires are small, contained fires used for cooking and warmth; bonfires are large fires built for celebrations and ceremonies on open land.
Hiking for Beginners on a Budget
Start hiking for under 200 dollars with 12 essential budget gear items; beginners need only backpack, shoes, water, and basic safety kit.
Cooking While Camping: Campfire Cooking Equipment To Bring Along
Essential campfire cooking gear includes grills, cast iron, utensils, roasting sticks, percolators, and heat-resistant mitts for outdoor meals.
How to Pick the Best Time and Season to Go Camping
Late September to early October offers the ideal camping window with smaller crowds, mild weather, fewer insects, and stunning fall foliage across most US campgrounds.
How You Can Stay Safe Camping in Thunderstorm
Stay safe camping in thunderstorms with proper gear, site selection, and layered protection. Exposure to cold is the biggest threat, not lightning strikes.
The Top Seven Tips for Using Dry Ice for Camping
Seven dry ice camping tips: stay safe, keep coolers cold for weeks, freeze caught fish, trap mosquitoes, and use it for survival.
How to Make a Tarp Shelter Without Trees
Build the Holden tarp shelter without trees using two poles, a polyurethane tarp, guy ropes, and stakes in a simple pyramid configuration.
How to Stay Warm in a Tent: 20 Actionable Tips
Twenty tips to stay warm camping: right tent, proper gear, body heat, hot water bottles, sleeping pads, layers, and fire placement.
What Is a Switchback? Definition, Uses, and Tips for Happy Hiking
Switchbacks are zig-zag hiking trails on steep slopes that reduce elevation change. They make mountain hiking safer and protect against soil erosion on vulnerable terrain.
How Far Can A Bear Smell?
Bears can smell food 20 miles away; polar bears reach 40 miles, making proper food storage crucial for campers.
Smartphone Vs. Standalone GPS for Hiking
Smartphones work for short hikes; handheld GPS devices offer superior battery life, durability, and navigation for backcountry treks.
Top 12 Cowboy Camping Tips & Gear Essentials
Cowboy camping strips away tents, cots, and excess gear for bare-bones backcountry survival under stars. Bring a sleeping bag, ground cloth, and weather plan plus fire-making skills, protective knife, and snake-safe footwear.
11 Ways to Find a Hiking Buddy or Hiking Group
Hiking with a buddy dramatically reduces injury risk; 62 percent of missing hikers in Yosemite were alone, with 11 proven methods to find partners.
Which are the Greenest Countries in the World? We’ve Looked at the Data to Find Out
Sweden (8.84/10), Norway (8.73/10), and Finland (8.65/10) rank as the world's greenest nations using World Bank data on emissions, forest, renewable energy, and endangered species.
The Climate Threat to our Cultural and Natural Landscape
Climate change threatens iconic landscapes globally: saguaro cacti face wildfires, glacial parks shrink, and coral reefs bleach from warming oceans.
Danger Parks: Which U.S. National Parks Are The Most Dangerous?
US national parks kill over 1,000 visitors each decade; falls claim 245 lives, while medical emergencies and unexplained deaths account for 358 more. Grand Canyon leads with 134 deaths, mostly from extreme heat and falls.
2021 Adventure Index – U.S. States Ranked
California ranks first in adventure activities across 10 categories, followed by Colorado and New York in this comprehensive 50-state adventure ranking.
Scenic Parks – U.S. National Parks Ranked
Ranking America's most beautiful national parks by natural beauty spots, landmarks, and wildlife opportunities across deserts, mountains, and forests.
How To Break In Hiking Boots Fast
Three-phase routine that breaks in hiking boots in 2 to 4 weeks without blistering your feet.
Enhancing Family Fishing Adventures by Predicting Fish Behavior
Master fish behavior prediction using water temperature, barometric pressure, lunar phases, and dawn-dusk feeding patterns for successful family fishing trips.
