How-To

Practical skills for the trail and the backcountry: navigation, photography, tracking, weather reading, and winter camping.

46 stories in How-To · Page 2 of 4

Hands using a map and compass with weathered outdoor gear

Traditional felt-covered yurt with a wooden door standing alone on a grassy steppe under a cloudy sky

How-To

What Is A Yurt? Discovering the Magic of Nomadic Living

Yurts are circular dwellings with wooden lattice walls and felt insulation, originating in Central Asia. Pacific Yurts modernize the traditional design for Western markets.

Two rafters in helmets and life jackets paddling a blue raft through whitewater between dark boulders

How-To

Stay Warm & Dry: Essential Clothing Tips for Whitewater Rafting

Layer moisture-wicking base, insulating middle, and protective outer gear; avoid cotton; wear PFD and water-appropriate footwear.

How-To

No Propane, No Gain: How to Tell if a Propane Tank Is Empty

Check propane levels by comparing tank weight, listening for liquid sloshing, feeling temperature changes with hot water, or smelling rotten cabbage.

Hand holding a baseplate compass over a topographic map spread on forest ground beside a pack and notebook

How-To

How to Read a Compass: Expert Tips for Successful Navigation

Learn compass navigation by understanding magnetic declination, orienting the needle to true north, and using base plate, lensatic, or digital compass types.

A manatee gliding over a shallow seagrass bed in clear green water, with a small square survey frame on the bottom

How-To

Are Mermaids Real? Exploring Ocean Myths and Legends

Mermaids are mythological creatures, likely inspired by misidentified manatees and dugongs that early explorers mistook for human-fish hybrids.

Open foil pouches of dried food, a small stove and a camp mug laid out on a weathered picnic table by a lake

How-To

Freeze-Dried vs Dehydrated Food: Unveiling the Ultimate Choice

Understand freeze-dried versus dehydrated food; freeze-dried lasts longer but costs more than home dehydration.

First-person view of an angler holding a fly rod beside a calm lake with a rocky shore and spruce forest beyond

How-To

A World of Fishing: Dive into 40 Different Types of Fishing

Forty fishing techniques exist for saltwater, freshwater, ice, and fly fishing, ranging from primitive hand-lining to equipment-heavy big game fishing.

Angler in waders and a cap casting a fly line on a shallow rocky river lined with dense evergreen forest

How-To

What is Fly Fishing? A Journey Through Its Rich History and Techniques

Fly fishing uses artificial flies tied from feathers and hair to mimic insects. It requires specialized rods, reels, and casting techniques different from regular fishing.

Cream and green canvas yurt with an open wooden door in an autumn forest, firewood stacked beside it

How-To

How Much Does a Yurt Cost? Understanding the Price of Buying, Building, Maintaining and Living in a Yurt

Yurts cost six thousand to eighty thousand dollars depending on size and amenities, serving as affordable alternatives to traditional homes.

A forager in brown trousers and a green jacket reaches into a bramble beside a wicker basket of dark berries and leaves

How-To

Discover the Art of Foraging: What Is Foraging and How Can It Benefit You?

Search wild areas for edible plants, fungi, and shellfish; a survival skill linking you to nature and local ecosystems.

A cut aloe vera leaf with a clear drop of gel on a stone ledge, an aloe plant and dry garden behind it

How-To

Does Aloe Vera Gel Expire? Discover the Truth About Its Shelf Life

Aloe vera gel expires within 24 hours at room temperature but lasts weeks refrigerated or years if shop-bought with preservatives.

Small pepper spray canister beside a much larger bear spray can on gravel, with a hiker blurred in the background

How-To

Bear Spray vs Pepper Spray: The Crucial Differences and Their Effectiveness

Bear spray deters charging bears up to 25 feet away with higher capsicum concentration, while pepper spray is designed for self-defense against humans with a 10-foot range.