-
May 28, 2020
Comments (0)
Fauna
The javelina (Tayassu tajacu), also known as a collared peccary, is a pig-like mammal found throughout the arid climates of the southwestern United States. Covered with coarse black hair peppered with gray and brown, the javelina sports a lighter colored band or collar, circling the shoulders. Adult javelina
Read More »
-
May 14, 2020
Comments (2)
Field Facts
Before setting out on his final polar expedition in 1845 and creating one of history’s more intriguing and enduring maritime mysteries, Sir John Franklin had served in three wars, surveyed Australia, and mapped unexplored areas of Canada’s Northwest Territories. Throughout his five-decade career in the
Read More »
-
May 7, 2020
Comments (2)
Flora
The Prickly Pear Cactus, known more formally as Opuntia is probably one of the most recognizable Cacti in the world. With dozens of variations it is originally from the Americas in what is now Central Mexico, but Opuntia has radiated out to arid and semi-arid regions all around the world. Said to be given to …
Read More »
-
April 30, 2020
Comments (1)
Camp Kitchen
All around the world different civilizations and cultures have developed ways to get necessary and filling carbohydrates by making bread while on the go and/or from minimum ingredients. Fry bread, tortillas, pita- some baked directly in the ashes of a campfire have kept people going for centuries. Today’s Camp
Read More »
-
April 23, 2020
Comments (0)
Fauna
The bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) is one of three species of mountain sheep living in North America. Recognized by the male’s large, curving horns, the bighorn sheep is a legendary climber and resident of the continent’s western rocky terrain. The three living subspecies are the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep
Read More »
-
April 16, 2020
Comments (0)
Gear Reviews
It’s always great to have extra lights for area lighting and performing immediate tasks while outdoors. In the past options were limited and varying sized battery requirements were a hassle. Now with rechargeable lights you can get away for a long weekend and not have to carry a twenty pound bag of spares.
Read More »
-
April 9, 2020
Comments (0)
Flora
Treasured for its sweet, delicate fruit, the wild strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) is a member of the rose family and is found throughout most of the U.S. and Canada. The wild strawberry prefers fertile loamy soils in dry locations and can be found throughout North America in meadows, roadsides, hillsides, and
Read More »
-
April 3, 2020
Comments (0)
Field Facts
How do you follow up making the most successful surf movie of all time? You turn your cameras inland and make a movie about motorcycles, of course! As unconventional as that may sound that is exactly what California film maker Bruce Brown did and in doing so made another classic that set standard that all
Read More »
-
April 1, 2020
Comments (0)
Fauna
Jackalope (Lepus cornutus) is a medium to large lagomorph found only in small pockets of the Western United States, the largest populations being found near Douglas Wyoming and Groom Lake in Southern Nevada. Contrary to popular belief Jackalope are not the result of amorousness between an antelope and a jackrabbit,
Read More »
-
March 19, 2020
Comments (0)
Field Facts
Rising from the depths of Lake Superior, Michigan’s Isle Royale National Park is one of America’s more remote and rugged parks. The 45-mile long island offers a mixture of adventure and solitude for kayakers, canoeists, backpackers, day hikers, SCUBA divers, and anglers. Isle Royale was formed by the
Read More »
-
March 12, 2020
Comments (0)
Flora
The birch (Betulaceae) is a deciduous hardwood tree easily recognized by its distinguished thin bark, which peels away in layers like paper. The bark is usually white but can also be found in colors ranging from purple to salmon. There are 15 species of birch in the colder regions of the United States, with
Read More »
-
March 5, 2020
Comments (1)
Field Facts
“Earthbound souls know only the underside of the atmosphere in which they live . . . but go higher – above the dust and water vapor – and the sky turns dark until one can see the stars at noon.” Jacqueline Cochran was the first woman to fly faster than the speed of sound (Mach …
Read More »
-
February 27, 2020
Comments (0)
Field Facts
Humans (Homo sapiens) aren’t the only species who have found value in partnering with competing predators in the Canidae family. While early man and wolves formed hunting alliances which led to the rise of the domestic dog, other animals have also found value in developing symbiotic relationships with
Read More »
-
February 20, 2020
Comments (0)
Fauna
The red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is one of North America’s larger raptors, weighing in between two and four pounds with a wingspan up to 56 inches. This bird of prey with the distinctive rust-colored tail is found in just about every type of open habitat on the continent. Chances are there is a Red-Tail
Read More »
-
February 13, 2020
Comments (0)
Field Facts
Yellowstone National Park has the distinction of being the first national park ever created in the United States and also the first of its kind in the world. The Act of Dedication was signed into law on March 1st, 1872 by President Ulysses S. Grant and set aside more than 2 million acres in the …
Read More »
-
February 6, 2020
Comments (0)
Flora
The Monterey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) is native to the Monterey Bay, California area, and has been cultivated throughout the western and southern United States. This cypress has high wind and aerosol salt tolerance, making it the perfect coastal tree. The Monterey Cypress is found naturally in only two
Read More »
-
February 1, 2020
Comments (2)
Gear Reviews
I have owned almost a dozen headlamps in my time. One “walked off” after a nighttime rescue, all the rest failed in some way or another. I don’t think that will ever be a problem with the SureFire Minimus. Contructed from aircraft aluminum that has been hard anodized. That means it won’t crack
Read More »
-
January 30, 2020
Comments (0)
Fauna
The Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus, which translates to maritime bear) is the apex predator of the Arctic. Spending most of its life on Arctic ocean sea ice, the Polar Bear is the only species of bear to be classified as a marine mammal. Polar bears can be found in Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Russia, and some
Read More »
-
January 23, 2020
Comments (0)
Field Craft
Whenever I’m out camping or hiking on a cool day, I always bring along a small selection of easy to make warm beverage packets and a small camp stove. Having a hot beverage available is great while taking a break on the trail and can be a real morale booster during unexpected changes in weather. …
Read More »
-
January 16, 2020
Comments (1)
Flora
The lichen is a remarkable composite organism that can be frequently seen attached to rocks, trees, and even the soil. Often confused for moss, the lichen is actually not a plant at all since it has no roots, stems, or leaves. Lichens are actually a partnership between two organisms: fungus and alga. The fungi
Read More »
-
January 9, 2020
Comments (1)
Field Facts
A pack book is a book to keep in your backpack or travel bag for any kind of journey. We consider a good paperback book an essential part of any packing list whether you are going for a short hike or a trip around the world. A pack book should be not too big and …
Read More »
-
December 26, 2019
Comments (0)
Fauna
The caribou (Rangifer tarandus) is a large hoofed mammal belonging to the deer family. Depending on where you live, caribou and reindeer are the same animals. Caribou are native to North America while reindeer are native to Asia, Europe, and Santa’s home in the North Pole. There are, however, some reindeer in
Read More »
-
December 19, 2019
Comments (1)
Field Facts
Rising over 10,000 feet in the air, the granite peak of Mt. San Jacinto stands in stark contrast to the Sonoran Desert below. High above in the subalpine, it is cool and green; covered in pines, cedars and in a blanket of snow. The desert below is 40 degrees hotter and sparsely dotted with creosote …
Read More »
-
December 12, 2019
Comments (0)
Flora
The Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) is a large evergreen tree that is a mainstay of the American West. It also goes by the name Yellow Pine, Bull Pine and about a dozen others depending on the region and the tree’s age. Typically they are found in elevations between 6,000- 10,000 feet, in areas that receive
Read More »
-
December 5, 2019
Comments (0)
Do's & Don'ts
As winter sets in some of us take a break from our adventuring. We retire to hearth and home. Sit by the fire, make repairs to our adventure gear and plan for the spring and summer ahead-Some of us, the rest of us get out after it. Adventuring in cold weather can be a great …
Read More »
-
November 28, 2019
Comments (0)
Fauna
The wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is often misaligned by city dwellers as a dumb bird, suitable only for the Thanksgiving table. Those of us who are closer in touch with our wild roots, however, know this large colorful thunder chicken as a crafty, wary, and magnificent creature of the forest. Weighing between
Read More »
-
November 21, 2019
Comments (0)
Field Craft
In this article, we are going to discuss one of the oldest fire-starting sources that dates back into the 1500’s, perhaps even further. During its history fatwood was often used as a lamp or torch wick source due to its water-resistant properties. Also during this time period another use for fatwood was found when
Read More »
-
November 14, 2019
Comments (1)
Flora
The Snow plant (Sarcodes sanguinea) is a strikingly red parasitic plant that can found in the conifer forests in the Sierra Nevada range in California, Oregon, and some isolated pockets in western Nevada. The plant’s scientific name, Sarcodes sanguinea, which is loosely translated as “the bloody flesh-like
Read More »
-
November 7, 2019
Comments (0)
Adventure Mobiles
Make: Subaru Model: Outback Year: 2019 Mileage: 9,200 How long have you had your adventure-mobile? 6 months. The Original Dadwagon was totaled and this is the Dadwagon 2.0 Owners’ name: Greg Finke What do you do? Work for the Department of the Navy Hobbies? Coaching my
Read More »
-
October 30, 2019
Comments (0)
Fauna
If you believe what you see in the movies, rattlesnakes have nothing better to do all day except to wait for humans to walk by and inject them with venom. The western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox), however, usually has better things to do. Some of its favorite activities are regulating its body temperature
Read More »
-
October 25, 2019
Comments (0)
Field Facts
When I was kid living in small towns in and around the mountains of the East Coast, I remember marveling at the tall fire watch lookouts we’d come across on our family hikes through the region. To my young self these were the guard towers for the brave, solitary sentinels who watched over our forests, …
Read More »
-
October 18, 2019
Comments (0)
Flora
Related to both the blueberry and the cranberry, the huckleberry represents the best of both fruits when it comes to the near-perfect blend of tartness and sweetness. With more than 12 species of huckleberries located in the Pacific Northwest, this little berry has been a long-time favorite on the menus of
Read More »
-
October 10, 2019
Comments (2)
Do's & Don'ts
“Take care of your gear, and your gear will take care of you” is one of Danger Ranger Bear’s basic rules for the outdoors. The proper care, use and maintenance of your outdoor equipment will not only extend its life and provide you with more use and enjoyment, it also means your gear will be …
Read More »
-
October 3, 2019
Comments (0)
Fauna
If you have even the remotest hint of arachnophobia, don’t visit Nevada’s Walker Lake in August during the blue damselfly hatch. For decades, this desert oasis has become party central for the orb weaver spider family reunion. Hundreds of thousands of these silk-spinning masters set up their large circular webs on
Read More »
-
September 26, 2019
Comments (0)
Field Facts
Foreword: In 2016, I had the chance to see Alaska for the first time and also check off “take a flight in a float plane” on my bucket list with a trip over the North Slope of the Brooks Range. Ever since that trip, I’ve longed to go back to the land of the endless …
Read More »
