12 Amazing Albums Playing in the Office.

Depending on where you are in the world, and how cold it is outside, the thought of camping right now might not have even crossed your mind. While you’re bundled up at home this winter, take the opportunity to plan your adventures early! Texas state parks allow you to book campsites five months in advance while most national parks allow you to do so six months in advance. Backcountry and lottery permits are a tad trickier, and there’s no time like the present to apply before they’re all snatched up.  We've put together eight bucket-list-worthy trips that take a bit more logistical planning than a simple reservation. Best of luck to everyone who applies for these epic permits! 1. Thru-Hike The Narrows, Zion National Park Hiking The Narrows is a bucket list item for many, which contributes to the ultra-competitive booking system for the 16-mile through-hike. A backcountry permit is needed whether you want to hike it in a single day or camp halfway, but if you plan to camp, a backcountry campsite booking is required as well. The trick here? Booking opens at 10 a.m. Mountain Time on the 5th of every month, and the NPS reports “most spaces will become fully booked for the next month within minutes of reservations opening.” Don’t be discouraged. You can plan for an out-and-back trip in the narrows with no special permit required. Plan for this one in late spring and summer when temps rise and water levels drop.     2. Rim to Rim, Grand Canyon National Park A backcountry camping permit for Grand Canyon is even tougher to nab than The Narrows and more logistically challenging as well. You’ll need to plan months in advance and mail or fax your request to the NPS in order to get approved. A Rim to Rim hike in Grand Canyon National Park is extremely challenging when you consider the elevation change and hot, dry conditions. According to HikingGuy.com, the most viable windows for a trip like this is the end of May or beginning of October when hotter temps are least likely. Check out the full guide at HikingGuy and start making those plans now!     3. See the fall colors in Lost Maples State Natural Area This state natural area outside of San Antonio is best known for its fall foliage. While most Texas trees like pecans and oaks turn to brown and shed their leaves during winter, Lost Maples offers the Lone Star State some true fall colors. Bigtooth maples not common in most of the state still thrive in this unique microclimate and offer a spectacular show come November. But you’ll have to plan in advance if you want to see the brilliant orange leaves in person. Based on the Fall Foliage Report from 2021 and a quick phone call to the park headquarters, it sounds like planning your trip around Veterans Day is the ideal time. Since Texas state parks don't allow you to reserve campsites more than five months out, set a reminder in your phone for June as spots fill up quickly. Day passes are sold a month in advance and also sell out well in advance.     4. Visit The Wave at Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness This gem in Arizona is a highly sought after photo destination for social media influencers, but it’s so much more than a selfie spot. The Wave is one of the most visually interesting geological structures in North America. Due to its popularity and the fragile nature of the unique ecosystem, permits are limited to a highly competitive lottery system. From the Bureau of Land Management website: “Forty-eight people or 12 groups (whichever comes first) each day are awarded permits through an online lottery four months in advance.” A same-day walk-in lottery is also available, but they limit numbers to 16 people or four groups. Best of luck on this one—the lucky few are in for a heck of an adventure.     5. Summit Mt. Whitney, Inyo National Forest Looking to escape in the beautiful Sierra Nevadas? Might as well summit the tallest peak in California while you’re at it. For most hikers, this is a 12-hour day minimum: 22 miles out and back with over 6,200 feet of elevation gain. If this doesn’t deter you, then it’s time to call your friends and put some dates on the calendar! Best hiking conditions run from July to late September when the trail is usually free of snow. Not so fast though—the success rate for 2021 applications was a measly 28%, meaning you’ll likely have to apply multiple times to get a shot at this one. But if you’re a peak bagger, or if you’re just looking for an epic adventure, this one’s definitely worth applying for. The lottery for Mount Whitney runs from February 1 to March 15, so mark your calendar!     6. Float Hell’s Canyon, the Salmon River, or the Selway River You’ve only got a few days left to put in for these sought-after river floats as well as a few others. The last day to enter the lottery for the 2022 season is February 1st, so you’ll have to make a quick decision. Still, these rivers offer some of the best of the west when it comes to scenic and technical paddle trips. And don’t worry: If this isn’t your year, you can always plan for 2023. For a full list of upcoming lotteries, click here.     7. Hike the Half Dome Cable Route, Yosemite National Park 16 miles with 4,800 feet of gain is nothing to take lightly, but reaching the summit of the Half Dome in Yosemite is definitely a once in a lifetime kind of experience. Hikers have been using this cable route since 1919, and it remains one of the most popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts today. If this sounds like your kind of adventure, know that the preseason lottery runs during the month of March with more daily lotteries to come in May. The cable route opens in late May depending on conditions and is open through October 11. Make your plans and find more info here.     8. Paddle the Devils River, West Texas Of all the adventures on this list, aside from the Lost Maples trip perhaps, this one might be the most achievable. Why, you ask? The Devils River lies in barren west Texas, completely remote and relatively unknown in comparison to the national park giants listed above. Lucky for you, it’s one of the best kept secrets in Texas. The Devils River is a 94-mile, spring-fed river considered by many experts to be the most pristine river remaining in Texas. To help keep it that way, Texas Parks and Wildlife limits the number of visitors to the river, and especially the number of paddlers given river access permits. TPWD recommends planning your trips for spring and fall to avoid extreme temps. A quick Google image search of the river will tell you everything you need to know about why you should put this on your list, and why if you go you should be extra diligent with your Leave No Trace principles (as always). Want to learn where the Devils River got its name? Check this out from the Devils River Conservancy, and while you’re on their website, read about why this river is so important to protect.   For those of you ready for a winter adventure, check out our Guide to Hammock Camping in Cold Weather.

Kammok Outsiders know the feeling of connection that comes from stepping into nature. It’s the first breath of fresh air when we get out of our cars and into the mountains. It’s the audible sigh after jumping into the ocean where all we hear are the rhythmic waves crashing onto white sand beaches. However, there’s no doubt that these spaces and experiences away from our screens are in danger due to climate change.  Our commitment to protecting the environment for current and future generations extends beyond Earth Day. We’ve announced our commitment through our partnership with Climate Neutral (read more on it here). We know that for there to be any hope of surviving the climate crisis, we have to take action as both a brand and as individuals. Earlier this month our team at Kammok paused work at the office and hit the trails, but this time we didn’t camp or climb. Instead, we decided to pick up the trash that humans have left behind along a local trail.  We spent our day walking the Barton Creek Greenbelt in Austin and picked up a surprising amount of dog poop bags, styrofoam cups and plastic wrappers that were bound to end up contaminating waterways, buried in the soil for hundreds of years or in the stomach of wildlife.  For anyone who spends time outside, we urge you to take another look at the seven principles of Leave No Trace. They have great educational resources about the importance of creating minimal impact in wild places.  Still have questions or aren’t sure why this is important? Drop us a message on Instagram, we’d love to hear from you!  After our team outing on the greenbelt, we decided to get the community involved. For this cleanup, we wanted to hit the streets instead of a trail. So much of the trash that ends up in the wild actually comes from urban areas. With heavy rainfall, winds and waste transportation, a lot of it makes its way to natural areas.  We put out an invitation for people in Austin to join us in cleaning up our neighborhood. We set up outside and welcomed new and familiar faces to the Gear Shop for a trashy adventure.  We split into two groups and made our way East, trash bags in hand, gloves and grabbers at the ready, we walked along the streets picking up plastic wrappers, cigarette butts, old shoes, rags, glass bottles, and styrofoam.  Along our route, we were pleasantly surprised by the number of people who stopped to thank us for picking up trash. People know it’s a problem, it’s a matter of getting out and doing something about it.  Protecting our planet is not only an environmental issue but as our founder Greg McEvilly says, is a human issue. It affects our way of life and it’s our responsibility to do something about it. While picking up trash may not be a long-term solution, it’s a small action we can each take in addition to lowering our consumption of single-use products, using alternative modes of transportation, and choosing to support brands that take climate change seriously. At the end of the day, we didn’t just spend a Thursday evening cleaning up trash, but also connecting with people who understand the power of collective action.  Thank you to those who showed up for our first community cleanup in Texas. We can’t wait to organize more in the future and expand to other locations. Stay tuned for future events in Austin by following @Kammok_ATX on Instagram.    

Whether you’re new to day-hiking or just need a little validation for not embodying The Outdoor Fantasy, I’m here to help you out! I only started hiking about 9 years ago, and every time I looked up information about trails, gear, clothing, etc., I would become so overwhelmed. Inaccessible information can be a barrier to many people getting started. How-tos make it sound like you will encounter danger, or that you have to buy up half of an outdoor retailer to get started––you don’t. It is very likely that you already have all you need. That isn’t to say you shouldn’t do research and take preparation seriously––you should. But don’t let preparation overwhelm you and keep you from getting that precious nature healing. Let’s break things down. Language Hike - Intentional movement outside on trail. Speed and distance are up to you! Outdoor media makes hiking look like it has to be remote and rugged, and it can be if you want it to be, but you define your hike. Elevation - The amount of vertical distance you gain (going up) or lose (going down) on trail from start to end. Example: a 3-mile trail with an elevation gain of 500 feet means that over the course of 3 miles, you will ascend a total of 500 feet. The 500 feet could be all in one go, or it could be a steady progression over the entire hike. Round trip - The total mileage of your hike. Out-and-back - You’ll hike to a turnaround point (halfway point) and hike out on the same route. If a trail is listed as 4 miles, it means you’ll hike 2 miles in and then 2 miles out. Point-to-point - The distance in and out. If a trail is listed as 10 miles, it will be 10 miles from one end to the other. These kinds of trails are often done as a caravan, meaning you and your buddies bring 2 cars and park one at each end so that you hike the entire trail only once. Can also be done as an out and back, but it doubles the mileage. Loop - The start and end point are the same, but you don’t (or rarely) repeat the same section of trail, as if walking around something. Loops are often favored because there’s always something new to see around the bend. Day hike - A hike you complete in one day. Distance, terrain, elevation are up to you. Multi-day hike or backpacking - Hiking with an entire camp set-up and supplies for multiple days on trail as opposed to heading home after. Picking a trail Start with trails close to home. They’re often better maintained and more likely to have bathrooms nearby if you’re not quite ready to go outside or have accessibility needs. Trails nearer to towns and cities will be more well-documented in books, online, or in hiking apps and they’ll be less remote, meaning you likely won’t be all alone in the wild. Also, depending on where you are, you’ll probably have cell reception. You’ll find out quickly it’s elevation, more so than distance, you want to be most aware of. Just because you see that something is under 3 miles doesn’t mean it will be easy! Start with a low elevation gain, something under 500 feet, and shorter distances, 3 miles or less. You need to find out what your body likes rather than picking the most Instagrammed, gasp-worthy trail right off the bat. Listening to your body This isn’t addressed in hiking guides, and neither is accurate details about terrain. The writer always assumes the person reading is fully able-bodied and part mountain goat. Not knowing where your body is at in terms of its ability, strength, and endurance could become a safety issue on the wrong trail. That’s why we start out low and slow, baby. Terms like easy, moderate, and difficult are relative. What’s difficult for me might be easy for someone else. Be aware of how you use these terms when speaking to others too. Be considerate of our innate body diversity because it’s the cool thing to do. Love your body, love your hike. Take breaks. As many as your body tells you to, and push yourself only in ways that feel productive. Be Nice to Yourself. Don’t let the inner critic and diet culture kill your vibe. Instead of fretting about goals, speed, how you look, or what you “should” be able to tackle, think about how awesome it is that you’re HIKING. The rest is noise. You can turn around whenever you want. Unless you’re on the last half of a loop—then turning around would suck. You know what I mean. Breathe. Often when our breath quickens, becomes short, and our hearts beat harder, it signals panic to our brains. Breathe with intention, slow your pace, tell your brain you are safe. EAT! DRINK! Bring more water and snacks than you think you’ll need. It is very common to discover that a trail is way more challenging than it looks in print, and often when our bodies are working hard, physical needs don’t register as quickly as they normally do. Keep yourself hydrated and blood sugar steady to avoid cramping, lethargy, and big baby tantrums. Snack bars, dried fruit, nuts, and jerky are easy, nourishing snacks that make the body happy. Carry at least two liters of water for even the shortest trail, and have extra water and snacks in your car for your return.  Trekking poles can take a lot of pressure off of joints and feet, especially when backpacking. They greatly assist with ascents, descents, and balance, and they can be nice to lean on when you’re tired as heck. Clothing Wear clothing that feels good to move in. Breathable, moisture-wicking athletic wear that fits your body correctly. Maybe you already have spandex leggings, tank tops, and a windbreaker in your closet. Carry a jacket too, the lighter weight the better, but bring what you’ve got. Avoid cotton—it retains sweat which can get cold and uncomfortable and cause chafing. You can acquire actual hiking clothing if you desire to along the way. A good pair of hiking pants can be a game changer, but they aren’t necessary. If you wear plus-sizes, I’ve got your back. You don’t have to buy a pair of hiking boots right away, and many hikers will tell you you don’t need to at all. Average athletic sneakers are usually fine. Personally, I swear by hiking boots. My big body likes the ankle support, and a thicker, more durable foot bed feels better on rough, rocky terrain. Like a lot of outdoor gear, a good pair of boots is expensive, but they are an investment in your overall experience and will likely help you avoid other pains. Gear + packing list Hiking book, or downloaded map and/or print out of trail map. Two forms of directions is best practice. Trekking poles Park passes, or small bills for bridge crossings and parking Wallet Day pack/backpack Hanky/sweat rag Pocket knife Tiniest first aid kit (you can probably make this from things at home) Tiniest survival kit (can often be bought in one small inexpensive kit, includes compass, matches/lighter, whistle, emergency thermal blanket, etc.) Sunglasses Spare pair of eye contacts or glasses Phone (fully charged, all apps closed, room for photos) 96oz. water bladder (and LifeStraw as a backup water filter) Snacks (jerky, nuts, dried fruit, fresh fruits, and vegetables) Headlamp (for the many times it takes longer than you thought it would) Chapstick Eye drops Bodyglide or some anti-chafe aid if you’re prone Ibuprofen Tiniest insect repellent Sunscreen BATHROOM KIT: pee rag (stand-to-pee device like a pStyle, a hanky or Kula Cloth to be used instead of toilet paper when peeing), toilet paper (for #2 only, pack it out in ziplock!), small trowel Safety Being prepared is being empowered, and on some trails, it is imperative to know what to do in a wildlife encounter, though they are rare. Also rare: being attacked by creeps. It is also true that something like this is less likely to happen on trail than it would in your daily life. Comforting, right? Nah. Whether you’re hiking alone or with others, let a point of contact know where you are going, when you are going to start, and a rough idea of when you’ll be done. Notify them when you are safely on your way home. Consider bringing a hiking buddy or joining a local hiking group. Meetup is a great way to find the right group for you. Also search social media. There are now many affinity hiking groups for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, plus-size, and disabled hikers. Carry: pocket knife, pepper spray (if that feels good to you), bear spray if you’re hiking in an area known for them, and trekking poles to make noise or whack creeps (again, highly unlikely). Your homework before you go: Leave No Trace The 10 Essentials Carry a dry bag for trash—leave the trail better than you found it. Going to the bathroom outside Wildlife Safety Tips Trail etiquette is good to know, especially when it comes to multi-use trails (hikers, bikers, horses), but be discerning. It is generally written in a way that implies there is only one “right” way to enjoy the outdoors and from the perspective of someone who has an innate sense of access to nature. Many people do not feel that innate sense of access. Trail etiquette is often used to shame folks who don’t already know it. Be compassionate, share information, assume best intentions, and don’t self-deputize yourself as the freaking king of the forest. Respect the trail, respect other hikers.

The phrase “home is where the heart is” may be a bit cliché and worn-out, but there’s still something very true about it. Thoughts of home are different for everyone, but often there’s a common thread of somewhere comfortable and easy—the place where your tribe lives. Now swap out “home” for “camp” and you arrive at the spirit of National Camp at Home Day. Is it a little cheesy? Maybe. But can you really have too much cheese? There is definitely something to be said for a beautiful campsite in the backcountry with stunning views or a basecamp in your favorite park as migratory songbirds dance in the trees. But more importantly, the people you share your campsite with make these adventures worthwhile. Camp doesn’t have to be a specific place. With the right group of people, that same adventurous spirit can live anywhere. This year, National Camp at Home Day is all about getting ready for the next big camping trip. That said, if you’re the friend in the group that takes gear prep to the next level (You know who you are. The trip to Joshua Tree isn’t for another two months and you’ve already made the Costco run, uploaded your purchases to Splitwise, and packed and repacked until everything fit in your rucksack just so.) don’t forget to sit back and have a cocktail—you can’t beat Moscow mules and hot toddies around the campfire. To the laid back crew, the ones that stuff everything in a bag day-of and spend the trip in mismatched socks: Make sure your planners have fun and remember to pitch in when it’s time to do the dishes. Side note: If you’re not using Splitwise to track group expenses, you may want to check it out the next time your crew goes away for the weekend. Step one: Campsite vibes. If you have access to outdoor space, by all means use it. Fresh city air might not beat fresh mountain air, but with a little imagination your backyard can be a vintage Airstream campsite in Marfa or the perfect hideout along a river in Yellowstone. Just don’t let your imagination get the best of you. Those are squirrels—leave the bear spray inside. Camping in an apartment? Not to worry! Spread your tent out in the living room, “stake out” the rain fly with heavy books weighing down the corners, and stream your favorite virtual campfire. If setting up a tent just sounds boring, grab every blanket in sight and build the ultimate fort. No matter what you choose, do your best to recreate one of your favorite campsites. You can use house plants to bring the outdoor feels close to camp and play your favorite nature sounds from this awesome Spotify playlist (welcome to the jungle). Looking to do some stargazing? You’ll probably want a pack of these. No matter where you set up camp, get out on your favorite trail before the sun goes down and soak up some Vitamin D. Step two: Let’s get cooking. You may be tempted to order your favorite pizza for a night like this (a decision which we fully support), but consider testing out a new camping recipe you’ve been wanting to take on the trail. If you’re outside, work on building the perfect Dutch oven fire for a Basecamp lasagna or even a cobbler for dessert. Indoor camping can be a great time to test out a new Backcountry recipe you’ll be able to enjoy on a future trek into the mountains. One of our favorites is this simple, three-ingredient chili mac recipe: Ingredients:  1 Box of your favorite instant mac (you really can’t beat shells and cheese) 1 can pinto beans (or 1 cup dehydrated beans)/li> 1 package of chili seasoning Directions: Prepare the mac and cheese using the instructions on the box. With the pot on medium/low heat, add in the beans and cook until heated. Stir in the chili seasoning until fully incorporated, and enjoy! (Optional: Throw in some cured sausage you could easily take on a backpacking trip.) Step three: Make it fun. Even if the stars are faint in your backyard, we have the perfect way for you to get more acquainted with the night sky. SkyView is an augmented reality app that allows you to identify constellations simply by pointing your camera in any direction you want to learn more about. Next time you’re under a blanket of stars, you’ll be the expert at camp. Another great learning tool for the outdoors is Merlin Bird ID, an app created by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. If you have any interest in learning about the wildlife in your neck of the woods, this birding app is a great way to get started. Just select and download your region, input the size and colors of a bird you spotted, and then search through a list of potential matches until you find your bird. Each bird profile comes with a snapshot of info, multiple photos, and a recording of the sounds they make for better identification. Now when you hear that familiar chirping in the woods, you’ll know exactly what you’re listening to. If playing games around the campfire is more your speed, maybe Fish Bowl is right for your group. For rules on how to play, check out this clever website. It even has virtual scoring and cards so no paper is necessary—win for Mother Nature! Now that we’ve mentioned campfires, maybe it’s time to discuss this quintessential part of National Camp at Home Day. If you’re in your backyard with access to a firepit, good on you. Fire up a roaring blaze (safely, of course) and slow roast your perfect mallow. Don’t get discouraged, living room campers—you just have to get a bit more creative. Try arranging throw pillows into a make-shit fire ring and use a lantern to set the mood. No matter what your campfire is made of, let this be the gathering place for eating meals, playing games, sharing stories of past adventures, and hopefully planning future ones as well. Invite friends to camp at home from afar and connect your campfires through the trendy new website you may have heard of called Zoom. Mouth still watering over the possibility of s’mores? Turn the oven on broil and roast your graham cracker, chocolate, and marshmallows in the oven until everything is nice and gooey. Pro tip: Leave the s’more sandwich open to brown your marshmallow, then stack the remaining graham cracker on top before eating. Who said you need a campfire for the perfect s’more? More than anything, we hope National Camp at Home Day inspires you to get outside with the people you love. We encourage you to use this time to prepare for the next trip. Check the bug net for holes, make sure your straps are in good shape, and by all means start laying out an itinerary for your next national park exploration. But most importantly, take in the moments. High on a mountain or under a ceiling fan, in person with friends or chatting on FaceTime from afar—the time is now for making memories you’ll always hold onto. So plan, definitely. Just do your best when the time comes to let go and allow the spirit of adventure take hold.