Best of #theroolife Sept 22-28th

The ultimate hammock basecamp We teamed up with TAXA Outdoors to put a Kammok spin on their Woolly Bear habitat. The result is a go-anywhere, do-it-all trailer that's ready for any hammock adventure. We could all use a little more time outside, and the Kammok Edition Woolly Bear is the perfect tool for getting out and staying out. The Camp Chef's Dream Kitchen One of the biggest barriers to getting outside is the comfort you leave behind at home, one of the most crucial being a fully functioning kitchen with everything you need at your fingertips. The Woolly Bear kitchen offers the best of both worlds, with clever organization, plenty of workspace, and the ideal outdoor setting. Now you can get outside with confidence and cook to your heart's content. A Gear Closet on Wheels The Kammok Edition Woolly Bear has a place for all your camping essentials. No more packing and repacking: Load up once, and you're always ready for the next outing. Introducing the Outpost We knew a Kammok Edition Woolly Bear wouldn't be complete without a robust, full-size hammock setup. The Outpost easily attaches to the cargo deck of any Woolly Bear and allows you to hang a full-size hammock in virtually any setting. The Outpost's lightweight frame make it a cinch for anyone to deploy, and the tool-free setup means it's ready to go with the press of a button. Adjustable legs and a 360 degree swivel mount allow you to hang your hammock on any landscape, from smooth blacktop to the roughest backcountry campsites. Create the ultimate hammock basecamp by attaching up to six Outpost hammock stands to your Woolly Bear. With the addition of a rooftop tent, your Woolly Bear can comfortably sleep up to nine happy campers. Arriving Spring '22: Outpost 2.0 will allow for attachment to your vehicle's roof rack or a single tree.

Our outdoor community is built on seeking adventure. Sometimes this means spending time in harsh weather conditions and challenging ourselves physically, while other times it means having difficult conversations and changing our perspective. In this three-part series, we'll be sharing the stories of individuals redefining what it means to be outside. Written by Luisa Vargas. At the beginning of February, we witnessed the power of community. Slim Pickings Outfitters is the first Black-owned outdoor shop in the nation. They’re a fellow Texan business whose home is not too far from ours in Stephenville, TX. Their mission is bringing diversity to the outdoors and building a space where everyone feels welcome and supported. Like most small businesses, the pandemic hit them hard. When The Outbound Collective caught hold of Slim Picking’s struggles, they quickly set up a Go Fund Me, and with the help of social media, in just three days they raised over $100,000 and hit record sales. People saved Slim Pickings Outfitters and everything they stand for. This brings me hope. It’s proof that collective power is real and we each have a part to play in it. If you’re reading this, you likely want to do something to help, and I’m here to remind you that you can. You can start by supporting organizations and businesses led by Blacks, LatinX, Asians, Muslims, Immigrants, LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities. It’s in the intersectionality of these groups that we will bring about transformational change. Today, we’ll be learning about Aleshea Carriere’s life. Listening is one small thing we can all do, but actions still speak louder than words. At the end of this post, you’ll find a list of resources and things you can do to help others like Slim Pickings Outfitters. For now, let’s dive into the story behind Glitz n Grits. Aleshea at Guadalupe Peak: 8,749 feet Aleshea Carriere was 5 years old when she came home from school with a Girl Scouts flyer asking her mom if she could join a troop. This didn’t mean she would automatically be participating in outdoor activities, but her mind was set on being outside. Alesha’s mom volunteered to lead the new group of 20 girls who wanted to take part in this adventure. While Aleshea’s sister’s troop focused on more scientific learning, Aleshea was adamant about getting to do the adventurous stuff.  Girl Scouts became Aleshea’s way of exploring the outdoors. Aleshea and her Girl Scout troop on her first campout at Eisenhower state park Aleshea studied history and political science in college with ambitions to go to law school, but after interning with a law office, she realized it wasn’t for her. Aleshea says she accidentally stumbled into a teaching job but continued to spend her free time in nature and taking pictures. After working seven years in education she decided that it wasn’t a job that fueled her. She decided to quit her job, and that summer Glitz n Grits was born. What started as a food blog quickly developed into a travel and outdoor adventure blog as well. “I heard the song ‘My Texas’ by Josh Abbott after college and realized I had lived here my whole life and hadn’t done half the stuff in Texas,” Aleshea says. She started sharing the outdoor activities she was doing and recognized that she was an anomaly. People were asking her why she was spending so much time outdoors, and that’s when she connected the dots. “The Civil Rights Act wasn’t passed until 1964. So when people ask why Black children are nine times more likely to die from drowning, I explain that my mother was born before 1964, so there was a time she wasn’t allowed in public swimming pools or public places,” Aleshea says. As she began sharing more, more people wanted to learn more. Aleshea enjoying a day of exploring Texas Eventually, Aleshea was asked to come back to Girl Scouts and help plan trips to places such as Arches National Park. Before the pandemic, she led a backpacking troop in Plano. When Aleshea sat down with the girls and asked them what outdoor activities they wanted to do, there were many responses. Aleshea said a little Black girl told her, “I want to climb a mountain.” To which Aleshea responded, “Okay we can do that.” Aleshea recalls that the girl’s eyes lit up as she asked, “Really? You can take me to climb a mountain?” Aleshea replied, “Girl, we’re going to climb a mountain.” Partly, it’s businesses that fail to show a wide range of humans on their platforms. Another part is that people don’t see different kinds of people out on the trails. Not only different races but ages, abilities, and genders.   Aleshea volunteering at Day Camp Aleshea shared several instances where people have stopped her on the trail asking her if she knows where she’s going or what she’s doing. “The number of people that stop us to make sure we know what we’re doing. I think, do you not see the backpacks, poles, and water bottles?” Aleshea says. She also shared that on a trip to Caprock Canyons State Park, she was with a friend who is white and LGBTQ+, and people were shocked when he said he was an Eagle Scout. “When I say yeah people who identify as LGBTQ+ can be in Eagle Scouts, they’ll just look at me,” Aleshea says. At Girl Scouts they have a saying, “you can’t be what you can’t see,” and Aleshea says that can be applied to diversity in outdoor spaces. If we don’t see others who look like us climbing mountains, we begin to believe that’s not a possibility for us. While there is still so much work to do, Aleshea shares the progress between generations. “I was joking with someone that this is my ancestor’s wildest dreams. I’m getting to do things they probably never got to do or would’ve thought of doing,” Aleshea says. Organizations to support: GirlTrek Adaptive Climbing Co  Indigenous Women Hike Check out Trailey’s guide of resources here.

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.

Dr. Felicia Wong is a physician, outdoor enthusiast, and wellness blogger based in Southern California. Between her and her husband (also a physician)'s busy work schedules, raising two young sons, and running her popular Instagram account Everyday Adventure Fam and blog on adventure tips, she exemplifies what it means to live intentionally and joyfully with her family. The Wong family can be found hiking, biking, enjoying a day at the beach or skiing in the nearby mountains on any given weekend. However, one of their favorite activities is camping. In this blog post, Felicia shares her tips and recommended gear to help others who are interested in camping get started. This guide is for individuals, couples, or families who are interested in trying car camping. The following recommendations are not for backcountry camping, and are comfort-oriented for a “DIY glamping” type of experience. I fully recognize that many of the following items are not necessary, but my experience has been that comfortable campers are happy campers, and I’m proud to take credit for converting several friends who had never camped before, or who were skeptical about it, into willing, maybe even enthusiastic, campers. I’m sharing this list of tried and true items that we have purchased and used on our own camping trips, and that we like enough to have recommended to our friends and family. I have provided links to products throughout this list. Most of our items were purchased from REI or Amazon, though some are from small shops such as Power Practical (luminoodle), Miir (insulated camp cups), Rumpl (sleeping bag like throws and blankets), Kammok (hammock and stand). DIY Tent Glamping Basics Tent: We have the REI Kingdom 6. The general rule of thumb for comfortable family camping is to choose a tent at least +2 greater than the number of people you intend to sleep on the tent. We’re a family of 4, so bought the 6 person version. Some of our friends who like to spread out more or have older kids bought the 8 person version, and have plenty of room in their tent to fit 2 queen air mattresses, and have space in the front for storage and indoor card / board games (handy, in case of less desirable weather) . We also bought the tent footprint to keep the bottom clean and dry. A waterproof tarp will work for this purpose as well. Sleep System: We use air mattresses, and sleep comfortably while camping. We have the REI Queen Sleep system, and it is such a comfortable air mattress, we’ve even used it at home when guests come over! As the boys have gotten bigger, we’ve added a second one (twin) to our tent setup. Eventually, we’ll probably need two queen size mattresses.  Cozy Blankets and Throws: The comforter that came with the REI sleep system is warm enough for summer camping in Southern California. For additional warmth and lounging by campfire, we like our Pendleton wool camp blankets and Rumpls (we have original puffy, but also have a couple down blankets which pack down so small!) For a budget option, Costco sometimes carries down throws. Sleeping Bag: After a very chilly camping experience (37F), we found an additional sleeping bag necessary for camping down to 20 degrees F. I found this double wide Omnicore sleeping bag rated for 10, and it has kept us warm for these situations. We still also use my 20 year old north face sleeping bag -which shows that gear does last forever if you take care of it!  Pillows: We’ve tried a few, and these Thermarest compressible pillows are the most comfortable. Lighting: We’ve found some great deals on camping lanterns from Costco. We bring flashlights for the kids. Instead of single use glow sticks, I’ve found some LED glow necklaces that make it easier to spot kids (and adults) after the sun sets. I like the Black Diamond Moji lanterns which are small but mighty, and can be hung on a carabiner to the top of your tent to provide a good amount of light at night. Recently, I’ve tried the Aimtom Power mini camping lantern and am very impressed with how much light it puts out! Camp Cooking Camp Stove: We like this Coleman triton stove and its carrying case. Cooking Table/Storage: GCI Outdoor slim-fold Camp Kitchen Portable folding cook station Camp Kettle Coffee Supplies: We use a Stainless Steel french press, or a collapsible drip coffee maker. Our friends have had success with a percolator. Recently, we’ve also enjoyed Kuju Coffee since serve drip coffee. Cast Iron Pan with Lodge cast iron pan silicon handle Oven Mitts: Don't forget to protect your hands when handling hot kettles or roasting sticks. Enamelware Dining Set: We have this Every day set from Stansport, and for Glamping, we have this beautiful dipped set from Barnyard Electric. It is $$$ and was a birthday gift, but we use them year-round and quite frequently for our backyard dinners and with the kids (enamel ware = childproof and unbreakable!) I’ve seen s started carrying a very affordable and classy looking enamelware mug and plate. Camp Cooking Utensil Set: This set has everything you really need. Camp Collapsible Dish Bin Scrub Brush: for doing dishes Camp Soap: campsuds Egg Storage: It really works and keeps our eggs from crushing! Cooler: We tried a bunch of coolers before getting Yeti Hopper flip and it really is amazing – keeps food cold all day in the summer heat with proper ice packs in place and doesn’t sweat. We were skeptical, but it really has outperformed all our other coolers, and it’s a perfect size for road trips and picnics. We also have the tundra haul which has kept food cold for 4 days, and is better for longer camping / road trips. Pop up trash can NOTE: On some camping trips (i.e. when water is limited), we have found it easier to use biodegradable disposable plates, rather bring all our enamel ware and do dishes. These not only look great, but they are really effective kindling as well! Bathing Bath caddy or hanging organizer Biodegradable soap: from REI Microfiber towels: These are great and less bulky. I think they might be seasonal but you can find them at Ikea for a great low price. Nalgene travel leakproof bottles: for toiletries Seating/ Hanging Out Don’t forget your camp chairs: we have an assortment of REI camp chair, Coleman kids chairs, Coleman adult chairs. We love these small packable ones from trekology and have been bringing them on road trips and even for tailgating parking lot picnics during the pandemic. Hammocks are great for seating or lounging! We haven’t tried sleeping in one yet, but we’ve heard some people do hammock camping! If you’re in Southern California like us, we don’t have many trees so we have found this Swiftlet portable stand super useful with our double room hammock. Extras, that enhance the experience Camp Organization: We have this Ozark trail folding end table with cup holder. Camp Table: It’s really nice to have a table to set things on when sitting by the campfire. For example, you’re s’mores or hot chocolate. We get a lot of use out of our large Trekology table Luminoodle: I love these colored rope lights – they add a splash of color to your tent. Makes it easy to pick out your tent when it is dark out and you are walking back from the bathroom. Tablecloth: Adds ambience and provides a trusty clean surface. Tablecloth Weights: Coleman watermelon table weights.  Glowsticks: for the kids, for a more sustainable option – we’ve moved to these reusable LED necklaces and have a different color per family member. Telescoping Smore’s Sticks: We like these ones. Mystic Fire: Turns campfire into a rainbow. Everyone loves this! Gas Campfire: We have the Camco big red campfire, and it comes in handy in Southern California where there are often wood fire bans. Kids Play Tent: I found one on sale for a little over $10. This is nice to have because it provides shade for kids in summer, and a place to play. Meanwhile, they don’t track a ton of dirt into your actual tent. Doormat: I got a cheap one from Target. Keeps the dirt from tracking into the tent if you’re camping by the beach or some other dirt campsite. We did not find this necessary when camping on grass. Bring From Home: Scooters or bikes for kids. I hope you find this list helpful. Again, this is just a guide and what has worked for us. None of this is “necessary” for having fun. As I prefaced, for some – a simple tarp will suffice. We did not buy all of this gear at once, but have accumulated items over the years. We generally wait until things are on sale – Labor day, Black Friday and Memorial Day tend to be sale times for outdoor gear. Finally, for those who are wondering, we organize our camp gear into several large bins, which we then store in our garage – always ready for our next trip. Happy Camping!   If roughing it in the backcountry doesn't get you excited, give glamping a try on National Camp At Home Day. For more family camping, traveling tips and inspiration, follow Dr. Felicia Wong's Instagram account Everyday Adventure Fam and blog.