Five thousand years of carrying things, and what really separates a great backpack from an expensive one There is a particular sound a backpack makes when it fails. It is not dramatic. It is a soft tick or snap . One reinforcing stitch lets go at the base of a shoulder strap, or

Are You Physically Ready for the North Georgia Loop? The North Georgia Loop is close enough to metro Atlanta to feel approachable, but the physical demands are very real. This is not a casual camping weekend or a scenic walk with a backpack. It is a multi-day mountain hike with r

Three July 4th Camping Trips Worth Planning a Whole Year For If you're reading this and you haven't booked a July 4th campsite yet, stop scrolling and do that first. The best spots are gone by Memorial Day. I've had three Fourth of July camping trips that I will tell my grandkids

The Greatest Camping Trip in American History By the time the Corps of Discovery walked back into St. Louis in September 1806, they had been camping for two years, four months, and ten days. They had buried one man, fired a shot in anger only once, and brought back 178 new plants

This started with a simple question: what would I want to carry on a serious 3–5 day hike? Not a casual overnight. Not a quick walk-in campsite. I mean something like the North Georgia Loop. The kind of trip that takes 4–5 days if you keep moving, or 5–6 if you want time to stop,

Introduction to the North Georgia Loop Hike - Not for Beginners There comes a point in life when the calendar starts talking back... My oldest son just got married. My youngest is halfway through college. I’m soon to be 58 years old, living in North Metro Atlanta, and somewhere b

The Complete Hiker's Guide to Tick Behavior, Biology, and Field-Tested Protection Field Intelligence Report | Trail & Terrain Outdoor Pursuits --- You're deep in the woods, moving well, when you brush a low branch along the trail's edge. You don't think much of it. But someth

Robert/03-18-2024

Camping.Tools is for Saving Memories A few days ago, I had breakfast with a mentor and friend, and he asked an important question. Why did you create the business? This is a seemingly simple question. But as I start to unravel the answer I'm learning that the answer is not so simple. The truth is that "the business" has evolved from a personal passion into something that I believe can lead to many good things. My writings here on Camping.Tools begin with my attempt to explain how things started,...

Robert/02-19-2024

Replacing Your RV Suspension is Easy Enjoy this DIY video on how to upgrade the suspension on a 2017 Keystone Outback 240URS. I've driven this towable RV for roughly 35,000 miles. We bought it new in 2018 and have traveled as far north and as far west as possible in the continental US. About two years ago I noticed I was going through a set of back tires per year. I had hit a bump on the road and slightly bent the rear axle, which caused the back tires to camber out. Then, on my last big trip to...

Robert/10-17-2023

Hiking Trails Near Atlanta, Great for Fall Foliage Standing Indian Campground is a popular outdoor destination in the Nantahala National Forest near Franklin, North Carolina. The area offers numerous hiking trails that vary in length and difficulty. Here are three hiking trails near Standing Indian Campground: Standing Indian Loop Trail Distance: Approximately 11 miles. Difficulty: Moderate. Description: The Standing Indian Loop Trail is a well-known hiking route that starts from the campground....