• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Before Header

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Indoorsy Camper

  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Plus-Size Outdoor Clothing Guide
  • Gear We Love
  • Contact
  • Search
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Plus-Size Outdoor Clothing Guide
  • Gear We Love
  • Contact
  • Search

In the News

10 Simple Swaps to Reduce Waste

July 10, 2019 //  by kawestberg//  Leave a Comment

How do you reduce waste and NOT go crazy? I’ve asked myself this questions A LOT lately. There is a spiral we can all plummet down when it comes to the environment. One video of a polar bear on a lone floating piece of ice morphs into an island of trash in the sea and onward until we’re totally and completely weighed down with guilt and despair.

Instead of heading down that path, I propose we discuss ten simple and actionable tips you can deploy easily in your own life to reduce the amount of single use plastic waste you create. I’ll admit that many of these swaps are not ground breaking. I used the word simple in the title because that’s how I want this to be and feel. Simple. Even giving one of these tips a try will significantly reduce the waste you produce over time! There’s a real truth to starting small.

six mason jars filled with pasta, beans and flour text overlay 10 super simple swaps to reduce waste

1. Try a Reusable Glass Straw

You know the straw has gone out of fashion when Starbucks stops offering them to you. Thanks to their adult sippy cup lid you won’t even miss it. If you can’t bare the thought of going without a straw I highly recommend picking up a reusable one. I love this glass straw (that comes with a cleaner). Of course there are lots of other reusable straws made of other materials, but I’ve found glass to be the most similar to plastic when it comes to feel. If glass freaks you out go for a metal, bamboo or even a paper straw instead. Imagine the amount of single use plastic waste you will reduce with this one small change.

2. Bring Your Own Cup (BYOC)

This one is super simple, and yet it’s REALLY hard. We all have tons of reusable cups and tote bags. I know I’m not the only one. The tough part of using your own cup is remembering to bring it and cleaning it. We’ve all become SO used to the convenience of paper cups. I’ll be honest and say that I still have a really hard time with this one. On the other hand since I started bringing my own cup I’ve saved roughly $10 a month in coffee money! If that’s not motivation to keep washing my own cup I don’t know what is!

3. No More Paper Napkins

Ok, maybe not NO more paper napkins, we can’t adult and walk around with food on our faces (or can we?). What we can do is put a cloth napkin in our lunch bags and call it good for the week. Call me disgusting, but I don’t get my cloth napkin that dirty in a week. Throw it in the laundry at the weekend and then start over the next week. Honestly, this change has made me super happy. My lunch feels a little fancier and my face prefers the soft stripey napkin I use to paper any day.

Pro tip: It’s hard to find 1 cloth napkin for sale…but if you go to Pier 1 you can get them one at a time!

4. Nix the Plastic Fork

When I started working at my current job I noticed one of my co-workers would ask if I knew whether or not the lunch spot we were going to used plastic cutlery. At first I thought this question was hilarious. If I said yes, he would trot off to his car and grab his own personal travel knife, fork and spoon.

Over time his example started to seep into my subconscious. I started noticing the number of plastic forks around me. They get put into every to go bag no questions asked. I can’t say that I’m as hard core as he is, I still use plastic forks from time to time, but what I did do was purchase my very own personal cutlery set (Joseph Joseph GoEat Compact Stainless-Steel Cutlery Set, it’s cute and green and amazing). It lives in my lunch bag and I bring it home and wash it most days. This change was three years in the making, see change is hard for me too…but I did it!

5. Opt for a Swedish Dish Towel

My friend Sara Beth over at Inner Compass told me about this one. She loves using her Swedish Dish Cloth as a replacement to paper towels. According to her, they are super absorbent plus you can throw them in the washing machine or zap them in the microwave to kill bacteria. These babies are on my list to try next!

6. Buy a Spray Bottle

How is this going to help? Well, think of all the bottles of cleaner you’ve bought over the course of your life. Scary right? Also, if you haven’t bought many bottles of cleaner…equally scary. Anyway, if you just buy one spray bottle you can easily whip up your own cleaning solutions. Here’s a recipe for homemade window cleaner, homemade all-purpose cleaner, and homemade bathroom cleaner. One bottle, no messing.

7. Forget Saran Wrap

I’m still working on this one myself, but there are plenty of great options to avoid using plastic wrap. If you’re on Instagram you have no doubt seen ads for some sort of beeswax wrap. It’s basically waxed cloth that you can mold into any shape you like. You can use it to wrap up a sandwich or as a cover for a bowl. It’s reusable and washable. We have a couple pieces of this stuff and it can come in pretty handy. My one critique is that in a hot climate like southern California it sometimes doesn’t work too well. Another option I’ve been considering are these silicone stretch storage tops. They stretch to fit around a bowl and look like they provide a pretty great seal.

8. Ditch the Plastic Baggies

Damn is this a hard habit to break. I’ve relied on these babies for a long time and the idea of giving them up completely seems impossible to me at this point. BUT I have significantly cut down on my usage in the last year. I’ve done it by using regular storage containers and more recently I’ve been using these Stasher bags. They’re easy to clean, dishwasher safe, microwave safe, you can throw them in the freezer, or even use them to sous-vide your favorite fish.

9. Find a Refill Station

I completely recognize that I’m super spoiled by living in the LA area, but if you by any chance have a refill station in your city go to there! What’s a refill station? Well it’s a store where you bring your own containers and fill up household or personal products like laundry detergent, dish soap, lotions, deodorants, and whatever else they stock. My local is called Sustain LA, but if you Google “household products refill station” or you can try an online retailer like common good.

10. Buy in Bulk & Bring Your Own Containers

Last, but not least, try bringing your own containers to your local grocery co-op or even Whole Foods. As long as you weigh them before you fill (and tell the checkout person), you’re good to go! No need to bother with packaging from basics like oats, grains, flours, dried beans, fruits and nuts if you don’t have to. My friend Mike over at 52 Hikes with Mike also recommended avoiding foods and produce wrapped in plastic. I often forgo the plastic bags for produce all together, they’re a total waste. And when I really need them (like when I buy green beans) I throw them in a reusable mesh produce bag. It’s a super simple way to reduce your use of plastic bags.

Summing Up

I recognize that this post is a little different from my regular content, but this is something I’ve become more and more aware of as I’ve spent time outside. There’s no getting around seeing trash on the trail. It’s everywhere I go. I’ve started carrying a trash bag with me on every hike so I can do a little cleanup when I can.

I’ve heard people refer to “green” products as a scam. They say it’s just another way for companies to make money. Is that true? Kind of. But it’s also a risk for that company. If we all bought a Stasher bag in theory we wouldn’t need to buy more of their product. The truth is it’s going to take a long time for everyone to get on board. As far as I’m concerned the sooner you invest in these things the better, for you and our planet.

*This post contains affiliate links which means I make a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

Category: In the NewsTag: zero waste

2019 Permit Deadline Cheat Sheet

September 11, 2018 //  by kawestberg//  Leave a Comment

WHY YOU NEED A CHEAT SHEET

Planning a big adventure can be tough. Catherine and I are currently in the early planning stages of our Grand Canyon Rim to Rim backpacking trip. I just booked our spots at Phantom Ranch for August 2019! In other words I had to start early.

Getting ready for this trip made me realize that having a quick reference guide for permit deadlines could be really handy. So I made one! In addition to the actual permit deadline I’ve also provided information on permit cost, how to apply and a few tips for each location. The PDF even has clickable links to take you directly to the park service operator, application form or additional information.

WHAT’S INSIDE

Each location in the guide has information on the permit deadline, how to apply, cost and extra tips and tricks for the location. Here’s a list of the permits I included in the cheat sheet:

  • Trans-Catalina Trail
  • Pacific Crest Trail
  • John Muir Trail
  • Inyo National Forest
  • Mount Whitney
  • Half Dome Cables
  • Havasu Falls
  • Coyote Buttes North “The Wave”
  • The Narrows

WRAP-UP + A PROMISE

I know that giving someone your email address is personal. It means you’re letting me into your inbox and I don’t take that lightly. If you only want the cheat sheet I totally understand. There’s no judgement if you sign up for my list, get the cheat sheet and then unsubscribe (I’ve done it before too).

BUT

If you’re willing, I’d love to keep you updated on what’s going on here at Indoorsy Camper. I promise that if you let me hang around in your inbox I’ll send you one weekly email with plenty of fun information like; what’s new on the blog, my favorite things, current reads and interesting articles, updates on my Rim to Rim planning, holiday gift guides, current listens and anything else on my mind.

Ready to let me in? Scroll down to sign-up and receive your cheat sheet.

Need more time to think about it? Pin this post for later….take your time.

Category: In the News, NewsletterTag: 2019 Permit Deadline Cheat Sheet, newsletter opt-in

15 Best Gifts for Coffee Loving Campers

August 30, 2018 //  by kawestberg//  Leave a Comment

Backpacking stove with espresso maker and two coffee mugs with mountains in background

Best Gifts for Coffee Loving Campers

Know a camper who can’t make it through the morning without their coffee? I’ve compiled a list of 15 gifts any coffee lover would want…I even found one for the coffee loving Harry Potter fan. Scroll down to see…it’s my favorite!

Bean Box Gourmet Coffee Gift Box — Bean Box is a subscription service that selects 4 gourmet coffees from Seattle’s top small-batch roasters. This gift will keep on giving.

Porlex Mini Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder — Fresh ground coffee at your campsite. This little coffee grinder has ceramic conical burrs to grind your coffee from powder to french press.

YETI Rambler 14 oz. Stainless Vacuum Insulated Mug with Lid — According to YETI this is the toughest and most over engineered camp mug out there. It has a wider handle to fit gloved hands, the beautiful seafoam color won’t scratch (if seafoam isn’t your thing it comes in several other colors) and it’s doube-walled vacuum insulation keeps your coffee hot to the last sip.

Wacaco Minipresso Portable Espresso Machine — A perfect gift for the serious coffee drinker. It’s kind of crazy how perfect this little guy is. It weighs in at .8lbs, doesn’t require compressed air or N2O and is hand operated. If you have a Nespresso machine at home they also make a model that works with your capsules!

Beast 30oz. Tumbler with Lid, 2 Straws and Brush — This bundle is good for hot and iced coffee drinkers. At a stonking 30oz you’re sure to get your coffee fix with this mug. It comes in lots of colors, is stainless steel, comes with a brush to clean the reusable straws and has a spill-proof lid.

Kuju Coffee Pocket PourOver — These little pour over packets are genius. They anchor to your mug without any extra brewing equipment, include the filter and are filled with ethically sourced coffee. Great for backpackers and campers alike.

Skinny Dipped Almonds, Dark Chocolate Espresso — These could be the perfect camping snack. A little protein from the almond, a little zing from the coffee and a layer of dark chocolate to bring it all together.

Bialetti Moka Express Espresso Maker — The moka is one of my favorite coffee makers. It’s simple, easy to use and makes perfect espresso. I recommend getting the 6-cup model so you can have a few cups or if you’re feeling generous you can share.

Classic Espresso Lungo Double Wall Stainless Steel Cup Set — Once you’ve brewed up your perfect every time Moka espresso, serve your coffee up in one of these perfect little espresso cups. They’re double walled to keep your double shot warm and durable thanks to their stainless steel design.

Espresso Patronum T-Shirt — Espresso meets Harry Potter with this t-shirt. Frankly it was just to much to resist so I had to include it in this gift guide. Accio Espresso!

Overmont Camping Kettle — Every pour over coffee needs to start with some hot water. Overmont’s camping kettle is made with hard-anodized aluminum, the handle is wrapped with insulated plastic and the spout is shaped to allow for easy steam exit. It’s lightweight and heats your water quickly.

Adventure Enamel Camping Mugs — Cute and cheerful, these enamel camping mugs are fun and a little bit nostalgic. They might not keep your coffee as warm as an insulated mug, but they look sure look good.

nutpods French Vanilla Dairy-Free Creamer — Just because you’re lactose intolerant, or vegan or doesn’t mean you don’t want creamy coffee. nut pods is an almond and coconut creamer that’s tasty, certified vegan, kosher, gluten-free and non GMO.

Wolecok Silicone Collapsible Pour Over Coffee Brewer — This collapsible pour over brewer is perfect for backpacking and camping. It’s made from BPAfree silicone that won’t absorb flavors or smells. You will need to bring along some pour over coffee filters, but it’s worth it for a perfect morning coffee ritual.

Frank Body Original Coffee Scrub — You might not take this one camping, but you will probably need it after a week in the wilderness. Ground coffee and sweet almond oil will scrub the dirt off and have you smelling fresh.

More Posts Like 15 Gifts for Coffee Loving Campers:

  • 10 Best Gifts Under $50 for Beginner Woman Backpackers
  • 10 Fall Camping Tips
  • Indoorsy Book Recommendations

Category: Gift Guides, In the NewsTag: coffee gift guide, gift guide

10 Best Gifts Under $50 for Beginner Woman Backpackers

August 19, 2018 //  by kawestberg//  Leave a Comment

beginner-backpacker-gift-guide

Best Gifts for Beginner Women Backpackers

Do you have someone in your life who recently took up backpacking? These are some of my favorite gifts for beginner women backpackers.

Buff UV Headband —  The perfect accessory for any backpacker. You can use a buff to keep you warm or cool. It wicks away moisture, protects your skin from the sun, can be used as a headband, neckerchief, wristband, mask or bandana. Plus they came in lots of colors and patterns!

Solar Phone Charger — Backpacking is all about cutting yourself off from the world…but that doesn’t mean you don’t want to post your gorgeous photos to Instagram. Keep your phone charged and check in with your loved ones with this solar phone charger.

Legit Camping Sleeping Pad — You don’t have to spend big bucks to sleep comfortably. This Legit Camping sleeping pad keeps you off the ground and even has a pillow…my favorite part because it means I can pack one less thing!

RainLeaf Microfiber Towel — Just because you’re backpacking doesn’t mean you don’t need a little rinse from time to time. This microfiber towel comes in several sizes and colors and gets the job done. It’s ultra compact, light weight and antibacterial so no worries that your pack is going to start smelling like a wet dog.

AncherOG Biodegradable Wipes —  These wipes are extra large, require no rinsing and are hypoallergenic. Just because you’re on the trail doesn’t mean you don’t want to be fresh.

TOAKS Titanium Long Handle Spoon —  A spoon might seem like a silly gift, but this long handled spoon is perfect for eating tasty Mountain House Chili Mac with Beef right out of the pouch without getting your hands dirty. Plus then you don’t have to do any dishes!

A2S Protection Paracord Bracelet —  This is the ultimate 5-in-1 survival accessory. It’s a compass, flint fire starter, whistle, emergency knife and 12 feet of military-grade 550 parachute cord. Wear it on your wrist or clip it to your pack. Hopefully you won’t need it, but if you do it’ll be there.

Nalgene 32-Ounce Wide Mouth Bottle — Nalgene’s are classic camping equipment. This bottle is impact resistant and suitable for hot and cold beverages. Top tip: fill it with hot water before bed and put it at the bottom of your sleeping bag to keep your toes warm!

SmartWool Women’s PhD Outdoor Ultra Light Socks —  Nothing feels quite as good as a fresh pair of socks after a hard day on the trail. SmartWool socks are 50% merino wool to keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Merino wool wicks away moisture, is breathable and resists odor. They are a perfect pick for a backpacking trip, a hike or a cozy night in.

ExOfficio Women’s Give N Go Sport Mesh Hipkini —  Backpacking can be a sweaty business, especially in summer. Keep your buns cool and the swass at bay with ExOfficio super cool breathable underwear. They come in several cuts and colors to fit any backpacker’s preference.

*This post may contain affiliate links which means I make a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you. See the disclosure policy for more information.

More Posts Like 10 Best Gifts Under $50 for Beginner Woman Backpackers:

  • Save Money: Why the Hiking Gear Can Wait
  • Top Backpacking Tips from the 52 Hike Challenge Creators
  • Nature Calling On Line One

Category: Backpacking, Gift Guides, In the NewsTag: beginner woman backpackers, gift guide, women backpackers

Desert Camping in Joshua Tree National Park

August 16, 2018 //  by kawestberg//  Leave a Comment

Joshua Tree Camping

The last time Catherine and I went to Joshua Tree we managed to snag a last-minute campsite in Cottonwood Campground. The campground’s southern location means it’s less crowded than many other spots, a wonderful added bonus for two solitude seeking campers.

Cottonwood has 62 campsites and several modern amenities for indoorsy types like myself including; potable water and flush toilets (true luxuries in the desert). Like most campgrounds, Cottonwood has two rings of campsites that can accommodate tent only as well as RV campers.

Boulders and fluffy clouds in Joshua Tree

Our first stop on arrival was of course the bathroom. On this particular weekend a very generous person left a partially used bottle of lavender soap in the women’s bathroom, which I will note here had two stalls and one sink.  I never thought I’d have such admiration for a bottle of lavender soap, which I should clarify, is my least favorite smell in the world, aside from poop and vomit of course. But there’s something about camping that really makes you stop and appreciate the little things, even when they’re tainted with the offensive smell of pine and flowers. So I must say thank you to the kind lady who left us her stinky soap, I used it many times and was grateful to have clean, de-greased and de-grimed hands all weekend.

Orange tent pitched in Cottonwood Campground

After our pit stop we pitched our tent, realized that someone (read Kristi) had forgot the camp chairs in the garage (luckily there was a picnic table) and decided to take a stroll around our new neighborhood. In truth this is one of my favorite parts of camping. It’s guaranteed entertainment, and the more camping you do the more you begin to recognize the ‘types’ of campers that are out there.

I’m particularly fond of the hard core RV-ers who manage to set up multiple living areas, covered dining rooms and sit-out porches for evening tipples. My inner indoorsy camper often looks at such sites with envy, that is until the next morning when I get to watch the whole house come down to the studs, an operation that takes infinitely longer than deflating a sleeping pad and packing up a tent.

RV sites aside, most of the campsites at Cottonwood have little nooks and crannies to place your tent as well as a picnic table and fire ring. I’m afraid that without our camp chairs we had to sit on blankets just below our fire, but that didn’t stop us from enjoying a lovely dinner followed by some gooey s’mores. This did give us a chance to see a little kangaroo mouse up close which I have to admit totally freaked me out at first, but then he was kinda fun to watch. Be warned that there are lots of mice in the desert so be sure to pack away all of your food at night unless you want to share with the critters.

Cactus closeup in Joshua Tree

On this particular night there was plenty of cloud cover, hiding what is usually an incredibly bright night sky. Even with all the cloud cover we didn’t need our headlamps during our midnight bathroom break. I can’t even imagine how bright and sparkly it must be on a clear evening. I suppose that just gives us one more reason to return.

We had a lovely sleep in our little cocoons and woke to bright light streaming into our tent. One of the drawbacks to many of the Cottonwood sites is their lack of shade. We attempted to mitigate this by placing our tent strategically so that the morning shadow of the scrub would give us a little reprieve, but that didn’t last long. Within a couple hours our orange tent was flooded with light and warmth, the desert does cool down at night after all so it wasn’t too hot…yet.

Woman making coffee while camping at Joshua Tree

Since Catherine is the expert French press coffee maker I put her to work while I assembled our breakfast of Irish soda bread with butter and jam, cheese and fruit. Not a bad way to start the day really.

Siholette of Joshua Tree against blue sky

Checkout time at Cottonwood is noon, so after a leisurely breakfast, several cups of coffee and some reading we started packing up and headed off to some nearby trails for some hiking. Camping in Cottonwood was amazing. Every time we drive to Joshua Tree I am struck by the huge spaces filled with alien trees, plants and boulders. It really is unlike any place I’ve been. I used to think that of the desert as a place you drive through on your way to something better. Thankfully time spent in Joshua Tree and other desert climate national parks has taught me otherwise, and I’m truly grateful to have learned that lesson.

If you’re looking to extend your trip into a multi destination road trip check out Nightborn Travel’s Ultimate Southern California Road Trip for Hikers and National Park Enthusiasts

Category: Campground Reviews, In the News

Bouldering for Babies

August 5, 2018 //  by kawestberg//  Leave a Comment

Mastodon-peak

First of all let me say that this story does not involve a small child crag hopping. No children were harmed or even remotely involved in the making of this story, the only harm was to my own ego, which has become somewhat accustomed to the occasional bump and bruise.  So the baby in this story is me, not the two thrill-seeking children who managed to out-climb, out maneuver and beat me to the top of Mastodon Peak in exquisit Joshua Tree National Park. But we’ll get to that later, for now let me tell you a bit about the park and how I found myself bouldering in the first place.

Cottonwood_campsite

Joshua Tree – Cottonwood Campground

The last time Catherine and I went to Joshua Tree we by some miracle managed to snag a last-minute campsite in Cottonwood Campground. Cottonwood is located at the southeast part of the park. The campground’s southern location means it’s a little less crowded than many other spots, a wonderful added bonus for two solitude seeking campers.

Cottonwood has 62 campsites and several modern amenities for indoorsy types like myself including; potable water and flush toilets. On this particular weekend a very generous person left a partially used bottle of lavender soap in the women’s bathroom. I never thought I’d have such admiration for a bottle of lavender soap, which I should clarify is my least favorite smell in the world, aside from poop and vomit of course. But there’s something about camping that really makes you stop and appreciate the little things, even when they’re tainted with the offensive smell of pine and flowers. So I must say thank you to the kind lady who left us her stinky soap, I used it many times and was grateful to have clean, degreased and degrimed hands all weekend.

After a trip to the bathroom we pitched our tent, realized that I had failed to put the camp chairs in the car (such a bummer!) and decided that we weren’t quite ready for dinner yet so we set off on a little tour of our new neighborhood. In truth this is one of my favorite parts of camping. It’s guaranteed entertainment, and the more camping you do the more you begin to recognize the ‘types’ of campers that are out there. I’m particularly fond of the hard core RV-ers who manage to set up multiple living areas, a covered dining room and a sit-out porch for evening tipples. On our loop there were three such campers, several of which had full camp kitchens with multiple stoves, pop-up canopies for shaded dining and one with colorful blanket “walls” which I found irresistibly charming. My inner indoorsy camper often looks at such sites with envy, that is until the next morning when I get to watch the whole house come down to the studs, an operation that takes infinitely longer than deflating a sleeping pad and packing up a tent.

An Oasis and a Scramble

On our second day in Joshua Tree we decided to take the Lost Palm Oasis Trail located near our campground.

Palm trees and pink sunsets are so iconically Southern California it can’t be denied. One trip to SoCal and your phone is bound to be filled up with spindly palm pictures, but the truth is that none of those palms are native to the area. The first ornamental palms to come to LA were brought by 18th century Spanish missionaries. The palms retained their popularity thanks to the Victorians extensive interests in greenhouses and no time was more prosperous for the ornamental palm than the 1930’s. Knowing that the Olympic games were heading to LA in 1932 a huge planting effort was made that not only greened up the city, but also provided employment for many during the Great Depression. During that time over 40,000 trees were planted and the symbol of LA was cemented for the foreseeable future.End of side note.

However, the palms in Lost Palms Oasis are the native California fan palm, which tend to grow in canyons near springs, hence the oasis part of the trail name. The start of the trail is shaded and cocooned by these wooly fan palms, a truly wonderful way to start a hike in the desert. The trail quickly opens up to traditional desert scenes with spiky plants, sand, rock, and of course Loony Toons style rounded boulders.

spiky

The path is filled with little hills and valleys, stone steps and scurrying lizards. About an hour into our hike we reached a fork where we could go right to continue on the 7 mile Lost Palm Oasis trail or veer to the left to a place called Mastodon Peak.

It was a warm afternoon and we weren’t exactly ready for a 7 mile jaunt, so we headed towards Mastodon where I hoped to see a rock in the shape of the great beast, but of course was disappointed to find a pile of nondescript boulders.

As you approach the pile there is a small sign that gives hikers permission to scramble .1 miles to the top of the peak. I’m not really a fan of the word scramble, unless of course you are referring to my morning eggs in which case, by all means scramble away. In this instance scramble makes me thing of two other words; struggle and free-for-all.

With some trepidation we headed towards the pile and started our .1 mile scramble. Catherine of course scrambles with grace and lightness of foot, making the ascent look easy. I on the other hand prefer a different kind of scrambling, a technique some might classify as scooting. It’s difficult to truly fall when you are already sitting on the ground. And so with heaviness of bum I slowly made my way up towards the top of the peak.

About a third of the way to the top a family came up behind us, one parent and two very brave and fearless little boys. Sensing their desire to pass me out I scooted out of the way and watched with mild horror as they scampered ahead without fear or notice of the heights they were achieving. Mind you their mother was very quick to say, “slow down!” many times as they bounded up the crag. There were promises of Smarties at the top, so who can blame them for being a little reckless, sugar is of course the great motivator. They made it to the top in record time and were happily munching on discs of compressed sugar by the time my dusty buns made an appearance.

top-of-Mastodon-peak

The view from the top was sweeping with mountains in the distance, rocky rounded boulders strewn about and desert scruff. I hesitated to look down, but did manage to sneak a peek to get a better feel for how .1 miles looks from above. Turns out it looks like a long way down and so I scooted back a little, drank several sips of cool water and shared a snack with Catherine.

I consider making it to the top of Mastodon Peak a great triumph. I’m no boulderer, wouldn’t think of taking up climbing and can barely rock hop my way across a river.  I approach most rocks with a sliver of fear. Rocks have an uncanny ability to appear sturdy, stable and reliable. Then just when you’re feeling comfortable they give a little wobble. One little unplanned movement and my hands fly up in the air as if I’m starting a cartwheel…except I’m actually about to fall into a river or more likely onto the extra padding of my fleshy behind (sometimes having a big butt has perks).

I initially wrote this post to entertain myself and hopefully you in the recounting of my great scoot. I also hope that I inspired you to try something new, something you’re a little afraid to try or maybe I just got you to spend some time contemplating palm trees. I’m quite happy with any of those results.

Point one of a mile of bouldering sounds pretty measly when I stop and think about it, but the thing is when you’re the one finding hand, foot and butt holds it feels like a lot further. No matter how you get to the top whether by leap, bound or scoot you got there, and there’s reason to celebrate.

Category: Campground Reviews, In the News

Top Backpacking Tips from the 52 Hike Challenge Creators

July 5, 2018 //  by kawestberg//  1 Comment

36375586_10211300764787431_8411819794268946432_n

Last week Catherine and I left work and booked it over to REI to attend a class called “52 Hike Challenge: Intro to Backpacking”. I signed up for the free class a few weeks ago and was pretty excited to learn as many backpacking tips and tricks as possible from 52 Hike Challenge creators Karla and Philip.

Two hours isn’t much time to cover ALL THE THINGS, but they managed to cram in a lot of great information and time for questions.

Here’s a list of some topics they covered:

  • The 10 Essentials
  • Trip research
  • Navigation
  • Food and water
  • Backpacks (get REI to fit test for you)
  • Sleeping and shelter gear
  • Plus lots of other gear that they recommended

Going through all the information listed would result in a 10,000 word essay. Instead I thought I’d share my three favorite tips from the evening.

3-backpacking-tricks

DIY Hot Water Bottle

577c0ed7-718d-4163-bd7d-1aecbe271a92

Karla had a great tip for keeping warm during cold nights. Use your camp stove to boil some water. Pour the water in your nalgene water bottle (don’t use an insulated bottle…you want the heat to release). Nalgene is a great option because it’s tough, trail tested and BPA free…so no need to worry when adding hot water. Screw the lid on tight, check the seal and place your warm bottle at the bottom of your sleeping bag. BOOM! DIY hot water bottle!

Skip the Dishes

53119_Beef_Stroganoff_with_Noodles_255x281

One of my least favorite parts about camping is doing the dishes. Without a proper sink, soap and hot water it’s hard to get your dishes truly clean….and devoid of your last meals flavors. To solve the last meal taste, make your pack lighter and decrease dishes they recommended “cooking” your freeze dried meals right in the pouch they come in. Just pour the hot water in and stir. Karla also recommended saving the bag to use for other foods that don’t come in packaging you can add hot water to (like ramen noodles).

The Long Spoon

dc3b2cfb-fd44-4b32-9a83-04ec7cded211Speaking of cooking your food in the freeze dried food bag. This tip really spoke to me and my “indoorsy-ness”. It can be hard to stir your freeze dried meal in that big bag with a regular sized spoon. Your hand ends up inside the bag and suddenly you have beef stroganoff all over everything. The solution is this long spoon! It’s so simple, but as soon as she said it a light bulb went off for me.

52Hike-01TMB2_600x600

If you’re not familiar with the 52 Hike Challenge be sure to click through to find out how communing with nature helped founders Karla and Philip changed their lives and inspired thousands of people to do the same. Their stories are pretty amazing.

 

More Articles Like Top Backpacking Tips from the 52 Hike Challenge Creators:

  • Save Money: The Hiking Gear Can Wait
  • Indoorsy Book Recommendations: Summer 2018
  • Outdoorsy Book Recommendations: Summer 2018

 

Category: Backpacking, In the News, Outdoor SkillsTag: 52 Hike Challenge, backpacking, backpacking gear, backpacking tips

Nature Calling On Line One

June 26, 2018 //  by kawestberg//  2 Comments

I have a confession to make.

I’ve never peed outside. (well, at least not until last weekend)

[pausing for shaking heads and most likely eye-rolls]

I didn’t call this blog “Indoorsy Camper” because I like roughin’ it. I called it “Indoorsy Camper” because I like to cook lamb tagine (recipe from Melissa Clark….you need to make it!) in my Instant Pot and bring the leftovers on my camping trip where I snuggle up in my cozy sleeping bag and read all the books.

My current read is Wild by Cheryl Strayed, which I’m sure everyone else on the planet has already read. I’m one of those people who will sometimes jump on the bandwagon (i.e. avocado toast) and other times hold off while the rest of the world basks in the glories of Harry Potter. Don’t worry I rectified that a long time ago, and truth be told I watch the movies WAY too often.

If Wild has done one thing for me it’s completely freak me out! Cheryl has managed to describe in detail all of the many things my neurotic mind fixates on while I’m trying to go to sleep.

  • Bears
  • Rattle snakes
  • Using a shovel called “U-Dig-It” to drop a deuce outside
  • Toe nails turning black and falling off
  • Needing to learn how to use an ice axe
  • Using an ice axe
  • Jamming a sponge up your lady bits….then pulling it out, squeezing it and reinstalling (Too much detail? Yea, it was for me too!)
  • Watching my hiking boot fall off the edge of a mountain….I didn’t even have that fear until this book!

Needless to say I’m enjoying the book….but I’m conflicted.

The whole peeing outside thing came up earlier in the week and Catherine advised me to practice….in the shower. WHICH I DID NOT DO.

Cue Seinfeld discussion: “It’s all pipes! What’s the difference?!”

For the record I side with Jerry and Elaine.

go girl

In my freaked out state I started looking into purchasing a Go Girl. Which if you didn’t know is basically a piece of plastic that funnels your pee so you can do it standing up….like a man…..if a man had a funnel he held to pee and then had to figure out what to do with the urine soaked funnel after he was done. So that solution was out.

This conversation happened early in the week, so I of course decided to not think about this issue anymore. When in doubt do nothing and wait for the problem to arise naturally.

I’ve never gone backpacking or even on a hike that was long enough to require an al fresco pit stop…..until last weekend. Since the weather here in SoCal was surprisingly mild we decided to go big with our hike and head for the Bridge to Nowhere (yes, that’s an actual place). I’ll talk more about the actual hike itself later, but for now let’s stay focused on the wizz.

We hiked 5 or so miles to the bridge. It was amazing  and gorgeous and everything I hoped it would be. Then we had to head the 5 miles back….and my water reservoir was surprisingly low. Catherine (being the outdoorsy one in this duo) proclaimed that she needed a wee stop. We walked a little ways away from the bridge and found a more secluded spot by some rocks.

Down she went and before I knew what was happening she was done. DONE. Seconds. It took seconds!

Between the sound of the water flowing under the bridge, my receding reservoir and actual peeing happening near me I started to feel a little urge to go to the bathroom.

Was this going to happen? Could I pee in the great outdoors?

Turns out I can.

And I did.

So this explanation is for all the indoorsy hikers out there who are afraid to pee outside (which to be clear, I’m still scared of doing it).

how-to-pee-outdoors-2

How to pee outside like a champ

  1. Find a secluded spot. It’s no fun being interrupted by a fellow hiker while you’re mid-stream. Look at the surrounding foliage (don’t want any pokies coming at you or heaven forbid a poison ivy leaf), make sure you have enough room to get down, and if it’s windy plan accordingly.
  2. Designate a lookout. This isn’t always possible, but if you’re hiking with friends why not recruit them to help.
  3. Get low. The lower down you can squat the better, we want to avoid the dreaded splash-back (nobody wants their own urine to splash all over their clothing). Now, pull down those pants and bring all the fabric towards the front of your body. This will prevent that splash-back problem and as an added bonus acts as a privacy screen.
  4. Go. You’re in your spot, your lookout is in place, your squatting like a champ so get it over with. I recognize this might not be easy…I know I had a moment of bashful bladder, but I forged ahead. You can too.
  5. Regroup. Pull up your britches and start your celebratory “I Peed in the Wilderness!!!!!” dance!

And there you have it. It’s done. I did it. And so can you.

 

More Posts Like Nature Calling on Line One:

  • Leo Carrillo Camping Review
  • Bouldering for Babies
  • Zip Zip

Category: Hikes, In the News, Outdoor SkillsTag: how to pee outside, pee outside

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Go to page 4
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

About Kristi

Woman hiking in mountains with white hat and trekking poles

Hi! I’m Kristi.

I’m a plus-size outdoor woman…who also loves doing stuff indoors. I believe that all bodies are strong and capable of experiencing the outdoors, and that they should have fun while doing it. Let me help you flex your courage muscles and start experiencing all the outdoors has to offer.

Learn more about Kristi

Follow on Pinterest

Indoorsy Camper Pinterest boardsPin with me!

Categories

Archives

Site Footer

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Plus-Size Outdoor Clothing Guide
  • Gear We Love
  • Gift Guides
  • Video Newsletter
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy