The Nomadik Fanatiks

What’s in Your Pack? First Aid Supplies

2007-06-25T12:31:00Z

Outdoor adventure requires self sufficiency, especially when it comes to patching up scrapes and cuts and keeping a broken limb immobile. But miles from the nearest clinic, is no time to take your health for granted. Whether you plan to hike two miles from home or to the tip of the Himalayas, pack a first aid kit. For my gear guides I've chosen three different kinds of first aid kits designed for different activities. Remember that homemade first aid kits work just as well - as long as you keep them...(read more)

What’s in Your Pack? Water Filters

2007-06-22T12:36:00Z

If you have the right pack, clothes and gear you can hike the trails all summer. But unless you have proper hydration, your trek could end abruptly - and tragically. Getting enough fluids into your body to counteract the effects of sweating is vital to your health and the overall success of your activity. When shopping for a water bottle, first determine your needs. How far will you go? How long do you plan to spend on this activity? How close will you be to fresh water sources? These factors determine...(read more)

What’s in Your Pack? Eco-Friendly Clothing

2007-06-21T15:39:00Z

When it comes to the right clothing for my outdoor summer activities, I strike a balance between comfort, durability and style. I'm a guy, so I wear clothes until they've become threads. I'm choosy when it comes to making purchases for camping - they have to last a long time. In keeping with Nomadik's environmental consciousness , I've added sustainability to my list of priorities. For this summer season, I've found two clothing companies that fit all my criteria. Planet Earth has spent the last...(read more)

What’s in Your Pack? Flashlights

2007-06-20T16:09:00Z

When I hit the trails, I set out to explore uncharted territory. Traipsing through wooded areas thrills me as much as scouring a new city in a far flung country on foot. I never know what awaits me around each corner or tree stump, and it's just the fuel I need to keep me exploring. Though I may tear into things blindly, one thing I don't particularly enjoy is the dark. Sure I've been in situations where I've been forced to make camp in the African jungle late at night surrounded by the eerie cries...(read more)

What’s in Your Pack? Fire Starters

2007-06-19T14:08:00Z

Fire, along with water, constitutes the basic element of survival on any outdoor adventure. Surprisingly most of us couldn't start one to save our lives (thus the guilty laughs at two finalists in TV's "Survivor" who couldn't start a fire even with matches and a million bucks riding on it). Planning to set off an outdoor adventure? Make sure you have some basic fire starting skills - David Arama's video can help with good advice. But if you're looking for foolproof tools, check out these great finds:...(read more)

What’s in Your Pack? Tasty Trail Mix

2007-06-18T10:07:00Z

Neglecting your caloric and nutrition needs during your outdoor adventures can make you sick - literally. Your body doesn't get what it needs and you may as well lay out the welcome mat for nausea, cramps and dizziness. When packing food, consider its weight, shelf life, packaging, prep time, costs and taste. Bringing cans of tuna is a great source of protein, but do you want to haul the extra weight? Besides, you'll need a can opener unless you've already got a multi-tool . Likewise fresh fruit...(read more)

What’s in Your Pack? Smart Sun Gear

2007-06-13T11:59:00Z

Summer's here, the windows are down and the tunes are pumpin.' Time to hit the trails, chase the surf and bike the paths. With millions of ways to explore your woods this summer, opportunities are endless - but go prepared. Hikers scoff at hippy hiking flip-flops, yet many of us spend extended hours exposed to the sun without proper skin protection. The Skin Cancer Foundation states that skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States today - but it's also the most treatable. According...(read more)

What's in Your Pack?

2007-06-12T11:03:00Z

With summer budding slowly on the horizon, it's time to shed a few layers of clothing and reconnect with your favorite warm-weather activities. I love summer and I love lists so it only makes sense that I've made a list of my new favorite gear. Over the next few days I'll give you my suggestions for the best, most useful and even the quirkiest gear out there from hats and multi-tools to solar powered bikinis. I've based my list on one compiled in the early 1900's by a group of explorers called The...(read more)

Outdoor Guide - Mapping your World with Sony GPS

2007-06-05T15:26:00Z

Nothing frustrates me more than the hundreds of orphaned digital photos files on my computer. I can't remember where I took them or when. Luckily, my latest gear find, Sony's GPS CS1, clears up that little problem. Leave it to Sony to incorporate GPS with digital photography technology. GPS devices have helped me get out of the woods, track my jogging schedule and now they're helping me organise my photo collection. Who would've thought? Just before leaving for a recent road trip through New England,...(read more)

Yet Another Way to Waste Money and Energy

2007-06-05T12:55:00Z

In Myazaki, Japan, on Kyushu Island, beach-goers can stroll white sandy beaches, body-surf impressive waves and enjoy balmy perfect weather every day of the year. Guaranteed.The Ocean Dome, which features trendy shops, fast food and even full-scale restaurants, also boasts heated pools, a kid's pool, floating pool and three water slides. What's not to love about that? And as a bonus, the entrance fee is a cool $50 US, which is a steal of deal when you consider how you'd have to rough it if you visited...(read more)

Exploring the Yucatan - Scams in Mexico

2007-06-04T13:11:00Z

I hate to say anything negative about Mexico because we had a really amazing time and I can't wait to go back. But the country has its fair share of scammers and we met up with a couple of them... Speeding Ticket Scam On our way to Chichen Itza, a police officer waved us down. He asked us how we were, where we were going and was helpful enough to give us directions. Then he told us we'd been speeding and demanded $20 US (200 pesos). Lots of cars had passed us, but apparently we were obviously tourists...(read more)

Exploring the Yucatan – Reserva de la Biosfera Sian Ka’an

2007-06-01T19:01:00Z

The Sian Ka'an Bioreserve in Mexico covers 1.3million acres and extends along a 100km beautiful coastline. It was recently named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to a cornucopia of animals and migratory birds. The northern part of the reserve extends to and includes Punta Allen in the Riviera Maya. Because our time was limited, we only explored the northernmost part of the reserve in kayaks and then we drove to Punta Allen, which is home to a quaint little fishing village. There were four...(read more)

Exploring the Yucatan - Camping on the Beach

2007-06-01T13:55:00Z

We weren't sure about bringing our tent on our Mexican adventure on the Yucatan Peninsula - we didn't know if we'd want to lug it around everywhere and we weren't entirely sure we'd be able to find a place to camp. Luckily, we brought it... We slept in our tent for six out of the eight nights of our trip. Camping on the beach was a dream. The beach sand was so soft that we almost didn't need our Thermarests, and almost every place we traveled offered camping facilities. Apparently beach camping is...(read more)

17 Hurricanes Possible this Summer

2007-05-31T14:17:00Z

The onset of hurricane season is just a few hours away, and it's going to be a bumpy ride. According to researcher, William Gray at The Tropical Meteorology Project in Colorado, 17 major storms (5 of them intense) may hit landfall before September 2007. Gray predicts: 74% chance of a major hurricane rocking the U.S. coastline 50% chance of one slamming the east coast, including the Florida Peninsula 49% chance of one consuming land between the Florida Panhandle and Brownsville Texas Gray released...(read more)

How to Run a 5 K – Doing it Right

2007-05-31T12:51:00Z

If you're new to running and/or do not partake in much weekly cardio activity, you're a newbie (beginner). If you're fit and doing a good deal of cardio activity, this program might be too easy for you. Give it a try and you can always move up to the intermediate and then advanced programs - I'll post more about those later this week. This gradual program will have you running a full 5km in about 8 weeks. The key is to STAY CONSISTENT with your running and stick to the plan . It's simple to follow...(read more)