How can you tell if water is safe? You can’t. You can only estimate how clean it might be. Water that smells or looks stagnant or mucky is probably not good to drink. But even water that is clear and fresh can contain Giardia or other organisms that can make you sick.

Sick of not getting the best out of your camping meals? Follow these simple tips to ensure you have a tasty and safe meal in the outdoors.

Freeze-dried foods are fickle. Prepare ‘em according to directions one day and they’re great. Repeat the procedure another time and… ugh. Take heart. Here’s a foolproof cooking method that works regardless of the weather, zodiac or cranky stove.

Every outdoors person should have a basic understanding of weather phenomena and be able to make reasonably accurate short-term weather predictions. “Feel” the weather by just applying these 26 principles.

Backpacks and Packing Methods: How To Pack a Soft Pack