Beer and Chicken. Beer Chicken?

I like to do manly things just as much as the next guy, and since I can't call the sun up every morning and then wrestle a grizzly bear to the forest floor, I'll do the next best thing: make beer can chicken. What's beer can chicken you might ask? It's where you cook a bird atop a can of your favorite beer. The beer adds a bit of flavor and a lot of moisture throughout the cooking process so that your chicken comes out nice and tender. No my friends, it doesn't get much manlier than this.

I got the idea and recipe from a great blog that I follow, The Art of Manliness. If you don't already follow this blog, follow it. Do it now. This recipe should require about an hour and fifteen minutes total, so let's get started.

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• 1 4-5 lb. young chicken, washed and rinsed clean
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 Tbsp. Creole seasoning
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 lemon
• 1 can beer, open can, take a few swigs
• Beer can chicken stainless stand
• Butcher's twine

1. Since we're presumably out in the woods, you'll have to make a certain type of fire for this to work. In my last post, we talked about making a teepee fire. This won't work. You'll still need the circle of rocks, but you'll want charcoal to cook this sucker. 
2. Coat that bird in olive oil and rub the Creole seasoning into the chick, including the cavity. Stuff the cavity with garlic and lemon, and place the chicken on top of the beer on the stand. Tie the legs of the chicken together with the butcher's twine.
3. Now it's time to smoke the chicken until the internal temperature reaches 170 degrees F. You're almost done now. 
4. Cover the bird with foil and let the things sit for about 20 minutes before serving. 

How to Make a Campfire...the Manly Way

We all love fires, right? Like, fires are awesome. I like campfires though. Not the biggest fan of forest fires or house fires. Also if you are reading this right now and know that you don't like campfires just go away. I mean seriously.

So how does one make said amazing campfire? Now there are many ways to go about starting a fire. Actually no, there are really only two ways to make a campfire. There's the right way and there's the wrong way. The first (wrong) way requires lots of lighter fluid/gasoline (sorry dad, you've been doing it wrong). The second (right) way requires good wood placement/structure, some kind of fire starter (flint/matches/lighter) and patience. The teepee fire is the best way to build a fire.

1. Be safe. Make sure to enclose your fire with a circle of big rocks so that the fire cannot spread.
2. Find wood, and set it up like a teepee. 
3. Find small scrap wood and place it in the teepee. You'll get the fire going easier if you start by lighting the scrap - it will spread to the larger pieces quickly.
4. Put a couple of matches or a lighter to the kindling. This will be frustrating at first. It's hard to get a good fire going, but a fire built without lighter fluid will last much longer. Once you think you've got some kindling aflame, try blowing gently on the hottest part of the small fire. Don't blow too hard or the fire will go out. 
5. Keep feeding the fire scrap wood until the teepee catches. 

There you have it! Very straight forward. Good luck and don't die. 

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The Outcast Life

Does going on a solo camping expedition sound appealing? No? Well it rarely it does. Maybe after a break up or if you just hate people in general it might sound more appealing. Just kidding (kind of), the solo camping trip can be very beneficial. If you're looking into camping by youself, you will need a one man tent. The Eureka Solitaire 1 is a fantastic one man, bivy tent. It's light (I like light, especially since I'm pretty lazy) and durable.

Pros

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The tent itself is lightweight, not too big, and only $74.99 on Amazon (see link above). While I wouldn't recommend this rent for the multiday backpacking trip or winter camping expedition, it would be perfect for the weekend getaway to the mountains. Setup will take you less than 5 minutes because it is extremely easy to assemble. There is also a small space underneath the full fly outside of the tent to store your gear and keep it safe from the elements.

Cons

The only con is that the tent poles that it comes with are terrible. They are made of plastic. I would advise you to purchase aluminum tent poles to go with this tent. The good news is that it only has two poles, so the extra poles that you might consider purchasing won't be too costly.

Overall, I would give this tent a 4 out of 5 starts.

A Primer on Winter Camping: Part 3 - Gear

Gear and Accessories

If you've been following my series on winter camping, we have covered the essentials: the sleeping bag, the tent, and the clothes you will need to keep warm. What about the rest of the camping doodiddys you have collected over the many years and want to bring along? This third and final post in my series on winter camping will give you a checklist that you should consider before you embark on your winter expedition. Here are the essential items that you must have when you go on your winter camping trip:


(Photo: via) 65-Liter

• Flashlights/headlamps/batteries (Be sure to store you batteries in a warm place, they will last longer than if they are in the cold).
• First-aid kit
• Kitchenware: eating utensils, pots, pans, plates/bowls, stove/fuel (be sure to bring liquid gas such as white gas, it is recommended for cold temperatures)
• Ice axe, snow saw, crampons, snow shovel, snow shoes, poles
• Probe and GPS
• Cellphones/Radios (Again, store in warmer areas for longer lasting batteries)
• Sleeping pads/sleeping bag liners
• Food/Cleaning kit (bio-degradable soap/brush)
• Backpack (As mentioned in a previous post, I would recommend investing in either a lightweight 65-Liter pack with lash points to strap down your bulkier items with or a deluxe 80-liter pack, also with lash points).
• Repair kit/Tools
• Fire starting equipment (matches/candle/fire starter/lighter)
• Gloves and mittens/hats
• Boots/Gaiters (Be sure to this gear is waterproof and breathable)
• Goggles/sunglasses/sun protection
• Sanitation (Toilet paper/baby wipes)
• Books/maps/compasses/journal/camera

A Primer on Winter Camping: Part 2 - Clothing

It's all About Layers, Onions Know What's Up

It's important to realize that if you do not have the proper clothing, you will without a doubt be miserable. And the key is not to go find the warmest, biggest, puffiest jacket on the market, this is the "what not to do" when looking to keep yourself warm. The important rule to keep in mind when preparing your winter wardrobe is that you will generally go with three to four layers: a base layer, middle layer, and outer layer. Then you can add another outer (shell) layer to keep dry depending on if your outer layer is waterproof and windproof.

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Base Layer

This layer is the thinnest layer. It will be the layer that absorbs all of your sweat. An ideal base layer is one that attracts moisture and transfers your sweat to the middle layer. The base layer is also called the moisture wick. The worst possible thing you could do is use cotton as the base layer. You will absolutely stay wet and cold. In any event that you sweat excessively, it's always a good idea to keep an extra base layer handy just in case you need to swap a dry one out for the wet one, especially if you sweat and the temperature suddenly drops. Look for any kind of synthetic-like materials to use for this layer (wool/silk/polyester).


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Middle Layer

Again, the idea is not to buy a single thick piece of clothing for your middle layer. Depending on the temperature, buy one to three middle layers. The middle layer is designed to be the insulation by trapping your body heat and keeping it in. Do not use cotton, there are other materials that will do a better job of keeping in the heat. I have found that wool and fleece make for great middle layers.

Outer Layer/Shell Layer

The outer layer is your heaviest, warmest layer. A heavy article of clothing would be okay, but I would recommend a lightweight, down jacket that doubles as a waterproof/windproof shell. Oh, pick something that looks good too, this is the layer that everyone will look at in the photos that you take on your winter expedition.

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If you don't end up getting a waterproof/windproof outer layer, you should consider buying a wind breaker to keep the wind and rain off of your clothes.

Socks

It's a good idea to have a very thin (non-cotton) sock underneath a heavy wool sock. This will keep you very warm. The base layer sock isn't a necessity though. Heavy wool socks will do just fine if you don't want to worry about the hassle of a base layer sock.

Tip: Buy long Johns. They are ridiculously warm and cozy.

Let's Talk Sleeping Bags

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Choosing a sleeping bag is easy. There are only a few things to consider. Choose a sleeping bag that's rated at least 10 degrees colder than the coldest temperature that you're expecting. All sleeping bags will consist of a either a synthetic stuffing or down material. Down is lighter and warmer, but when wet, loses the ability to retain heat and becomes useless. Synthetic bags will be heavier but slightly less warm. I prefer the lighter and warmer down sleeping bag.

Keep in mind that you should use a sleeping pad to put your bag on to help it last longer. It will also provide support and be more comfortable. If you opt for a less expensive bag that is not rated to withstand the low temperatures that you're going to be exposed to, you can always buy a sleeping bag liner for extra warmth.

Tip: You can always find the clothing, tents, sleeping bags, etc. at REI.com, however I encourage you to look around a little more to find what suits you best.

Tip: Place your socks in your sleeping bag to keep them warm and ready for use.

A Primer on Winter Camping: Part 1 - The Tent

We touched on how to choose a tent in my previous post, but I want to go into further detail on the things that you should look for and the things that you need to avoid when you choose a tent for your winter expedition.

First off, let's talk seasons. We are winter camping, and in my previous post, I mentioned that I had a few friends that tried cold weather camping with a 3-season tent. This doesn't work, especially if there is going to be heavy rain or snow involved. You will end up cold, wet, and miserable - we want this to be a fun and enjoyable experience. While the 4-season tent is more expensive, it offers more protection from the winter elements. With most material goods, the more expensive doesn't always mean better. Unfortunately, with tents, this is not true, the more you pay, the better tent you will get. It will be able to withstand stronger winds, be made of stronger material, and be able to withstand colder temperatures. However, you may not always need stronger and warmer. For instance, you may choose to spend more on a nice sleeping bag that will keep you warm and opt for a tent made with thinner material.

Let's Talk Tent Poles

(Photo: via) Eureka/One Man Tent

There are 5 kinds of tent poles (bet you didn't see that coming).

1. Plastic: Yes, plastic. Don't. Because plastic. 
2. Aluminum: Aluminum tent poles are often very good. They are typically used with smaller tents and are very lightweight. I would recommend the aluminum pole if you are looking at the one-man tube tent pictured to the right.
3. Steel:  These tent poles are mainly to be used when building semi-permanent structures like heavy-duty tents or huge shelters. They are not to be used when backpacking or camping. 
4. Fiberglass: Fiberglass is generally weaker and less durable than aluminum and carbon fiber. I'm going to say it, fiberglass is almost as bad as plastic. I've had a fiberglass pole crack after the third use, it's not fun. The only time that I would recommend fiberglass poles is when you are buying a backyard tent. 
5. Carbon Fiber: Carbon fiber tent poles are the bees knees. They are the most flexible and lightweight poles on the market while still maintaining plenty of durability. I highly recommend this kind of pole. 

Enough About the Poles, What About the Tent?

Tents vary in size and shape, there isn't a good size or bad size. It just depends on how many people you plan on sharing the tent with. You can buy a tent that fits anywhere from a one person to ten people. Shape also doesn't matter too much, I recommend trying to read as many reviews on the tent you are looking to buy as you can. 

(Photo: via) 4-Season/Full Fly/2 Man Tent

There are two types of 4-season tents: single-walled tents and doubled-walled tents. They both have their advantages and disadvantages. The single-walled tent is colder but easier to setup and lightweight compared to the double-walled tent which will be warmer, but bulkier. Another thing to consider is the setup time. When you're in sub 32 degree weather, you don't want to have a lengthy setup time. With a double-walled tent, you will have a longer setup time, however, as stated above, the double-wall will stand up against stronger winds and heavier rain. A tent be made of either a ripstop nylon material or a cotton canvas material. I would recommend getting the nylon tent even though the canvas tent would be warmer. The reason for this is that canvas will be lighter. And as for warmth, your sleeping bag will take care of you, not your tent. Look for more details on what kind of sleeping bag to buy in my next post on winter clothing and sleeping bags. 

What About the Fly?

The fly is the waterproof cover-like material that you see covering the exposed tent poles. When you buy a tent based on what kind of fly the tent comes with, the only thing you need to think about is the season in which you will be camping in. Since this is a series on winter camping, I would advise you to never get a tent without a full fly. It will be more expensive, but even in the summer a full fly will block out the rain much better than a half. An easy way to tell a full fly from half fly is if the fly itself comes right up to the ground, covering every inch of the tent.

Setting up the Tent

Before you begin setting up the tent, you need to make sure that you have a tent pad (usually a tarp) to lay cover the ground where your tent is going to be set up. This will protect your tent from the wet ground and help your tent last longer. Be sure to fold the excess tarp underneath the tent so that the footprint of the tarp is slightly smaller than the footprint of the tent. This will keep rain from getting in between your tent and the tarp.

When setting up a tent on the snow, consider is the wind. If there are strong winds, be sure to find a campsite that is shielded from the wind. If there are no natural shields (a boulder, cliff, or wall), dig out at least a foot of snow and then wait about an hour for the snow to harden. This will ensure two things: 1) that the top layer of snow is not full of bushes or soft spots that could cause the area you putting your tent on to collapse and 2) Your tent will be in a small hole which will block gusts of wind from getting under the tent and picking it up.

Staking down a tent in the snow is always tough if you have the wrong tools. Be sure to bring an avalanche shovel, ice axe, and snow stakes. Don't be afraid to get creative when tethering a tent to the ground. Aside from snow stakes, you can also use ski poles or heavy rocks in conjunction with snow stakes to keep your tent down. As for setting up the actual tent, every tent comes with an instruction manual that guides you through the process of putting the poles together, how to latch the tent to the poles, etc. This process should be straightforward with the manual. Now get out of the office, head to the mountains, and have some fun!

A Primer on Winter Camping: An Introduction

When I say camping you say: "Oh my gosh I love camping it's pretty much the best thing in the whole world when are we going what should I bring seriously I'm quitting my job to go live in a tent." Seriously though if you're not convinced on why you should go camping, read my post on the 7 reasons why you should go camping.

What are some of the things that you associate with the word camping? Some people think of tents and campfires and s'mores while still others think of hiking, fishing, boating and the other glories of camping. But what people don't think about...is the winter. It's really quite a bummer that there are only a few "good weather" months out of the year in places like New York, Colorado, Alaska, and other outdoorsy states. Over the next week and a half I will uncover the fundamentals of winter camping in a 3 part series. Today's post will introduce you to the basics. The next 3 posts will dive further into the topics we touch on below.

Winter camp in the snow above lower Blue Lake,
 Sneffels Range, Colorado – October. (Photo Cred: Jack Brauer)

You're probably skeptical of winter camping and think that it's a feat reserved only for "the extreme" outdoorsman. I must tell you that you're being ridiculously ridiculous. Winter camping is a completely different experience in the winter than in the summer. Nature's landscape is quite different in the winter time. You see the Snow-capped mountains, the evergreen trees, sprinkled with white, and you feel the crisp cold air in your lungs. There are great reasons to go winter camping, just like there are great reasons to go summer camping. David Sweet offers a few great reasons to winter camp in his blog post, like how we can expect NO crowds, NO dirt, and NO bugs. On top of those things, you can eat more because you burn calories faster and fellow campers don't smell as bad and let's be honest, it's always a good idea to walk on ice. What more do you need?

THE BASICS

• When planning a winter camping trip, pick a realistic destination. The Swiss Alps probably isn't a great place to go unless you are a seasoned, winter camper. Don't choose a place where there's a good chance of an avalanche. They're real. They happen.
• Once you've picked your destination, be sure to check the weather forecast to make sure you avoid a cold-front that might be on its way in.
• When packing the necessary gear, people usually don't put enough thought into food. Don't cheat yourself out of good food. Always, always make hearty meals. It makes the trip much more enjoyable. And bring plenty of snacks!
• Always let a family member and friend where you are going.
• Try to read reviews on the place that you choose to go to and talk to people who have been there if at all possible.
• It's always a good idea to carry cash with you just in case there are unexpected costs.
• Make a checklist of things you need to bring (i.e. read my upcoming posts in this series). But for now, I will give you a short overview of the things you will be needing to plan a great, winter camping expedition.
• Always plan to have your plans changed. Things will never go exactly according to plan and that's okay. Go with the flow and enjoy yourself!

There are a few basic things that we will cover over the next 3 posts: Tent/bag/pack, clothing, and accessories. Below, you will find a primer on these things that will hopefully get you excited to read the rest of this series.

TENT/SLEEPING BAG/BACKPACK
You're going to need a tent. A tent is probably one of the more important things to have when you go winter camping...because snow and wind. People have tried to camp with the standard 3-season backpacking tent, but they don't fare too well. The 4-season tent will be able to withstand stronger winds and heavier snow if it happens to snow while you're on the expedition. Stay tuned on my text post that will help you find the best tent.

When deciding on what kind of bag to get, the general consensus is that you should buy a bag rated at 10°F colder than the coldest temperature you expect to encounter. Speaking of cold, it can take a while to warm your sleeping bag with only your body heat. Boil some water, seal it tightly in a container of sorts, and put it in your sleeping bag prior to hittin' the sack. Be sure it's sealed though, no one likes a wet sleeping bag...also this could cause hypothermia, resulting in death, and nobody wants death.

A good backpack is only an absolute necessity when you will be hiking a lot. The point is not to break your back while trekking around a forest or mountain - so if you know you will be hiking in a ways to reach your destination, invest in a good pack. I would recommend investing in either a lightweight 65-Liter pack (with lash points to strap down your bulkier items with) or a deluxe 80-liter pack (also with lash points).

CLOTHING

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There are several fundamental guidelines to keep in mind when dressing yourself for the winter camping trip if you don't want to freeze your little tush off (for those of you with a big tush, you should also keep to these guidelines). Despite what pop-culture tells you, a winter onesie and 4 sweaters is not how you should keep yourself warm. I will go into further detail on some of these guidelines in my future posts on winter camping.

ACCESSORIES
I don't want to beat around the bush with you on this one...you're going to be bringing a lot of gear and accessories with you. You'll need cooking accessories/utensils, flashlights, sanitation kits, a first aid kit, a portable GPS, a portable shovel, fire-starting supplies, a repair kit/tools, sun protection, it would be excellent to have a portable water purification system, and a few other things that we will talk about at a later point in this series on winter camping. But don't worry, I hate packing too heavy so I will keep it to the bare necessities.

Now that you're primed on the basics of winter camping, be on the lookout for Part 1 of this series!






BONUS: Hiking destination for the New Yorker

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Anthony's Nose Hike (Camp Smith trail) is a trail about an hour north of Manhattan. From the top, you will find yourself overlooking Bear Mountain state park and Bear Mountain Bridge. This trail is just over 6 miles long (total) with an elevation of 900ft. It's accessible via the Metro North Train out of Grand Central Station. Take this to Manitou and then walk 0.5 miles south via Bear Mountain Beacon Hwy. If you've never taken the Metro North, read my review on Breakneck Ridge. This post will give you an idea of what to pack and show you how to navigate the Metro North - Manitou is simply 2 stops before Cold Spring. If you finish this hike quickly, you can always cross Bear Mountain Bridge (located close to the Camp Smith trail head) and camp on Bear Mountain. However, camp overnight at your own risk as the camp grounds are technically closed through May 14, 2015 (just do it, it will be fun and adventurous).