A Little Closer To Heaven

Photo courtesy of flickr user obeyken

With cold fronts moving in left and right, and arctic chills taking their tolls, I thought I’d relay my top ten winter camping tips for your enjoyment:

10. Don’t worry about freezing to death in your sleep. Your body will wake you up long before it gets that bad. And if I’m wrong, at least you won’t feel anything.

9. Don’t sleep with your face in a sleeping bag. The humidity increases dampness in the bag and reduces it’s insulation properties. And do you really want to smell your nasty body odor and rank breath all night?

8. Don’t sleep in your underwear, like you’ve probably been told. Sleep in thin layers. Trust me, your hiking buddy isn’t as comfortable as he may look in a 2 person tent and you in your tighties.

7. Start hiking cool. No, not cool like the Fonz. Cool like the temperature. You can always add layers, but the last thing you wanna do is sweat.

6. Pitch a South facing camp. You’ll get more sunshine and longer days. Who doesn’t want that?

5. Store water bottles upside down. Your friends may snicker, but you’ll still be able to get a drink when theirs are frozen.

4. Pee often. There’s no reason to keep that junk in you any longer than necessary. It’s stealing your body heat to keep itself warm.

3. Sleep with your shoes, fuel, and the next morning’s clothes in your bag at your feet. You’ll be rewarded with dry shoes, a better performing stove, and clothes that smell like feet. Hey, at least they’ll be warm.

2. Before bed, fill a lexan water bottle with boiling water and stuff it between your thighs to stay warm. Then, when your buddy goes to sleep, put his hand in the warm water and watch what happens!

1. If your feet are cold, put on a hat. If you’re a guy and suddenly realize you’ve got two belly buttons, stop hiking naked. Actually, stop hiking naked regardless. It’s just nasty.

So there ya have it. Remember these simple tips on your next winter hike or overnighter and you’ll be all set. Don’t let the cold weather stop you from having a good time!

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Once again I’ve failed to deliver my “Top Ten Tuesday” on the right day of the week. No excuses this time…just laziness. Let’s recap :

 10. Hideout Hollow

9. Indian Creek

8. Buffalo River Float- Ponca to Carver

7. Fitton Cave

6. Hawksbill Crag

And now, the final five:

Don’t Ask…

 5. Big Bluff

A short 3 mile hike (6 round trip), leads to the highest bluff on the Buffalo River. It’s a considerably steep hike down to the bluff from the trailhead and a bushwack to the bluff itself. For those who make it: one of the best views on the Buffalo River. For a longer hike, head back to the trail and hike another mile down to Granny Henderson’s cabin, an 1800’s settlement that’s in great condition.

4. Lost Valley

This probably the most touristed place in the park, but there’s a good reason. A short, easy .75 mile hike leads to a beautiful waterfall.  For those feeling brave, you can head on up the trail to Lost Valley Cave. Head into the cave with some good lighting and you’ll be delighted to find a 35 foot waterfall in the back of it.

3. Hemmed-In Hollow

This is also one of the most famous places in the park. It’s the highest waterfall in the US between the Rockies and the Appalachians, and it’s one heck of a tough hike. Read about it here .

2. Shop Creek Slot Canyon

Quite possibly the only slot canyon in Arkansas, and in my opinion…the most beautiful place in Arkansas, too. Read about it here .

1. Buffalo River Trail

One of my favorite things to do in the Buffalo River is backpacking. This is a great place for beginners and experts alike. This 36.5 mile trail covers all of the most beautiful views along the Buffalo. It leads through, or at least spur trails to, all of the great sites in the park. It’s both challenging and beautiful. It’s also a great place for solitude. It sees a lot of backpackers, yet you only cross a few per day. With it’s unique wildlife (deer, elk, and black bears), caves, and great swimming holes, this trail just can’t be beat.

Next week: Top 10 winter hiking/camping tips. Do you have a tip that’s top ten worthy? Or maybe one that isn’t? Drop a comment and it may make the list. I’m sure people don’t just want my opinion on everything. Do you have an idea for a top ten list? Let me know, and I may use it in the future.

Stay tuned for a trip report tomorrow.

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Well, I apologize for not getting this out on Tuesday. The internet was acting up and wouldn’t let me on the site. So, without further ado…I now present you with “Top Ten…Wednesday?”

Photo Courtesy of Flickr user garybaird

10. Hideout Hollow

Hideout hollow is a short 3 mile round trip hike that sees very little traffic. Yet it is an absolutely beautiful place. It’s a peaceful walk, not too difficult and it ends at a beautiful waterall with a small cave behind it. The perfect place for a “hideout.”

9. Indian Creek

Indian Creek is a beautiful area just off of the Buffalo River. There’s no official trail, but it’s been walked so many times you can’t miss it. Indian Creek is a creek that is surrounded by beautiful bluffs and is home to many waterfalls. Check out some excellent pictures here .

Photo Courtesy of Flickr user Clinton Steed

8. Buffalo River Float Trip- Ponca to Carver

The Buffalo River is one of the most beautiful rivers in the United States. It’s surrounded by magnificent bluffs and 1800’s homesteads. The river itself is one of the few rivers with National Park status. It is also one of the few left without a dam, meaning the scenery is unspoiled and looks almost exactly like it did several hundred years ago.

As far as adventures go, canoeing the Buffalo is downright fun. It may not have the toughest rapids to navigate (unless you run the hailstone), but it has enough class II’s and a couple of almost class III’s to keep the adrenaline flowing. The upper river is full of technical moves and stunning beauty. If you can get away for a couple of days and float Ponca to Carver, it’s well worth the time off!

7. Fitton Cave

I’m almost ashamed to admit this…but I’ve never been here. Not only that, I call myself an outdoorsman and I didn’t even know the place exists until about a week ago. This cave is actually better-known from out-of-towners, than it is from locals. It’s the longest cave in Arkansas with 13 miles mapped out and many places still unexplored. Also, it’s full of several formations that are found no where else on Earth. I’m dying to check this place out. However, the entrance is gated shut and a permit must be obtained to enter. There are several more stipulations that I’m checking up on before I plan my trip. A Beautiful Photo of this cave can be found here .

6. Hawksbill Crag

Ahh, Hawksbill Crag, the most photographed place in Arkansas. I’m sure you’ve seen the pictures before and dreamed of going there. It’s only a 3 mile hike…what’s stopping you?

Stay tuned next Tuesday for the Final 5 Buffalo River Adventures!

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I’ve decided to add a new segment to my blog for the next few weeks and see how it goes over. I’m calling it “Top Ten Tuesdays” (if you couldn’t already tell). Each week I’ll be giving you a top ten list that has to something to do with the outdoors. So, feel free to leave some comments or send me an email of a top ten list you would like to see. Also, feel free to leave comments on things you think I’m leaving out.

To kick this new segment off, I thought I’d list the top ten reasons for a top ten tuesday:

10. Top ten lists always generate interest (not to mention blog hits).

9. Top ten lists create curiousity.

8. I like reading top ten lists.

7. People who write top ten lists seem to have some kind of authority on a given subject (Boy, I’ve got you all fooled).

6. Top ten lists are better than blogs about the weather (see yesterday).

5. Every other blog has top ten lists.

4. Top ten lists start arguments.

3. “Top Ten Tuesdays” has a much better ring to it than any other day of the week.

2. I ran out of other ideas for a Tuesday segment.

1. “Top Ten” sounds better than “Random 10 that I Just Pulled out of My Butt.”

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I’ve been pretty excited about telling everyone about my latest gear and now that Christmas is over, it’s time to spill the beans. Just like Wade , Santa was good to me this year to. Here’s a list of the gear I got:

1. The North Face Cat’s Meow.

2. The North Face Merino Wool Beanie.

3. Guyot Designs splashguard and squishy bowl set.

4. Steripen and steripen pre-filter.

5. Adventure Medical Kits Pocket Medic.

6. Sea to Summit Pocket Soap Leaves.

7. Sea to Summit Drylite Packtowel.

8. Coleman Xponent Pack-A-Way Lantern.

9. Salomon Boulder Mutation Jacket.

10. Smartwool Adrenaline Hiking Socks.

11. Zippo Slim (perfect for starting fires).

12. Leatherman Skeletool (which isn’t even out yet…it was an IOU from the Mom and Dad).

Well, I think that just about sums it up. I’ve gotta say, I’m pretty stoked. I’m a very spoiled man. I should have a whole lot of gear reviews to keep me busy for a while. I’m curious…what did all of my readers get? Leave a comment and let me know. Maybe I’ll get some ideas for my next purchases.

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