How-To's | Two Foot Traveller

How to Hammock Camp: Your Ultimate Guide to Elevated Outdoor Adventures

August 17, 2023 Mariah Comments 0 Comment

Are you yearning for a unique outdoor experience that combines the tranquility of sleeping under the stars with the comfort of a cozy bed? Look no further than hammock camping! This trending outdoor activity has gained immense popularity among adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take you through the ins and outs of hammock camping, from choosing the right gear to setting up camp and leaving no trace. Get ready to elevate your camping game…

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How to Keep the Ticks Away

July 13, 2019 Mariah Comments 8 comments

I’m a field biologist, and, if you couldn’t already tell, I’m pretty passionate about the outdoors. So it goes without saying that I’m outside for work, I’m outside for leisure, I pretty much live out there. And I love it. But one thing I do NOT love is the many varieties of blood-sucking insects, particularly ticks. Ticks are probably my least favorite thing of all time. Not only are they gross, sneaky and annoying, but they can also carry with…

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How to Pack for a Backpacking Trip – The Abc’s of Healthy, Happy Packing

December 4, 2018 Mariah Comments 16 comments

In a previous post, I gave you a 3 day backpacking checklist. So you already know what to pack. But knowing how to pack for a backpacking trip is just as important. Believe it or not exactly how you stuff things into your pack can make or break your backpacking trips. The way you pack can impact your health, happiness, and safety. So it’s important to know how to do it correctly. Yes, there are right and wrong ways to…

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How to Use a Compass with a Map- Become a Navigational Superstar

October 18, 2018 Mariah Comments 17 comments

If you’re reading this article, you should already have a good compass with all the necessary features to make it useful in the backcountry. You should know how to take and follow a field bearing. And you should be familiar and confident with topographic map reading. If that’s you then congratulations! You’re ready to cement your navigational superpowers by learning how to use a compass with a map. Let’s get started. But If you’re just getting started with a compass click here…

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Reading a Topographic Map – It Doesn’t Have to Be Scary

October 13, 2018 Mariah Comments 19 comments

Maybe you’re already familiar with topographic maps or topo maps for short. Maybe you’ve seen them with all their squiggly little lines and decided that they were too difficult to decipher. Or maybe you have no idea what I’m talking about. No matter which of the above scenario’s describe’s you, this post is going to help you learn, or enhance your own map reading skills. By the time we’re done, you’ll discover that reading a topographic map isn’t all that…

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How to Use a Magnetic Compass – Learn to Navigate Before it’s too Late

October 5, 2018 Mariah Comments 28 comments

There are so many global positioning systems (GPS) out there from high-accuracy, heavy-duty units that cost thousands all the way down to completely free smartphone applications. In this age of technology, many may wonder, “who needs a compass anyway?” But the truth is that knowing how to use a magnetic compass can still be a very useful skill to have in your quiver. A compass is superior to a GPS unit in many ways. It is small, lightweight, cheap, needs…

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All the World’s a Water Fountain – How to Purify Water for Drinking

September 19, 2018 Mariah Comments 16 comments

Have you ever looked at a nice, clear, babbling brook, and wanted to just scoop up a handful and take a long refreshing sip? Maybe I’m the only one, but this has happened to me on more than one occasion, particularly at the end of a long hike when the only water I have left is tepid and tastes slightly of plastic. Water is essential to human survival, particularly when we are physically active. Unfortunately, water is also very heavy and…

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Don’t be a Popsicle – How to Stay Warm While Camping

September 13, 2018 Mariah Comments 19 comments

Cold temperatures can be dangerous. They lead to shivering which saps your energy and even hypothermia and frostbite in extreme cases. As a kid, I participated in a neighborhood youth campout for girls. It was held in June, every year for five days at a time. The setting was a beautiful mountain campground complete with three lakes, endless hiking trails and magnificent starry, night skies. I loved these campouts. But no matter how well I prepared, I found myself facing…

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How to Create Your Own Easy Backpacking Meals

September 12, 2018 Mariah Comments 22 comments

To those just starting out, “Easy Backpacking Meals” might sound like an oxymoron. When I was planning my first backpacking trip, the task of meal prep seemed particularly daunting. Nothing about finding good tasting, non-perishable foods, and then cooking them in the middle of nowhere with limited dishes and a tiny portable stove seemed easy. That’s not even to mention portioning and packing. Fortunately, planning, packing, and cooking your meals doesn’t have to be difficult. It can even be the…

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