Five Types of Outdoor Gear To Get as the Weather Heats Up

1. Hydration Pack/Vest

At first glance, these small vessels of water seem unnecessary. Why would someone want to look and feel like a camel just to stay hydrated. Hydration packs are quite handy in making water accessible when biking, or engaging in an activity where carrying a water bottle isn’t practical when you need your hands. Water vests also have the ability to hold more water than what is in the average bottle because it allows for more space for water without being too bulky or awkward to carry.

https://www.triathletesports.com/camelbak-octane-dart-hydration-vest-50-oz-2021/?sku=CBOD50OZ-Black&msclkid=b23db99cebfa1e7a09ced9fa3fc8143f 

2. Sports Fanny Pack

Whenever I go running or hiking, I don’t tend to bring backpacks along for the trip but I often regret it. Even when I have ten loose items, I hesitate bringing a backpack because it can be hard to adjust my straps when I’m running and it’s just too large to comfortably take on a rigorous event. A sporty fanny pack is awesome when you’re running out of space for small items in your hands but a large backpack is too much commitment.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32889488197.html 

3. Waterproof Pouch for Your Phone

This one is a lifesaver. I would have broken and damaged many more phones had I not found this holy grail product. With a waterproof pouch/dry bag for your phone, you can get the outside wet without worrying about sticking your phone in a bag of rice for a week. A benefit to this type of waterproof phone product is that you can still “touch” and navigate your phone’s screen through the bag.

https://triadrivertours.com/accessories/aquapac-waterproof-phone-case-358 

4. Sunscreen Sticks

As the weather is heating up, so is the possibility of getting sunburned. Regular, liquid sunscreen can be unpleasantly liquidy, and take a while to dry before you can hop back into the water. Sunscreen sticks allow for the user to be protected from the sun while toting a compact, efficient way to protect your skin from UV light.

https://www.amazon.com/Neutrogena-Ultra-Sheer-Sunscreen-Spectrum/dp/B00HNSSV3U?tag=1ors-20 

5. Collapsible Water Bottles

Silicone has prevented a lot of glassware from being broken because of it’s semi-easily malleable structure. The flexibility of the structure is also helpful in creating more room in travel bags because they can collapse down. This Spring and Summer are predicted to be more hot than usual in Washington, so prepare early and stay hydrated with this water bottle.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016AX6PEK?tag=a0055d50-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1

Which Washington Rivers are the Right Fit For You and Your Rafting Companions

White water rafting is a great way to connect with the important people in your life while getting up close and personal with Washington’s nature. The river you decide to go on, though, can greatly affect how the experience will go. If your loved ones aren’t used to extreme sports they could get stressed out riding on a turbulent river. On the flip side, if the river is slow moving and has less white cap action, your group may get bored

Young Family

Families that have smaller and younger children may want to stay on the safe side and ride less intense rivers. By going on class 2 - 3 rapids, the kiddos will be introduced to a side of the river that greets its participants rather than intimidating them. A ride on the Skagit offers education and scenic enjoyment more than rapid intensity. Especially if you’re trying to get your child hooked on the white water rafting bug, rivers that are easier and less scary to navigate are a great way to ease them into the sport. 

Your Significant Other

Depending on your level of comfortability, the river level to take a date on can vary greatly. Regardless of the class of the rapids, a white water rafting trip makes for an excellent bonding session. The Snoqualmie River is an intermediate river, class 3-4, that offers flexibility for the partner you choose to join. A trip down to the Snoqualmie is a quick drive from Seattle so the commute isn’t unreasonably long from the city. The trust each member of the raft puts in each other to stay safe and follow directions works much like a trust exercise. It will also break down the barriers of embarrassment of self conscious dates because your partner will be too focused on the river to notice if you smell like onions. Even though the date won’t necessarily be romantic in a typical way, the both of you will have a stronger connection after getting off the raft. Plus, there is nothing better than a post-white water rafting trip smooch. 

An Outing With Your Buddies

When you’re with your homies, fun and excitement are the first priorities when embarking on a trip like this. If you and your friends are physically fit and have had previous experience with whitewater rafting, the Skykomish and the Sauk rivers are perfect for adventurous outings. Both rivers boast beautiful scenery and class 3 - 4+ rapids. One of the biggest drops around Seattle, named Boulder Drop, offers adrenaline for you and your friends on the Skykomish River that no other river offers around the area.

To Impress Your Boss or Parents

Showing off to the people you respect in life is a special kind of satisfying. It’s always enjoyable to watch the people you worry about impressing have a great experience because of you. That being said, people you’d want to impress are usually older and more respected. In this case, the Nooksack River is a slow and steady body of water that allows older people to access white water rafting experiences. You’ll have time to show off your wildlife knowledge as well. Whether it’s eagles, bears, or salmon; you’re bound to sight one of the creatures of Washington’s forests.

Why You Should go on a Triad River Tours Trip Instead of Navigating Washington's Rivers Alone

Why reserve a whitewater rafting trip with a company rather than simply buying a raft yourself? Any DIYer might ponder this question before committing to a whitewater rafting trip through Triad River Tours. The expertise and ease of a guided rafting trip outweighs any plans to buy a raft rather than committing to a tour.

Triad Guides Know the River

Guides at Triad are expected to study the river and the ecosystems around it. Most guides are Northwest natives and grew up firsthand on the rivers of Washington. Their personal experience directly influences their knowledge about the river. They will introduce you to aquatic life you’ve never thought to look at and will be able to explain the ways in which the environment affects local life. Each guide has to go through intensive training that educates them on the history of the river as well as how to respect the environment they’re navigating.

Buying Your Own Raft is Way More Expensive

If you’re new to rafting and seeking a fresh adventure, booking a reservation through Triad is a lot less expensive than buying your own raft. This is a noncommittal way to experience the rugged outdoors of Washington without breaking the bank. Rafts can cost thousands of dollars which requires an unwavering commitment to the activity to justify the money. A Triad River Tours trip costs much less, averaging 85 dollars a person, not including group rates and coupon deals.  If you’re a veteran at river sports, Triad also offers trips that are directed towards people looking for a bit more excitement than our entry level trips.

You Don’t Need to Worry About the Details

When going on a Triad River Tours trip, you do need to prepare before hopping into the boat, but Triad has everything else handled. The timing, water safety, and knowledge about the area is no biggie in your book. Triad guides are specially trained to ensure safety while navigating the water levels of the river while encouraging guests to have as much fun as possible.

You’ll Meet Lots of Cool People

Triad River Tours hires people that care about people. Guides and staff are genuinely excited to get to know their guests as they introduce them to the rivers of Northwest Washington. Engaging in this kind of job requires a person passionate about their craft and the people they’ll be working with. If you partake on a tour with strangers on your boat, you’ll find yourself in good company. The people that seek adventure through river rafting are some of the most brave, interesting people you’ll ever meet. Even with COVID-19 guidelines in place, you’ll be able to connect with like minded folks from all over the world and experience a unique escapade with them.

When you’re on the hunt for your next endeavor, trust Triad River Tours to give you a holistic experience without committing fully to buying a raft for yourself.

The Four Best Secret Spots in the Bellingham Outdoors

1. The Outback at WWU

One wouldn’t often think of a secret spot to be nestled in a well known college’s campus. The Outback at Western Washington University is an outdoor haven behind the Fairhaven dorms on Western’s campus. The community farm is a wonderland of plants, trails, forts, and even chickens. Small plots of land in The Outback are taken by Bellingham Community members to plant their own crops in. Each crop box is different, flaunting their owners’ creativity and taste in plants. A small amphitheater endearingly called The Stage by Fairhaven students is the backdrop to many social events and sits in the center of The Outback. Each time I visit, I find another gem in the 5 acre farm. Whether it be a large hammocking net tied to the trees, a swing, or freshly ripe apples hanging off of the trees, there’s always something new to look forward to in The Outback.

2. Driftwood Forts on Locust Beach

Locust itself isn’t a secret. Bellingham locals are quick to recommend Locust for visitors craving beach scenery. Makeshift campfire places occupy the area near the entrance to the beach. If you explore past the initial beach area, odds are you’ll run into a few driftwood forts. The forts aren’t a result of a bored kid leaning sticks onto a tree, though. Some of these  look like they could make an appearance on Treehouse Masters but on the ground instead of up in a tree. A small cabin with a fire pit and a well thought out secret place called The Jungle Hut are my personal favorites. You’ll need to maintain stamina though because these places are tucked away and farther down the beach than you’d think.

3. Governor Listor Cliff

This scenic spot isn’t anything new for rock climbers; it’s an established crag on Blanchard Mountain. For non-rock climbers, though, Governor Listor can easily slip under their radar. A subtle entrance to the trail lays just off of marker 12 on Chuckanut Drive that’s easy to miss. A large boulder marks the start of an almost vertical trail that only goes about half a mile up until reaching the cliff. The trail switches back a few times over a creek, and fallen trees. In one section, a rope was set up to aid hikers over a particularly steep section. At the top of the trail, an impressive sandstone cliff will greet you, this is where the rock climbers can stop and get to scaling! If you aren’t a climber, or want to go further, a small trail around the cliff will lead you to a gorgeous view you can get a hearty glimpse of between the Douglas Firs.

4. Squalicum Lake

This lake is great for avid fly fishers! It’s a few miles outside of Bellingham in a rural area. The small body of water is seemingly inaccessible, but if you drive on the Mount Baker Highway and park right before Y road, you’ll find a small path that will lead you right to the lake. This is a nice area for an afternoon adventure because of its remote location and intimate scenery. If you visit Squalicum in the winter time, you might be lucky enough to be able to ice skate on it! The lake is shallow enough to freeze over if the temperature allows. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbyqFB67Vvc&t=79s 

https://fairhaven.wwu.edu/outback-farm 

https://www.summitpost.org/governor-listor-cliff-b-ham-crags/190712

Five Minimalistic Ways to Cook Outdoors

1. Aluminum Foil Cooking

This is one of the simplest ways to cook aside from my childhood favorite of roasting a hotdog on an open fire. To cook with aluminum foil, load up a thick piece of foil with veggies, potatoes, or fish. After folding the foil so it makes a packet, the foil can be set straight onto the coals of the fire. It might take a while for the food to fully cook but it’s worth the wait as it marinates the juices in the packet and is easy to clean up. If you don’t have a lot of bandwidth for extra weight on your excursion outdoors, this option is great because there isn’t any heavy equipment involved.

2. Pit Oven

When I was young, my dad and his friends would cook whole pigs in large pits dug into the ground. The meat afterwards was always tender and slightly smoky. The same ideology applies here. There is no need to bring cooking tools on your trip if you cook meals in a pit you dug. Put hot coals or hot rocks already heated up by fire in the bottom of the pit. Cover the pit with large leaves and soil to insulate the heat. Viola! A tasty meal cooked in a makeshift oven.

3. Cast Iron Skillet

While in my kitchen at home, cooking with a cast iron makes me feel like I’m a cameo in Little House on the Prairie, cooking griddle cakes. There’s a feeling of traditionality while using the cast iron that takes me back to my roots in a way. Cast iron skillets are durable like no other kitchen apparatus as well. Their durability makes them excellent contenders in outdoor cooking. You can simply set the skillet right on the coals of your fire to cook your food. The skillet can do virtually anything cooking-wise. Sautee, searing, baking, broiling - you name it and the cast iron skillet can do it.

4. Cook it at Home First

There isn’t a rule that you have to cook your food on the camping trip. Meal prep while outdoors can be a hassle not to mention the weight cooking supplies add during a trip. Plus, you might just be the type of person who needs to savor every second outdoors. You might just not want to spend your time outside making food but ignoring the beauty around you. There is no shame in cooking your meals at home and simply heating them up while on your trip. Make sure the food is packaged in a way that will preserve it best, though, because you don’t want to take a moldy bite out of the egg sandwich you’ve been looking forward to.

5. Build a Rocket Stove

Rocket stoves are the coolest and most innovative way to cook while you’re outside. Get your DIY skills warmed up by making a rocket stove out of cans, clay, or cinder blocks. To make your own rocket stove out of cans, visit this website: http://prepared-housewives.com/how-to-build-a-rocket-stove-and-impress-the-boys/ 

The stove is a compact contraption that can cook a whole meal by burning minimal wood. Sometimes, rocket stoves only need a few twigs for adequate cooking! If you’re balling on a budget, this is a useful and effective way to cook meals outside.

https://huroncountyparks.com/blog/creative-ways-to-cook-while-camping

https://www.growforagecookferment.com/ways-to-cook-outdoors/