You’re on an epic hiking adventure, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, conquering rugged terrains, and immersing yourself in the beauty of nature. You reach into your backpack to capture a stunning photo of that awe-inspiring sunset, only to discover that your smartphone battery is at 1%. Panic sets in as you realize you’re miles away from any power source.

Let’s talk about the most underrated gear of outdoor adventures—the power bank (portable rechargeable batteries).

First and foremost, the power bank is your portable power source, enabling your devices to have longer battery life. We live in a digital age where smartphones, cameras, and other gadgets are our constant companions. Whether you’re relying on your phone for navigation, capturing breathtaking photos, or jamming to your favorite tunes, the last thing you want is for your devices to fail halfway through your adventure.

The power bank can lend you a hand in your worst situations. When you’re out in the wilderness, unexpected situations can arise. It’s during these moments that having a fully charged phone can be a true lifesaver. Your power bank will ensure you can call for assistance, access maps, or first aid guides.

You can buy a power bank here.

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This is a guest blog post written by Matthew Wyatt from Everki.  They sell stylish backpacks and laptop bags!

Are you planning to go camping soon? Whether you’re an experienced camper or a first-timer, it’s important to remember that camping etiquette plays a vital role in creating a pleasant and respectful experience for all. Following the basic principles of camping etiquette, such as the do’s and don’ts, can help protect the environment and ensure everyone enjoys their time outdoors.

This article will explore five essential tips for being a responsible camper and practicing proper camping etiquette. So, before you hit the trail with your Everki backpack, read on and learn how to leave no trace and be a good steward of the environment.

Do: Respect Your Campsite and Leave No Trace

Respecting your campsite and leaving no trace is important for preserving the environment and wildlife and ensuring that future generations can enjoy the same outdoor experience.

Here are some additional tips on how to respect your campsite and leave no trace:

• Use established campsites: Set up your tent and campsite in designated areas to minimize environmental impact.
• Avoid damaging natural features: Do not remove plants, rocks, or other natural features from your campsite. Avoid digging trenches or disturbing the soil.
• Use biodegradable soap: If you need to wash dishes or yourself, use biodegradable soap and dispose of wastewater at least 200 feet away from natural water sources.
• Dispose of trash properly: Pack garbage bags, including food scraps and wrappers, and pack all your junk. Do not burn or bury waste; it can attract animals and harm the environment.
• Respect nature: Remember that camping is an opportunity to enjoy nature, not to conquer it. Respect the environment and the animals that call it home by following all guidelines and regulations.

Don’t: Make Exorbitant Commotions or Upset Different Campers

When you go camping, you are likely looking to escape the noise and busyness of everyday life. It’s essential to be mindful of how your actions can impact the peace of other campers. Here are some tips for being considerate of others:

• Respect quiet hours: Many campgrounds have designated quiet hours, usually from around 10 pm to 6 am. Avoid making loud noises, playing music, or using generators during this time.
• Keep your voices down: Even during the day, it’s essential to be mindful of your volume. Keep conversations at a reasonable level and avoid shouting or yelling.
• Be mindful of pets: If you bring a pet with you camping, ensure it doesn’t bark excessively or disturb other campers. Keep it on a chain and tidy up after it.
• Be mindful of your surroundings: Pay attention to the volume of your voice and noise levels when walking around the campground. Avoid slamming doors, car doors, or trunk lids, as it can be disruptive to other campers.
• Avoid revving engines: If you have a vehicle, avoid revving the engine unnecessarily. It can be particularly disruptive if you are leaving early in the morning or returning late at night.

Do: Follow Fire Safety Guidelines and Use Stoves Properly

Camping often involves building fires and cooking meals on stoves, which can be dangerous if improperly handled. Here are some tips on how to follow fire safety guidelines and use stoves properly:

• look at fire limitations: Before lighting a fire, check for any nearby fire limitations. Some campgrounds may prohibit fires altogether, especially during dry seasons or high fire danger.
• Use designated fire rings or pits: If fires are allowed, use designated fire rings or holes and keep the fire small. Never leave a fire unattended, and smother it before leaving it altogether.
• Keep flammable objects away from the stove: Keep flammable objects, such as tents, chairs, and fuel canisters, away from stoves and fires to avoid accidents, and always use them in a well-ventilated area.
• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby: Always have one nearby and ensure everyone in your group knows how to use it.

Don’t: Feed Wild Animals or Leave Food Unattended

Feeding wild animals or leaving food unattended can negatively affect humans and animals. Here are some additional tips on how to avoid feeding wild animals and keep your food safe:

• Store food in bear-resistant containers: If you’re camping in an area with bears, use bear-resistant containers to store your food; if containers aren’t available, hang your food from a tree no less than 10 feet off the ground and 4 feet from the storage compartment.
• Don’t feed wild animals: Feeding wild animals can create dangerous situations, as it can cause them to become dependent on human food and lose their natural fear of humans. It can also lead to aggressive behavior, and animals may become a nuisance to other campers.
• Be aware of your surroundings: Pay attention to your surroundings, and be on the lookout for signs of animals in the area. Avoid camping near areas where animals are known to gather, such as water sources or berry patches.

Do: Be Considerate of Other Campers and Share Resources

Camping is an excellent opportunity to get closer to nature and enjoy the great outdoors. However, you are not alone, and it’s essential to be mindful of other campers around you. Here are some tips to be considerate and share resources:

• Keep your noise level down: It includes everything from music to conversations. Be aware that sound carries in nature, and your neighbors might not appreciate loud noises.
• Respect the campsite boundaries: Be mindful of the space you and your fellow campers occupy. Don’t spread out too much or encroach on other people’s areas.
• Share communal resources: If your campsite has communal fire pits, bathrooms, or water sources, share them with other campers. Don’t take up all the space or resources.
• Be friendly and respectful: Take the time to say hello and acknowledge your fellow campers. Respect their privacy and space, but also be willing to lend a hand if needed.

Don’t: Trespass on Private Property or Ignore Park Rules

Respecting park rules and boundaries is essential for your safety and for preserving natural resources. Here are some guidelines to follow to ensure you don’t trespass on private property or ignore park rules:

• Stay on designated trails: Avoid wandering off designated trails to protect delicate plant life and minimize erosion. It’s also essential to avoid trespassing on private property that may border the park.
• Observe park rules: Each park has its own rules and regulations, so it’s essential to read and follow them carefully. Controls may include restrictions on camping, fires, and wildlife interactions.
• Respect wildlife: Observe wildlife from a distance and avoid feeding or disturbing them. Remember, you are a guest in their home, and respecting their space and safety is essential.
• Be mindful of cultural resources: Historic and cultural resources, such as archaeological sites, may be present in parks. Avoid disturbing or damaging these critical resources.

Camping is a great way to connect with nature and enjoy the outdoors, but it’s essential to do so responsibly. Following these do’s and don’ts of camping etiquette can help preserve the environment, ensure a positive camping experience for everyone, and create memories that will last a lifetime. So, be a responsible camper and leave no trace!

Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
Distance: Depends on hike. Details for each hike below
Fee: Monte Sano State Park and Cherokee Rock Village both have fees for entry. See guides for details.
Leave no trace.

North Alabama has some amazing “mountains” (or hills depending on where you’re originally from). No matter what you call them, North Alabama serves up some amazing views. Check out our list of jaw-dropping views in North Alabama. 

Everything in this guide is located in North Alabama. Parking is tagged for each location below.

Pisgah Gorge

Pisgah Gorge
Parking: Directions
Hike Distance: 1 Mile
Difficulty: Moderate
Guide: Should review the guide to find the overlook.

Blevin’s Gap

Deer Skull Falls
Parking: Directions
Hike Distance: 4 Miles
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Guide: Should Read

Cherokee Rock Village

Cherokee Rock Village
Parking: Directions
Hike Distance: No hike
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Guide: This park costs to enter. The guide is helpful for finding all the views from Cherokee Rock Village.

Find out the Gear you need for the outdoors!

Summer Hiking Essentials
Summer Camping Essentials
Outdoor Sandals

Like this Tour? Check out our other tours!

Bankhead Waterfall Tour
Alabama Big Waterfall Tour
Fall Colors in Huntsville

Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
Distance: Depends on hike. Details for each hike below
Fee: Free
Leave no trace.

Bankhead National Forest is known as “The Land of 1000 Falls”. These waterfalls can be absolutely magical. Hiking these will make you feel like you’ve dropped into a fairytale.

Bankhead is Alabama’s largest national forest. It is full of beautiful bluffs, canyons, springs, lakes and of course, waterfalls.

Everything in this guide is located in Bankhead National Forest. Parking is tagged for each location below.

Caney Creek Falls

Caney Creek Falls
Parking: Directions
Hike Distance: 2 Miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Guide: Not Necessary. Park where designated in the directions and follow the marked trail.

Deer Skull Falls

Deer Skull Falls
Parking: Directions
Hike Distance: 4 Miles
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Guide: Should Read

Find out the Gear you need for the outdoors!

Summer Hiking Essentials
Summer Camping Essentials
Outdoor Sandals

Like this Tour? Check out our other tours!

Bankhead Waterfall Tour
Alabama Big Waterfall Tour
Fall Colors in Huntsville

You can find a link to buy our suggestions here.

To start: I LOVE MY OUTDOOR SANDALS. They are fantastic summer time option when it is hot outside. Heat escapes through the skin, so any skin that is not covered will allow heat to escape.

That being said, hiking in sandals is not always an option. We actually don’t suggest tough/long hikes in sandals as you don’t have any rubber to protect your toes, you don’t have ankle support, and your feet typically slide in the sandals when walking, especially when wet. Sandals can wear on your feet when hiking long distances.

Times to wear sandals:
Short easy flat hike (1 mile or less)
Short walks that involve walking in the water (something like an afternoon trip to your favorite swimming hole)
Around town

Times it is OK to wear sandals:
Moderate hikes OR Medium length hikes (but not both)
Short Rocky Terrain

Never Wear Sandals:
Long hikes
If you have to scale a wall
If you are hiking in mud or slippery conditions
Hiking near cliffs
Rocky Terrain longer than a mile
Traversing a steep incline
When entering a Cave
Doing extreme sports (like white water rafting)

You can buy our suggestions for outdoor sandals here.

Our Picks:

Chacos:
These are amazingly versatile and incredibly endurable.
Pros: they are easy to put on and off, they have great arch support, they are very sturdy for sandals and do well on terrain, and they are incredible, washable in the washing machine (with towels!), great re-soul program (for when your shoe soul gets warn out!)
Cons: They do incredibly poorly in mud allowing you to slip inside your shoe, they don’t offer toe protection and are terrible for any activity you need the top of your feet (never take these white water rafting folks!), sometimes the arch support is too aggressive and can be uncomfortable, straps can become stuck if exposed to too much dirt (get rid of that dirt with fabric softener!)

Keens:
Pros: Toe protection (Great for white water rafting), the perform the best in water with rocky terrain, easy to put on and take off, great stability on wet surfaces, a great warranty program
Cons: Not the best for walking around (I prefer it for a water shoe), susceptible to small rocks getting and staying in the shoe which forces you to have to take it off and empty the shoe, not the prettiest sandal

Dads Need Hiking and Camping Gear. 
Does your Dad love to hike? Does he spend his weekends off in the woods looking for a waterfall? We put together a list of hiking and camping gear that your Dad will LOVE to get his hands on.

Everything suggested is something I either would love to grab or something I personally own and love. (I don’t think I could give my wife a better hint than this article)

This Dad’s list can be found on Amazon by clicking here.

Why we love the items above!

• Camp Spork $4

The Camp Spork is the ultimate camp utensil. This spork is loaded with a spoon fork and knife and is lightweight, can fit anywhere in your pack, durable, and of course dishwasher friendly.

• Camp Food $6 – $65

This is a great way to show Dad he needs to go on a camping trip. Food for the around a fire.

• Knife $9

Every hiker and camper should be carrying a knife. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but you have to have one. This is a tool you will use all the time. So if dad doesn’t have a knife, get him one!

• Compass $12 – $13

Make sure Dad knows the way home. Grab him a Compass and a map of the local forest (For us it would be Bankhead National Forest). Drop him off at in the woods and tell him you’ll be back in 6 hours. Let him remember what it was like to be a boy scout.

• Waterproof Lighter $14

Lighters are a great way to get the heat you need to start a fire. Waterproof lighters are the best way to make sure your lighter works no matter what the weather throws your way.

• Camping Pillow $15

Camping Pillows are not often thought about, but it is a lightweight way to increase your comfort while camping. I cannot recommend a camping pillow enough. I got this one as a gift and I absolutely fell in love with it. This one really helped me get through a ton of nights in the woods.

• Smartwool Socks $15 – $26

There’s a 90% chance you were getting Dad socks for father’s day anyway. Might as well make them the best socks Dad has ever had. Smartwool socks keep you cool in summer, warm in winter, and are fast drying to keep your feet comfortable. They’ll change the way your Dad hikes, camps, and does about anything.

• Portable Solar Charger $16

Don’t let Dad lose battery life in the woods, especially if he’s the type to use the GPS on his phone. Grab this with a cheap carabiner and he can keep this on the back of his pack so he keeps his battery full.

• Headlamp $16

Make sure Dad can see at night while freeing up his hands to do other things. I suggest a headlamp with multiple brightnesses and a red light mode. The red light mode allows you to see while not triggering your body to become more alert allowing for you to prepare yourself for sleep or waking up your camping buddies.

• Camping Cookware $16

There’s a pretty high chance your Dad eats. If so, make sure he can stay full while hiking and camping. The camping cookware we chose is what we use. Its lightweight and is versatile. Grab a filter and some coffee grounds and bam, you’ve got one of Dad’s favorite beverage while doing Dad’s favorite activity.

• Portable Phone Tripod with Remote $18

Dad’s never in pictures is he? He’s always taking them. This portable phone tripod with a Bluetooth remote will free him up to take the pictures AND be in them. The flexible legs can wrap around pretty much anything including tree branches and recently I used mine to wrap its way around a rock face. If you want Dad to appear in more family photos I suggest this one!

• Water Filter $21

Make sure Dad has some clean water in the woods. This one is a bit different than the LifeStraws since it can connect directly to a Hydration Pack. It also has a few options for how to use it. I highly suggest this water filter system as its cheap and reliable.

• Hiking Poles $24

Hiking Poles are a great way to keep Dad sturdy in the woods. We highly suggest poles for crossing rivers and streams as well as rocky terrain. The poles we suggested are foldable so Dad can carry them in his pack when he’s not using them.

• Hiking Shorts $25-30

Keep Dad cool and dry in the summer and get him some quick-dry hiking pants. Most brands will work so long as they’re quick to dry.

• Underwear – Saxx or Exofficio $25 – $38

Good underwear changes the game. Hiking and camping can make you hot and sweaty. These underwear are incredible at keeping your nether regions dry and cool. They are expensive as far as underwear goes, but once you try them out, you’ll never go back.

• 3-pack Hiking Shirts $31

Quick-dry, cool shirts are the way to go. Get some for Dad.

• Hydration Pack $35

Keep Dad Hydrated. Get him the easiest, best way to stay hydrated while out in the woods.

• Eno Hammock $45

Eno Hammocks are one of the easiest camping sleep systems there are. You just need 2 trees and BAM you have a comfortable place to sleep. Get Dad somewhere to sleep outside. We all know he needs the rest!

• Backpack $108

Dad needs a place to put his gear! By him a hiking backpack!

• Backpack/Baby Carrier $149

Dad needs a place to put the BABY! This is an awesome pack to carry your kids comfortably. No more sore arms after a long hike!

• Sleeping Bag $168

Get Dad a nice sleeping bag so he stays warm on those camping trips.

• Hiking GPS $350

If you worry about Dad going off into the woods, the best way to make sure he doesn’t get lost in giving him a GPS. This is essential for backcountry hiking and is always a good way to keep Dad safe.

All of these gift ideas are easily found online. Click here for the list I personally put together on Amazon.