Getting the Right Climbing Shoe

If you're going mountain climbing or rock climbing, it's a good idea to have shoes that will keep up with the activity. Shoes can have a very important effect on climbing. Below is an article that will tell a little bit about good climbing shoes, as well as where to find them.

Climbing shoes come in all shapes and sizes, and if you’re a new climber it can be tough to know what shoe, or even what type of shoe, to buy.

The biggest difference between climbing shoes is whether a certain shoe is slip-lasted or board-lasted. Slip-lasted shoes have the outer rubber of the shoe directly attatched to the leather or synthetic inner of the shoe. This results in excellent sensitivity when feeling for toe-holds, since you’re able to feel the shape and texture of the holds beneath your feet. Slip-lasted climibing shoes are also very flexible, making it easier to contort your feet in cracks or “smear” your feet, placing the ball of your foot on a flat wall and relying on the friction of the shoe rubber against the rock to keep your foot in place. Board-lasted shoes, on the other hand, have a rigid or semi-ridged insert between the rubber of the shoe and the insole. Board-lasted shoes are quite a bit stiffer than slip-lasted shoes, and this stiffness brings with it some pros and cons. Some of the benefits are that some people find that their feet get tired in slip-lasted shoes, especially after a few hours of climbing. This fatigue is due to the fact that their feet must be tensed to stay on holds; the shoe doesn’t give them any support. Board-lasted shoes naturally transfer your weight more evenly across your foot, even if only your toe is on a hold. They’re also good for tiptoeing on small edges or for climbing long, multi-pitch routes. However, they’re usually not as aggressive as slip-lasted shoes and won’t work as well on extreme overhangs.

"This results in excellent sensitivity when feeling for toe-holds, since you’re able to feel the shape and texture of the holds beneath your feet."

The shapes of shoes also differ considerably, from the bulky, all-day board-lasted shoe to the aggressive, downward-turned shape of a high-angle bouldering shoe. These aggressive shoes, with their long, downward-shaping arches, are designed to allow the shoe to hold on steep, overhanging walls. Though effective, the extreme camber of these shoes can be uncomfortable, so most first-time climbers should avoid them. Instead, look for shoes that you can use to climb everywhere, from bouldering to multi-pitch climbing.

Also, decide if you want laces, a slip on, or Velcro closure on your shoes. Lace-ups are usually the most comfortable but the hardest to get on, making them good for multi-pitch routes but lousy for bouldering. Slip on climbing shoes usually offer great sensitivity but can be uncomfortable, while Velcro shoes usually offer a good compromise between the two. Regardless of what type of shoe you decide to get, make sure you try it on, get it sized small enough to fit snugly, and try it out before making your purchase.

I hope you found this article to be helpful. There's a ton of climbing shoe varieties, but it's important that you just have a good climbing shoe. Trust me, it will help faciliate the rather difficult rock climbing experience.

A Comprehensive Climbing Guide

One of the best outdoor activities you can add to your trip is rock climbing. Whether it is a steep cliff or a mountainside, this activity can be very invigorating. It's not for everyone, but you can learn to climb if you really want to. Below is a guide to finding the best places to climb as well as give you some tips on how to do it.

If you’re on a rock climbing road trip or just climbing in a new area, a climbing guide is going to be one of your best friends. Printed climbing guides can be found for just about every rock climbing crag in the country, well-known or not. The route-by-route (or boulder by boulder, if you’re in a bouldering area) guides are usually collected in books which, in turn, generally organize themselves by geographical area. Most guidebooks attach themselves to states or portions of states, like the Southern California Bouldering Guide. Depending on the size of the area and its popularity, you may be able to find guidebooks which deal with one specific location. For example, Joshua Tree National Park has had a host of climbing guides written about it since the park has literally thousands of routes and boulder problems within its boundaries. Rock n’ Road is a guide which covers all 50 states, and though it gives general crag descriptions instead of detailed route guides it is still perhaps a road-trippers best weapon, since it lets him or her travel all over and, with the help of a good road atlas, find climbing from coast to coast.

"Most guidebooks attach themselves to states or portions of states, like the Southern California Bouldering Guide."

Once you get to the crag though, an actual route guide will help you find the routes and problems that are fun, classic, and/or within your ability level. If more than one guide is available for your destination, take a look at the different guides’ route descriptions. How detailed are they? How well do they correlate to the drawings of the crags or the photos of the routes? Are they easy to understand? Do the guides have overview maps so you can find your way around once you get to the crag? Do the guides even tell you how to get to the crag? Though most climbing guides out there are pretty well written and will help you find the routes you want easily, a bad guide can easily ruin your day, since a bad guide means a day of hiking around, trying to figure out where you are and where you’re going, instead of a day on the rock.

If you can’t find a printed guide for the crag you want, take a look in a local outdoor shop or, even better, in a local climbing shop or indoor rock gym. Sometimes smaller local climbing areas have printed guides which can be found at area businesses for a few dollars which can’t be found anywhere else. Sometimes these guides are terrible, full of bad drawings and worse descriptions, but often they’ll be just what you’re looking for.

Well, I hope that helped you in your quest for the best climbing guides. You'll usually find the most comprehensive ones locally, such as at a tourist attraction. However, there are many great books out there on climbing as well.

What Camping Supplies do You Need?

Thinking of going camping? Well, before you go you'd better make sure you are well stocked. Camping supplies is probably the most important part of your camping trip. Without them, you camping experience will be tarnished forever. Below is an article that outlines what camping supplies you'll need for you trip to the outdoors.

Many of us enjoy getting away from it all. Pitching a tent in the woods or on a campground next to a roaring fire for roasting our diner on a stick sounds perfect at times. To enjoy these little breaks from reality, we must first invest in certain camping supplies to ensure our outdoor venture, a great one.

These days we have almost anything we can dream of when it comes to roughing it in the outdoors. Camping supplies range from 1-10 man tents, to showers we hang from a tree branch. This abundance of variety may make it difficult for a newbie camper to choose what’s a necessity and what’s a luxury. Most devoted campers always invest in a good tent. There are outdoor companies galore to offer such supplies. New aged tents hold up well in storms and bad weather conditions, depending on what you’re willing to spend.

"When packing food for a camping trip, you should always pack extra, just in case; especially if you are camping in a deserted area that may contain roaming wildlife. Remember to always store away all food, if possible, in coolers where it doesn’t smell."

Some of the more popular camping supplies concern cooking and sleeping. After all, no one wants to be deprived of a well-cooked meal while lounging away from home, and we all want to get a goodnight’s sleep. Sleeping bags can run from 30-300 dollars, depending on your preference and need. Online sites like Greatoutdoorsdepot.com offer a great variety of bags to fit anyone’s price range. Other numerous websites offer plenty as well. It all depends on what you’re looking for.

Being an outdoor lover myself, I have my own beliefs in what’s necessary to make any camping trip enjoyable. Certain camping supplies include; a well-made tent that can hold up in strong wind and rain, a nice goose-down mummy bag to ensure a warm night when it’s below freezing, and a high-end lighter, which may run around 40 dollars or so. The benefit of having a good lighter is priceless in my opinion. The way they’re made now days, 80-mile an hour winds aren’t an issue.

When packing food for a camping trip, you should always pack extra, just in case; especially if you are camping in a deserted area that may contain roaming wildlife. Remember to always store away all food, if possible, in coolers where it doesn’t smell. You don’t want animals to come looking in the middle of the night. All in all, camping supplies generally depend on the need and comfort levels of the camper. We all prefer different things and have things we can’t live without. Whatever your wish list may consist of, you won’t have any trouble finding it on the world-wide-web.

Well, I hope you got a gist of what you need to go on a camping trip. Remember there's a ton of camping supplies you can take with you to the outdoors. You just have to pick and choose which ones you think you'll need the most (like food).

Looking for a Camping Stove?

Ah, camping. Though it may seem a bit rustic for some people, you can reduce that feeling if you have some anemities with you, such as a camping stove. You can use it to facilitate cooking your food. Below is a great article on camping stoves, why they are good, and where you can get them.

One of the most important elements of any camping or backpacking experiences is your food preparation. A fun trip into the great outdoors can quickly turn into a nightmare without the right cooking equipment. Chewing on raw macaroni and eating cold beans is no way to end a day of vigorous hiking or a really long drive.

Although the idea of cooking a meal over a campfire has a sort of romantic appeal, you should never count on a campfire to make your dinner. Firstly, cooking anything other than hot dogs over a campfire is harder than it looks. More importantly, you can’t always count on the availability of useable wood, and many state parks outlaw campfires altogether because of their inherent danger. A good camping stove is therefore a must for any overnight backpacking or camping trip.

The kind of camping stove you buy should depend on your needs. If you are ‘car camping’ and aren’t planning on hiking with your equipment, you can buy whatever stove you want. I would recommend in that case that you get one that has two or more burners, so you can cook more than one thing simultaneously. You’re going to want something easy to set up and take apart, something easy to clean, and something easy to light.

"Although the idea of cooking a meal over a campfire has a sort of romantic appeal, you should never count on a campfire to make your dinner. Firstly, cooking anything other than hot dogs over a campfire is harder than it looks."

Most camping stoves today work with white gas. Some alternatives use propane, though I recommend using white gas if possible since propane comes in throw away canisters, whereas white gas containers you can refill and save on waste.

If you are planning on hiking with your equipment, the highest priority for your camping stove should be weight. If you are going for an especially long hike, or extended backpacking trip, you should consider getting a very small, single burner stove. Just make sure you keep in mind that you can only cook one thing at a time when you choose what food to bring with you. Some single burner stoves are extremely small, smaller even than the gas canisters that connect to them. These are ideal for 25+ mile trips.

Whatever your needs are, it’s a good idea to go to a large retailer, like REI, with experienced campers on their staff. Describe your needs and ask for recommendations. Keep in mind that a more expensive camping stove doesn’t mean a better camping stove. A cheap lightweight stove is going to be far better for your needs on a long backpacking trip than a heavy expensive one.

Great article. Reading this along with the others will help make your camping experience that much better. Now go and get yourself a camping stove!

Want to Go Camping in Alaska?

Camping is a great activity. Enjoying the God's beauty outdoors is a favorite of many people. If you're looking for the ultimate camping experience, then I'd suggest going camping in Alaska. Why? Well, read the article below to find out more about what Alaska has to offer as a great camping state.

To most people, camping in Alaska means one thing: bears. Lots and lots of bears. This stereotype does not go unwarranted; in ten days of rafting the Anasek and Noatak rivers my family and I saw a dozen grizzly bears. One juvenile male even followed me down a river bank our first day in the bush. However, none of our food was eaten, nor were any of us threatened or eaten. With a little bit of care and preparation it's easy to camp in the Alaskan wilderness and be safe from bears.

One of the most important things to remember while camping in Alaska is that bears like the smell of food. What you don't want is for them to smell food on you, since that makes you smell a lot like food. This is bad. So, the best precaution you can take is to make sure that you keep your tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping area free from any smells of food. It is best to cook and eat all of your food at least 100 yards downwind of your tent site. Also, be sure to pack your food separately from your tent and sleeping bag, and don't keep other things that smell interesting like bug spray or toothpaste at your tent site.

"One of the most important things to remember while camping in Alaska is that bears like the smell of food. What you don't want is for them to smell food on you, since that makes you smell a lot like food. This is bad."

Many people who camp in Alaska carry with them some sort of protection against bears, usually in the form of a firearm or can of bear spray. For years firearms were the only choice for protection against bears, but as time went by it became apparent that many people weren't comfortable carrying rifles and handguns with them into the woods. Bear spray allows anyone to carry a bear repellant with them, and it's advisable to do so while camping in Alaska. Though you're likely never to need it, a can of bear spray can save your life in the unlikely event that you're attacked by a grizzly bear. Just be sure to point the spray downwind and to leave the area afterwards, as the spices left by the spray days later can be attractive to bears later on.

With a little bit of precaution a dose of protection, camping in Alaska can be done easily and safely. Just remember that the bears aren't the only danger; changing weather conditions are much more likely to catch campers off guard and unprepared. Remember to pack for any conditions and most importantly, be aware of what is happening around you.

So, was camping in Alaska as bad as you thought? With the right knowledge and some safety precautions, you can make your camping trip to Alaska safe, fun, and very enjoyable. So have fun going to Alaska!

Good Camping Food

One part about camping that may be worrying you is what food you should bring. Well, some foods are better than others when it comes to the outdoors and camping. The following article reveals what camping food is considered the best, where you can get it, and reveals some good eating techniques.

Camping food doesn't have to be made up solely of bland freeze-dried dinners and trail mix. With a bit of planning, everyone can make great food in camp that packs light and tastes good.

Good camping food requires the right tools. You'll need a good camp stove, a set of cookware, and probably plenty of water. And you'll also need food. Since camping usually means some amount of hiking, the food you pack will have to be light. Any meat that isn't dehydrated tends to be extremely heavy, making most campers vegetarians whether they like it or not. Especially if you're out for more than a couple days, protein gets to be an issue if your diet doesn't contain any meat. Nuts and beans provide the easiest and lightest sources, with peanut butter often filling in a needed kick of protein at lunch or breakfast.

Though dinner usually takes up the most time and energy, breakfast and lunch are important meals while camping. Breakfast can easily be a cold meal, though it's often worth breaking out the stove for hot tea or coffee with your dried fruit or granola bar. Pita bread or tortillas make handy bases for lunch, as they allows for sandwiches and dips but still pack easily; they're light but don't crush like regular bread. Trail mix is a stand-by favorite, as is dried fruit as they provide quick energy while on the move.

Finally, once you make it to camp you want a big dinner; something hearty and hot. Instant polenta or couscous, though a bit heavy, provides an excellent base for cheeses, dried vegetables, or other sauces, as both are hot and filling. Dried beans and barley make for hearty camping food, though be sure to find those which don't require much soaking or you'll be eating your beans for breakfast the next day. Black beans and rice make an excellent meal, especially if you can find a ready-made store mix which often packs its own kick. It's helpful to have a stove that can easily simmer food when putting together a camp meal; stoves like MSR's Whisperlight are notorious for having two settings: off and hi. Boiling water is easy, but simmering rice or beans for ten minutes can become a battle between keeping the stove lit and preventing your food from burning. However, it can be done.

"Pita bread or tortillas make handy bases for lunch, as they allows for sandwiches and dips but still pack easily; they're light but don't crush like regular bread. Trail mix is a stand-by favorite, as is dried fruit as they provide quick energy while on the move."

A final touch to your camp kitchen is a small spice collection. Most outdoor retailers sell sets of small containers which are perfect for storing salt, pepper, dried basil, and some garlic powder. It's amazing how much flavor these spices can add to your camping food, even if it's just a dash of salt added to your dried vegetables. With a little work it's easy to make meals better-tasting and healthier than the freeze-dried astronaut meals.

Well, I hope you have more of an idea as to what to bring on a camping trip. This article should have told just about everything you needed to know about quality camping food. Have a great time on your camping trip!

Looking for Camping Beds?

Camping is a great activity. There's nothing quite like spending a night in the woods, mountains, or near a rushing stream. However, many people are turned off by camping because it's uncomfortable to sleep outdoors. Good news. It isn't with camping beds! Read the following article to find out more about why they are so good and where you can get them.

Spending a night in the woods no longer means a long night and sore back the next morning. Today's camping beds come in a wide range of sizes and comfort levels to work for everyone, from the ultra-light backpacker to the creature-comfort car camper.

Backpackers have been using rolled foam camping beds for years on the trail. They're light and warm, and they pack down reasonably well. They're also cheap and durable enough to be used as seats for cooking in camp or for a table to keep your cookware out of the dirt and sand.

"Full inflatable beds offer even more warmth and protection, though their weight and bulk usually restrict their use to groups who are car camping. For those who can get this luxury to their campsite, their nights under the stars will be as comfortable as staying in their beds at home."

Self-inflating camping beds like the Thermarest line provide more warmth than the foam mats while staying just about as light. They pull a layer of air in between two layers of insulation, and the warm air trapped inside keeps you off of the cold ground. Self-inflating beds also are easier on your back, giving you a little extra cushion on top of the rocks and sticks beneath your tent. When you're ready to break camp these beds can be compressed in order to squeeze all of the air out, making them easy and compact to pack back into your backpack.

Full inflatable beds offer even more warmth and protection, though their weight and bulk usually restrict their use to groups who are car camping. For those who can get this luxury to their campsite, their nights under the stars will be as comfortable as staying in their beds at home. Since, when inflated, inflatable camp beds take up as much space as a standard mattress, they take quite a bit of air to fill. They're also susceptible to punctures, which can mean a night on the cold, hard ground.

The classic cot is another alternative to the inflatable camping bed, though they're also usually too heavy to be of any use to backpackers. They're nice for car camping or base camps though, since they're comfortable, set up quickly, and keep you well above the cold ground. Since they take up so much space they are sometimes problematic to use in smaller tents, though they're perfect for family-sized or wall tents.

Hammocks are another alternative to camp beds, and with the right rain fly a good hammock can even replace your entire tent. They pack small and light so they're great for backpackers, and an effective rain fly can be made of a small tarp and a few pieces of rope. Be aware though, since the hammock allows all escaping heat to be absorbed by the surrounding air hammocks are not a good choice for cold-weather camping.

Well, are you ready to take on the great outdoors? With camping beds, you can be assured to enjoy nature while still retaining some of that luxury you're used to at home.

A Great Approach to Backpacking

There are several ways for a person to backpack- it all depends on how experienced you are. Here is one way you can go about backpacking decribed in the article below. You'll definitely want to listen to what it's saying!

Once the preserve of college students on a shoestring budget, backpacking has become a fashionable way to travel. Many tour operators who conventionally only offered plane-train-bus-cruise tours have of late started offering backpacking tours to cater to the changing needs of the travel industry. Backpacking is adventurous, backpacking is exciting and best of all, backpacking is a great way to go off the beaten track and discover lesser known areas, even in popular tourist spots.

I once went on a guided tour to Goa in Western India. I saw the popular tourist attractions, stayed in the regular tourist hotels and went to the exorbitant tourist markets. I had a fairly decent time and thought it was a good trip. Some years later, I again went to Goa. This time around, I went with a few adventurous friends who decided to go backpacking through Goa. Believe me when I tell you that the trip was an eye-opener! I discovered an altogether different side of Goa – far removed from the done to death, regular tourist trail. I had the opportunity to visit exotic, lesser-known spots, meet and interact with the local populace, try delectable local specialty cuisine and even attend a rave party or two! And this adventure backpacking trip cost me a fraction of the high-priced tourist trip I had earlier been on! Since then, whenever I decide to travel to a new destination, I always ensure that I explore the backpacking option first.

Through the years, I’ve developed my own approach to backpacking. I’ve found the Lonely Planet guides a good source of information. And backpacking sites online always have great tips and backpacking tricks. I especially learnt a lot from the backpacking forums, from people who are similarly inclined to go backpacking through various countries and regions, and who have actual experiences to share. Since they’ve been there and done that, and lived to tell the tale, I tend to trust their judgment and respect their accomplishment.

Backpacking.net’s Jim for instance, offers a list of ten essential items that any backpacker needs to have in her/his back pack for a safe backpacking trip. This list includes a map of the area, a compass, a flashlight (or headlamp), extra food, extra clothes, sun glasses, a basic first aid kit, a pocket knife, waterproof matches and a fire starter. He also mentions that the most important item is not on the list – and that is common sense. I couldn’t agree more! When you are back packing, a number of situations could arise – from confrontation with unfriendly elements through danger from wild animals to accidents. There is no simple or easy way to predict such things and to be prepared for them. One can however, carry loads of common sense around and think on the feet to deal with the situations the way it needs to be dealt with.

Trust me. If you follow simple guidelines and go prepared with an open mind, a backpacking journey can turn out to be the best vacation you’ve ever had. It’s inexpensive, adventurous and best of all enjoyable! Happy backpacking!

So, are you convinced about the enjoyment backpacking brings to you? Do you feel a little bit more prepared to take on the great outdoors? I hope you found this article helpful. If you want to learn more about camping and the outdoors, make sure you check out the other articles as well!

Why is Backpacking so Fun, and What Does it Encompass?

Below is an interesting article on backpacking. It recites a memorable trip and the uniqueness a backpacking trip can have on your life. If you are a backpacker, or what to try it sometime, be sure to read this article!

Backpacking

I went on my first backpacking trip when I was ten. My dad was always quite an outdoorsman, and I had come along on fishing trips many times already, waking before down to drive out to the lake and catch the fish feeding on morning stillness under a soft blanket of mist, but this was to be something altogether different. You see, on those trips, although the morning lake sometimes provided moments of the illusion of solitude, the noise from the road, shattered it every few minutes. And later in the day, the motor boats destroyed it completely.

Backpacking was something else completely. We drove all the way from our home in Detroit, up into the woods of Ontario. We stayed overnight in a rustic motel and got an early start. At first, it was just like the lake – even more so, because it was early, and there was already a crowd milling about. This was only because we had chosen a popular spot to begin our journey. Before dusk, we were bathed in a stillness more profound than any I had seen on that lake, a stillness which would last for the rest of our backpacking trip.

How can I describe that first night, camping on a rise above that giant, mist-covered lake? The loons called and called, lonely and longing, beginning below usand trailing off among the interlocking lakes branching into eternity. Night creatures scurried around about us, going from stillness to frantic motion to stillness again, as all night, the wind fell and rose and fell, and the moon ceaselessly rippled on the water's bright skin. I can remember all of it – every sound, and wished to stay awake for the duration of the night, yet somehow, sleep overtook me quickly in the exhaustion of a full day's hike, and I awoke fully refreshed.

And then there was the next morning, awakening to the water lapping softly below us, and the smell of a cooking fire. It's a curious thing about cooking outdoors; the multitude of aromas – the burning wood, the pine trees, the wind from the lake – every thing adds its flavor. I remember being quite sure that the pancakes which my dad cooked that morning were the best thing that I had ever tasted.

Our backpacking trip was over far too quickly. Nine days and it was over – such a paltry duration when confronted with the infinite expanse of nature. I remember on the last day, my dad showed me on a map where we had been – that little speck, the lake we first camped beside, that tiny snake, the ridge that had seemed to mighty as we climbed it, the ridge that skinned my knees twice and left my legs throbbing. It was tiny, a little patch of knowledge drowning in a massive sea of green. I didn't know whether to despair or laugh, seeing how much there was to explore – so much that in a dozen life times, I would never see it all. Finally I chose laughter, and though I still have seen but a speck of the whole spectacular natural world, and will never see it all, I have returned many times to try.

As you can see, backpacking is extremely enjoyable, and anyone who loves the outdoors will love backpacking. If you have other questions and would simply like to learn more about backpacking, make sure you read my other articles as well!

What Tent Should I Buy? How About a 4 Season Tent?

We all love camping...well at least if you at my site and are reading this you love camping and the outdoors. But to camp and hike you are going to need a tent. You may want to consider a 4 season tent so you can have fun all year around. Below is a great article on 4 season tents. I hope you find it informative and interesting!

One of the most important decisions for any camper or backpacker is "what tent do I buy?" Though the answer may not matter much in fine weather, when it starts to pour it may mean the difference between a cozy night in your sleeping bag and a miserable, drenched evening. What tent is right for you depends on how you'll be planning on using the tent. Similarly, your activities also dictate what aspects of the tent are most important to you. If you're backpacking on a long trip, then weight may be a primary concern, but if you're car camping then it's comfort and space, not weight, which will help you find the tent that's right for you.

If you're backpacking, then heavy, base camp style tents will do nothing but weigh you down. A more standard, backpacker's tent will be more suitable. Another choice still remains; do you want a 3 season tent or a 4 season tent? Generally, 4 season tents are built to withstand the worst mother nature has to offer; torrential rain, heavy snow, and howling winds. They have extra poles and tie downs to make the tent as sturdy as possible. 4 season tents are often dome-shaped in order to eliminate any flat spaces where snow could settle. The trade-off to all of this security is that 4 season tents are often heavier and bulkier than their 3 season brethren.

3 season tents are often similar to 4 season tents in general design, but they generally have fewer poles and are slightly less sturdy. However, they weigh less and pack lighter. They generally handle wind and rain quite well, but they're not designed to handle heavy snowfall. A few inches won't bother them by any means, but they are unlikely to stand up under heavy snow and are therefore not a good choice for winter camping.

Convertible tents offer a compromise between 3 season tent weight and 4 season tent security; they have poles and/or flaps that can be added in the winter and removed in spring, summer, and fall, allowing you to use the same tent in the summer than stood up to the twenty inch snow in the winter, without carrying the weight of the extra flap and poles. Though 3 season tents can handle some winter weather and 4 season tents work just fine in the summer, convertible tents can be the perfect compromise for the backpacker who wants to hike year-round but can only afford to purchase one tent.

As you can see, 4 season tents are not the only way to go, but they're a good choice. You can have compromises, but if you are a hard core hiking and camper all year around, you'll want a 4 season tent.