Camping can a ton of fun if you have the right equipment to make it an enjoyable time rather than wishing you had reserved a cabin instead. Among your camping supplies, a camping stove should be considered a must - especially if you camp often - because it just makes cooking more convenient and easy for your family and friends.

Although most campsites have a fire pit that you can cook on, that approach to your “outdoor cuisine” is difficult for someone who is not familiar cooking over an open flame. Bringing along a camping stove makes meal preparation quicker and more efficient.

A camping stove is not very expensive, and really does add a nice benefit to your camping trip. There are a few tips, however, you should be aware of before buying one. You ought not buy a camping stove at just any store.

Rather, make the effort to specifically visit a sporting goods store or a reputable camping dealer who specializes in such items. Staffs that are familiar with camping products are important because they can provide you helpful hints on how to use them and, in the case of a stove, how much food it typically holds.

More specifically they can explain how to assemble the product, or instead do the work for you for a small fee. Depending on the limits of your prior knowledge, that could save you several hours figuring out how to put it together.

You should also buy the stove from a merchant that accepts returns in case you find that you do not like the particular camping stove purchased.

The best camping stove option is one that comes complete with two burners. This allows your “chef” to cook one item of food while another person prepares something else.

Simply, it is just more convenient and time efficient to cook a full meal with two burners. Once out in the woods, you will not regret the additional cost of the extra burner!

When it comes to fuel, various camping stoves work with different fuels. For an environmentally friendly product, you should consider a stove that uses white gas. It is also the least expensive of all your fuel options. Always use refillable containers so you reuse them repeatedly rather than purchasing a new one for each trip.

Finally, if you plan to camp in a location at an altitude over 10,000 feet, ask whether the stove you are interested in will actually function there. Some models are made specifically for this.

Camping can be very enjoyable if you have the right equipment. A simple, but fully functional outdoor stove should be included as part of your essential gear.

Snow and ice are as hazardous as fast flowing water. If you hike in the mountains, you will encounter snow and ice all the time, even in summer, but they’re most troublesome in late spring and early summer when they’re extremely slippery.

Snow

Since snow lingers in the same places every year, hiking trails generally avoid such obstacles. This doesn’t mean that hiking trails are always free late-lying snow. This is especially true on north-facing slopes.

You may need to take a detour when the snowfield lies on steeply pitched slopes where crossing them is too dangerous because the risk of falling is high. Try not to get too far away from the trail to avoid getting lost.

The Effect of Rocks on Snow

Rocks covered by snow is known to absorb heat in the spring. This makes the snow nearby to melt faster than in other areas.

The soft snow may not be strong enough to handle your weight and hence increases the risk of injuring yourself on the rocks underneath.

Try to avoid paths with rocky terrain and use trekking poles to test the snow. If you are in group, walk in a single file.

Sun Cups

During the day, the sun heats up the snow and in most cases it melt unevenly, causing depressions in the snow making it soft. These sun cups vary in size and could be as big as a bathtub.

Hiking large snowfields early in the day is best because sun cups grow and soften as the day goes by. It gets so bad later in the day that you are likely to sink as deep as your hips by late afternoon.

Climbing Snow

Walking on snow is not as straightforward as hiking in the dry summer. Your route is more or less determined by the conditions. To climb up a snowy mountain safely you may need to create a zigzag route. You can also climb straight up if it’s an easier option.

To climb safely in snow, kick into the snow until you have a solid step for you to stand on one foot. Test your weight before climbing on to the next step. Repeat the process until you reach your destination.

If the snow is deep, going uphill will be harder and more time consuming. It will take you at least twice as much time than it would normally take climbing uphill without snow.

Boot Skiing, Glissading, Snowshoeing and Backcountry Skiing

Boot skiing is one of the fun ways to descend down a steep snow slope. It involves sliding while hopping from foot to foot to maintain balance.

Glissading is when you sit down and slide using an ice axe for traction and braking. In deep snow, to spread your weight over a large area so that you walk on top of the snow instead of in it, you use a snowshoe or ski. Skiing with a heavy pack may be difficult for beginners.

Frozen Water

Crossing frozen water may be more hazardous than crossing snow. A thick layer of snow may cover only a thin layer of frozen stream, lake or river.

Use a trekking pole to test the surface of ice. An ice axe would probably be a better option though.

If you see footsteps don’t rely on them for a safe route. These footsteps may be days old and the same route may no longer be safe.

Jonsky writes for Hiking-Camping-World.com where you’ll find gear including Down Bags such as Arroyo Down Sleeping Bag and Marmot Pinnacle Sleeping Bag