Author Archives: New Age Self Reliance

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Six Games I Want to Take Camping This Year

February 16, 2021

Another day with temperatures below 0 degrees Fahrenheit has me dreaming of six games I want to take camping this season. While I enjoy camping, another hobby I have is board gaming. What is a better way to pass the time than playing a board game, and why can’t we enjoy board games outside? Well, I have news for you, there are games you can bring camping with you!

Check out this video here for games we have taken with us. Small games are great to bring with you camping, and most small games are inexpensive. The six games I want to take camping this year all come in at under $20! That makes them great to give as a gift for the camping gamer in your life.

1. Point Salad

This is an entertaining card game for 2-4 players, where you will draft cards. These cards will represent different vegetables and scoring scenarios, and as you go you create your “point salad.” This is a quick game, made up of a deck of cards, making it a good choice for camping.

2. Bang the Dice Game

A dice chucking western game, the plays in under 30 minutes. You’re just rolling dice, trying to be the last one standing. This is another quick game and the components are dice and a few cards making this game portable and compact for travel.

3. Shards of Infinity

This is a head-to-head deck builder for the competitive ones out there. Very portable, thanks to being a deck of cards, you build your deck and battle your opponent for the victory. The art on these cards is amazing and adds to the theme, making this a game I hope to get lost in.

4. Kingdomino Duel

This is a roll-and-write strategy game, where you roll four dice and use them to fill in your kingdom. Certain dice rolls will earn you special abilities, possibly leading you to victory. While the game consists of dice, a writing utensil, and a pad; you could laminate the sheets off the pad and lighten your load further.

5. Taco VS Burrito

Taco VS Burrito looks like a super funny game, that would be a great way to pass the time. You take turns picking cards with gross foods to make your taco or burrito with, there are also cards that help score more points. It just looks like a fun way to pass the time.

6. Age of War

Another dice chucking game on the list, because they are portable, fast-paced, and fun. In Age of Wart, you and your opponent are batling to conquer each other’s castle. This game plays in under 30 minutes.

I am so looking forward to picking up these six games that I want to take camping this year! Have you played any of these or brought them camping with you? What games do you love to bring camping? Let me know in the comments below!

Three Minnesota State Parks To Visit This Summer

January 16, 2021

January is about the time of year I get the “itch.” Winter just seems to drag on with it’s cold and dreary, and I long to be at a Minnesota State Park. So, while I dream of summer days, here are three Minnesota State Parks on the must-see list for this summer. Check out our review for Itasca, Glacial Lakes, and George H. Manitou.

The cascades at George H. Crosby Manitou State Park from the bottom

1. Tettegouche State Park

Tettegouche is a Minnesota State Park gem. The waterfalls here are Tettegouche’s claim to fame, with a few along the Baptism River and lots of gorgeous cliffs. While there are multiple waterfalls in the park High Falls, at 60 ft, is the biggest waterfall and a tourist draw. The landscape also makes Tettgouche a great stop for Rock Climbing, which would be an adventure on its own. While waterfalls themselves are enough to put this state park on my list, the wildlife is a bonus. Home to Peregrine Falcons, the fastest birds in the world diving up to 224 mph. One may also get a chance to see a Northern Flying Squirrel while on the trails in Tettgouche State Park.

2. Minneopa State Park

Minneopa translates to water falling twice, referencing the two-tier waterfall in the park (apparently there is a theme of waterfalls here). The pictures of the hilly terrain covered with woods and river cutting through looks straight out of a fairy tale. There is also the Seppmann windmill that was completed in 1864 and used to make flour out of wheat. This windmill is designed after the windmills in Germany and a very cool piece of history. While windmills and waterfalls are reason enough to give this Minnesota State Park a visit, Minneopa has it’s very own Bison Conservation Herd. A Bison Conservation Heard is reason enough to check out this state park in southern Minnesota. Currently, this Bison herd has about 25 members and 331 acres to roam! There are special days and times to take the Minneopa Bison Drive so take a look at the schedule before you go.

3. Soudan Underground Mine State Park

The coolest part of Soudan Underground Mine State Park is that you can get a tour of Minnesota’s first iron ore mine. Aside from that attraction, there is a lot of wonderful wildlife to be on the lookout for such as black bears, timber wolves, and fishers. The Soudan Underground Mine State Park buds up to the Kabetogama state forest. While there are lots of places you can camp in state forests there is a special campsite here. Hinsdale Island is a primitive campsite only accessible by the waters of Lake Vermillion.

Let me know what are the top three state parks on your list to visit this summer? Which activity on this list excites you most? Let me know in the comment section below.

I can’t wait to get out this summer hiking among waterfalls, gazing at buffalos, and touring an iron ore mine!

Outdoor Vitals tent set up at Itasca State Park

Hiking and Camping Christmas Gifts for Women

December 5, 2020

Christmas shopping (gift-giving in general) can be hard. I’m sharing with you today some last-minute ideas for Christmas gifts for the women or girls in your life who love hiking and camping. Breaking these gifts down into three categories, we will look at Stocking Stuffers, Hiking gifts, and Camping gifts (you could also check out our women’s camp comforts here for more ideas.)

Stocking Stuffers

Stockings were my favorite thing as a child at Christmas, and when I think of stockings, I think of overflowing with lots of fun gifts. Stocking stuffers can add up quickly, so this list keeps all stocking stuffers under $25.

Freeze-dried food, specifically, a dessert can be spendy and hard to justify purchasing for yourself, making it a great gift. You can also adjust it to fit your giftee’s taste. I recommend the Creme Brulee from Back Packer’s Pantry.
Headlamps are also very useful, you honestly can’t have enough, we keep them all around the house for different purposes. This one from Foxelli is a gorgeous blue with a tree print, finding one that fits their style helps personalize the gift.
Hiking socks, you can’t go wrong when gifting good quality hiking socks. Darn Tough is a brand we know and love, with a lifetime warranty. Made from merino wool, they keep your feet dry and far from smelly. Again, these socks come in so many colors it make s it easy to fit the person you’re gifting’s taste.
Headbands are always a great gift to through in an active woman’s stocking, they’re fun and keep hair and sweat out of your face.
If you love the great outdoors there is one thing for sure, you can’t have too many water bottles. This bottle from Nomader is sturdy, so you feel like you’re actually using a water bottle, yet you can roll it up to save space in your pack if needed.

Hiking Christmas Gifts

It can be hard to find a Christmas gift for the hiking enthusiast in your life, but here are a few ideas to get you a start. For this gift section, all these last-minute gifts are under $40.

A journal or even a book can be a wonderful gift. The journal will help your hiking enthusiast keep track of all the wonderful places they venture to and the cool stuff they get to see. When it comes to picking a book, there are just so many options…is your hiking enthusiast a lover of stories looking to be inspired, or are they trying to learn a new skill like foraging? Check out this logbook for tracking one’s own adventures: The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs features a lot of cool facts about the world around us: She Explores is a masterpiece that pieces together inspiring essays from many women about their own journey, as well as gorgeous travel photography:
Binoculars are great to have on hand when hiking, so you can enjoy nature at a distance. Binoculars also tend to be one of those things that people do not buy for themselves making it a great gift.
A new daypack in fun colors paired with functionality is always a great gift. This 40L daypack from Venture Pal features a waterproof pocket and a sternum strap.
A packable, waterproof blanket. Having a blanket you can lay in the ground while you stop and take lunch, or wrap around yourself if it’s a bit chilly is always welcomed. This one from JJ Cole Outdoors is large (5 foot by 5 foot) and weighs in at only a pound.
Trekking Poles, these are something hikers might not even realize they would need or like.

Camping Christmas Gifts

When it comes to finding Christmas gifts for a camper, there are so many options! On this list, each item comes in under $40.

Enamel cups, seriously, there is just something about them that feels right when camping. There are so many cute ones too, it’s hard to narrow it down:
Camping chairs are always nice to add to someone’s collection. They can take one along if it will be just them, or they could even be used at home when having outdoor gatherings:
A Luci Light is one of the best portable lanterns. Deflates so it takes up no space, and it is solar-powered, I never go on a camping trip without one.
Camping games are sure to be on every camper’s list. Here I focused on outdoor games like bag toss and yard dice. However, we have this video talking about our favorite board games to bring with camping.
Two words, Pie Irons. If they don’t have one already, they’ll LOVE it, if they do have one already, they’ll still LOVE it. If they haven’t experienced the tasty joy of a pie iron, or maybe they’re looking to be more creative, through in a recipe book for endless, tasty enjoyment.

Happy Gifting!

Hopefully, this list sends you on your way to a fun gift-giving season (all though these gifts could be given for birthdays as well!) If you are looking for Christmas gift ideas for guys make sure to check out Kory’s video here!

Winter Gear

November 1, 2020

Winter is upon us, and it sure came quickly. Staying warm is the most important priority when enjoying the outdoors during the winter. Today I am going to share with you what we wear to stay warm when the temperatures drop.

Feet

Socks

Keeping your feet warm is very important because you lose heat quickly through them. For men and women, I recommend Darn Tough wool socks. Wool has a lot of properties making it an excellent choice for winter material. It’s going to be able to insulate even if it gets wet as well as it is microbial. Hopefully, your feet do not get wet, but if they do you will be able to retain warmth. While your feet may get extremely warm in wool socks and boots, you don’t have to worry about sweat (thanks to wool’s moisture-wicking) or smelly feet due to wool being antimicrobial.

Women’s Darn Tough boot socks

Men’s Darn Tough hiker socks

Boots

When looking for a winter boot you want a boot that will keep your feet warm, dry, and make sure that you have a good grip on the ice. You may be starting to see a pattern here, but again for men and women, I recommend the same brand: Muck Boots. When looking at Muck Boots for winter boots, I specifically recommend the Artic Sport lines. Also, I find the mid to be the best style of these boots: shorts aren’t tall enough and the talls can be very difficult to get off.

Women’s Artic Muck Boots (these also come in so many colors to fit your style and show off your personality.

Men’s Artic Muck boots.

Legs

Snowpants

If you are where snow is going to accumulate, snow pants are a must. These are going to keep you dry, which will keep you happy. I also definitely recommend going with bibs versus just pants. The bibs will stay up no matter what, while the pants may get wet and weighed down, falling off of you creating other issues.

Women’s Artix snow bibs

Men’s Carhart insulated bibs

Coldgear pants

If you are where it is going to be just cold, with no snow accumulation, a pair of pants designed for running in winter will do the trick. Try out the Coldgear line from Under Armour, alone or underneath your regular pants.

Women’s

Men’s

Body

Layers

You will want layers so that you can adjust to avoid getting hot and sweaty. The more energy you exert while hiking or shoveling, for example, the more your body temperature will increase. I recommend wearing a T-shirt and then a sweatshirt over that, underneath your coat. I often wear a tank top, with a long sleeve shirt, with a sweatshirt on top of that and can sometimes heat up too quickly. The items for the layers can be anything you desire from your closet.

Coats

A coat will be the winter item you use the most. I used to always go for the 3-in-1 systems when it came to coats. However, this past year I went with a coat that is long. That makes all the difference in keeping your legs warm and giving them a break from the wind. Having a shorter coat is nice though when you are doing activities, as they don’t restrict your legs from moving. Columbia’s Omniheat line, which utilizes your body heat to help insulate you and keep you warmer is fantastic.

Women’s Omniheat

Men’s Omniheat

Head

Hats

A hat will be the most important winter accessories for your head. A hat is going to keep your body heat from escaping, as your head is where you lose most of your body heat. Wool hats are great for their insulating factors. Make sure that your hat covers your ears to protect them from getting frostbitten.

Women’s wool hat

Men’s wool hat

Neck Gaiters/ Balaclavas

When you are out hiking, shoveling, or just going to be in the elements for a while a neck gaiter or baklava is great to pair with a hat. A neck gaiter or balaclava is going to keep your fave warm and prevent it from getting windburn.

Neck Gaiter

Carhart Balaclava

Hands

Gloves/ Mittens

Finally, your hands. If you need to be utilizing your hands for any reason, I recommend gloves so that you can grab things and hold them easier. Mittens are great if you only need to be worried about keeping your hands warm. Don’t waste your time with the mittens that fold over to gloves with half-fingers, your fingers are only going to freeze. Again, for either, wool is a great option because it insulates even while wet. If you would like to avoid soggy gloves, there are some waterproof options as well.

Wool Gloves

Wool Mittens

Waterproof Gloves Women

Waterproof Mittens Women

Waterproof Gloves Men

Waterproof Mittens Men

A Warm and Happy Winter

To conclude I hope this has helped you with staying warm and dry this winter. Living in Minnesota I understand that staying warm means staying safe. The products I’ve shared with you today are all tried and true, we use these ourselves at home! Happy winter!

3 Zombie Tools

October 30, 2020

For fun, Caroline and I decided to pick 3 zombie tools to survive the Zombie Apocalypse. If the zombies were to walk the earth what 3 tools would we want to have with us.

RockPal 100 Watt Solar Panel With Other Upgrades

August 30, 2020

The new RockPal 100 Watt Solar Panel has many new upgrades compared to its older version. In this video, I show how the Panels can but connected to double your solar intake and the other features of these panels.

RockPal 100 Watt Solar Panel – https://amzn.to/2D6ez2L

RockPal Old Solar Panel – https://amzn.to/3jmkboQ

Jackery 500 Watt Solar Generator – https://amzn.to/3jjEOCc

Trangia Alcohol Burner VS Pathfinder Alcohol Stove

July 7, 2020

Ever since I made my first video on Alcohol stoves in 2017, I have heard nonstop about how I need to get a Trangia Burner. Well, I finally got a one and put it up against my favorite Pathfinder Burner.

Here are the results:

Full Boil Test:

Full 1/2 oz Burn Test:

As you can see from the results the Trangia does have its advantages. However, for me, I still like all of the added capabilities of the Pathfinder Alcohol Stove.

If you are looking for more information on these Burners look no further:

Trangia –

Pathfinder –

Esbit ( the closest thing I could Find) –

If you are looking for a camping stove you might be interested in this article as well: https://www.wolfpackwoodcraft.com/best-camping-stove

Bring Your CPAP Camping With You

May 31, 2020

When it comes to bringing your CPAP camping I hear a lot of people talking about the limitations of their machines. One of the hardest things is hearing about people that “Used To” love sleeping in nature but no longer get the chance to enjoy the freedom of sleeping under the stars. Here is a review of the RockPals 500 Watt Portable Power Station that can run a CPAP for about 32 hours.

You can see, the RockPals 500 Watt Portable Power Station would work best for people that need to bring their CPAP camping or for people looking for a way to bring power to their Blackout Kits.

You can do more research on how to use your CPAP camping or pick one up here —> https://amzn.to/3eEaUGC (Amazon Affiliate Link )

The Solar Panel is Sold Separately. Pick one up here —> https://amzn.to/2TToNbM (Amazon Affiliate Link )

To help this Website reach more people check out our other Affiliate links here —> https://www.wolfpackwoodcraft.com/affiliate-links

First Aid Kits for Dogs

May 15, 2020

When It comes to Prepping we often think of first aid kits; categorizing them by illness or injury, but rarely do we hear of first aid kits for dogs. Certainly, this has crossed my mind over the last few weeks, pulling out first aid kits, making sure they are stocked. What about Mora (our dog), what about other people’s dogs, do they have kits? So I decided to break down our kit and share it because we all know how important our dogs are, and keeping them safe is a huge priority!

Starting out we will go through the basic at-home kit. We will cover a few things to add to the kit if you are hiking, camping, or in the field with your dog at the end.

Main Kit

Wound Care

Inflatable collar – these are great to help keep your dog from licking a rash, incision, or infection. Having an inflatable one saves you room in your kit as it packs down small. The Kong Cloud comes in sizes xs-xl.

Deodorizing bath wipes – these can help you clean up a cut so you can get a closer look, or help get rid of dander buildup causing irritation to your pet. Nature’s Miracle is a great brand and is alcohol-free.

Styptic Powder – great for if you accidentally cut the wick of their nail. It will stop the bleeding right away, styptic powder comes in both unmedicated and medicated to help relieve pain.

Saline wash – the works best to clean out wounds and get them ready for prep.

Liquid bandage – for minor cuts. Nutri-vet is the one in our kit. It seals up the cut to prevent dirt or bacteria from getting in. It creates a waterproof film and tastes bitter to prevent licking.

First aid spray – similar to a liquid bandage, because it protects the wound from dirt and bacteria. This uses collagen to help stop the bleeding and promote healing. I have on hand one from Pet-Ag and has Bittrex in it, deterring licking and biting of the wound. Once dry, you can pair with a nonstick dressing on larger wounds.

Nonstick dressings – buy a box of your preferred brand and split the dressings between your first aid kit and the dog first aid kit. Putting them in both kits instead of storing them in one or the other, ensures you have what you need when grabbing either kit.

Bitter Bandage – you can use any self-adhering wrap, but again the bitterness deters dogs from chewing their injury. Nutri-vet is the brand I have on hand.

Pain medication – the most common option for this is aspirin. Nutri-Vet makes this in different sizes and doses according to pet size. While another option is a company called Licks, which has many supplements, including a pain reliving one that comes in liquid treat form.

A muzzle – muzzle training is a good thing to do with all dogs, because in the case of an emergency when they are in pain, you don’t know how they’ll react. A muzzle can be a good way to keep everyone safe and get your dog attended to faster. If they are muzzle trained prior, it will make muzzling in an emergency less stressful and better all around.

Other First Aid Items

Eyewash and Ear wash – there are many products for either or (Nutri-Vet ear cleanse is my preference, Burt’s Bees saline eyewash is my preferred eye rinse.) However, I recently discovered a product that is antimicrobial and made for both ears and eyes, saving you space in your kit. This dual-purpose solution is Theracyn Antimicrobial Ear and Eye Wash.

Pet Pectillin – this helps to relieve diarrhea for your dog and replaces electrolytes they’ve lost from having diarrhea.

Canned pumpkin – this helps with the opposite problem. If your dog has constipation a tablespoon of pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) will help get things moving. Another option is to keep powdered pumpkin on hand and mix it as needed. That way, you won’t waste any either.

First aid book pertaining to dogs – consequently, having a quick reference to guide you through situations can be very helpful in stressful moments. They come in pocket guides for a quick reference or larger books for more in-depth knowledge.

For On The Go

When creating a first aid kits for dogs when you’re in the outdoors (hiking camping, in the field training or hunting) I would grab the wound kit as a base (minus the inflatable collar). Also, to the wound care kit, add the following:

A safety vest- this makes your dog high visibility and lets others know that what they see moving through the woods is not a threat or prey.

Boots – you can use these as a preventative measure to keep your dog from hurting their paws on rocks or very hot surfaces. Furthermore, you can also slide the boot over and injury on their foot to prevent them from messing with it.

Hopefully, this break down of our dog-geared first aid kit helps you get started on your own! If you already have a first aid kit for your dog, how similar is it to ours? Is there anything missing from our list that you would add?