3 TRICKS TO KEEP YOUR GEAR DRY
Even On a Rainy Outdoor Weekend
2. Use Your Body Heat to Dry Damp Clothes There’s nothing like getting to camp at the end of a hard hike and taking off your pack to finally relax. But if you got caught in a rainstorm or had to cross a river, you might not feel the same sense of relief. An effective way to dry wet socks and other clothes is to use your own body heat. Once you’ve changed into something dry, place wet socks between your layers of clothing, allowing them to warm and slowly dry. Insider Tip: While weight is a consideration for backpacking, it’s worth it to carry an extra pair of socks designated for sleeping so you’ll always have a dry pair to look forward to when you arrive at camp. 3. Suit Up Your Sleeping Bag Moisture that collects in the night can lead to a damp sleeping bag, and you want to do everything you can to retain heat in wet weather. Get better sleep by using your rain jacket to further insulate your sleeping bag. Put your jacket around the end of your sleeping bag and zip it up, creating a heat trap that will keep your toes toasty. Insider Tip: Keep wet gear out of your tent whenever possible by storing it in the vestibule rather than the main space.
Incoming clouds can really rain on a weekend camping trip. Getting wet isn’t just a nuisance; it can be dangerous in cold climates. Outdoor experts, like the instructors at the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), know the tricks to keeping dry, even on the wettest days. Here are three tricks these pros swear by. 1. Line Your Pack With a Plastic Bag Garbage bags are an easy and cost-effective way to waterproof your pack. As you’re preparing for your trip, put the garbage bag into your backpack first and place your sleeping bag, clothing, and any other items that must stay dry inside it. Carefully twist and fold the bag inside your pack to close it up, place any items that are okay to get wet on top, and look forward to having dry, warm clothes. On March 29, 2017, a church minibus was returning from a retreat in Leakey, Texas, carrying 14 members of the First Baptist Church of New Braunfels, Texas. Around 12 p.m., a pickup truck going in the opposite direction crossed the centerline and collided with the bus. Of the 14 passengers in the bus, 12 were killed at the scene, and another died later in the hospital. Witnesses reported hearing the truck driver saying, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I was texting.” Distracted driving has reached epidemic levels in Texas. AAA reports that distracted drivers caused over 95,000 crashes last year. In Dallas County alone, deadly crashes caused by distracted driving rose by 20 percent. Distracted driving is driving while doing any activity that takes your attention off the road. This can include changing the radio station or reaching for something in the back seat, but most distracted driving crashes involve a smartphone. Reading a text message, checking social media, or answering a phone call are all forms of distracted driving and are incredibly dangerous. Even looking at your phone for just 5 seconds is enough time to drive the length of a football field when driving at 55 mph. HOLD THE PHONE
Happy trails, and stay dry out there!
The Deadly Risks of Distracted Driving
Textingwhile driving has been banned inTexas since 2017. The law addresses “reading, writing, or sending electronic messages,” which means it’s also illegal to read social media posts or take photos using apps like Snapchat while behind the wheel. But keep in mind that it’s not enough to just not hold your phone while in the car. Many drivers think that going hands-free with Bluetooth headsets or their car’s stereo is safe as long as they have both hands on the wheel. It’s not. The brain is not meant to multitask. Even if your eyes are still on the road, a phenomenon called “inattentional blindness” can cause you to miss obvious dangers because your mind was focused on something else. To avoid causing an accident due to distracted driving, do not allow any distractions while behind the wheel. Never use your phone while driving. Turn it off when you get into the car if you have to. If you need to take a call or send a message, pull into a parking lot and park first. Do your part to help reduce distracted-driving crashes. And, if you’re a victim of someone else’s negligence, call The Medlin Law Firm at 817-900-6000 to get the help you need.
www.medlinfirm.com | Pg. 2
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online