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The Outpost is the Future of the Outdoors Experience

The Outpost
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It used to be that summer camping trips – good friends, a few coolers of beer, and your favorite gear to keep the fireside party rolling well into the the night – were a right of passage and staple of every American summer.

Somewhere in the last few decades though, the camp experience has become less a priority for many of us. It seems that many young, would-be adventurers are eschewing long weekends on the trail not because they don’t have the desire, or that they are too busy, but many simply don’t know where to start. Whether it’s trip planning, outdoors skills, or finding the right gear, putting together everything for your very first group adventure can be daunting. We recently spent the weekend in Joshua Tree, California with the team from The Outpost for a few days of desert camping, and were thoroughly impressed with their model of building an outdoors event around a cohesive group of campers, outdoors brands, and adventurous activities.

The Outpost
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The Outpost’s concept of marrying conscientious brands, well known adventurers, and a weekend of fun isn’t anything new (we are particularly fond of Outdoor Retailer). However, their intimate model – we shared basecamp with just over a hundred attendees, brand reps, and industry athletes and influencers – and emphasis on the experience and sustainability was refreshing.

Campfire Bulleit
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We started our first afternoon getting checked into our little tent city, and signing up for some of the different activities for the weekend. From bouldering in Joshua Tree National Park, to Dutch Oven Cooking to ripping through desert roads on Ural Motorcycles, each day was packed with opportunities to discover new hobbies, meet new people, and rediscover out love for camping and outdoors adventures.

Dinner In The Desert
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After a couple of days playing in the arid desert, learning new skills – we especially enjoyed a Q&A session with the founders of Revive Kombucha – and a seemingly never ending party, unfortunately The Outpost came to an end. Everyone who attended though left with a renewed sense of adventure and excitement. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing retreat, hoping to network with admired brands, or just looking to recharge your own creativity, the crowd that The Outpost draws in is a perfect group of like-minded modern outdoorsmen (and women). Be sure to check on their upcoming events this summer in New York, Utah, and Northern California.

The Outpost
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Austin Parker
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Austin Parker is a former contributor at The Manual Parker is a powder skier and sport climber and is no stranger hauling…
Essential camping gear: The best power banks for your trip
Losing charge while out camping? These power banks will be just what you need
A man hiking to a mountain top

While you might not have service during your adventures, one of the worst things that can happen while camping is having your device run out of battery. Losing charge on your device could mean that you no longer have access to maps or other important resources, so it's important to pack a great power bank whenever you go camping. There are so many great options on the market today, so here's everything we look for in a great power bank for camping, as well as a few of our favorite recommendations.
What to consider when buying a power bank for camping

Capacity (mAh)
When out camping, you'll likely be away from an outlet for at least 48 hours. Buying a power bank that has a high mAh will be just the thing to keep all of your devices charged. To figure out how much capacity you'll need, estimate based on the capacity of your phone, GPS, and other gadgets. Generally one that is over 20,000mAh will suit your needs.
Portability
High-capacity power banks can be heavy, so if you're thinking about trekking through the woods with this brick, you'll want to purchase a power bank that is a portable weight and size. There are many compact designs on the market, and many of them are light weight.
Durability
Stuff happens when you're out in the wild, so you'll also want a power bank model that's durable. Opt for power banks that are shockproof, dustproof, and water resistant with a rating of IP65 or higher. Some also have options for protective casing, which can go a long way.
Charging speed
Fast charging is always nice to have, especially in an emergency. Look for power banks with Quick Charge (QC) or Power Delivery (PD) for faster charging. It's also nice if your power bank has multiple ports so you can charge more than one device at a time.
Temperature tolerance
If you're going camping in a super hot or cold climate, you'll want to invest in a power bank that can handle both extremes. Lithium-polymer batteries are generally better for extreme temperatures, so opt for that over a lithium-ion battery. For long trips in sunny areas, some power banks come with a built-in solar panel.
Here are the best power banks for camping
Anker PowerCore III Elite 25,600mAh

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Seeing bear poop on the trail? Here’s what you should do
Bear poop: what it looks like and what to do about it
what to do if you see bear poop daniele levis pelusi wxmzt3sie4g unsplash

While hiking in the woods, it's not uncommon to come across a pile of animal waste. It's gross, to be sure, but identifying scat is actually one of the easiest ways to keep yourself safe from dangerous wild animals. These telltale signs can mean the difference between you charging through into a bear's territory or not, so knowing what to look for can help keep you safe. Here is everything you need to know about bear poop and what it means if you come across it in the middle of the woods.
What does bear poop look like?

Bear poop can vary in appearance. This is because bears may have different diets, or they might even be different kinds all together. Generally, bear scat is larger and more cylindrical than human or dog feces. Segments can be several inches long and about 1-2 inches in diameter, but the size of the scat does not always directly correlate to the size of the bear. The contents of the bear’s recent diet play a larger role in determining scat size and appearance. For instance, a bear that recently ate a lot of berries may produce more, but smaller, scat compared to a bear that consumed a large animal or fish.

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This easy trick tells you which merino wool base layer is right for your activity
Here's how to choose the best merino base layer for your outdoor adventures
Man at the top of a mountain wearing a Merino wool sweater

Choosing the right clothing layers could make or break your adventures in the outdoors. Merino wool is one of the most popular materials out there due to its moisture-wicking and insulating properties. It's warm and odor resistant and can keep you warm and comfortable. This amazing fabric comes in several different weights that suit varying activities. Fortunately, we've got an easy trick to tell which merino wool base layer is right for you.
Understanding merino wool base layer weight

Merino wool base layers, also known as thermal underwear or long underwear, come in various weights, typically categorized as lightweight, midweight, and heavyweight.  That said, some manufacturers don't tell you what weight their wool is, so your next best bet is to inspect the tags and see if they mention a measurement in grams. This refers to the fabric's weight per square meter, which you can then use to figure out which category your clothing falls into.

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