Tips

   Learning things the hard way through experience is not always fun. Little things do make the difference and can turn a great camping trip into a disaster real fast. Here are suggestions and advice that may save you from the unexpected. You’ll also find tips on how to save time and money when camping. I was very lucky to learn much of this from the Boy Scouts and other campers. If you have any good tips for camping or other C&O related activities please join the C&O Canal Forums and share it with our other guest.

Dried Beef
The real trick to drying any meat is removing as much fat as possible. Slice the beef into thin cuts and remove all fat using a sharp knife or meat shears. You can spice you dried beef to taste by marinating it a few hours in a soak of your favorite spices before drying it.
Preheat your oven to 200f. Place your prepared beef on non-greased cookie sheets in a single layer and place in preheated oven. Leave the oven door ajar and set oven to 150f. It will take about 2 hours for the beef to dry. Turn the beef over after the first hour and begin checking the beef every fifteen minutes until done. The beef should crack but not break when folded when it is done. Allow too cool and then place it in heavy-duty zip storage bags. Keep your dried beef out of the Sun. The Sun can cook it making it brittle. Dried beef can be used within 3 months.

Seam Seal
Seam Sealing your tent and backpack is one of the most important jobs you will do at home. Seam sealer fills and seals the holes made by the needle as the seams are sewed together. Very few tents or backpacks are sold that do not require seam sealing before using them. Most manufactures will include a bottle of seam seal with a new tent or backpack but if done right it will take more then one bottle. You can buy seam sealer at any camping supply store. If you do not seal the seams of your tent or backpack it will leak and you and your gear with get wet. You should reapply seam sealer again every year as needed.

Parachute Cord
You can purchase parachute cord at any camping supply store for a few dollars. It’s very strong and will come in handy on just about every trip. From hanging up wet clothes, towels and sleeping bag (because you forgot to seam seal), to dragging firewood back to camp, nothing works better then parachute cord.

Tarp
An 8’ x 10’ tarp can do many jobs on the trail. It can become a lean-to, tent, rain or dinning fly, and table cloth. You can also use it to collect rain water and carry water from the river to put out a fire.

Walking Stick
A walking stick is used to maintain balance and provides support when walking through rugged terrain. Most people find that they cover more distance with less effort when they use a walking stick. You can buy one or make your own. A good walking stick will be strong but flexible. It should be about 2 or 3 inches taller then the user and should fit the hand well. The grip area of the walking stick should be smooth to prevent blisters.