1- If you rest and sleep well, that gives everyone a better outlook as well as feeling good. Your sleep system is the key.
Camping Pillow: Brand new they run from 10 to 20$. Personally, I have spent many a good night with my jacket rolled up inside out at no $$$ out of pocket. An old pair of jeans leg with a ziplock baggie inflated inside is another frugal option.
Sleeping Bags: I covered them in Sit. Rep. #113, and Sit. Rep. #45, and Sit. Rep. #70.
Sleeping Pads: They seem to come in 2 different versions.
#1 Sealed Foam where the individual foam cells are air-tight and do not hold water. This is a good system, lightweight, almost no maintenance, bulky to carry. Used military-style pads run under 20$.
#2 Air Mattress type of pad. Some self-inflate (up to a point). I like this type because I sleep better. Price-wise they start at about $30 and run to over 200$. Do not leave these compressed when storing them after a trip!
They serve 2 functions. To keep you off the ground to stay warm, and dry. And to help you sleep in comfort.
NOTE: I have not used a hammock on a camping trip. If you have some thoughts about sleeping in hammocks, please share.
B: I could be a morning person.
B: If morning started about 10:30.
2- Some clear night and multiple nights throughout the year; take your compass and look for Polaris, The North Star. It is not particularly bright. Polaris is the end of the handle of the constellation Ursa Minor (Little Bear or Little Dipper). Ursa Minor is made of dim stars and is actually hard to see.
The 2 bigger constellations that are easier to pick out of the night sky are Ursa Major (Big Bear / Big Dipper) and Cassiopeia (The Queen).
The Big Dipper is an “asterism” of Ursa Major. An asterism is a subset or informal set of stars that are not the whole constellation. The constellation of Ursa Major is bigger than the asterism called The Big Dipper.
Polaris is about halfway between the “pointers” of the Big Dipper and Cassiopeia. Find these either of these two prominent night sky group of stars and you can then find Polaris. Remember that Ursa Major and Cassiopeia rotate about the North Star as the year progresses. Look out for all 3 all year long and become accustomed to how they look throughout the year. I make it a habit to look every time I go out at night all year long – even when it is cloudy. If I can find, even a few, stars of either constellation than I can estimate Polaris and therefore compass North.
Rotating planisphere’s are available on Amazon for 10-20 $.
3- Knowing North and using an analog watch you can navigate to almost anywhere with out a compass.
Esto Paratus,
Gaither
Dare to Soar: by Thomas Mercaldo
C: What is the best way to prevent diseases from biting insects?
D: Well don’t bite any.