CAMPING Archives - Semi-Rad.com

The Old Bike-In-A-Bag Trick

by brendan on July 29, 2021

If you’re trying to sneak stuff onto public transportation, there are certainly many ways to…

A List Of 20 Feelings You Can Experience While Camping

by brendan on June 24, 2021

This is an excerpt from the new book I co-authored with Forest Woodward, The Camping…

28 Days In The Grand Canyon

by brendan on June 25, 2020

[NOTE: 2020 is the tenth year of my blog at Semi-Rad.com, and since I…

What Tent Is Wrong For You?

by brendan on May 2, 2019

Two things will be here soon: Camping season, and a bunch of articles telling you…

Air Fresheners Based On Real Outdoor Odors

by brendan on January 17, 2019

Because you know you want your car to smell like your weekend. —Brendan

Thank You For YouTubing

by brendan on September 13, 2018

A couple nights before leaving on a backpacking trip, I decided to finally dig up…

The One Thing You Need To Know

by brendan on September 6, 2018

To climb rocks: Use your feet. Despite what you may have seen in Cliffhanger, or…

Nature As An Airbnb: A Review

by brendan on May 24, 2018

For a quick getaway last weekend, my friends and I planned a three-night stay in…

For Sale: Palatial Mountain Getaway

by brendan on April 5, 2018

Location, location, location! This one-bedroom is close to nothing. Step inside the 29-square-foot ripstop nylon…

Break In/Destroy Your New Sleeping Bag With These 11 Simple Steps

by brendan on March 8, 2018

Nothing’s better than a brand-new sleeping bag, that miraculous cocoon of warmth that enables you…

Why Your Smartphone Is A Great Adventure Tool

by brendan on February 1, 2018

Every once in a while at a book signing or during an interview, someone asks…

10 Basic Rules For Adventure

by brendan on October 19, 2017

Earlier this year, my book Surviving the Great Outdoors came out, representing about 12 years’…

What Was That Noise Outside The Tent?

by brendan on September 21, 2017

Did you hear that? What was that noise outside the tent? Some possibilities: A Bear…

Fake Merit Badges For Real Outdoor Achievements

by brendan on September 7, 2017

Because we all deserve a little recognition for doing things well out there. —Brendan More…

Tips For Selecting The Best Campsite Ever

by brendan on August 3, 2017

That’s right, summer’s not over yet. Here are some tips to make the best out…

Bears Don’t Care About Your Problems

by brendan on June 29, 2017

Bears don’t care about your problems. Call your mom, tell your Twitter followers, or take…

The Best Campsite In The World

by brendan on June 22, 2017

One Friday this past March, I hiked a few miles down a trail and set…

Announcing A New Book: The Great Outdoors: A User’s Guide

by brendan on March 30, 2017

Today, I get to share something that some wonderful people and I have been working…

A Letter From Your Campfire: You’re Welcome

by brendan on December 1, 2016

You know what really brings a group of people together in the outdoors? No, not…

12 Ways To Make Friends At The Campground

by brendan on July 14, 2016

It’s summer. Which means it’s camping season. Which means you’ve got a great opportunity to…

Celebrating 5 Years Of Semi-Rad: 25 Favorite Quotes

by brendan on February 4, 2016

Five years ago this week, I started this blog, hoping a few people might read…

13 Pieces of Gear Every All-Around Adventurer Should Have

by brendan on August 20, 2015

Normally I use this space to talk about not buying a bunch of shiny new…

Professional Gear Review: Spoon

by brendan on August 13, 2015

“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is…

Go Camping For A Month This Summer (Without Quitting Your Job)

by brendan on May 14, 2015

Every year since 2008, I’ve set a goal of sleeping outside for a month of…

Utahlorado: An Idea For A Mega-State Of Awesomeness

by brendan on October 9, 2014

Dear states of Utah and Colorado: Hey, so you know what would be cool? If…

The Three Laws Of Stuff Dynamics

by brendan on June 26, 2014

Do you have trouble fitting that last item in your backpack, or struggle to hang…

The Lost Art Of Dreaming Over Maps

by brendan on June 19, 2014

I was talking to my friend Mark about mountain biking a while back when he…