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The Outpost is the Future of the Outdoors Experience

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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
Image used with permission by copyright holder

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Austin Parker
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…
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Here's how you can responsibly gather firewood. And help out your camper buddies by passing on these "rules" for collecting firewood, so they can also be good stewards of the Earth.
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Shop local
Invasive species are a threat to wilderness areas throughout the world. It’s tempting to bring firewood from home to your campsite, but this can threaten local ecosystems. Although it’s more expensive, the best option for “gathering” firewood is to buy it locally. The closer it’s purchased to your campsite, the better, whether that’s at the campground itself or a nearby convenience store.
Deader is better
Perhaps the most essential rule of gathering firewood responsibly is never to strip live trees. It’s bad for the environment, and it’s not sustainable. Imagine if every camper in that area -- dozens, even hundreds throughout a season -- pulled their firewood from the trees closest to their campsite. But, even from a selfish perspective, fresh, green wood is not going to burn well. Repeat after me: “Deader is better.” If it snaps easily under your boot, it’s ready to burn.
But let dead logs lie
Dead logs might look like great fire-stoking material, but there are two reasons to leave them be. The first is that they make great homes and hiding spots for smaller wildlife, including mammals, reptiles, and insects. They’re a vital part of any ecosystem. Second, the oldest logs are often damp or soaked completely through, so they make for terrible campfire wood.
Size matters
Gathering oversized pieces of wood is fine, so long as they’re cut to size before adding them to the fire pit. For front-country camping, consider packing a bow saw. Leave the axe at home, as it’s overkill for simply cutting logs to size. Backcountry campers concerned with pack weight might bring a hatchet, which is lightweight, compact, and incredibly versatile even beyond fire-making purposes. Whatever the tool, always cut firewood to fit completely inside your fire pit. This will help keep your campfire contained to a manageable size that’s less likely to get out of control.
Pay it forward
In some national and state parks, campers are not allowed to leave firewood behind. It must be taken with them or burned. Another option is to give any leftover wood to a fellow camper. It’s the right thing to do legally, environmentally, and for the simple pleasure of paying it forward.
Leave no trace
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