Camping Noire Magazine

Planning to hike The Stairway to Heaven Trail in NJ? Here are a few things you should #knowbeforeyougo... 1. The trail is located in Waywanda State Park, which is the ancestral land of the Lenape Indians ("Wawayanda" is the name the Lenape Indians gave to a creek they called “water on the mountain.”). 2. To reach the destination, you're following the white trail to the blue trail. 3. The hike length is only 2.6 miles roundtrip but has an elevation gain of approx 900 feet. For the first 1/2-mile, anticipate a steady incline of about a 0% to 10% grade. Then, the mountain hits you with inclines climbing above 30% for the next 1/2-mile. Expect some sweat and prayers to enter the chat during this second half because you will be putting in that WORK!! Just activate that core and keep going!! 4. Did I mention that boulders are everywhere, so expect to do a bit of rock scrambling on these inclines as well (Sidebar: if bouldering is your thing, this is a great place to make it ha...

November, often referred to as the "month of gratitude," is a time when many cultures and communities around the world embrace the practice of thankfulness. As the holiday season approaches, it's an opportune moment to reflect on the importance of gratitude and why incorporating it into our daily lives can be truly transformative. In a world filled with constant change and challenges, the act of practicing gratitude takes on a renewed significance. It's a practice that can bring warmth and light to even the darkest days, transform our outlook on life, and improve our overall well-being.  And when you sprinkle in the magic of nature, the impact can be even more impactful. We’ve all read the blogs and seen the self-help guides that suggest gratitude and mindfulness exercises like: Keeping a gratitude journal and carving out time each day to write down a few things you're thankful for. This practice can help you focus on the positive aspects of your lif...

Photo Credit: Steven J. Roth Picture a tranquil evening by the beach, with the soothing sound of waves and the stars casting their glow upon the sand.  As the bonfire crackles, a shadow dances through the night, catching your attention. Intrigued, you direct a gentle beam of light toward the source, and lo and behold, a pair of foxes appear before you.    This was the scene during last weekend's weekend beach bonfire at Island Beach State Park, where nature had a delightful surprise in store for us. Amidst the laughter and warmth of our bonfire, we had the pleasure of sharing our sandy haven with some unexpected guests that decided to  make several appearances, serving as a gentle reminder that we were sharing our beachside sanctuary with these enchanting creatures.  Now, I'm not going to lie to you...it did cause a bit of a stir at first because who knew foxes and beaches were a thing? I surely did not, but here are the lessons we took away from our interaction...

Camping Noire embarked on an exciting adventure yesterday with our very first youth hike along the enchanting Fairy Trail in the heart of South Mountain Reservation. Despite a rainy start to the weekend, the weather transformed into a picture-perfect day with clear skies, a refreshing chill in the air, and nature's colors in full bloom, setting the stage for a magical day of exploration and wonder. Our spirited young adventurers had an absolute blast as they scoured the woods, discovering whimsical fairy houses, testing their agility on the tree bridge, bravely attempting to cross the "roaring" river (it wasn't really roaring, but their imaginations were), and even daring to conquer the climb along the side of a "massive waterfall." Laughter and shared triumphs filled the air as they made new friends and, in the spirit of unity, lent a helping hand to one another every step of the way.  Our young explorers didn't just soak in the beauty of the great outd...

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Guess what time it is? Yup, it's that magical season when the days get shorter, and the air turns all crisp and begs you to light the firepit. You know what I'm talking about – it's fall! And while you might think the chill in the air is your signal to head indoors, the truth is it's the absolute perfect time to get out there and show some love to Mother Nature. Here are ten of our favorite ways to celebrate the changing of the season:  Stroll Through Nature.  You've got to get outside and soak in the gorgeous fall foliage before it's too late. Take a leisurely walk or hike through your local parks or nature spots. You won't believe the incredible colors the trees turn – it's like a real-life painting!   Check out this cool  fall foliage map that predicts when the leaves will change each year in each state!   Leaf Peeping Fun.  You've heard of people going "leaf peeping," right? Me neither, but after looking into more, I can guarantee tha...

As the leaves get ready to put on their spectacular fall show and the breeze takes on that familiar chill, let's chat about a must-know topic for your next hiking or camping escapade: the art of layering. Getting your layers right not only keeps you comfy but also ensures your safety in the great outdoors. So, grab your backpack, gear up, and let's dive into the essentials of layering for your upcoming adventure! Layer #1. Let's Start with the Base Layer: Cotton's Comfy Vibe, But Watch Out! First off, your base layer is the unsung hero in regulating your body temperature when you're out in the wild. Now, we all love the coziness of cotton. It's soft and breathable, and it feels like a second skin, right? But here's the thing – when you're in nature, cotton doesn't play nice with moisture. It doesn't pull sweat away from your skin, which can be a real problem if your clothes get wet. It could even up the risk of hypothermia. So, instead of all-cot...