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GT: Best Crowd Avoiding Tips When Going Outside

As we are heading into another holiday weekend and approaching peak summer crowds it's time to brush up on our crowd avoiding tips. After the last few years let's face it, way more people are going outside. There is a lot happening in the world, the stress isn't going away, which is why our ability to escape to nature is even more valuable than ever. But no one wants to go to a national park, or local trail and be in a traffic jam, or worse be turned away because the park is at capacity. And that is the reality that we are in during peak seasonal times. So before you pack your pack or your suitcase and head out the door there are a few basic tips to follow. Plan ahead: The number one tip for avoiding crowds is to plan ahead. Do your research. Do you need reservations? A permit? Are there peak times of day when the crowds are worse? Gas up at home and bring snacks and drinks with you. Plan for the unexpected including closed or under-maintained facilities by bringing water, soap, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, trash bags and the necessary equipment to “go” outside. Make camping reservations: There is no doubt about it camping has many benefits to the mind and the body, but after 2020 things changed. The old tactics of first-come, first-served campsites or free dispersed BLM land camping are few and far between. The former are experiencing continued huge popularity, which reduces your chance at getting lucky, while the latter is continuing to experience unprecedented use resulting in littering and human waste issues. Your most sure bet is to go the old-fashioned route and make a campsite reservation. Go online at ReserveAmerica.com and Recreation.gov or, for more diverse offerings, try Hipcamp.com. Research new destinations: This is a great time to bypass popular destinations, flip through guidebooks and maps to find unexpected new destinations. Before embarking on your adventure, make sure the location is open and confirm it’s safe to visit and is currently welcoming to visitors. Head out during off-peak times: A great way to avoid crowds and better your experience is to adventure out early in the morning and on weekdays. Have an alternate plan to avoid crowds: If you get to where you’re going and all you see is crowds of people with the same idea, keep moving to the next spot. It’s important to have a backup plan to avoid overcrowding. Be Considerate of Other Visitors While this isn't a crowd avoiding tip, it is an important one especially as their are more people on the trails. To help ensure everyone has a positive and safe experience, especially when encountering crowds, we’re leap-frogging ahead to Leave No Trace Principle 7, which encourages consideration of our fellow visitors. This principle revolves around maintaining courtesy toward other visitors, by avoiding excessive noise, managing pets, and not damaging surroundings to ensure a quality outdoor experience for everyone. For more Leave No Trace tips head here; for fire safety tips head here; and to review the basics of who has the right of way on the trail click here.

Have Summer gear to sell? Get cracking.

Do you have tents, packs, hike and camp gear, bike gear that you no longer need? Now is the time to pass your gear on to the next adventurer. It is now easier than ever to sell your gear on Geartrade. With our Consignment Selling option you can finally reclaim your gear closet. Send it in. We take care of the rest.