The Open Air Guide

Reading the weather is an essential part of rambling because it helps you prepare for your journey. This can be especially helpful if your ramble involves an overnight or several days. You can’t predict the weather perfectly—not even experts can—but if you pay attention, you can make some pretty solid guesses. For anyone spending time outdoors, that’s an essential skill. There are four main things to rely on: Official forecasts (news, radio, apps); A barometer; Natural signs; Local observations On their own, none of these are perfect. But when you combine them, you can usually get a good sense of what the next day or two will bring. A simple approach is to check the forecast, then compare it with what you’re actually seeing around you—are conditions changing the way they predicted? Barometers and natural signs tend to be most useful for short-term forecasts (24–48 hours). Longer trends are harder to judge, so most people rely on official forecasts for that. Nature’s Weather Signs Many ...

This will be a short chapter on map reading and orienting. It may seem contradictory to the notion of rambling, where one takes off in any direction based on nothing but a whim. But remember, one has to get back to a starting point (home, campsite, vehicle) when the ramble is complete. It's one thing if the ramble is a "straight shot," for example following a stream or river, or a well marked trail. But it's another thing if your ramble is a "freestyle," involving twists and turns. Further, it may seem silly in this day and age to concern one's self with a map and a compass, what with the advent of GPS (global positioning system) devices. But GPS units designed for hiking are expensive and often difficult to use, especially if not used regularly.  And there is always potential for batteries to die. For these and other reasons, many ramblers prefer the "feel" and simplicity of a good old-fashioned paper map and compass.  Being able to read a map...

By Bruce Shawkey There comes a point when a motel room or even a cabin feels like a barrier between you and the outdoors. You want to stay fully immersed—day and night—in nature itself. That’s where camping comes in. Instead of heading indoors at sunset, you stay with the landscape—the changing sky, the sounds of the night, the fresh air. At first it might feel unfamiliar, but once you get used to the basics, it becomes incredibly rewarding. It opens up a whole new way of traveling. Even if you’re not chasing that deeper connection, camping has its own appeal. It’s simple, flexible, and free from the usual schedules. For anyone tired of noise and routine, it offers real peace. And practically speaking, it’s also one of the most affordable ways to travel. Equipment – Tents There’s no one perfect tent—it depends on how and where you’re camping. For purposes of rambling, lighter and more compact options make a lot more sense. Ground Sheets Don’t overlook the ground sheet—it’s just as impo...

By Bruce Shawkey Some hardcore wanderers avoid cars altogether. They worry about gas prices or more about getting hooked on speed and convenience. To them, cars felt like an extension of city life, bringing along all its noise, stress, and excess. If the goal was to keep thing simple—just staying warm, dry, and fed outdoors—then loading up a car with gear and picnic supplies seemed to miss the point. But times changed. Cars became more reliable and harder to ignore. Now, they’re often just another tool for getting out there. Used well, a car can actually expand your options—letting you start your journey right from home instead of a train station or bus stop. The real challenge is not letting the car take over. Even when everything runs smoothly, it’s easy to slip into treating the drive itself as the main event. But it shouldn’t just be about cruising through nice scenery. A good road trip is still about paying attention—taking in the landscape, the villages, the details, the weather....

Walking and Climbing “To walk, perchance to climb.” (Hamlet revised) This isn’t about people who power down roads just to get somewhere. They’re efficient—but they’re not really experiencing the journey. This is for those who wander. Most people start with simple country walks, then gradually take on more challenging routes across hills and open landscapes—what we’d now call rambling or hiking. From there, some move up to summit hikes, reaching the tops of hills. Eventually, many find themselves scrambling over rocks, choosing routes that are more rugged and engaging than the usual grassy paths. For some, that’s enough. Others take it further—joining roped climbs and getting hooked on rock climbing itself. A few even become so focused on climbing that they forget the broader joy of the mountains. But most people keep their love of the hills as a whole, not just the rocks. It’s worth remembering that mountaineering covers a wide range of skills and experiences. Rock climbing may be the ...