But what role models do today’s teenagers have? Pop stars, footballers, and er, well, I can’t think of anyone else? You don’t get to see any of them doing outdoor activities in the wilderness.

So, perhaps you should be getting your inspiration and encouragement from a source a bit closer to home – your dad. Does your dad encourage you to spend time outdoors? Do you enjoy spending time with your dad outdoors? What makes a great outdoor dad?

I have been pondering this question lately as I watch other dads ignoring their children in the park while they lounge around looking fed up at being dragged out with the family, or shouting at them to stop mucking about when they create their own disruptive fun. There does seem to be a big disconnect between dads and their kids. Is this because they spend all of their time at work and not enough time playing with their children? Do they actually know the best way to interact?

I love the great outdoors, and as a dad I try my best to introduce my children to as wide a variety of outdoor experiences as I can . This doesn’t mean taking them on 10 mile hikes over mountains because it will do them good. I encourage them to try new activities and experiences, but it has to be fun. I provide guidance and knowledge from my years of experience as an outdoor adventurer, but also give them the freedom to learn and discover things for themselves.

This led me to thinking, “What makes a great outdoor dad?” With a lot of input from my children, here is my list of 20 things on how to be a great outdoor dad.

1. Fun – Make every outdoor experience fun.
2. Get a dog – The family will love the furry creature to bits, but it is you that has to go out in all weathers to walk the beast. Not forgetting those times when everyone else is tucked up in bed while you are out there in the driving rain and cold waiting for the little darling to do a poo. Or to come back when called, not.
3. Camping genius – Be able to put up the family tent on your own in the pouring rain while everyone else watches from the safety of the car.
4. Be adventurous
5. Be safe – Test out trees and rope swings before they do. You do have to then let them have a go though.
6. Cook an amazing meal over an open fire or on the smallest of gas stoves.
7. Stand on the touch line of the football or netball match and shout encouragement without getting yourself banned.
8. Be able to demonstrate every outdoor sport and activity to your kids and try to be better at it than them. This won’t last as they will soon learn how to be better and faster than you. No fear those kids, especially teenagers or those low to the ground. As a dad you feel the weight of responsibility for making sure you don’t break anything as you have to look after them and get and drive them all home after the holiday.
9. Come up with amazing facts. Did you know that …?
10. Do stuff with them. Don’t send them off on their own while you stay in and watch tv.
11. Be able to run or walk great distances back to the car so that you can go and pick everyone else up on the so called circular route where they are too tired to walk the rest of the way.
12. Bicycle repair man. Have a tool for every occasion and be able to fix everything, usually where over enthusiasm has led to a favourite toy breaking. Fixing bent derailleurs and twisted handlebars from unexpected dismounts. Still, at least it was the toy and not them.
13. Lifeguard on the river rapids. Keeping up with the kids at water parks.
14. Find your way anywhere. Even in the dark. Usually for finding holiday places late in the night whey of arrive down a narrow country lane. Also useful for finding your way to and from the pub when staying in new places.
15. Give their inexperienced friends important advice when descending steep mountain bike trails, such as “keep it slow and use your brakes,” only to be ignored as they know better. Good job young bodies bounce better than older ones.
16. Don’t be afraid of the dark (or anything, especially wild animals).
17. Help to develop self confidence by showing them that they can do things – assault courses and mtb single track
18. Develop independence
19. Guide yet give freedom to learn and discover
20. Enjoy spending time together. You never know how much you will have.

Have I missed anything? What is your dad like? Is your dad great outdoors? Let me know what you think makes a great outdoor dad on the Active Outdoors facebook page.

The post The Joys of Being an Outdoor Dad on Fathers Day appeared first on Active Outdoors.

Skills – Strength: 7, Balance: 6, Flexibility: 3, Agility: 5, Coordination: 6
Time needed: travelling time + 3 hours, Cost to try: £100

If you would like to do something unusual this winter, have a go at dogsledding. Canada and Alaska are the best places to go dogsledding. You can go for a dogsledding weekend, or perhaps you may prefer a dogsledding vacation.

What is Dogsledding?

Dogsledding is where you have a sled that is pulled by one or more dogs across snow and ice. The dogs used for this purpose are usually huskies, chosen for their thick fur that keeps them warm.

There are various different types of dogsled. A basket sled is has a woven bed that is raised above the snow on runners and is used for dogsled racing. A Sprint sled is a short version of the basket sled. A toboggan sled has a lower carriage and uses a closed bed, allowing the sled to slide or float over deep snow.

The sleds have runners that stick out behind the dogsled, and are used by the mushers to stand on.

Dogsledding Adventures in Canada

Do I Have to Be Fit to go Dogsledding?

You don’t have to be an athlete to go dogsledding, but you will need to be reasonably fit. When you go dogsledding, you aren’t on the dogsled for the whole time. Sometimes you will have to get off and run beside the dogsled in snow. This is usually to help the dogs pull the dogsled up hills. You will also have to help load equipment onto the dogsled.

So, how fit do you need to be? It is recommended that you should be able to walk 3km on hilly terrain in less than 45 minutes. You should ideally also be able to run 3km in less than 35 minutes. If you aren’t able to do this now, then gradually build up to it. Consult your doctor before starting any physical exercise programme. You can find more details in Outward Bound Canada – Dogsledding – How Fit do I Have to be?

Where Can I go Dogsledding?

You can go dogsledding in several places in Canada and Alaska. Locations include:

• Algonquin Park, Haliburton Highlands, Ontario;
• Banff;
• Canmore;
• Kananaskis Country
• The Canadian Rockies;
• Alberta, Canada;
• Guelph, Ontario, Canada;
• Port Blandford, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Huskies

Huskies are the breed of dog selected for pulling dogsleds, as they have an amazing ability to survive in the cold winter snow. When you have finished dogsledding for the day and have unharnessed them, they bed down in the snow and their thick fur keeps them warm.

A dogsled team is put together with much thought. The team consists of leader dogs, point dogs, swing dogs, and wheel dogs. The lead dog is very treasured, and mushers will seldom let these dogs out of their sights.

Dogsledding Holidays

• Exodus Travel Dogsledding – Finland, Sweden and Lapland.
• Ontario Outdoor Dogsledding – Northridge Ranch in Huntsville, Algonquin Park and Temagami.
• Winterdance Dogsledding, north of Haliburton Lake on the doorstep of Algonquin Park
• Whistler Dog Sledding Tours – Soo Valley near Whistler.

If you would like to recommend any other places to go dogsledding, post it on the discussions area, or submit an article about your dogsledding experience.  If you prefer to go sledding somewhere hot, try basket sledding in Madeira down steep cobbled streets.

The post Dog Sledding appeared first on Active Outdoors.

I have been blessed with a generally good level of fitness, probably due to walking my dog several times a day, but have always wanted to up my game. The thing is, it takes motivation to actually do it. I found that when I try running by myself I soon falter at the first signs of fatigue, usually within the first 30 metres or so. I get out of breath or my legs ache and before you know it I have slowed to a walk with the intention of running again in just a moment. Honest. Oh well, maybe in a minute or so. Oh who cares about this running lark? It requires effort that I can’t be bothered with. I’ll just have a little rest here. Maybe tomorrow.

If only I knew someone who could keep me company to go running and give me a reason for going for a run.

So it was by good fortune that one of my dog walks took me by chance past a poster in my village for a local running group. Apparently, every week a group of like minded individuals of varying abilities gather by a gate and go running together. Sounded like it warranted some further investigation, so I sent an email to the address on the poster to see if I could join in one week.

The next week I put on my old pair of trainers and was warmly welcomed by a group of about ten at the starting point. The beginners running group was led by two Athletics England qualified running group leaders. The group consisted of men and women aged between 25 and 80. I was to be starting out in the beginner’s group, running 4.2k. Sounded like quite a long way to me for my first continuous run, but the group leader reassured me that the running pace was matched to the slowest person. Looking around the group I was fairly confident that wouldn’t be me, but the next forty minutes would let me know for sure.

We headed off along the roads around two of the Kent villages, running at a nice and easy pace. Everyone was very sociable and friendly, which was perfect for taking your mind off the fact that you were actually out running. At the first gentle hill the group began to spread out, but no one was left on their own. Everyone in the group watched out for each other and even slowed to walk with those who were struggling. For those who had the stamina to keep going, the group leader would keep running for 100 metres and then they would turn back to join up with those at the back. This was a really good way of keeping the group together whilst allowing people of different abilities to keep to a pace that suited them.

I successfully completed the run with only a couple of points where I slowed down to a walk. I blame those darned hills, and being noble by keeping company with some of the slower runners who I felt needed the support. At least that’s what I told them.

The group leader congratulated me on doing so well on my first session and encouraged me to come again. I walked home feeling quite chuffed with myself. That wasn’t so bad, and the company was good. These social workouts were a real mood booster. Would definitely be back.

Slowly Building up Running Fitness Before Going Too Far

I stuck with the beginners group for about 5 weeks so as not to overdo things. This allowed my body to get used to running that distance at a steady pace. Then I moved on to joining the intermediates running group. Some of those who ran with the beginners also ran in this group, effectively using it as a warm up and giving a total distance that evening of about 15km.

You guessed it; I was now up for running 7-10k. The first coup!e of months was tiring but achievable. The pace was nice and easy with everyone keeping together, and more importantly ensuring I didn’t get left behind. From the start of each run, everyone was very friendly and conversation flowed on a wide variety of topics. The beauty of social running groups is that you can move around the group and join different conversations depending on your mood. And if you don’t feel like talking much, that is fine too.

After a few months, the intermediates group regularly completed 10k running every week. The group run was one of the best ways for 10k run training.  Each week the 10k running plan incorporated a different element that built strength and stamina.  What’s more, it was done without you really realising how much benefit you were gaining.  Before I knew it this 10k run every week was becoming fairly straightforward.  Some weeks you did struggle if you were suffering from a cold or busy week, but the running group always catered to the ability of the entire group on that evening.  The perfect tailored 10k running plan for all abilities.

During the warmer months, we ran alot more off road across the gorgeous Kent countryside. Due to the enthusiasm of the group, they also began organising informal Sunday morning runs. Using WhatsApp, the group cold also spontaneously go for small group runs by putting out a call to see if someone wanted to go for a quick 5k that evening, or perhaps a nice little 10 miler a bit further afield. I was quite content with my weekly session.

Now after regularly running for about a year now, I feel up for seeing how I fare in running a bit faster over 10k. There is a local annual event that was just begging to be entered (along with much encouragement from my fellow runners). So, we shall see how I get on in the Darent Valley 10K in May.

How Group Running Helps Fitness and Wellbeing

The biggest motivating factor in group running is the supportive social aspect. If I hadn’t found out about the local running group I doubt that I would be as fit as I am today. We humans need that reward feedback in order to do things; those biological and chemical signals telling us that what we have just done was good and we should do more of it. If you are starting out in running, you need to get that positive feeback in anyway you can to motivate you to do it again. If the physical effort is a huge barrier for you, then the social aspect, friendship and having a good laugh together really does help to make you want to go out again. After a while, you become used to the physical effort and seek to achieve more. More distance and more speed.

The variety of running routes also helped keep things interesting.

Although the beginners group used the same route so you could sense how you were improving week on week, the intermediates group always ran a different route each week. Occasionally there would be a track session to run at different paces on the flat, or hill sessions to help improve stamina (or completely exhaust you).

How to Find a Running Group Near Me

You can search for local running clubs near you on the Run Together website. It lists all of the running groups and clubs across the UK, when they go running and what routes they take. Most of the sessions are free, but some running courses that offer a 10 week couch to 5k training routine may cost.

Another great way to go running regularly with lots of like minded people of varying abilities is to go to a parkrun. Parkruns are held at locations all over the world. It is a free 5k running session at local parks at 9am on Saturdays. You get timed, and you can compare your results with people worldwide. A great way to start your Saturday outdoors with family or friends.

I can’t recommend group running enough. It made a huge difference to my sense of wellbeing and fitness, and I look forward to my weekly running sessions; followed by the post run session in the local pub.

More about getting into running:

• Getting into running
• Orienteering
• Trail running
• Adventure races and ultra Marathons
• Obstacle course Races and Tough Mudder

The post How a Social Running Group Motivated me to go from Couch to 10K appeared first on Active Outdoors.

So, as our dog looks up at me with those big brown eyes of his, I am plotting a change to the status quo. I have been successfully finding ways to make the chore of walking the dog into some fun for me.

I thought dog walking was supposed to be relaxing

I was sold a bum steer! If it was a bank selling personal payment protection, I would have received millions in compensation by now. When my wife and children persuaded me that having a dog would be wonderful, I was incorrectly presented with an image of sunny days going out for pleasant walks in the countryside together as a family. Oh how idyllic. In reality, it involves taking the dog out at 6am before work, lunchtimes, evenings and also at bedtime.

Our dog never goes to toilet in our garden, and is very fussy about the exact location he prefers. So this idea of letting him out in the garden to do his business is a total non-starter. It does have the huge benefit of children being able to play in the garden without that unexpected squelch moment. The downside is it means I have to take him out whatever the weather.

Wear the appropriate outdoor clothing and footwear

I am very fortunate to have fields and woodland at the back of my house. One of the most important lessons I have learned about being an all weather dog walker is to wear the right clothing. Being comfortable makes such a difference. In bad weather I experience driving rain, mud, wind and cold. It is lovely in the snow though. Out comes my snowboard.

You can buy outdoor clothing that will keep you warm and dry, cool, and more often these day stylish. Just look at fellow commuters in the city. You’ll see top outdoor brands everywhere. Jack Wolfskin, Helly Hansen, Arc’teryx, Rohan or Patagonia.

Depending on the weather, I wear enough layers to keep me happy. In winter, I wear a thick woolly lumberjack shirt, with a decent North Face jacket on top. Toasty.

Footwear for dog walking

Having cold wet feet is horrid. In the autumn, when the grass is shorter and not too wet, I wear lightweight canvas hiking boots. With a good coating of Nikwax waterproofing, they keep my feet lovely warm and dry. When it gets too wet and muddy, I have to wear wellies. I am not a fan of wellington boots, as they feel like they are going to fall of my feet at any moment. My socks usually disappear and lurk at the toes of the welly boots. The solution I have discovered is to get a pair of wellie boots that have a woollen or fleece lining. The lining not only keeps your feet warmer, but also prevents your socks from coming off.

Gaiters

Long grass and mud from your boots usually ends up making your trousers absolutely wet and filthy. Gaiters are a waterproof outer covering that go over your boots and halfway up your legs. You can get gaiters that clip onto your boot laces, or that fit completely over the sole of your boots. One tip is to make sure that the side zip is on the outside of your legs. That way, the zip doesn’t get muddy and makes it more pleasant when you come to take them off.

Quick Drying Trousers

Rather than wear waterproof trousers and go rustling about feeling big and bulky, I have a preference for wearing lightweight quick drying trousers such as my Rohan Bags (which are now falling apart from many years of use). They have zipped pockets, and can keep a decent amount of the wind out. They will get wet in the rain, but they don’t hold the water like jeans do. When you get back, hang them up and they are dry before you know it. They are great in the summer as well for walking in long grass. This keeps the bugs, ticks and stinging nettles away from your skin.

What can I do to make dog walking fun?

Having ensured that I am warm and comfortable outdoors when walking my dog, now comes the fun bit. I sometimes keep myself amused by reading a book or listening to a podcast when walking. I just have to remember to check where the dog is. Some people tell me how they love walking the dog as it allows their mind to wander. They enjoy having time to think. My engineering work is packed with thinking, so when I am outdoors, I want to do something physical and spend time enjoying the moment.

Mountain biking with your dog

One of the first ideas I had was to go for a ride on my mountain bike, taking the dog for a run. At first he was scared of the bike. After 10 minutes or so of walking with the bike, he got used to the huge machine. The next thing my dog had to learn was not to go in front of me when I am riding. He loves sniffing everything, especially those interesting patches of trail just in front of me. After a few near misses and great skill on my part, I started to use a warning noise that I would call to let him know I wanted him to move out of the way. It works well for me, but when on singletrack MTB trails, he doesn’t always have the intelligence to move out of the way for others.

Depending on the distance, terrain and how tired he is, he will either run along behind me, or be a complete liability and stop to sniff on the trail. Not a problem in quiet areas, but it is a big concern on busier fast downhill sections.

So, mountain biking can be great if you have a dog that loves to chase and run. Jack Russells and collies will keep going forever. The UK Forestry Commission has created several Follow the Dog Trails.

Trail Running and Dog Running

I have to be in the mood for running. First thing in the morning when it’s raining is not a good time for me to go running.

My dog isn’t great for keeping up with me. He wanders off following his nose. Very annoying when you are on a schedule and have to get to work. Dog running is a term used for going running with your dog attached to you by the lead and your belt. This keeps them alongside you. It means that your hands are free, rather than running lopsided holding the lead in your hand. Over time, your dog works out that he is supposed to stay with you, so you can let him off where it is safe to do so. I find that it is much more relaxing running with my dog on the lead, as I know where he is.

To make running more interesting, I prefer trail running or barefoot running. The US has some amazing wilderness for trail running. Running on trails rather than the pavement also helps to develop your balance and flexibility in your muscles. The uneven and varied terrain means you have to focus more on the moment and can leave the stress of daily life behind.

At Easter I ran up and down Stickle Ghyll in the Lake District. It is only about a mile or so, but extremely steep and rocky. Bit of an obstacle course really. Exhausting on the way up, but exhilarating on the way down. There is a fantastic pub at the bottom, but don’t let that encourage you.

Geocaching and Orienteering

To make the walk a bit more interesting, it helps if you go out with a purpose beyond just walking the dog. Geocaching is where you find hidden caches of goodies using a GPS. Websites like geocaching.com log where they are hidden, so you can choose one near you and plan your route to find them. There are geocaches all over the world, so it can be a great outdoor activity when on holiday or days out.

Orienteering involves using a map to navigate to specified locations as fast as possible. Scavenger hunts are another way of making dog walking fun.

Off Road Roller Skates

I have often seen images of people in the US roller blading along the seafront with their dogs. In the UK, pavements are not usually suitable for roller blading. Cracks, uneven surfaces, cars, and too many people make it challenging. A few months ago I saw a guy wearing roller skates that had big wheels on, with his dog running beside him. I had to find out more.

I found out that you can buy off road skates that are designed for uneven surfaces. The best off road skates are Nordic skates, or power kite skates. They have larger pneumatic tyres, and can cope with really rough trails. The Nordic skates have brakes on, and are designed for practising Nordic skiing out of season. The power kite skates do not have brakes, and are designed for use with traction kites, or being pulled by your dog.

I have got to try it. It looks so much fun! I can see myself stylishly skating offroad along forest trails with my dog running along beside me. Great exercise and great fun. I have got to get hold of some. Anyone got a pair I could try?

Dog Sledding and Dog Scootering

If you live somewhere snowy, dog sledding will be familiar to you. You can go on dog sledding experiences for several days. When there is no snow, dog teams pull sleds that have wheels on.

You can buy dog scooters, where the scooter has an attachment point for your dog lead. You need to have a dog that loves pulling though.

Dog Games

He does like scent games though. Hiding treats around the garden is great fun for him. A good workout for his mind, but not physically.

Tracking and Scent Trails

Using that sense of smell, he is quite good at finding me when playing hide and seek. Perhaps he could become a rescue dog.

One way to combine the scent games with exercise is to lay a scent trail. Buy yourself a small atomiser bottle and fill it with liquid aniseed or vanilla essence. First you have to train your dog that finding that smell leads to treats. Then, get someone to lay a trail by spraying the scent at places along the route. You then follow with your dog.

There are tracking competitions that test how good your dog is at following trails. I am working on this. My dog gets very excited when he finds a fox scent, and charges off in pursuit nose to the ground. No interest in rabbits or rats though.

Outdoor Photography

This is a much more relaxing and creative way to make walking your dog fun. I always have a camera with me when I go out, and my dog is very good at sitting still for a few minutes. Long enough to compose a great photo.

Outdoor photography encourages you to look around you and appreciate the scenery. You also will find that you plan walks to interesting and beautiful places. Nature constantly changes throughout the seasons, providing wonderful inspiration for your creativity. Birds, bees, butterflies, flowers, trees, landscapes, hills and valleys, lakes and mountains. I often photograph outdoor activities taking place nearby, such as horse riding, or sea kayaking.

Dog Walking is Fun

I hope I have inspired you to find a few ways to make walking your dog fun. What do you do to make walking your dog fun?

The post Fun ways to spend time with your dog outdoors appeared first on Active Outdoors.

The problem of the disappearing dog in the dark

I am not afraid of the dark, but the unexpected tree branch in the face or hole in the grass can be somewhat annoying. You get to hear some colourful language from me when that happens. The problem I find about the dark is having to take the dog for a walk.

We like to give our dog the freedom to explore, sniff, and run about in a safe environment where he cannot get to a road. He isn’t one for having any road sense. There are some great country parks and country walks where I live, but the woods tend not to have street lights for some reason. Something to do with it being the country and the cost of lighting up nature at night isn’t the done thing. The main thing with the countryside nearby is that it is away from roads.

Once you let your dog go free at night, they tend to magically disappear in the dark. I have learned to discern the slightly different grey speckled pattern that moves in the dark and listen for the jangling of his collar, but it is far better to be able to tell where the little blighter is without having to call him all the time or shine my LED Lenser P7 pocket torch that will pick him out at up to 200m.

Flashing LED dog tags for dog collars

I found that the high power pocket torch is great at finding him, but then wrecks your night vision for a while. To be kinder to my eyes, I bought a little flashing LED dog tag that clips onto the dog collar. These look really cool when they light up at night in the dark. It flashes red white and blue. However, the battery life was poor. The three button batteries it needed would last only three nights. Not good. Time to look for something else.

Reflective dog collars

Reflective dog collars are only good for seeing your dog when you shine a light directly onto it. If your dog is facing you or running away from you, your torch will not shine on the reflective dog collar. So, reflective dog collars were out for walking him at night. They are useful when walking him on the lead near roads though. Cars can easily see you and your dog when you are crossing the road.

Light Up Flashing Dog Collars

The best collar for a dog to wear at night is one that is reflective and also lights up. I found the best collar that everyone recommends is the Fun Pets Super Bright USB Rechargeable Collar that has a long strip that runs the length of the dog collar. Underneath the strip there is a reflective strip that reflects torches and car headlamps in the dark. When you turn the light up dog collar on, it can be set to shine a steady bright blue, flash slowly, or flash quickly. You can see the collar from hundreds of metres away in the dark. I can track my dog when he is haring around the park at night chasing the scent of foxes.

This Led dog collar works by shining the blue light down the length of the strip that runs the length of the flashing dog collar. It used to have one big button battery that lasts for months. I put in a new battery each Autumn, and it lasts all the way through Winter as well. These are now available as USB rechargeable light up dog collars.

Other Glow in the Dark Dog Accessories

You can no longer get the button battery Firefly dog collar, but it has been upgraded and replaced with the Super Bright Flashing dog collar from Amazon in various colours for only £10. The construction is the same as mine, which has lasted for over six years now and is still used every night. The collar can be used to attach the dog lead to, but because I am constantly taking the collar off after use, I wouldn’t trust the clip if my dog decided to pull on the lead. So, I put the collar on as well as his normal one.

You will be for ever grateful the moment you put this light up dog collar onto your dog. No more losing sit of your dog when you let them off the leash in the dark. I can’t guarantee that it will improve recall, but at least you will be able to see where they are running off to!

A lot of my nocturnal dog walking friends also get the Nite Ize Meteorlight LED Pet Ball in Red for their dogs. This glow in the dark ball for dogs comes in three sizes and means no more searching around in the dark for lost tennis balls.

If you want to find some great ways to have fun outdoors with your dog, read how to make walking your dog extra fun for you.

The post Best flashing dog collars for walking in the dark appeared first on Active Outdoors.

LED torches are fantastic inventions. The technology is so good now that you can buy a high powered LED torch that fits into your pocket or handbag and has the power to shine so bright that it looks like daylight. At 200 lumens, the LED Lenser P7 and LED Lenser T7 from Amazon.co.uk are some of the best high power pocket torches that you can buy.
As we move into Autumn and Winter, coming home in the dark can be a real bind. I am not particularly fussed about walking my dog across woods and fields in the dark, but there are times when you need a little bit more light on the situation. Catching the unexpected tree branch or bramble around the face is something best avoided.

Making a Pocket Sized LED Torch

As I am always out and about walking the dog in all weathers, I began to get a bit fed up of not being able to see where I was going due to either a crap beam on a pocket torch, or carrying a 6 D cell Maglite that is huge. You can’t see where you are going. Also, you can’t see where your dog has gone sniffing. You can’t see who may be up ahead. It is very useful to have that peace of mind of having the best LED torch small enough to fit into a pocket or bag that actually provides enough light to see at a distance of over 100m.

I spend quite a bit of time looking at pocket torches before finding the best one for me. A lot of LED torches use button batteries. The torches are great, but replacing the batteries is expensive. I wanted a small torch with a powerful adjustable beam (spotlight to floodlight) that was water resistant, durable and used AAA batteries.

After looking around at pocket torches for quite a while, I bought myself a LED Lenser P7. The P7 LED torch shines a good 200m on new batteries. The limitation tends to be moisture in the air causing the beam to reflect.

Unlike some other torches such as Maglites, the LED Lenser has a much more intense beam. The LED Lenser P7 and T7 have a handy quick focussing head. All you have to do is slide the LED torch head up and it goes from floodlight to spotlight. It turns on using a push button on the end of the LED torch. Once for high beam, again for low beam, and again to turn the LED torch off.

High Powered LED Torch Battery Life

Another great feature is that it gives you up to 130 hours of light from 4 AAA batteries that come with the torch. Some other torches need button batteries. You will find that these type of high powered LED torches soon use up the batteries. Having a LED torch that uses AAA batteries is very convenient when you need to replace the batteries. Also, having a LED torch that has 4 AAA batteries gives you plenty of hours of light. The P7 LED Lenser torch comes with a pouch that you can use to clip onto a bag or go on your belt. It also has a wrist strap.

A Small High Powered LED Torch for Walking the Dog

I wouldn’t be without my P7 LED torch. Walking the dog at night is much easier. Even though my dog has a high visibility flashing dog collar, you often lose track of him at a distance in the dark. I can see him quite easily with the LED Lenser P7, and it is also very useful to make sure I don’t fall over in the dark, especially when you want to see what you are walking in and if you need to clean up after your dog.

Pocket Torch Also Fits on Your Bike

You can see exactly where it has gone from a long way away. I also bought the LED Lenser bike mount. This means that I can use the LED lenser torch on my mountain bike at night. It is good enough that you can cycle off road in the dark and see far enough ahead to avoid dangerous obstacles and holes. I haven’t used any of my Maglites since.

Another great LED torch is the Surefire. These LED torches are made with just as good quality but are more expensive.

Which LED torch to buy?

I am still using my LED Lenser P7 four years on as the only torch I use. Dog walking, camping, working at night, it is the torch to have. I also use it on my mountain bike for cycling off road in the dark. In the US, you can buy LED Lenser pocket torch from Amazon.com.

The Mini 300 Lumen Q5 Cree pocket torch

You can now get an even smaller high powered LED torch to fit in your pocket. The Mini 300 Lumen CREE LED Torch from Amazon is waterproof, and uses only one AA battery. It is a best seller on Amazon, and has 5 star reviews from nearly 500 people. If you read some of the reviews though, using a 1.5v AA battery will last only two hours. Using the correct 3.7v battery which costs more than the torch itself will be much brighter and last longer. A great stocking filler, but I would rather have a pocket torch that lasted for a long time.

Cheap High Power LED Pocket Torch for under £10

If the LED Lenser is a bit too pricy for you, I have also bought the [amazon_link asins=’B00RCUZ2CC’ template=’AOProductLink’ store=’activoutdo-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’c6b0f1d4-6e30-11e7-91e4-7594b5b30e24′] for only [amazon_link asins=’B00RCUZ2CC’ template=’PriceLink’ store=’activoutdo-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’d3d533dc-6e30-11e7-8087-433e73648fc9′] from Amazon. The quality is great, it only takes three AAA batteries, and the 2000 Lumen beam is brilliant. It has an adjustable focus just like the LED Lenser. The only difference is that I would say that with a lot of rough use, the LED Lenser would definitely last longer. I have bought the Ever Cree LED Torch as a gift for friends, and they always keep it in their handbags or coat pocket. Ideal for those moments in the cinema or concert when you drop stuff on the floor in the dark and can’t find it.

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What is the Iditarod Dog Sled Race?

Around 80 teams of dogs led by their musher race across 1840 km (1150 miles) of central Alaska’s most formidable mountains, rivers, forests and open tundra. The 2 routes used (north and south) reflect the supply routes used from the coast to the mining villages used in one of Alaska’s gold rushes, including Iditarod village.

The race first ran in 1973, and with the advances in dog sledding techniques and technologies, race times are now between 20 days for the slowest and 8 days for the fastest. It is definitely classed as an extreme sport, where skills are required to survive in the Arctic environment and keep the dogs working together as a team.

All money raised during the race is for charity. The community spirit is seen all along the route with villagers turning out in sub-zero temperatures to cheer on the dog sleds and mushers as they go by.

You can find out everything about the race on the Iditarod Dog Sled Race website. You could also try dog sledding yourself as an activity experience or on an activity holiday.

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Where Can I Ride my Mountain Bike on a MTB Trail with my Dog?

You can do the same with your dog at the Cannock Chase mountain bike trails in the UK. The ‘Monkey Trail’ has included eight kilometres of new singletrack and some new look features added to existing routes. Cross-country, downhill, and family cycle trails (1-10 miles) are also there.

Linked to the Follow the Dog technical route, the ‘Monkey Trail’, provides 24 kilometres of the West Midlands’ finest bike trail.

The ‘Monkey Trail’ features some short sharp climbs and long flowing decents, so you can expect some extremely tight twists and turns along the way. New features that are popular with mountain bikers will include climbing turns, berms, rooty drops and lots of narrow flowing singletrack.

Wide existing trails enable more people of all ages and abilities get active and develop a healthier lifestyle. There is an easy green route for families and beginners through to blue and red courses for cycling enthusiasts.

See the 2013 Banff Film Festival in the UK this Spring
Find out more about how to spend time outdoors with your dog

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