Tom Watson, Author at Guide Outdoors

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Tom Watson

Tom Watson is an award-winning writer who honed his outdoor skills while living in Minnesota and Kodiak, Al...

Tom Watson is an award-winning writer who honed his outdoor skills while living in Minnesota and Kodiak, Alaska. He is a frequent contributor to several outdoor magazines, author of four books: "Sixty Hikes within Sixty Miles of Minneapolis," "Best Tent Camping-Minnesota," "How to Think Like a Survivor," and "Kids Gone Paddlin' ." He's also an avid kayaker and canoer, camper, naturalist, writer/ photographer specializing in paddle sports, outdoor adventuring and self-reliance skills. He resides in western Minnesota. He writes a column on camping/outdoor adventure tips.

Boy Scout “Patrol” Box Camp Kitchen

Dog and women holding a mug sitting around a campfire

Growing up as a boy scout, our patrol’s most prized and vital piece of equipment (next to our tents) was our patrol box. This chest-sized crate had a hinged side that dropped down to form a work shelf and revealed … Continued

Kayaker’s Portage Pack

Anyone who’s had to carry a loaded kayak over a portage (in the BWCA for example) or across a tidal flat knows that it’s not an easy task given the boat’s design and compounded by the weight and amount of … Continued

Camp Kitchen Seasonings

Besides a basic tenet of survival training that says if you don’t know what it is, don’t eat it, is an equally important one to realize: Just because it’s edible doesn’t mean it’s going to taste good!

Tips on Crossing/Fording a Stream

Fording a stream while back-country trekking can be as simple as an ankle-deep wade through a gentle riffle to a potentially dangerous crossing of a rock-strewn, strong-current river.

Versatile Running Lights for Kayaks

For kayakers who enjoy night paddling for either getting in their pre-dawn position for the start of a fishing tourney, or experiencing the tranquility of being on the water at night, being seen is a key safety concern. Kayak lighting … Continued

Skid-proof Your Winter Walking Gear

There’s something about hiking along with a walking staff that adds a touch of class to a hiker’s presence.

Transitioning Your Summer Sleeping System

The transition from summer camping to overnight into the shoulder season of fall and even into early winter requires a change in gear – especially clothing and your sleeping system.

Eating Snow? Yes or No?

You don’t need to have any backcountry experience to know – “Don’t eat the yellow snow!”

Pairing Up Nature Guidebooks

Between a quick glance as it flits between the branches, or obscured by the shadows of dense foliage, trying to identify a bird or beast in the outdoors can be quite a challenge. While habitat, movements, and physical size help … Continued